suelear

On 15/08/2023 at 16:57, Alan Collett said:

Hi again Sue.

FYI I've exchanged messages with Peter Mares with my thoughts - only time will tell as to what eventuates with parent visa processing ...

Best regards.

Thanks Alan,

 I, and I’m sure many others appreciate your constant efforts to support parents in the visa process.

Yes I’m aware of that.

Alan Collett, you have more information and insight than the rest of us. What is your take on this?

5 hours ago, ramot said:

As some posters know I have been in QLd for 16 years on a temporary retirement visa, which was self funded so had to have health insurance, which we will continue, as we have been ahead some years.. We finally got PR recently so now have Medicare, but am new to the system, and can only mention a few things that I have experienced.

My Dr doesn’t bulk bill, so the charge for a visit is about $70, Medicare covers part of this, it is instantly deducted and you pay the extra about $30’sh. Prescriptions are mostly on the PBS, but some are more expensive. There is a safety net if you pay over a certain amount annually, then your scripts only cost $6? till the end of the year.

 If you visit a specialist it is the same system, Medicare covers a certain amount and you pay the difference up front.

Had to call an ambulance twice recently, before we had Medicare, it  happens when you get older! Once for my husband who went to the new public Sunshine Coast hospital. I must praise the ambulance medics here they have been outstanding. Hardly any waiting time to be seen.We can’t fault his care and treatment and the equipment there is fantastic. He now sees the same specialist as a private patient. Costs covered by private cover, sorry I don’t know if anything would be charged under Medicare.

My turn next!! Again can’t fault the medics, in my case advised that the S C hospital very very busy, 9 ambulances stacked up to be seen, likewise Nambour hospital, decided to go to Buderim private, seen instantly no complaints, however a warning if you go to a private A&U, you incur a non refundable cost, $350. So make sure you are aware of this.

I haven’t used a public hospital so far, but can’t fault any private treatment I’ve had. We have access to fantastic health needs here, you don’t go to hospital for much here. X-rays, MRI scans and so much more all run privately, the equipment has to be seen to be believed, but again either covered by Medicare or again you pay the difference. All results are sent instantly through to your GP.  Again I don’t know if anyone does go to hospital for these, Obviously an emergency is different. 

In Qld if you are a resident you don’t need ambulance cover, please check all the other states.

Mammograms are free under 75, think my bone density check will now be free. We all have the usual jabs free now for us I think, flu, pneumonia, shingles. Free Health check up for over 75’s

Dentists are very expensive here, some costs are covered by using the dentist recommended by your health cover.

Cant think of anything else at the moment.

 

 

Thanks Ramot, that's really helpful info to me personally.

6 hours ago, ramot said:

If you have been a member of PIO as long as Alan and several of us long term members you would be aware of the thousands of times The same question  about the parent time line has been asked. If posters added their time line this would solve the repeated, repeated  requests.

Alan along with several other MA’s give of their time free to help with many immigration questions, and have saved many posters making mistakes and for  which I have been very grateful for in the past.

It would be a big loss to lose their good will, which has happened in the past.

 

I couldn't agree more Ramot.

5 hours ago, Zetta said:

HI Suelear,

Thats a very good point. Their submission is just 9 months from the processing now (May to Feb), but with things moving very slowly I think it can become 2-3 years until it gets to them.

I think we are better off waiting but thats a good option if they get impatient. 

I hope all goes well for them Zetta.

Just now, LindaH27 said:

@suelear I’m in exactly the same  position as you regarding age and travel and wondering whether to go for the 864 instead. Can you pm me as I have various questions etc 

Just now, LindaH27 said:

@suelear I’m in exactly the same  position as you regarding age and travel and wondering whether to go for the 864 instead. Can you pm me as I have various questions etc 

Yes, will do.

On 13/08/2018 at 15:47, LindaH27 said:

You can switch to 864 but  you have to withdraw  your 143 application,  pay a new  first vac and most importantly you start with a new lodgement date so your parents would start again from a much later lodgement date. It doesn’t appear to be  faster any more. There’s been no movement for months and if you go back a few posts Alan Collett posted a reply from PVC which implied processing times for 864 are likely to be aligned with those of 143  

There have also been some articles recently written in Australia  about immigration and apparently they say there are too many people there on bridging  visas 

I think all any of us can do is just be patient and get on with our lives and hope one day to be reunited with our families. IF Australia wants bright young immigrants to work to pay its taxes and develop  the country etc they have to accept that some will want their parents with them too - those parents who contributed to the upbringing and education of those bright young immigrants.! 

On 13/08/2018 at 12:22, Zetta said:

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if it was possible to switch from 143 to 864 since my parents now qualify for it and the queue is shorter, is there a way to switch to 864? (while preserving your position or perhaps the day you qualified for it?)

 

Hi Zetta,

Yes they can certainly switch and LindaH27 is correct in saying that they will have to forfeit the VAC1 they have already paid for their 143 application. It is also true that they will go to the back of the queue for their 864. However, whilst waiting for their 864 to be processed they can at least live as temporary residents and be with their families until such time as their 864 is hopefully granted. This is exactly the process I am currently going through, as due to my age I am not willing to waste my time waiting for a visa that is years away from being granted, and am tired of the toll - financially and physically that flying out to Australia twice a year is taking on my physical and emotional well being.  It's fine for younger members to hang in there, especially if they're not too far away from their visas being processed, but I neede to look at other options. Happy to chat with your parents if you think it will help.

On 07/08/2018 at 21:03, Alan Collett said:

I hope you'll forgive me if I see this as Government spin and a cost saving measure.

I know, I'm such a cynic!

Or maybe outsourcing to the private sector will be a win?!

Would be interesting to see the terms of reference ...

Best regards.

 

Sadly I suspect you are right to be cynical Alan.

6 hours ago, gafuk said:

Its hard mentally sometimes, " have I done the right thing " This week it's 80 degress in uk and pouring down in Perth !

Apart from that, we decided to have a few weeks off to recover from the stresses of the weeks/months leading up to our migration. Those weeks were a blur and nothing to do with the alcohol. With our house sale, disposal of stuff we were not taking, leaving party to arrange, sorting the stuff we were sending in the container, trying to visit friends and relatives and just not having time to do everything. Even up until 2 am the night before we flew sorting our baggage weights and even then the taxi came to pick us up at 8 am and were not ready and were 10 minutes late. In honesty that would be no surprise for me but my wife is mega organised and she struggled. So yes I would say plan a long way in advance and perhaps don't book the first available flight like we did. Try and get your friends and relatives set up with email, skype, watsapp etc so you can keep in touch.

You are leaving a lot behind that you will miss a little when you get here.

But it's been 4 weeks and we are living in Perth with our Daughter. Our son has been over from Melbourne so the stress was all worth it as they are the reason we came. We have eventually bought a car ( they are twice the price by the way) and just had offer accepted on a block of land that we are going to build on. We are not retiring and now we've had a few weeks off to complete the paperwork we are starting to look for jobs. Yet to see how Australia views the 60 + as far as being job candidates. One thing we have done is get our seniors cards as soon as we could. They are great !  free travel , discounts in many cafe's and restaurants etc , even money of driving license and rates plus lots of other perks, just for being old !! . First time I've been happy about it.   Read up on it and get one asap .

The Perth sky is nearly always big and blue, the sea is turquoise and the sand... sandy coloured. But we have left behind everything we know and are used to. We are starting fresh and at our age we wonder whether we will get to the comfy stage we had in the UK. But I can hug my daughter every day,  talk to my son who is now in the same half of the world as me, if any of us have a problem we can all be together within a few hours and that makes it all worth while.

The waiting room can be frustrating and the journey is emotional even when you eventually get here but it is well worth the wait. Good luck to everyone and keep looking to your future with your kids. This forum will be a great help , thanks.

What a great post, thanks for taking the time to write this gafuk. It's good to hear an honest and realistic account of your first few weeks, which I'm sure others who've already made the move can relate to. Good tip about the seniors card, I shall certainly look into that. Like you I am moving to be near my children - daughters in Sydney and Kiama, and I have 2 small grandsons. The wait is painful, especially as I'm doing this move on my own but I'm determined I will get there. Posts like this keep me, and I'm sure many others, going. Good luck in your new life, you deserve it.

3 hours ago, Ray and Geri said:

No transfers are free... you either pay a set fee up front like  Transferwise  or  you get a cent or two below bank rate like most of the FX companies and most of the banks... I would also say there are no hidden costs with transferwise, all the info is on the screen before you press the button to send your money...ie, transfer fee, exchange rate and  the amount that will actually be sent to your chosen bank. 

 

I agree with Ray and Geri. I use transferwise regularly, having researched and used other companies over the years to transfer money to Australia and France.

On 05/05/2018 at 14:10, ramot said:

I have lived in Oz for 15 years on a retirement visa and been a member of PIO for a long time, but never give immigration advice as I am not qualified or an MA. We applied for an 864 visa last year and are in the queue. I am happy to help with general questions about things I have experienced and know about, but definitely never immigration advice. Have seen too much misinformation given, however well intentioned over the years. 

Ramot, I am considering changing my application from a 143 to an 864 as I will reach the required age in October. I'm unsure what a retirement visa is and how you've managed to live in Australia for the past 15 years on that type of visa? Any info would be much appreciated. I am using a MARA but am interested in your personal journey. TIA, Sue.

On 05/05/2018 at 14:10, ramot said:

I have lived in Oz for 15 years on a retirement visa and been a member of PIO for a long time, but never give immigration advice as I am not qualified or an MA. We applied for an 864 visa last year and are in the queue. I am happy to help with general questions about things I have experienced and know about, but definitely never immigration advice. Have seen too much misinformation given, however well intentioned over the years. 

On 12/04/2018 at 11:53, HarrisL16 said:

Hi so pleased for you, this process is stressful enough without what you have had to deal with. Wish you lots of luck with the final stage ?

Great news after such a long wait. Good luck, keep us posted. 

On 04/04/2018 at 12:42, whataday said:

https://www.centrelink.gov.au/custsite_aoscalc/aoscalc/eligibilityPage.jsf?wec-appid=aoscalc&wec-locale=en_US#stay

 

 

Centrelink just announced an update on AOS eligibility and requirements of assures’ taxable income 

It seems the requirement of AOS is getting tougher 

 

check it out. 

Thanks whataday, this is very helpful.

44 minutes ago, Wishfull said:

Hi Ian

A conversation re one way travel insurance started on page 581 with Catlady and a number of suggestions were given.

Hope this helps and you soon get sorted.

Try Staysure.

18 minutes ago, Kathss56 said:

Will do -applying when I come back from this trip -probably beg April 

Kath, I will be very interested to hear how you get on with that, as that will also be an option for me when I get nearer to my 143 assessment date. Good luck!

5 hours ago, Alan Collett said:

I'm not sure how many people know this, but 10+ years ago the AoS process used to be administered by the Department of Immigration.

Details of the Assurer's income would be sent to the case officer, and all was well - the process was completed in a matter of days, as a rule.

Then an unnamed bright spark decided it would be better for the AoS to be handled by the DoHS, no doubt in the name of efficiency/improvements to the handling of cases.

The AoS timeline has been going downhill ever since.

Does no-one aver audit the outcome of these decisions?   I think we all know the answer to that ...

Onwards!

Any update on the new temporary parent visa which was scheduled for last November Alan?

3 hours ago, Kathss56 said:

Very pleased for you. Enjoy your new life ??

Excellent news, all the best for the future. 

13 hours ago, LindaH27 said:

Hi Kath a few years ago I downsized to a smaller property. Whilst it was on the market I was due to go for my annual 3 month visit to Australia . My solicitor was very helpful and said that if it sold whilst I was away he could deal with everything via email, Fax etc and he would deduct his fees and estate agents fees from the final amount.  Also I  pre signed the contract but left it undated for the solicitor  to add once house was sold  

You need someone to read all the meters - gas electric and water on the final day and hand all the keys in. But if you have a good relation with your estate agent they could do all this for you as mine would although there may be an extra charge. Obviously they are available to help in the event of any problems in your absence  again at a cost.  My old neighbour emailed me to say some of my fencing had come down in bad weather so I was able to email my estate agent who arranged for repairs and added cost to final bill.

You would also need to take out unoccupied building insurance especially if property  is empty. . Firms only seem to quote on an annual basis but most will refund any unused whole months less an admin fee. You will have to pay council tax too until it's sold  - it's 50% discount for 6 months on empty properties the full rate after that if not sold.

So not quite the same scenario as you but yes it's entirely possible!  Just make sure the house is completely empty and don't forget to check the loft and any outside buildings. Oh and if time is of the essence don't forget the time difference - you may need to be prepared to send an email in middle of night!

Good luck!

Hi Kath, to add to what Linda said, when my mother died, once I had set everything up with the agent I was able to oversee the sale of the house without having to travel hours each time for viewings etc. It is possible to sign final documents electronically as long as the agents have a copy of your original signature. Good luck with it all.

15 hours ago, glenffidich said:

Hi there we have had to make the decision due to my bad health and agree its getting very expensive over there, that's why they get such high wages, anyway back to your problem our agent was very ill so could not do it so we had to do it via the attached link. Good luck with every thing and wish you well. regards Joy & Ian Ramsgate Kent UK.

https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1446.pdf

Best of luck to you both.

7 hours ago, Trudyandandrew said:

Hi our dream is over ,we have just returned from 3 months in Melbourne and cannot believe how expensive everything is and we realised we cannot afford to buy or rent . We have had request for 2nd vac ,how do we inform we have changed our mind thank you ,this has been an extremely difficult decision to make.

So sorry to hear that Trudy and Andrew, I'm sure that was a tough call for you both. I'm not actually sure how you cancel your application. If you've used an agent they would be able to advise, and I'm sure there are others on here who know much more than I do. The best of luck to you both in whatever you choose to do next xx

3 hours ago, AMP said:

Re importing personal goods including furniture on a 600 visitor visa.

Just to let you all know that my furniture  has now arrived, all intact and no issues with customs/quarantine.  I didn’t have to do anything further after it left the Uk other than signing and returning one form stating whether or not I was importing any alochol (which I was  it was all very simply delivered direct to my apartment, all unwrapped,  put in place and packaging removed.  I have to say though that the un- wrappers here were no where near as efficient as the wrappers in the UK had been - maybe it’s a heat effect!

I had had a few reservations about whether there would be any problems, given that I was importing on a 600 visitor visa, particularly since most shipping agents  had said they could only do the shipment if I had a permanent residence visa.  The firm I used said it would be ok as long as  my tourist visa was for at least a 12month stay.  Some other firms had suggested I needed to ship it in my daughter’s name but then she would have had to state that it was all her personal possessions which she had personally owned for over two years.  I resisted going along that route as it seemed underhand and I didn’t want  to risk either getting her or me into trouble. So, it all went in my name and thankfully there were no problems at all.  It’s super to have all my things here, though as it took 14 weeks to arrive I had had plenty of time to get used to a totally minimalistic look so it now looks rather cluttered!!  I’m sure I’ll soon get used to it! 

 

Can I ask how you ensured you got the 12 months option please? My understanding is that the 600 can be issued for 3, 6 or 12 months and it is at the discretion of whoever picks up your application as to which you are awarded? I am also hoping to get a 600 so I can move over while I wait for my 143.

On 08/01/2018 at 19:31, Ray and Geri said:

Very happy for you Gogirl1...hope all goes well for you. 

Great news, all the best, keep in touch.

11 hours ago, gafuk said:

Hi 143 Applicants,

                                 Happy Christmas to all and hope 2018 will see many of us as residents of Australia. Scary yet exciting.

Had a hitch with our medicals but after some tests we are back on track. House sale as yet going through ok and now the trauma of deciding what to take and what to leave behind, but its nice trauma I suppose. Our Daughter had her Centrelink interview early November, are they still averaging 3 months to process the forms etc?. Hoping everything clicks together and maybe start our next chapter in March or April.

Hope its a happy New Year for everyone. Good Luck !

Hope all goes smoothly from now on. Good to hear about folks who are moving on in the process - including hitches! 

On 14/12/2017 at 10:04, Pertenhall said:

So very sorry to hear of your upsetting situation.  Every good wish for the future.

A difficult time for your family, sending you my best wishes.