laf

Good idea mhaffie and thanks for the update. If everyone has to have one I might as well apply now too. Jon the hat kindly informed me that the endorsement is no big deal, the reason it was putting me off. I thought it was something similar to the sponsorship and couldn't think who to get involved in lots of paperwork. At least the sun's appeared, 26 deg on Thursday , make the most of it.

I always feel so much healthier in the sunshine! Not too much of it here at the moment. At the first sign of any change I'll be on here in seconds to let you know! I've already gone past the record processing time of 23 days!

That was good. My doctor just said everything she'd checked was fine. I did have a medical about ten years ago when GPs were calling everyone in for a general health check. It wasn't very useful as it was mostly asking questions, weighing, measuring etc. It was more for people that never visit the doctor, lack insight into general health problems or neglect themselves.

She did get the needle in straight away but it hurt more than usual and she said there would probably be a bruise! Pleased my arms have been covered for winter. No idea why I remember school medicals. Nothing awful ever happened other than being singled out because I didn't have a reaction to the BCG injection which showed I was immune and I didn't like being different!

I had all of those things checked and had the worst blood test bruise which lasted over a week. I had a historical medical episode that wasn't asked on the questionnaire but I took a consultant letter stating everything was fine ongoing so she was pleased I showed it to her. Lucky you escaped the breast examination as considering you've been married for more than 30 years you must be over 40 ! I also felt a bit stressed, maybe it was being in a different venue to a hospital and it reminded me of school medicals!

That's a relief it's over. Lucky that you avoided the full examination, can't imagine it was because you had a male doctor and I had a female. She did offer a chaperone but I declined. Mine said results were received and passed to BUPA after a few days but took a week to say it was finalised.

Oh to be young again ! Think of those lovely beaches in Cairns. I always try and remind myself of some of the horrors the doctors must witness. Your application sounds very similar to mine so at least if I hear you probably will shortly after. I must drop it down to looking every other day!

Immi know more about our financial and personal business than any other organisation, although the Daily Mail would have also needed to know our house price! If their processing times have slipped back to around a year I will become totally OCD if I carry on checking everyday! Just to warn you I had to strip down to my underpants. Over 40s have to have a breast examination. I was nearly late due to taking a wrong turn and ran part of the way so was a bit concerned my blood pressure would be high. Luckily it has a low starting point so was fine. Hope it goes well for you.

I'm sure they will soon redesign the attachment headings and drop-downs as it looks as if most people won't know what to attach where! As you say as long as it's all there somewhere it should be OK. I'm glad I had a list to cross off things as I attached them otherwise I would have got in a real muddle! I'll keep my eye on this thread because as I mentioned before I don't get email notifications. Good luck!

We sent in the sponsor's P.60 and copies of our bank statements which are all in both names.

Congratulations and good luck. Did you find it as difficult as expected, stressful and very time-consuming? Did system immediately ask you to arrange the medical? Yes my weekend was good and probably more relaxing than yours! The three of us waiting now.

You too Mhaffie and good luck with getting yours sent off this weekend.

Haha good idea. You're a bit ahead of my 17th March submission I think. I'll continue to update on here.

Yes I know we'll be soo disappointed if the processing times revert back to the year long wait. I've checked again and good news my health assessment has been updated to "All health examinations required for the specified visa subclass have been finalised. Processing of this person's visa application can now continue. This will not occur until a case officer investigates the case in line with published processing times for the visa that has been applied for. Do not contact the department about health examinations in the meantime." I am checking the site daily (obsessive!) in case I miss an email from them amongst all the spam and also because not all status changes are emailed. I have all the appropriate alerts for POI too but don't get emails only banners if I happen to be online.

Yes let's hope. Do you know if the medical status changes? They informed me the results had been passed to BUPA but wonder if I will be given an update. I haven't carried out the police check yet. I'm waiting till they ask and if they need a sponsor's check.

It will be the same for us. We can't start making permanent plans unless I have residency so we'll have to make a holiday visit, luckily staying at our daughter's. The site is now saying 10 to 13 months processing time.

Need to avoid the rainy season I suppose. Humidity is easier to cope with if it's a beach/pool holiday or in a city with air conditioned shops and restaurants. I think Singapore is the most humid place I've visited. Some people manage to stay looking dry regardless. Is it OK to discuss this in the visa forum?!! Don't want to be blacklisted.

I don't mind any levels of heat but Sydney is very humid which my hair in particular hates! Cairns will definitely be on our "to do" list. Australia isn't exactly a budget holiday destination which makes it an expensive add-on when visiting Sydney. I hope my two 888s are sufficient as like you we have a very long marriage! I didn't feel family ones had as much weight as friends. I agree you should add the other one on later and get your application in especially as you want to do it over the Easter break.

I agree there wasn't much going on at Airlie. We flew back to Sydney from Hamilton Island and had a lovely short day there. It will be good to see more in the future and stay somewhere like Cairns as we're urban/coastal lovers. I went out there, full-fare paying as it was only intended to be a short working holiday, met my husband and stayed eight years. We came back here for parental support when we started our family and have stayed ever since. So far two out of three kids have acquired Aus citizenship and one lives there.

Wow Cairns, lovely and tropical. Is that where your partner is from. I've only been to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays in Qld.

I actually remembered incorrectly. The sponsorship status says "submitted". You're right and it's just obsessive, impatient behaviour although it sounds quite normal from what you read on here. Sydney is our destination, most expensive city unfortunately. It's the only place we're familiar with and our daughter lives there. What about you?

Thanks, it reminded me of school medicals a very long time ago! Good to see you have the same idea to wait till prompted for the police check. I'm definitely not in a rush, more would just like to know I've got it and when I'll need to book a trip to activate it! I'm logging on daily to check for updates in case any emails go astray. The sponsorship form still says received, I don't know whether the status will change.

Thanks mhaffie. I had my medical today. The site has acknowledged it and says the system will be updated when they have the results. The possibly out-of-date information booklet says the office will advise when police checks are required so I think I'll wait to see when they ask then enquire about the endorsement procedure. I've realised going to my GP is an option, I have a feeling they don't have time to sign such things nowadays. Can't remember if you've applied for yours?

Sorry to ask possibly a silly question but how does the police check endorsement work? I don't have any friends who have known me for two years on their list of occupations. Do I have to go in person to e.g. my GP with documentation?

The three of us might hear around the same time so can celebrate or commiserate together!!