CockerSpaniel

Since you're renting, you're not paying the service charges, only what you're using. Bills are definitely more expensive here than the UK once you factor that in. I wish I was only paying for usage

I also had my actual ceremony yesterday (not a virtual one). I had applied in June 2018 with the test in March this year. Seems to have taken forever, but not at the same time.

You may, it is Albany. Came out of the blue as I didn't know if any were doing ceremonies still in person.

After 2 + years of going through the citizenship process, I have my invite to the ceremony (not a virtual one) in July :)

Blimey, no need to be quite so patronising with that comment. It isn't needed and isn't constructive. Especially when the ABC have quoted... "Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the visa changes today, effective immediately, at a strawberry farm in southern Queensland as part of a four-day tour of the state." https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2018-11-05/seasonal-worker-backpacker-visa-changes-announced-scott-morrison/10464972

Are there any time frames on when these are applicable from? There was nothing earlier today regarding the 6 to 12 month extension on the department website.

He mean to say cafe is making 6,00,000 per annum that number is not correct, is it 6,000,000 or 600,000? Quite a difference....

This is not 100% strictly true. In some cases where Australia has a reciprocal health agreement (i.e. the UK since this is a poms in Oz forum) then you can apply for an exemption on this requirement so you don't need to have private health. However you need to apply for this exemption based on the fact you're eligible for medicare. You also understand that medicare has different coverage compared to private health insurance. Therefore you're both correct, but in different ways. It is not necessarily a visa requirement. But it re-iterates the fact you should not rely on forums for your immigration advice as 100% kosher. My source for the information? www.privatehealth.gov.au

It's a true point to make too. Both are first world countries. Both have different pluses and minuses and both are essentially the same over time with the daily grind. Both have world class healthcare systems, and both have their own share of problems. Both have world class education. The point is not to make the choice on moving because you think the UK has problems that Australia can solve - just like you said.

When you apply for a UK passport it will ask if you're a citizen of another country. He will need to scan his Australian passport as part of the UK passport application as a dual citizen. Therefore they will already know the details hence it will have no impact. The next time he tries to get into the Uk it will be with a valid UK passport so why would he be delayed on a perceived overstay of a visa when he's a citizen?

This is true. Often the places which need new blood and knowledge in the area suffer from catch 22. There's not much for them to do as it is such a different lifestyle that they leave for the big population centers. The other issue is even things like sports, not everyone only wants to play AFL, cricket or hockey!

Surely Australia needs to entice more people to the regions and for them to stay there. I agree the big cities don't need more people and that's the problem. But to say seasonal work needs to be filled by backpackers? Whilst they can certainly pick up the slack and generally have a much better work ethic than the locals and there is usually some lights on upstairs, there is the issue of retention and imparting knowledge. And you need to get backpackers which aren't on the East Coast 'waaheeeyyy lets get smashed and be idiots for two years' boat. What Australia needs is competent people who have the ability to problem solve and who will live regionally. Who are educated and don't need spoon feeding and who aren't meth heads with the job sticking power of a wet flannel. Whilst there are some in the regions who are good, unfortunately there is a chronic shortage of decent labour.

This link has some good info, essentially it's most likely a grey area. It isn't specified precisely in the regulations but in the guidelines it says the following: Employment terminated If the employer provides information that the visa holder has permanently ceased to work for the employer, the delegate may issue a notice of proposed cancellation. For more information, refer to Proposing cancellation. Circumstances may arise where a visa holder is on leave without pay (LWOP) during the required two year employment period. Where an employer has approved LWOP, it is not generally regarded as a break in the continuity of service. Approved LWOP is also a standard condition in most awards. Therefore, any LWOP that has been approved by the employer is not to be regarded as a termination of employment. Previous periods of employment for the same employer whilst the holder of another class or subclass of visa (such as a UC-457 visa) does not count towards the required period of employment. However, they may be relevant in assessing genuine effort.

There is an excellent website called www.gov.uk On there it has details on how to renew a UK passport for wherever you are and on whatever situation.

Assuming that your UK passport is still in date, what is actually stopping you? If you get invited to a ceremony and you're booked out of the country you just inform the relevant people and you will then be put on the next available ceremony. There is no real joke in the process other than the long processing times.