Ferrets

1 hour ago, Kathss56 said:

It will drop each year I’m dam sure. I think a lot of cpv’s will go for a 3yr temp parent visa when it comes in -if they are urgently wanting to move over. Maybe this is another ploy, they earn extra money in the fee for the new visa whilst we are waiting,waiting,waiting! 

Can you have the temporary whilst waiting for resolution of a CPV, or does that cancel the wait for the CPV?

I have a Motorola G4 plus, was about to swap to the G5 plus on deal but the G6 has just come out.  Excellent budget phone!

1 hour ago, ant111 said:

Saying I'm being pretentious when it's untrue

Isn't that  technically and actually defamatory!

I apologise, I may have misunderstood your circumstances and strategy and it's counter productive to argue when everyone is seeking the same goal.

I assume your agent has confirmed your strategy and I would take their professional opinion over my ramblings.

Good luck.

11 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

So what you’re saying is that many parents on this forum aged over 65 could simply rock up on a 651 then apply for 864 once they get there and stay in Australia  on bridging visas till PR grant ?? 

Yes, with reciprocal healthcare and no restrictions.

Personally I do not believe that the 600 in anticipation of 143 grant is a viable option given the current political environment here.

Suggest appropriate consultation with a MARA agent.

2 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

@Ferrets so did your parents come over on a 600 tourist visa or other holiday visa before applying for the 864  onshore Visa? 

A lot of parents have done that despite warnings from agents etc that technically you’re not supposed to use a tourist visa to then claim another visa which is probably why more and more 600 visas are coming with conditions attached. Otherwise parents would just go over on a tourist visa and  then claim another onshore and just remain in Oz on bridging visas until finally getting granted PR  

I think it’s quite routine in very many cultures for grandparents to look after grandchildren whilst the young parents are working. 

As so many have pointed out our applications and first vac were made on the premise that the wait list was 18-24 months. To find that time lengthening either because of Au govt deliberately  delaying visas or removing some places for 405/410 applicants or because some applicants have used other “techniques” to get to Oz is probably only adding to the frustrations felt by many. 

 

Nope 600 was not required. A 651 from the UK generally does not have any "no further stay conditions", but really only works if one party is over 65.  We spent a modest amount with a reputed MARA agent who specialises in parent visas and it has been invaluable to us.  As I have said previously we all have strategies, and the best way to do that is with a good agent.

Frustrations are felt by all but we need to make sure that advice here is compliant with legislation and not what people want to hear.

On 06/05/2018 at 17:49, simmo said:

even aussies call it Vile Brew

Which ones? On tap at my locals and it sells well.  Dropping a couple of cold ones now and thoroughly enjoying them.

17 minutes ago, ant111 said:

Not a breach technically or otherwise!

Well if you are in Australia on a 600 to look after your grandchildren on a regular scheduled basis then it might be a breach (I would ask a MARA agent to confirm). 

Doesn't mean anyone will check but don't pretend to have a clear conscience if you are breaking immigration rules.

2 minutes ago, LindaH27 said:

@Ferrets I’m assuming you are sponsoring  your parents application for 143 visa ? If so could  you amend your signature to reflect times/dates please? 

Nope, not a sponsor, falls to my brother for that one, and my parents are going for the 864 (aged parents onshore).

I don't see any signatures any more (and now wonder what my signature is), need to have a tinker with the settings and will update as it's also good to keep everyone aware of general progress.

On 19/05/2018 at 12:18, palaceboy1 said:

As this topic has strayed from POMS in oz , would there be any merit in putting the country of applicant in the signature to maybe see if delays in processing might be due more complex cases from different cultures

This isn't a bad idea; the reality is that PIO is one of the best sources of information out there for migration to Australia, which I assume is why there are more people attracted than just from the UK.

It would also be frustrating to reply to a post on the assumption that the OP is from UK when in fact knowing otherwise would have changed the answer or mean that you wouldn't reply.

Other sites have an "originally from" and "currently in" flag - maybe something to think about?

7 minutes ago, Rosiejaq said:

I’ve seen episodes of Nothing to Declare where people have been hauled over the coals for this...just looking after children while parents work...need to be careful!

I think I saw that as well, but it might have been the Canadian version rather than the UK one, I don't recall it being discussed here before.

That said 2-3 years ago processing times weren't messed up.

1 minute ago, Fisher1 said:

I think you are splitting hairs for no good reason. The parents who babysit do so voluntarily while here as tourists - so why would it not be allowed?

I would assume a difference between adhoc irregular babysitting (i.e. once a month) and regular childcare arrangements (i..e Monday - Wednesday each week).

But you are right - as this is an area of family vs. say childminding for non-family it may be entirely irrelevant!  However on the other hand would a MARA agent guarantee you weren't in breach if you had a regular childcare schedule?

On 19/05/2018 at 11:03, ant111 said:

Good reply. I needed to help with childcare too. There are many of us . So at least we can use the 600 visa for this without exploitation as sais and a clear concience

Out of curiosity isn't childcare technically a breach of the working conditions of the 600?  I know that for family it's likely no one will ever check but I understood the visa required that;

• Your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and any voluntary work remains incidental to this.
• The work involved would not otherwise be undertaken, in return for wages, by an Australian resident.
• The work is genuinely voluntary and that no remuneration is received in return for the activities (which of course family childcare would be)

My reading of that is that regular voluntary childcare is therefore not allowed, but happy to be corrected. 

I do apologise for being a bit argumentative at the moment, as all that post here have developed their own strategies based on rules and circumstances and are frustrated by the current wait times & lack of clarity from DIBP, and hope everyone achieves their goal.

Sorry wasn't meant to be a disagreement about the 600s, was just trying to be a point that I have a personal view.

The whole parent visa situation is a mess.  The can has been kicked down the road previously to an extent that it is becoming quickly unsolvable against an environment of using young immigrants as an economic lever.

As a child I am hoping my parents can secure their visa.  As a taxpayer I understand the concerns of the cost of the parent visa.

Overall this is only going to get more difficult for parents, I hope all posting here achieve their aim, and I think that any retrospective measure is reprehensible.  However do not expect any easing of the pressures, and as @Alan Collett mentioned parents and their sponsors need to make sure they have a greater voice.

1 minute ago, LindaH27 said:

Yes UK is 3rd but a long way behind. Also as far as I can see on home affairs website there are a great many countries  who can apply online for the 600 visa  and if not on that list a paper application can be made so you don’t think UK  applicants for the 600 visa get any preferential treatment ? 

    

Difficult because that is skewed by IT and Accountancy (and really I'd need my own thread there).

But I know my parent's entry visas have had virtually no restrictions (i.e. no further entry / no further applications) that I think as a UK parent you do start in a better place i.e. being able to get a 600 / apply for an onshore visa.

Just now, Kathss56 said:

I think we are in the minority when it come to parent visa applications so that to me that is disproportionate also. We are only a tiny percent of applications I believe so it’s nice to have one perk then!

I think UK parents are still about 1/3, with India and China the other two main for parent visas

1 minute ago, Kathss56 said:

I for one would not be moving over on a 600 if Immi stuck to the initial 18-24months from when I applied. But my daughters life cannot wait for me hence the arrival of my Grandson and hence the 600 it is then!  I’m sure many are in the same boat. 

Totally fair - it's in the rules.

My point was that it's still an exploit that benefits UK parents disproportionately over others due to entry restrictions, it wasn't meant to call anyone out 

On 17/05/2018 at 21:30, Tulip1 said:

There will always be the scenario that a parents children live in Oz and they wish to join them but still have say one child at home with them.  If that child is a child and dependant then I think they should go on the application. After all, very few parents would do the visa to move to be with their children if one child would be left alone in the U.K. The problem is it does get exploited (we've seen on here recently about 25 year olds still 'dependant). The other thing you mention is that most of us can financially afford the move which is possible true although no end of people post on here about having to sell up, having to live somewhere cheap in Oz, worried about pension rises stopped, hoping to get work well into their 60's to afford to live etc. I reckon there are a fair amount of parents who really can't afford the move but will 'manage and make it work'. The other part to this is there must be a very high percentage of parents from other countries with very little money.  

It's an odd thing though - you mention the aged up to 25 being exploited....it's within rules (or if not no grant).  Personally I think that moving over on a 600 in advance of visa grant is an exploitation...but it's still a strategy so fair game.

You are right that parents coming from other countries than the UK aren't necessarily as well off, but I can only see an increase of the combination of AOS / Parent assets going forward not a separation.

All here are going for the same goal, and good luck to all!

10 hours ago, LindaH27 said:

Ive really debated whether to post this or not! 

I’ve spent a fair bit of time recently looking at reports, google etc. Yes I know the statement - that there are lies damned lies and statistics!

One of Australia’s great strengths is its multi culturism. 

However what is obvious is that the larger the applicant country is the more visa applicants(for any kind of visa)  there will be. That is a fact. 

Without meaning to be controversial in any way - as there is such a demand would it not be fairer to give each applicant country a certain percentage of the visa places available (whether skilled worker, parent, partner etc)  in order to give applicants from smaller countries an equal crack of the whip? 

We are all in the same boat waiting and wanting to be with our families so I hope no offence is taken as none was meant  - just trying to see if there was a fairer way for everybody. The only thing that seems set in stone is the current government dislike of parents and the slow down of visas granted to the extent that places still available out of the so-called “ceiling” are not being granted. 

Their main fear seems to be that as older people we will cost their taxpayers a lot of money. As always there’s an answer - check the applicants income, savings etc to ensure they are self sufficient, make it a rule they also take out private health care  - or is that too simple? 

I have one question that I don’t know the answer to - apologies if it’s too simple a question!  Is each application treated as  one visa grant off the amount available  no matter how many apply on that application or does the grant count depend on how many parents and also adult dependant children there are on that application ? 

 

 

The problem is they did try to make a change via the AoS...and there was uproar because this didn't look at the parent's ability to support themselves (and it was retrospective)

But If it had been a means testing of the applicants (i.e. must have AUD $2m in the bank)....there would have been uproar as it wouldn't look at the children's ability to support their parents.

The broader issue that is not being openly discussed is that Australia wants young migrants as a part of economic policy (note that the skilled visa is now virtually impossible to get after 45 vs. 50 a couple of years ago) but the availability of chain migration to these migrants (parent visa, last remaining relative, etc) means the number of people eligible for parent visas is ballooning by tens of thousands (if not more per year).

Realistically, either there is going to have to be a significant change to the AoS / Income requirements or waiting times will continue to increase for the CPV, as I cannot see any appetite here politically to increase the number of parent visas.

I know it's not nice for all those in limbo at the moment, especially when the government tries t make retrospective changes, but I don't think the reversal on the AoS is the end of the issue by any means and therefore parent groups need to seek a bigger voice.

Good luck to everyone. 

3 minutes ago, Rosiejaq said:

PROCESSING CONTRIBUTORY PARENT VISAS

In the 2017-18 Migration Programme year, 7175 Contributory Parent visa places are available for applicants applying from in and outside Australia.  Due to high numbers of Contributory Parent visa applications lodged in May and June 2014, processing time for these is expected to exceed 30 months.

·         OFFSHORE APPLICANTS (subclass 143/173)

When your application is allocated to an assessing officer, you or your authorised contact may be asked to provide more documents, including but not limited to, Assurance of Support (subclass 143 only), police certificates and health clearances to finalise your application. 

We are currently assessing applications lodged up to and including 30 April 2015.

 

Any update on the 864?  Already used my email refresh this week 

1 hour ago, The Pom Queen said:

I didn’t even know you could claim for goods anywhere. 

For gift aid in the UK there is a tax benefit on the sales that they track - an element goes to the charity but then if you are a higher rate payer you get a deduction as well.

According to the ATO you can claim for gifts of money or property; https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/Deductions-you-can-claim/Gifts-and-donations/

But I think I might be reading that property includes donated items, but suspect that it might be real estate.  It doesn't change the intention for the stuff to be donated, but was curious rather than find out about any deductibles after the stuff has gone. 

After having finally unpacked it turns out there is quite a lot of stuff that should never have made it into the container in the first place, especially suits (wrong size, old style, etc).

They will all be going to the salvos, but I wondered if I make a donation of a large number of items if there is an tax deductible donation similar to Gift Aid in the UK?

It won't stop the stuff going, but thought I'd ask before it did 

Thanks, Ferrets

9 minutes ago, TheKeetons said:

My kids are English though. Thank you for your great helpful message though. 

If you are an Australian citizen then so are your kids already, so you just need to apply for their passports

59 minutes ago, bridgie said:

Nope, I've read and re read my post and nowhere do I mention the AOS situation, however, let me give you an alternative view.

There will be plenty of people on this forum and sitting in the visa queue that are pleased that the income level and bond has been increased. Why?, because it increases their chances of advancing faster towards a visa at the expense of others.

As a neighbour of mine once said, "It's only expensive if you can't afford it"

Trust me, I'm not extracting the urine.

You miss the point.

I meant no one was making light of any number of people here who had concerns over parent visas (including the AOS changes) apart from your unkind post on the topic of dependants.

I will make sure I am clearer in future.

15 hours ago, sh aron said:

Hi 

if you are  adult dependent on Visa 143 /173  please share your experiences here .

thanks

Hi there,

I think this is an area where these is not so much experience as most children in the UK finish full time education by 21/22 and therefore don't meet the definition of dependent, even if they still receive support from their parents and live at home.

My understanding in this area (and happy to be wrong - so don't take this as advice);

• Dependent children in full time education used to be recognised up to age 25 by DIBP
• This was changed to 23 a year or so ago
• DIBP take the age at time of processing not application
• Any exception for dependency is based on other needs such as disability

In this area you really need to speak to one of the MARA agents who regularly post here @wrussell @Alan Collett @Raul Senise @George Lombard as rules have changed since some applications were posted and in this are you need advice that is bespoke to your circumstances.  

The cost of this advice is negligible in comparison to a rejected visa application! 

2 hours ago, bridgie said:

Breaking news. Daily Mail in colour , so it must be true.

Dependent over the age stipulated in Australian Immigration Rules, can be any age and ignore the laid down procedure providing :-

A. They don't post every 30 secs on a forum,meaning more sane minded people think something important has happened.
B. They consult with a professional agent.
C. They accept a hot topic constitutes more than the same two people posting the same questions.

signed

Donald Trump's -truth office

Peter Dutton's -As if I care office

Alternative thought...

In an environment where there is a lot of concern over parent visas in general perhaps don't make light of obvious concern from some posters - albeit in an area and visa strategy that is not familiar with most people here. 

No one is taking your piss taking approach to those caught out by the AOS changes (amongst other potential changes in advance of the budget on Tuesday) so a bit of respect to other posters wouldn't go amiss.