localboy

Thank you VeryStormy for the quick response, much appreciated. I doesn't look like my occupation (business consultant) would fall under the eligible criteria, so I'd need to rely on the ENS 186 I think? In terms of sponsoring by the employer- what does this mean for them? Is there a cost/implication for them? What I'm keen to understand is at 2yrs of sponsorship and continuted work under a 457, what options do I have next?

Firstly thank you to everyone who posts in this forum. Since I started using it in earnest, I've moved over to Australia, got sponsored by an employer and have just completed the first year of what's been a great experience. Now, for a question(s)... My girlfriend is Australian, but half Maltese, so has a European passport (which was really helpful until a couple of weeks ago!) The plan was always for me to get my PR here in Australia and then head back to the UK for a couple of years, before ultimately having to decide here or there. Any help on the below would be really appreciated: 1. What date can I start the PR process- is it 2years post 457 granting? It was granted on 30 July 2015. 2. What are the T's & C's for then leaving Australia? Essentially, we're trying to understand at what date we can leave Australia, with me holding PR, to go back to the UK to 'try it' and then have options to choose (Acknowledging the added Brexit complication). Thank you in advance- for considering this post and for all the other advice/experience which has been shared.

Thanks for all your help. Unfortunately February is the only time my parents can visit due to work commitments/my work commitments. Based on the feedback above, the itinerary has been changed, with less time in QLD and a focus on flying between places rather than driving. The new itinerary, is looking as follows (ish); 4 nights Sydney 2 nights Blue Mountains FLY: SYD-MEL 3 nights Melbourne 2 nights Apollo Bay & Port Fairy FLY: MEL-BRIS 3 nights Byron Bay FLY: BRIS-CAIRNS. 4 nights Port Douglas 3 nights Daintree FLY: CAIRNS-SYD Does that look a bit more realistic? Any comments on the locations- are there better places close by etc? Thank you all again for your help

Hello all, With the help of this forum, I have successfully moved to Australia and am now happily living and working under my 457 Visa. My parents are visiting Australia in February next year and whilst quite far off, I am helping them build a route/journey whilst they are here. They are keen on Queensland and are looking at 10-12 days from Byron Bay to Cairns. I am looking at the usual routes, to include Airlie Beach and Whitsundays, but does anybody else have any advice or experience in a bit of a road trip in this area? My main concern is the amount of driving and whilst some driving is necessary, if it can be limited at all that'd be great. Any help gratefully received- my knowledge of QLD is limited but super keen to learn more! Thanks again, localboy

Hello all, Thanks again for all the posts so far- an invaluable source during this move. I've had a verbal offer of employment with 457 sponsorship which I am expected to sign off on early next week. I haven't been here long (recently arrived on a 417) so am trying to get everything in place to ensure it all goes as smoothly as possible. I've got my TFN and set up a bank account, but my query is- is there a risk of paying emergency/high rate tax? I know from my UK experience that overseas colleagues who have travelled and worked temporarily have been subject to the emergency tax. Is this something I should be concerned about/can avoid in Australia? Thanks in advance, localboy

Hello all, Firstly, thanks to all those who have posted on this forum in the past- using the information/advice here I've successfully been verbally offered a position in Sydney with 457 sponsorship. I'm currently on a Working Holiday Visa (417) and have just signed up for Medicare which I'm eligible for as a visitor from the UK. My question is, does anything change in the Health cover side if and when I move onto a 457, i.e.- do I have to have mandatory health cover in Australia? If there's anything else I should consider please do let me know and thank you again. localboy

Hello all, I arrive in Sydney on a WHV at the start of June and will be looking to get a car quickly for getting around/increasing job opportunities. Sorry for my naivety and for potentially missing this, but I can only see information on "driving for the first three months" on my UK licence- not what happens next. Would I need to take a theory and practical test for NSW or could I automatically transfer my UK licence to a NSW licence? If so, how quickly could/should I do this? Any advice greaty appreciated. Kind regards, James

Hello all, As always, thank you for the all the guidance and posts to date- it's so helpful and I use this as a great resource for queries I have. I fly out to Australia for Year 1 on 31st May, with the following 'plan' 1. Arrive on a WHV 2. Apply for a DeFacto Visa towards the end of Year 1 (I have been with my girlfriend for a year already and have started the documentation collation process) 3. Assuming 2 works out fine....fingers crossed! The question I have now is- what are the essentials I need to take out with me in May, which I'm likely to forget. I'm thinking about documentation in particular which I'll need for banking, rent, work, and Visa applications. For example- do I need past bank statements, rental agreements, credit card statements, Criminal Records checks, credit reports? Thanks again as always. Kind regards, localboy

Thank you again for yet more great advice. If the partner visa is granted, what do I "get" in terms of Visa entitlement- i.e.- is it time bound, 2 years for example? Apologies for the questions around this- I'm struggling to find what the actual Visa would be called- number etc? We are already thinking about the 'evidence' and starting to save documents which will be helpful. Thanks again all, what a great forum!

Hello MaggieMay, Thank you very much for the response. So, if I applied for a DeFacto Visa towards the end of my first year WHV, am I right in thinking I would be granted a bridging visa whilst that application was considered? If so, what are the next steps, i.e.- if it's approved what am I granted? If it's declined, I assume I resume my pre-DeFacto status, i.e.- if I had time left on my WHV I'd go back to that, if that had expired, I'd leave Australia. I think maybe it's best to consider the 3 month agricultural work for the second year extension too as a further option. Thanks again- really really appreciate all your help and advice in what is a massive life event!

Hello Bel, Thank you very much for the response. In terms of the 12 month living together requirement, there is a suggestion that this could be waived here: http://www.ausmigrate.biz/index.php/partner/spouse-visa/?utm_source=GoogleAdwords&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=DeFacto&utm_term=De%20facto%20australia&gclid=CLebzfqaq8ECFVgkvQodqk0A4g by "Couples who register their relationships with one of the State registers are treated similar to married couples in that they do not need to show a 12 months history together." Does anybody have any experience of this? It sounds a bit 'shortcutish' and almost too good to be true? As always, thank you again and any help appreciated.

Hello all, Firstly, thank you to all those who have posted on here previously, it's a fascinating insight and the real life stories help make the process so much easier to understand. So, onto me... I'm 29 and a British citizen. I met a girl in February of this year whilst she was working in London. She is currently living in SYD and has dual Australian/European nationality which makes some of this easier as it gives us more options. Whilst I appreciate knowing someone for 8months doesn't sound like a long time, it's been a great 8 months and now she is back in Australia we are exploring our options and with apologies for the length of this post, any help on the following would be greatly appreciated: Other things to take into account; 1. I have a 5.5 week holiday planned leaving the UK on 26th Dec to Sydney. We are travelling the East Coast together and have accommodation planned for the entirety. 2. I have been granted a 'career break' from my current employer which means I can have a year of unpaid leave whilst my job remains open. This gives me a bit of flexibility and mitigates any 'risk' slightly. The plan for the year is to live together in/near Sydney and I'll work (within the restrictions of the Working Holiday Visa). Questions 1. We have looked into registering the relationship when we get to Sydney. Is this a good idea? 2. De Facto relationship- My WHV will give me a year in Australia. Whilst we could both always fly back to Europe, the preference is to extend this. Again, the ideal would be to get sponsored work but I am conscious this isn't simple, so, I am looking at a De Facto Visas. If I apply for one of these at the end of Year 1 (assuming all is still well), what does that grant me, i.e.- on lodging, do I get a temporary stay? If approved, what is the outcome, i.e.- 2 years stay? Are there restrictions on working as part of this? In essence, the preference is that we are able to stay together in Australia, permanently. Whilst the dual citizenship means that we always have the option of living in London long term, the preference is Sydney and I am keen to understand my options/things I can be doing to make this more likely. Any questions or any guidance appreciated and thank you in advance.