Canada2Australia

You should never denounce your British Citizenship; doing that would likely be the biggest mistake in your life IMHO. It's your home and where your family live. It is who you are and where you are from, and always will be. Don't ever renounce where you come from. I get you may have been using sarcasm, but still I just wanted to state my opinion because I feel strongly about that. This country is not the perfect paradise with perfect people that so many make it out to me, myself included. I've learnt that the very hard way.

Does anyone know how to contact a case worker to enquire about the status of your citizenship lodgement, without annoying Home Affairs? (Ugh that sounds soooo American......'Home Affairs' )

I would say most of us are in the same boat as Ding since we are actively listing here. I know I am, I'm also building a new house and considering going back to school. But my life has not changed or become worse simply because I have to wait longer for citizenship. He/she should consider themselves lucky to have PR at all instead of complaining (and they are) about a longer citizenship process. I know I am.

Why are you worried about them being on holidays? They are entitled to holidays as well. I really don't understand people's 'concerns' sometimes.

I could sit here and debate with you for hours (especially with regards to the Canadian geographical reference as you appear to be unaware of the proximities of our other major cities between Toronto and Vancouver which don't even come close to the Perth isolation factor), but I would think we both have better things to do with our time. I will simply reiterate that facts are facts; Perth is literally one of the most isolated cities on the planet. No getting around that huge factor one I'm afraid. If you enjoy living in Perth, then that is all that should matter for you

I'm not suggesting that every single person will feel isolated living in Perth. Obviously plenty will not feel any isolation at all. What I a saying is that Perth's isolation from other major centres will and does play a factor in many people's lives. There are many people that enjoy being able to drive to other large cities in a relativelt short period of time (12 hours or one day's drive) or access other large cities by air within an hour or two. It does play a role in people choosing where they want to establish themselves. One of the first things people learn about Perth when they research facts about the city is that it is the 2nd most isolated major city in the world, next to Honolulu. That is a fact, and a pretty major fact at that. I've never known true isolation until I lived in Darwin. And I have nothing against Perth, in fact I quite like it there, but it is simply too far away from anywhere for me. So I will likely never choose it as a place I want to live.

Interest that Cairns has such a quick turn around, yet in other regional coastal QLD cities (like mine), very little movement is happening.

I declare all of my income in both Canada and Australia chartered accountants. I am required to by law.

It is interesting. Based on what I have read here, it seems the UK is quite anal with its tax system, much like the US is. In Canada, I own property and it does not affect any of my taxes and assets here in Australia. I am never taxed on the same asset by both countries. It's relatively straightforward between the two countries and I've had next to no issues, and the few that did come up were very minor in nature.

Agreed, and that is why I spent $113 to have one sent to me express rush. Just got here on Tuesday. $113 for a birth certificate. Bloody hell.

PCC....Police Certificate Check........?

Oh yeah, I'm referring to having this documentation come test time; that was my concern. The application is already lodged. And it's been taking an average of two months to have anything posted between the two countries..........each way! I really loath both Canada and Australia Post at the moment. And the only other way to do this is by fax because they don't accept applications via email or over the phone. It's so bloody frustrating. So now I will have to find a place that still actually uses fax machines. Unbelivable.

It was always coloured copies of originals for everything when applying for previous visas. Was never an issue.

One of the biggest changes is that life in a new country is very different when you are living there as opposed to when you are on holidays. It's back to real life with all the real life problems; no more fantasy holiday where everything and everyone is absolutely perfect and beautiful. The rose coloured glasses come off and the regular glasses come back on. My advice to you is give yourself 5-10 years and see if you are still in love with the fantasy of living overseas. If that is no longer the case and you being to dream about going back home, don't just brush it off and do take into serious consideration. Just my 2 cents.

Good afternoon everyone. So I'm having a very painful experience getting a birth certificate sent out to me by the government agency back home, likely due to COVID-19. For whatever reason, the order isn't going through and the certificate isn't being sent out. Obviously this is on the identification documents required at the time of testing for citizenship, but I'm wondering if it is absolutely crucial to have an authentic copy on hand. I have a photocopy of one, and all my other documents are authentic in nature. Can anyone confirm if I very much need an original copy with me, or would immigration be a bit more sympathetic? Cheers

I looked into this for my mother as well. At this stage in her life (also born 1957) it is just not practical to even attempt applying for such a visa. She would likely be too old and frail, or dead, by the time it is approved. So it would be an excercise in futility (and a waste of money) I'm afraid.

Mackay here, and by the appearance of things, regional applicants may be waiting awhile compared to those in the cities. I can't prove this; it's just based on what I've read and heard. So be prepared to potentially wait awhile.

Not true. It's only if you have never owned in Australia.

Yes, most are actually buying without physically seeing the houses and units in person. Not sure why you are such a pessimistic sourpuss on this; it is happening whether you choose to believe it or not.

Regional Queensland housing prices are currently on the rise as many from the south flood the markets. Rent are increasing sharply as well. This is all in the last couple months too. There are a number of factors at play for this; due to FIFO people moving regionally to avoid state border closures, due to people wanting out of Sydney and Melbourne to avoid the chaos of lockdowns, to have the freedom of working form home without really needing to be in an office whilst living in regional areas and all the benefits that accompany that lifestyle, etc. Rental vacancy rates in places like Mackay and Rockhampton are less than 1% and rents are rising quickly. All these factors are apparently affecting Darwin as well. People down south are looking to escape. We could be potentially seeing a change back towards regional living being a preference with more and more people permanently. So because of this, I'm deciding to buy now before prices increase more than they already have.

Where are you located?

In addition to this, it's why I'm looking to build now before prices get much higher. All the gov't incentives are making it very attractive for people like myself who don't have a huge deposit saved up. It's just unfortunate timing that I haven't have my citizenship ceremony yet to qualify for the federal home owners grant. But it's still a great time to buy/build for many potential first home owners, and the perfect storm for me to take full advantage of it!

It is still extremely isolating. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere it was the lagest isolated city in the world. That is pretty telling. I lived in Darwin for almost 4 years, and that city too is extremely isolated. Perth may be a large city, but the fact that it is so far away from most other cities makes it less appealing for myself, anyways.

The working at home phenomena is true, however there are other factors as well. Up here and all over the boonies of coastal QLD (outside of the SEQ Kingdom), there has been a flurry of activity in the real estate markets. People in droves from Melbourne and Sydney (and to a smaller degree Brisbane) are snapping up properites in places like Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns (and Darwin is being affected by this as well) in order to get away from the chaos the pandemic has caused. This is now possible for many people because of the increasing ability to work permanently from home. So one doesn't need to be at the office, or even the big city, more than a handful of times are year. People can now have the 'big city' jobs whilst living in smaller and much more affordable centres. It's a match made in heaven for many. The rental markets are also being impacted. In both Mackay and Rockhampton, the vacancy rate is hovering around the 1% mark, and it has become a dogfight to get a decent place to rent. My understand is Darwin is even tighter. The reason for this is primarly because mining companies are starting to force people who are traditionally FIFO to take up residence more locally so that they can avoid any future interstate border closures that would affect their operations. It's a smart move. So now both the sales and rental markets are overheating and prices are going up.