Jojoe

Definitely do it yourself as it’s basically inputting personal information either on paper form or online application . I personally found the paper application to be easier than the online application and others I know did too , it’s worth downloading the paper application to have  a read through , especially the notes sections before applying on line as it gives you a heads up on what info is needed . Just  make sure you have full birth certificates for all applicants before applying as short copies will not be accepted . The citizenship test is pretty straight forward too , you can apply for a free copy of the common bond booklet from the website which has test questions in and there are many free online citizen tests if you want further practice . I used both and felt both helped . The waiting time for citizens tests at the moment I believe have been put on hold due to COVID. 19  , but the ceremonies are still going ahead which I believe are going ahead online which may reduce the backlog of awaiting ceremonies . This may prove to be a good thing for all new applicants as once you finally get your test they may not be as long a wait for your ceremony

On 01/05/2020 at 07:31, Dipi said:

Hi there,

We are in the process of migration to Queensland from UK. I'm waiting for my state nomination, already received the invitation. I have three kids (11, 8 & 3) and I'm a registered nurse. I would like to know which regions/ suberb will be the best place to stay in terms of weather, kids state/ public schools/ good school and my job in hospital. I also prefer   not very crowded area. I'm keep searching and getting lost in here. if anyone has any ideas , could you please share and give suggestions ?

Many thanks

After reading through the other comments and your responses to them I would look keenly at the Gold Coast , there are many opportunities for work for a registered nurse  with Gold Coast university hospital , and Robina hospital and other avenues such as many medical facilities . The Gold Coast is a beautiful city with many suburbs that every family will have a different preference for whether it be cost related , work related ,school related , personally recommended etc . The advice given  to stay at a holiday rental on arrival was given to us some 8 years ago and it was the best advice we were given . We stayed at Ashmore Palms on the Gold Coast and ended up there for 3 weeks and we actually took the cheapest accomodation ( the long stay )that we could get as money was tight and I also know of others that stayed in the better cabins and all have been successful in their settling  . It’s a perfect base to gain a feel for the Gold Coast , seek out suburbs , set up a rental ( which you need to gain a place at the local state school to where you choose to reside unless private ) . Being at Ashmore palms or I’m guessing would be the same at any temporary accomodation we were able to use that address to redgister with Medicare , Centrelink to gain a Tax file number and we also used the address  for  any correspondence for job applications etc. the staff there we’re extremely helpful and would happily extend your stay if needed . It’s a perfect base to seek out job opportunities ,suburbs and very central to the hospitals with Gc uni hospital what 5 to 10 minutes drive and Robina 10 - 15 mins .Southport is around 5 -10 mins form the holiday park and you will see what they mean by it not being the ideal place to live , but it’s great for the kids with the Broadwater parklands and beach front 

35 minutes ago, martyfenwick said:

Thanks. Yes, I have completed it and the status is “Awaiting Documents” (identity forms only)

Ah once you’ve uploaded them you can sit back and relax for a while . Processing time is quite lengthy at the best of times but well worth waiting for .

On 05/04/2020 at 15:44, martyfenwick said:

I am a bit confused whether or not, in the ImmiAccount, children should have their own Citizenship Application or if they can be tagged on to one of the parent's applications?

In my ImmiAccount right now I have three (incomplete) applications, one for myself, one for my wife and one for my daughter. I have progressed my application on a bit further and now it is asking for child details under 16 years old.

Does anyone have any experience with this that can confirm?

Many thanks.

On 05/04/2020 at 15:44, martyfenwick said:

I am a bit confused whether or not, in the ImmiAccount, children should have their own Citizenship Application or if they can be tagged on to one of the parent's applications?

In my ImmiAccount right now I have three (incomplete) applications, one for myself, one for my wife and one for my daughter. I have progressed my application on a bit further and now it is asking for child details under 16 years old.

Does anyone have any experience with this that can confirm?

Many thanks.

I personally found the paper application much easier and I know a few others that started the online process and then went down the paper application route also . A child / children under 16 years is to be included on one of the parents applications online , there is a question where you can tie in your spouse which is simply for ceremony purpose only . If you want to carry on with the online application I would still have a look at the paper application as it has more notes on it as to what they expect from the online questions . 

5 minutes ago, Plumboz said:

Yes I’d like to think so too, I’m emailing Immigration today but I’m assuming they will have a a lot of emails to deal with. Thanks for you reply.

yes I’m sure they will be inundated with calls and emails . There will be many that will be waiting to activate their PR visa for the first time too  . All the stimulus packages in Australia are currently of  a timescale for the next 6 months so would expect that you will be granted a 6 month extension of the least at this point . Good luck with it all but I’m sure your right to travel on your PR visa will be extended due to COVID-19. Always wise as you are doing though is to apply for an extension and keep trying until you get confirmation in writing .

The fact that they announced that they are extending temporary visa holders who are already here in Australia extensions on their visas that are due to expire within the next 6 months I would say that they would likely extend a residents return visa for a permanent resident that is offshore . I would contact immigration as soon as possible to ask for an extension . I can’t see why they would refuse due to the current circumstances. They have been repatriating Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia and allowing both to enter Australia under strict isolation rules of mandatory  Isolation  for 14 days in a hotel in the Australian state they arrive in .(  I would however be cautious of the permanent residence status as it may only be allowed for those that currently have a home established here in and may not include PR residents that have been living out of Australia for some time . This is only my opinion and would need to check with immigration regarding this ) It has also been announced that it is currently expected that no international travel from Australia will be allowed until at least the end of the year and more than likely to be 2021 ( apart from repatriations and exempts ) . 

6 hours ago, Jojoe said:

 

5 hours ago, Tracey Small said:

Hi there,

Looking for some guidance and advice please. 

I, along with my 2 daughters, were granted 100 visa and PR back in August 2012 after moving to Australia in October 2011, but we all moved back to the UK in October 2013 due to a serious family illness.

We are now wanting to return to live in Australia, and I have been told I need to apply for a RRV and that my daughter's need to apply independently as well as they are now 17 and 19. 

Has anyone had any experience of this?  I looked on the government website and it lists quite a few examples of paperwork, which we have, this proves our marriage is continuous and on going. (Don't think he could find anyone else to put up with him )How much evidence do I need to attach etc? How long on average do they take to get granted? How do I make sure my daughter's applications are considered along with mine, as we are a family unit? So many questions

We have been back to Australia since moving back to the UK as all of my husband's family are there. We had always planned to move back, but within the initial 5 years, but my daughter's were completing GCSES, and then A Levels so the timing just wasn't right.

My husband and our son have dual nationality so for them it's a quick renewal of their Aussie Passports...

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated on how best to tackle the paperwork involved.

Thanks in advance

Tracey

 

I would suggest you get advice from a registered migrant agent . From what I am reading you all have a permanent residence visa but your right to travel on that visa has expired . The fact that you are outside Australia on expiry of your right to travel on your permanent visa will need professional advice and help. 

The Gold Coast is a beautiful place that has been my home for over 7 years . People generally choose places to settle depending on work commitments ,  life choices and cost. The northern suburbs are an easier commute to Brisbane , the southern areas are closer to beaches . I would always suggest a holiday stay if possible to have a good look around the areas before making a commitment to a specific area as everyone likes something different , but the good Coast has lots to offer and great for all ages a great place to live 

On 14/09/2019 at 02:30, Hee said:

Hello people~

I need help to understand the residence calculator on DHA website. Very confused.

It says before applying for Citizenship, you must have lived in Australia lawfully for 4 years, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

And you cannot have been outside Australia for 12 months total, during the past 4 years.

So I did enter my dates in the calculator as seen below.

Permanent Residence Date: 31/08/2019

 

 

Lawful Residence Date: 07/02/2016

 

 

Intended Lodgement Date: 11/09/2020

 

 

and the absence dates:

From Date: 05 Jun 2016 To Date: 02 Feb 2017 From Date: 30 Apr 2017 To Date: 01 Aug 2017 From Date: 01 Oct 2018 To Date: 23 Dec 2018 From Date: 03 Dec 2019 To Date: 20 Jan 2020
Now the calculator says yes I can apply for Citizenship but we can clearly see that I've been out for 17 months...it doesn't make sense. Also..should I count from the first visa I got in Australia? which was in 2008. or the first visa i got 4 years before the citizenship application. Any help or clarification would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

So count 4 years back from lodgement date of 11/9/2020 which is 11/9/2016 . Taking into consideration the lawful residence date of 7/2/1016 which gives an extra 7 months residency  in calculations . The fact that the permanent residency kicks in at 31/8 /2019 so any absence from this date could fall under the clause of not being calculated as an absence due to being a continual permanent residence of Australia and  continually living in Australia . The fact that 4 years back falls on the 11/ 9/ 2016 means calculations of absence are only calculated from that date until permanent residency of 31/8/2019 which is roughly 12 months in total .This could give you your missing 17 months and where I believe the calculations you were given are right . All the best for your citizenship . 

My daughter and her boyfriend live in Sydney , which they have been there for just short of 2years . They are 23 years old and currently renting their property. They both have permanent jobs and both been promoted since starting there . They are really enjoying their life in Sydney and are managing the cost of living pretty well  to say neither of them had experience of running a household before . They have no family in Sydney as we are in Queensland and the rest back in the Uk . They went there with very little savings as was travelling Australia prior to settling there . They are even managing to save a little which they have used to buy household goods and return flights back to the Uk . They have made many friends , and seem to manage  their wages well to enable them to enjoy a very good social life too. They plan to stay in Sydney whilst my daughters boyfriend completes his 3 years training which he started last year , but they are not clear on their plans after this of whether to stay  in Sydney or come back to Queensland where they started. They both went back to the UK at Christmas and couldn’t wait to get back to Sydney, they were both shocked at how miserable and skint there friends were and how little they had moved on with their lives . They have embraced their life in Australia and this is where they see there future . 

On 27/11/2018 at 20:02, tawhilltiger said:

Hello I am relocating with my company to Sydney on a TSS visa, am looking to take my son with me as part of the TSS application, my son lives with me and earns minimum wage in the UK he is 21 and just out of his construction apprenticeship. My company is using one of the large immigration law firms, wont say the name but it ends in 'gomen' they are telling me that my son cannot come as he does not appear to be wholly or substantially financially dependent upon me for his basic living costs. They seem to be ignoring the fact that I keep a roof over his head and pay all the household food and bills, still help out with the running of his car, paying his insurance/tax etc and most importantly the fact that he will be made homeless by my relocation so will need to find money for rent and also to cover what I am currently paying monthly as the outgoings. If he was to start paying this then this would take him over his earnings threshold. I have sent over lots of paperwork outlining this and showing proof of the above but they are still holding out on the position, even if he was to make himself unemployed for any reason they would also not take this into consideration as the earnings for the last 12 months are taken into consideration. Surely he is wholly or substantially financially dependent upon me for his basic living costs??

Has anyone experience of this? Any help or advise to try and change their position? Anything else I can do to prove is dependency?

As it stand they wont apply with him as a dependent to travel and this may be a showstopper..

Thanks MM

We were unsuccessful getting our eldest daughter on our pr 186 visa , throughout the visa process she was still at high school and due to it being a complex visa situation it took until she was at uni before it was finally granted . She was still at uni aged 21 living in student accommodation with a government grant , coming home on weekends and all holidays , apart from a  small Saturday job she had no other income and was reliant on us and her grant . She was deemed non dependant on the main visa applicant  and was refused on our visa which was granted for two adults and three of her siblings , we was told there was no room for appeal , she was dependent on her student grant and not us , We went through a registered migration agent and they were shocked at the decision , this was 2012 

We live in QLD and didn't bring any winter clothes but really  wished we had , we brought over  some of the kids toys esoeciallly  Lego  , we were so glad we did as we found the choice over here was a lot more limited and more expensive , we sold all the  Lego a few years later  on a local site after they had grown out of it and got a really good price for it . The kids  were so happy when their belongings arrived . . We brought fridge/freezer and washing machine but wished  we brought our dryer. If space  is limited then I would bring  items that would cost the most to replace over here ,we found kitchen items the easiest and cheapest items to replace ,, we brought everything we could with us in our container and  the only things we wished we had were winter clothes , the dryer and more warm  bedding 

18 minutes ago, The Pom Queen said:

I’m in a wheelchair. I haven’t done the UK to Oz flight since but have done the Oz to USA and multiple domestic flights. I would definitely check with the airline. Virgin have the aisle wheelchairs on board, although I’ve never seen a disabled toilet they usually drop you off at the toilet door and it’s up to you to transfer on and off and toilet yourself.

I don’t know if your friend can catheterise this may be another option prior to boarding. Or wear pull ups although it’s no fun and uncomfortable for the remainder of the flight, but it may help as a just in case. 

‘Make sure you get them an aisle seat to make transfers easier.

Regarding taking a wheelchair to Australia with you. I know Virgin allow you to use your own wheelchair (manual) until the gate and then they take it off you and transfer you to an aisle wheelchair, it is then waiting for you when you get off the flight.

My electric mobility scooter needed to be checked in, they can then either wheel you down to the gate in one of their own or you can ask to borrow one and your companion can push you.

If I can help with anything else just ask, although as I say mine is limited to USA and AU Domestic

Thankyou so much for your reply , it's been very valuable and provided many  options that we have not considered  . We really so appreciate your time to comment and to share tour advice 

Thankyou so much for your reply and the link you gave us  ,  Your time to comment is very much appreciated  and very useful.We are  now currently looking into contacting airlines.and so hoping that it won't be a constraint  but your link has given other options to consider so thankyou so much for that 

I would always suggest meeting with a redgistered migrant to discuss your pathways , qualifications and experience are a stepping stone  but not always a direct pathway  , therefore ro get a clear response it is always best to go to a professional . Cert 3 in childcare I know  Would not get a PR Visa but bot knowing what your masters is in I can't comment on that and your bachelor of education 2015 either . I would strongly suggest you seek advice  from a redgistered migrant agent to ensure you are or have already sought the necessary qualifications. . Good luck on your journey 

My hubby is a service engineer for a company in Brisbane( we live on the GC)   and recommends your hubby searches engineering companies in Brisbane and contacts them direct . He says seek and agencies  are a good avenue for jobs but recommends phoning direct to companies is a better option  . He will private message you of  a company to try if the  message doesn't come through let me know . He also says  you will be  better off looking at a company in Brisbane rather than the Gold Coast due to pay 

We have a family member whom has  become wheel chair dependent and the main worry of flying from the U.K. to Australia Is getting to the toilet during a flight . We have other concerns also that they are taking up with professionals but one of the main concerns for the family member is how they would get to the toilet during a flight and wondering if anyone on here  has any experience of this or knows anyone that has . 

I've  never done a road trip personally but have family that have . Kmart do some cheap camp cookers and small canisters ,-and lots of other cheap accessories  which you could get on arrival, we've had family done a trip in a Rv and wished they'd they'd hired a car and tent instead as the Rv caused so many restrictions for parking and added to the cost on site . . They did road trip from Sydney to Cairns July time . We go camping all year round with tent and basic facilities in the Gold Coast and NZW  , if your tent is snake proof and sun proof then bring it if not look on anaconda orBCF websites as you can get some great deals out of season  if not Kmart do tents also . The set up for basic camping can be done quite cheaply over here . We are on Gold Coast so if you need a hand with a loan of camping facilities or a tent when your arrive  just  pm me 

The Gold Coast has been a very positive move for us , kids are excelling in school , jobs for us have been good ,we've developed a circle of friends that have become our Ozzie family , but it has been extremely hard work and very costly especially before we came here. (Long story ) Personally I don't think anything comes easy , grass is never greener , nothing is better ,but when you work for something that is not of monetary value the reward is life long and priceless.  . You know you've made the right move when you wake up each morning smiling and your bank balance is less than it was in the uk . We've  got ' our better quality of life'   for us but it will be different for everyone 

I'm not sure but as far as I am aware you need to be residing in Australia to put in your application for citizenship , The time frames for test dates  are uncertain  and so are the ceremony dates . A guide line at the moment has been suggested to be  at least a year plus from application to gaining ceremony depending on which state you live in . The important factor for those who can gain citizenship and those wanting to travel outside Australia who haven't gained citizenship or have one pending   is to ensure they have the correct visa to travel . The PR visa doesn't expire but the right to travel outside Aistralia does . My advice would be to ensure you have a residents return visa in place if you are wanting to travel outside Australia or are outside Auatralia  if the right to travel on your PR visa is due to expire . I would strongly  advise you to ensure you have the correct visa to travel and then when you are ready  to commit to go for your citizenship then put  in your application . The reason being you could put in your application and get a test date within a few months and then have to wait many months for your ceremony date or vice versa and you have to be present for both . Also please  make sure you ensure you look very  deeply into the travel periods regarding your citizenship application as  travel above a certain period before putting in an application may mean your not eligible at that time . We gained citizenship last year but it was straight forward for us as we hadn't travelled outside Aistralia since we gained our PR 

On 16/07/2018 at 22:59, persianharry said:

Does anyone know if the proposed changes to citizenship timeline etc. came into effect from 1st July as proposed?  I haven't seen anything about it being voted on in either house?

We are on a 489 visa so it affects our ability to get citizenship by about 3 years!

As far as I am aware nothing has changed as yet  . I have a friend whom applied for citizenship earlier this year so before the proposed changes of 1st July 2018 and has just  recieved their invite for interview and test only this week  . The test for them will be the same as we took over a few years ago . I also had a friend whom applied for citizenship last year just before the proposed changes of 1st July 2017 they was put on hold for invite to interview until the proposal which was then  declined . They then sat the interview and test a few months after , so from that I would say at the moment nothing has changed and it’s is still the same test 

You’ve done all the hard work now it is time to go get your dream and enjoy it all .. we put all the effort in back home to get our visa , we too had to go through the courts for a child  , when you have put so much hard work into getting here  it is obvious that you are dedicated to make it a success and more likely to overcome challenges more sucessfilly. It is only natural to feel anxious with such a big move but you seem very prepared and researced so you can do no other now than to put it all into practice.,every body’s journey is different but from  what you are  saying I would say yours is going to be successful 

so much effort into getting here everything else is less of a challenge . Every ones journey is different many face challenges when they come here and many face challenges before they get here , no journey is certain of happiness , Always remember your reason of coming here 

We stayed in a cabin on a caravan site for the first 3 weeks until we secured a rental . it’s not for everyone but it worked for us , we were a family of 2 adults and 3 kids , we didn’t know anyone , no jobs , no idea of which suburb to live in , furniture in transit to Brisbane with no forwarding address . We arrived on the Gold Coast after having doing our reccie on the Sunshine Coast but changed location due to job opportunities . We secured our  temp accomodation after finding it on line after a recommendation from this site and after ringing direct they assured us that we could extend our stay if we needed it . I’ve heard of many family’s using this same approach successfully also 

Australian citizenship was always our intention from the onset of gaining our skilled migrant visa , and as soon as we were eligible we went ahead and gained it . For us it gave us the security of having citenship in a country that we had chosen to become our forever  home for ourselves and our children . We no longer have to consider a PR visa or the restrictions to travel and have the security of knowing that ourselves but especially our children have dual citizenship . There is no way of knowing what the future holds for any of us and how things change sometimes beyond our control . I was not taking any chances for my children and was always going to ensure they had the security of dual citizenship .We all feel extremely privaledged and very proud to be both Australian and British citizens and with this can now continue to enjoy our lives here knowing we don’t have to worry about any of the new changes to citenship rules, but more importantly my children won’t have to worry about it in the future had we not ensured it for them