samlab

When you go to Medicare you all need to go with your passports. They need to physically see you. I went on my own waited in the queue then had to go back with the rest of the family.

Like others have said it varies from State to state. I know for sure In Queensland you can drive on your UK license until you become a permanent resident or submit an application for PR or apply for a Queensland license. This includes your HGV. After that a HGV test needs to be taken. SA - As far as I’m aware Is the same. https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/drivers-and-licences

Lots of similarities in your story to ours. So glad it’s working out for you and yours. We came over in 2014 too but on a 457 sponsored working visa. We were in Adelaide first and I loved it but my husband and son were not so keen. So we’ve been in Brisbane for two years now and applying for PR. I miss Adelaide more than the UK and really regret moving to Brisbane. The only negative thing for us, which I feel is important for people who are thinking of emigrating with children in the late teens is the cost of Uni and TAFE for non residents. We’d have to pay International student fees for our son (who’s was 17 when we emigrated but is now 20) They are more than 3 times the cost of a residents fees. Way to expensive for us. It’s also impossible for anyone to consider him for an apprenticeship as we’re not residence. It’s like were just treading water until the PR get lodged. With the exception of the above. It has been hard work but so worth it. Financially we couldn’t live the life we do here in the UK. We also have an Aussie dog lol

This is a question for women over 40 who had their medical in Australia. Had my medical yesterday and I’m a bit upset. I was told I’d only need a medical, chest X-ray and HIV test for my application. When I called the Bupa booking line, I asked about Mamogram and Pap test but was told they were not required for the medical I needed and there would be “nothing intrusive” I again asked if there would be anything I would need a female doctor for and was told I could ask for one on the day but again there would be “nothing intrusive”. I had breast screening and Pap test in July (all clear) so took the results just in case. Yesterday the male doctor said he would just need to see my breasts as I’m over 40? No exam just a quick flash basically! I explained what I’d been told when I booked and asked for a female doctor. The best he could do was ask a female to be present but he’d still be the one who had to look! A random female (not a nurse)who worked there agreed to sit in the room. I felt I had to go ahead with it but it felt wrong. Am I being silly? Did a similar thing happen at your medical?

That’s what I thought but just wanted to ask ?

Hi, yes we are aware. We are on 457 visas ourselves and applying for PR. Neither of them have a relevant skill so we were hoping there was some other way.

Hi, sorry I haven’t been clear in my explanation. We are on 457 visas ourselves and applying for PR ENS 186. The agent we have to use is not the best but the company sponsoring my husband states we have to use them. I don’t want to ask them the question about my daughter yet as it might confuse the issue. Just wondered if anyone could give me some hope that my daughter maybe able to join us if or when we get PR. Hope that clarifies my question a bit better.

If all goes to plan my husband, me and our two adult sons will have PR in the next 12 months. We also have an adult daughter who has a fiancé and my granddaughter in the UK. They want to join us in Australia. Reading other posts on here, I’m assuming Is the only way they will be able to join us is if they have a relevant skill to obtain a 457? Any other options? We are having to use a visa agent that is as much use as a chocolate fireguard so don’t want to ask them at this stage. Thanks

Thank you so much. My thoughts exactly about another 457 glad you confirmed that. So the advise about the 186 was wrong too! The agent told me she had such a heavy work load that “people’s visas were running out today and she hadn’t lodge the application’s” Zero confidence in the agent. We feel trapped! She said the company will only give financial information to them. My husband is asking the company if they will allow us to use our own independent agent as a one off.

Do you think we should get independent advise? I finally spoke to the agent today and I’m even more worried now. Basically because our 457 visa runs out in April we’re not a priority to her. She said everybody is trying to apply for PR before March because of the changes. Then recommend another 457 to take the pressure off. We have a 20 year old son that is included 457 and she said he can be included in the new one if we apply before he’s 21. Not sure that’s true or if the new 457 give more restrictions on us becoming residents? We really would prefer not to do that if possible. Would someone mind explaining the visa application process for me? Im told it’s a two part process where the employer nominates and then we apply. Does the employer’s nomination need to be approved first and If so what is the timeframe for approval? Thanks in advance

Thanks for replies. They finally made contact today after the head of HR called them.

Hi, Any ideas on what we can do? With 3 months today left on our 457 visas we can apply for PR in mid Feb through the transitional stream. (changed sponsor half way through) The company sponsoring us have there own approved visa agent, that we have to use. They refuse to provide the company information to any other agent. We can’t afford delays in submitting our application so we started the process in October 2017. Unfortunately with the exception of signing the engagement letter we are no further forward! I’ve made frequent calls and emails to them. I normally get an answer machine but when they do pick up they apologise and say they have had “staff issue” We have been allocated a new visa agent from “the team” but she is yet to make contact and it’s been 3 weeks now. What can we do?