Isabelj28

As others have said, no one can give you a yes/no as it's actually up to the case officer on the day. However, I would suggest that you wouldn't meet character, and here's why; Your offending has been relatively consistent, conviction, community order, couple of years later another conviction. The offending is of a fairly similar nature, 3 lots of criminal damage, with a drug thrown in there. This would suggest that despite the community orders, you haven't been rehabilitated, because you've then gone on to commit the same offences. In criminological terms, your behaviour is actually escalating, from damage to property to damage to another person (battery). Thr he context of the offending is also important, if these offences were committed in a family violence sense, I would say you've got no chance. This is very topical at the moment. Your age is also a factor. I don't know you, and I'm not making any judgment, I'm just assessing your criminal history from a professional position (that's what I do for a living.) That being said, the case officer is unlikely to be a criminologist/psychologist so if you get a good MA who can explain away these offences, you may have a chance.

Hi Sam, I can empathise. And you technically could do this. However, it's a massive risk because you're defrauding DIBP. When you applied for the 186 you said you intended to remain with your employer for 2 years. Your circumstances have now changed, in that you're not intending to stay with the employer and you're supposed to advise DIBP if you've had a change in circumstance prior to the visa grant. But you can't do this because then you would likely lose your sponsorship & possibly your job!! i would speak to the new employer & see if they will sponsor you on a 186, direct entry. Then withdraw current application.

And 186 visa... they asked for mine when I applied. I didn't even have exact dates, just put approximate info. No drama. Still got a visa grant. They don't put labels in passports, can't expect people to have that info.

It refers to the time restrictions I have identified above

No because you're not allowed to stay for more than 12 months in an 18 month period on a working holiday or visitor visa.

No you can't. That's a cut & paste of all regional designated areas, so the case officer doesn't have to work out which state you are in and just applies the condition which covers off all states & territories.

Here; https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx

Has he thought about the Moorabool area? It's technically regional but commutable from the cbd in 45 mins by train

Hi Rob, the employer does have an obligation to pay your flight costs, however according to Immi, you have to request this in writing, and it appears as though it's something that has to be paid upfront, rather than you paying and then claiming back. The purpose of this obligation for employers is that the employer can't just fire you and then you can't afford to pay for flights home so the Australian government has to pay to send you home. You could try and write to the employer and include the Department to ask for reimbursement, but I don't like your chances. Check this booklet, page 14 refers; https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1154.pdf

Thanks for such a comprehensive reply George. I guess I just feel frustrated for the guys on here who seem to have done the right thing by choosing a MARA agency, albeit whose registration has now lapsed, and the best advice they're being given is to contact their credit card companies! Why' isn't the indemnity insurance or dedicated client account kicking in for them now!?

so, I have a genuine question. Why is it always recommended to use MARA registered agents if the office who regulate them are effectively useless?

Lucky you... Year before last I waited over 2 months because of their 'backlog'. Thankfully it arrived on the morning I was due to fly back to the UK!! See the link below http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27937962

Agreed. My understanding is that remitted means that the case goes back to the Dept for them to reconsider, not that you'd automatically be granted a visa. If that were the case it would be overturned? Therefore is suggest that if the Dept do grant you a visa they'd probably err on the side of caution and go with a temporary visa in the first instance.

Why was it remitted? Was it a procedural error?

Yes it is technically possible, however not advisable because when you travel into Australia you are supposed to have a genuine intent to be a tourist, not be job hunting.

So your hubby is already in Oz. Did he declare the convictions when he first travelled?

Check this map, would think regional would be anywhere outside the little purple patch of Perth http://www.lands.wa.gov.au/Crown-Land/Pages/Crown-land-enquiry-form.aspx

I have relatives in Australia. I put them down. But no one ever contacted them. I guess it's also to provide more context to your application.

I know it's hard not to worry. I was 457 to 186 and I understand it can be a hard path. But I'm sure DIBP aren't too worried about this kind of offending, it's basically sexual/violent/cumulative prison terms of +12 months.

Try not to worry. Just make sure you declare it in your application and write a grovelling apology letter, about the circumstances, why you won't do it again etc.. Include that you can provide character references if required. Don't minimise it by saying things like "just fined $100" acknowledge that the commission of any offence is serious, but that you've learned your lesson and this was a one off situation.

Why would you even consider this? Why wouldn't you just go straight for a partner visa if you're married?

Yes, that's right. Copy of your husbands current passport

No it isn't. You're allowed holidays. So you do not have to physically have been in Australia for 365 days/365 days for 4 years. I've been on numerous overseas trips and was granted citizenship this year.

it entirely depends whereabouts in Vic you're planning to live. If it's eastern suburbs of Melbourne, for a family of 5, you're looking at $2500 in rent a month easily, plus bond (usually about 5 weeks rent). If you're looking to regional Victoria, it will be less. Don't forget to include funds for kids schools. Although public schools are free, you'll still need to set them up with uniform, books and equipment, in my experience that's not cheap. Maybe $500 per child, depending on age. Also, I see you said you're not going to ship furniture. Think carefully about that as it may be a false economy. I find furniture/white goods/household stuff more expensive here, it maybe cheaper to ship than buy new, particularly for a large family. Most houses have built in wardrobes, but beds, drawers, table and chairs and couch won't be cheap.

Hi Jen, I really don't think you need 250 screenshots of Facebook, a few examples would be fine. Case officers really don't wanna trawl through all that. They wanna see formal documentation which shows your relationship, joint bank accounts, bills to the same address. That kind of stuff. Photos/letters etc.. Should be minimal