Catlady2014

19 hours ago, Tulip1 said:

You do these things but so will many others that have paid into the system for 40 years prior to that.  The 20 somethings will pay into the system, buy a house and car and will just as likely go on to look after the grandkids and volunteer too.  You say you’ve spent a lot of money in Australia but how much of that has gone into the system? Your new home can’t have and one day that will be past into your kids or whoever unless you plan on leaving it to the Australian economy. You may know people in their 70’s still working and paying tax but they would be an exception, it is a fact most don’t and the ones in their 70’s still working would be unlikely to be working full time so paying less in tax.  If they came on a parent visa they still arrived later in life and cannot be compared to someone paying into the system from a young age.  If I understand your post right,  you’ve purchased a house and paid workers to build you an extension, you’ve purchased a car and buy food and the usual things everyone does. You also do some voluntarily work which whilst lovely and important it doesn’t feed into the economy.  So in short compared to a younger person working all their life’s you have not and continue to pay nothing into the economy. Your post confirmed what I said, people on parent visas are vastly overall more cost worthy compared to home grown or 20 something’s that arrive and work for the next 40 years.  

You are quite wrong, I did not buy a house.  And all money spent on goods and services feeds back into the economy, it does not disappear into the ether never to be seen again.  

I have friends on parent visas who are still working well into their 70s and therefore paying tax.  There are others like myself who do voluntary work; and although the voluntary workers are not paying tax, they are providing free labour.  And of course many others are also providing free childcare for grandchildren, enabling the grandchildren's parents to work longer, earn more and consequently pay more tax.   With regard to Medicare, there are very many Aussies in the UK who receive NHS treatment that they may not have paid into, so there must also be some element of 'swings and roundabouts'. Since arriving in Australia, I've bought a new car and hired builders and tradies to build my extension onto the family home, bought new furniture and appliances, totalling around $230,000, as well as all the usual and ongoing things like food and clothing, rego and insurance, holidays,  utilities and entertainment, conservatively estimated at $10,000 per annum.  So, apart from the $55,000 odd in visa fees etc, am I not also contributing to the economy in other ways?  I just know that I've spent a heck of a lot of money in Australia, but I don't know where that fits into the financial calculations of my net cost to the country.  Assuming that I continue with my current voluntary work for, say another 10 years, I calculate (using a nominal figure of $30 per hour for my labour) that I will have contributed another $409,500.  The trouble with calculating these things is that there are far too many variables.  

2 hours ago, nyorksgrannie said:

Hi Catlady you are very lucky, we have found Bulk billing practices thin on the ground and people having to wait a long time to see the Drs. The Drs we used to go to near our daughters however did sometimes bulk bill at their discretion when it was a short follow up appointment for instance and we too have found the Drs good here and X rays etc done amazingly quickly at PRP. We are about to start at a new Drs practise having moved into our renovated house and  I understand some of the Drs there only bill privately so will have to choose carefully as it is a fairly small practise, we are not in a city.  I hope you are enjoying life in Queensland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of bulk billing practices in my area.  Have you tried searching for bulk billing practices using healthengine.com.au?  I'm not sure that a link to it will be allowed on the forum, so I'll send it to you by pm.  

2 hours ago, Marisawright said:

No, that's not the case.  

The difference between what the doctor charges and what Medicare pays is called  'the Gap".  Health insurance does not cover you for that, you just have to pay it.  

Where you've paid nothing, you've encountered a system called "bullk billling".   You pay nothing, and the doctor charges Medicare direct.   Obviously he gets less money because he only gets the Medicare fee - but it saves the doctor a lot in staff and record-keeping, because he doesn't need to process individual payments and can just send Medicare one big bill.  So some doctors think it's worth it.

Dentists, optical (apart from eye tests), physiotherapy and similar therapies are not covered by Medicare at all, so you need private health insurance for those.

I go to a bulk billing practice, so I pay nothing at all.  I do have to pay for prescriptions, but that's the only difference from the UK where I got free prescriptions.  I do pay for dental and glasses, but I always had to pay for those in the UK anyway, so again no difference.  Ambulances are free in Queensland, but I believe you have to pay for those in other states.  

I decided against private health insurance - I never had it in the UK and so I don't miss it.  I use a fantastic medical practice where you can choose which doctor to see according to their particular fields of interest/speciality and book appointments on line - never have to wait - a d blood tests and xrays are done at the same place.  It's really impressive, way ahead of anything I ever experienced in an NHS practice. 

41 minutes ago, Peter2 said:

Hi all, we are very happy that we just got the visas granted yesterday evening.

Thank you all very much for your help, especially @Alan Collett and @Catlady2014!!!

They have extended the entry date till Feb 2019.

Thanks!!!

 

Congratulations!  

18 hours ago, KATE PHUONG LAM said:

Hi Pete,

can we pay by bank transfer instead you know?

 

 

Thanks

At the time of my payment request, the only options for payment were either bank cheque or credit card.  That was just over a year ago.  Maybe things have changed, maybe you can use other methods now (I don't know) but when you get the request for payment you MUST follow the payment instructions on the payment request.  

2 minutes ago, Peter2 said:

Thanks very much @Catlady2014. I just came back from the bank and they said the same thing.

Congratulations on getting this far - nearly there now!  

53 minutes ago, Ryan 2017 said:

I can’t find it

Signatures appear directly below members' posts, but you will only see the signatures if you are signed into the forum at the time when you are reading the posts. 

 I really don't believe it will make any difference at all whether you include "the" or leave it out; so long as Department of Home Affairs is there, that should be fine. 

 I got my visa granted very very quickly after the cheque was sent off, despite a Bank Holiday intervening. 

20 minutes ago, Peter2 said:

Thanks very much Alan. My agent is not so sure about the check and they insist on me paying by credit card, but I don't have such a high limit.

I'll be sending an Australian bank cheque, and based on the payment instruction below, I think it's to the "Department of Home Affairs".

 

I hope someone who has done it could clarify this.

 

Payment by Bank Cheque

 Bank cheques should be made payable to the Department of Home Affairs and sent by registered post to the following address:

 Parent Visa Centre

Contributory Parent Section

Locked Bag 7

NORTHBRIDGE WA 6865

AUSTRALIA

Yes, bank cheque and registered post is the way to go.  You should get your visa grant very quickly - see my timeline below.

1 hour ago, Fisher1 said:

Are you confusing entry date with validation date? Unless the rules have changed since 2016, you must validate your visa by entering Australia a maximum of twelve months from the date of issue. You dont have to move permanently at this time - you have five years from the date of issue to do that.

Yes, it looks like she is confusing the two.  However, the initial entry/validation date is not within 12 months from date of "issue" (grant), it is within 12 months from Police/medicals.  But in any case, the relevant dates to be complied with are clearly stated on the individual visa grant.   

28 minutes ago, Mrs Depp said:

There's very strong extenuating circumstances in our case and immigration are aware of these. Still waiting for a response from them and I'm hoping that no news is good news at this stage. They have completed a triage form on our behalf which gets sent to triage dept and they then pass it onto the relevant team. This highlights that it is urgent.

I was just wondering if anyone knew of anyone who had had the initial entry date extended or whether they review and decline regardless. Although, I would like to think this process does mean there is a possibilty that an extension can be granted.

Fingers crossed anyway.

Cheers

Fingers crossed for you. 

34 minutes ago, Alan Collett said:

No change to the rules for the required initial entry to Australia

I think vicky bajwa has misunderstood, or the advice given was incorrect.

Best regards.

@Mrs Depp, I don't know if you can get the initial entry/validation date extended.  I think you'll have to contact Perth.  Or can you take a quick trip into Aus to validate and then back home again to sort whatever it is that needs to be sorted? 

1 hour ago, vicky bajwa said:

I just rang the immi and they said for 143 which is permanent , there is no mention of entry date and from your entry you have to spent 2 years from 5 yrs with in Australia for renew your Visa.

As I am the applicant of 143, I don't know what's written on Visa paper.But according to them Visa will commence from your entry date and there is no condition on entry.

Maybe they've changed the rules since last September?  My 143 visa grant was dated 28 September 2017 and quoted :

"initial arrival must be made by 1 February 2018".  

@Alan Collett, do you know if the rules have changed? 

1 hour ago, vicky bajwa said:

I think when you get your permanent visa you can enter any time within timeframe of 5 years

No, you can't.  You have to enter and validate your visa within 12 months of the medical/Police clearance.  The visa grant stipulates the exact latest date to enter/validate.  

6 hours ago, nadette24 said:

did you have to show an NHS card?

 

No, you need an Australian Medicare card - See AMP's previous post for how to get one under reciprocal arrangements if you are on a visitor visa, or to get one if you have permanent residency.  

29 minutes ago, AMP said:

A bit of info re health issues and payments.  Most of you from the UK probably already know that if you are in Australia on a visitor visa then you can apply to Centre link for a Medicare card under the reciprocal arrangements.  You actually have to go into the Centre link office but it’s a very straightforward procedure and the card they grant you is valid for the term of your visa (which is linked to your passport details and which they can view on line). To tide you over until your card comes through they give you a paper document with your Medicare number until your card comes through. 

I had occasion to have to go to the doctor this week with a minor injury to a finger. (A big thorn splinter to be precise).   I made my appointment on Sunday evening, on line, for the following morning.  I went to a bulk billing doctor so there was no charge whatsoever.  I was referred round the corner for an ultrasound on my finger and they squeezed me in the same day.  Again no charge.  Then I had to go back for a minor surgery on the same finger which was done the following day (they did offer to do it the same day).   Again no charge.  The only thing I did have to pay for was $18 for antibiotics.  This is my first experience of using the reciprocal arrangements and I was definitely impressed. 

I totally agree, Angela.  I've found the service superb compared to the UK.   One thing I would add is: when getting a prescription filled, you may be asked if you would like a generic medicine rather than a branded one, which will usually be cheaper.   Take the generic where possible.  

3 hours ago, Pertenhall said:

Joy of joys - we have been asked to pay 2nd VAC!!!!

At long last - very very pleased for you! 

5 minutes ago, Marilyn said:

ROE on XE currently 1 GBP = 1.7937 AUD.

Now if only the next "test" email gives us something to celebrate in anticipation

 

 

1 minute ago, Kathss56 said:

It says he was immigration minister in Tony Abbott’s government. Anyone know what he was like then? . Wonder what HE feels about immigration!!

looks like he was much the same as Dutton.  

23 hours ago, Pertenhall said:

UNBELIEVABLE!!!  After 23 weeks since submitting AoS paperwork and getting nowhere, continually being told that everything was on the system and that we just needed to wait for it to be processed our daughter contacted her MP.  Within a couple of days she has at last had contact from AoS, but not the news that we had hoped for!  Her application had been rejected as she was AUD2K short on the previous tax year.  She asked if she could get another assurer but was told that was not possible and that it was a straightforward rejection and that basically the case was closed!!!  I’m sure I’ve read of at least 2 other people on this forum who have been asked to get a second assurer?

Makes no difference that although she has two children she shares responsibility with their father (they live with him half the time and they share all expenses) she is still is classed as having 2 children.  If this was not the case then her income would have been OK.

She has been advised to resubmit her application after 30 Jun – just 2 weeks away.  What a nightmare.  Although, crazy though it may seem, at least we now have an answer we know where we stand - just not where we wanted to be.  Hopefully once we re-submit it won’t take them the same amount of time before they make a decision.  I have to admit, the air was a little blue when we heard.  23 weeks 3 days to tell us NO!!!!!!!

 

Disgraceful behaviour by Centrelink!  I am so sorry to hear this news.  I hope your daughter's MP can get an explanation of why you weren't advised long ago and given an oppirtunity to get a co-assurer - surely all offices have to follow the same rules!  

7 minutes ago, Bev50Bradley said:

 

POM - might be an urban legend but I have heard it said that it stood for Prisoner of her Majesty.  Or something to do with pomegranates?   Can't remember what that connection was supposed to be though.  

1 hour ago, Merryweather said:

Thanks - was beginning to think that might be an idea - but didn't know if 'they' would accept cheque from another account.

thanks again

I don't think they care who it comes from.   Many of us on the forum have done it this way in the past, without a problem.  I only got my visa last September and it was fine.  But things may have changed since then, so check your email requesting the second vac - if they only accept from a particular source, it will say so.   

12 minutes ago, Merryweather said:

Hi - a question about payment of 2nd Vac:

We are in the U.K. but have the money in an Australian bank.

I thought we'd be able to pay by bank transfer.

Can we get Oz bank to issue a bank cheque and give to daughters ( with ID) to send off?

Has anyone been in this situation?

I transferred the money to my daughter's bank account, she got a bank cheque drawn on her account, and sent it to PVC.  I don't know if it's possible to do it the way you are thinking of. 

4 minutes ago, Ferrets said:

Employer rates are 13.8% over £8,400, so based on average salary of £27,600 it's approx £2,649.  Plus £2,200 employer contributions = £4,849.

I've based my thoughts on an average 35 years contributions but yous is based on a max 46 year working life.  Given various circumstances (maternity, paternity, etc.) I'd argue 35 is more realistic at this point, which gives £170k (so a big whack above my initial ramblings).  But then take off 50% for NHS contributions and that brings you back to £85k.  Can that support an £8,500 pension based on current life expectancy and expectations?

I know it's moot for most here as stamps have been paid against promises made, but it's still a looming issue.

I stand corrected on the amount of employer NI contribution!  As I said, I'm not up to speed on payroll.  But I based the number of working years on my own working life (46 years) and I have friends of a similar age to me who are still working and have no intention of retiring (they must be gluttons for punishment but they apparently like working). I even have an older friend still working at age 77 and a brother in law still working at age 82.  I believe they don't have to pay NI over a certain age but my point is that a 35-year working life sounds wrong to me.  I don't know of anyone who has retired at the age of 50 - even allowing for maternity leave, and paternity leave wasn't available to my generation.