BusbyBoo

What you must remember when visiting a dentist “it’s a business”. Ask for a full quote of all treatment that is recommended. On a first visit check up 011, small X-rays 022 x2 and 114 scale and Clean, 121 fluoride treatment. If an opg or “large X-ray is recommended ask if they can do a referral. ( usually free at an X-ray location will cost $110 at the very least in a dental practice . Certainly NSW and SA have dental availability to those on pension/concession cards with either emergency treatment or a voucher to use in a participating dental practice (also a wait list for general dental and dentures). And children are also entitled to this. If you are in receipt of certain family tax benefits your kids will be entitled to $1056 worth of treatment paid through Medicare over a two year period, with fees decided by Medicare.
No prizes to guess my job

Hi Andy,

If it helps……. I have been after a carpenter to do some work in my home and they are like rocking horse poop. The guy I finally got is trying to hire and can’t find anyone. So I reckon you’ll work it out just fine. You might just have to work for someone else while you get sorted.

NSW have announced no Quarantine for vaccinated international travellers with a pre flight negative PCR test from 1st November. Unvaccinated will still hotel quarantine but with only 210 places available. Yay
 

Would be a bit cheesed off if you arrived on the 30th October .

Feel free to correct me, but it isn’t it normally pre loaded at the ATO theses days?

12 hours ago, FirstWorldProblems said:

Friday mark's one week since the announcement of international borders reopening on a limited basis.  The announcement said that details would be following over the next two weeks, but so far we have seen little of that detail.  I thought I'd just update the thread with my original questions, adding into one place other questions posed here and what has become more clear in this first week.  I'm hoping this is of use to others hoping to visit family in Australia.

Question: Are family of Citizens and perm Residents able to enter?

Answer: Yes.   Spouse and dependent children of citizens will be allowed to enter, including for tourism/visitor purposes.  At least one PIO member (me) has had travel exemption approved on this basis.  You are advised to apply not more than 2 months prior to travel and not less than 2 weeks.  Mine took less than 48 hours.  

Question: How do the family of citizens get a visa to join travelling citizens?

Answer: When you apply for exemption to travel, one of the mandatory fields is your approved visa number or your visa application number.   I had a visitor visa (601) application sat in "Received" state since February, so I used the application number and that visa was approved at the same time as the exemption  

Question: What constitutes "fully vaccinated"?

"Seven-day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated" is great news for those visiting family.  No need to spend two weeks in a hotel.  But what constitutes fully vaccinated?  Australia is very clear that this is 2 doses of an approved vaccine.    In the UK (which is one of only two destinations Qantas is opening flights for), under 18's can only have one dose.

So will they be allowed to travel?

Update: precious little new info on this.  In the government media release it states "Those who can’t be vaccinated, including young children and those with a medical exemption, will be counted as vaccinated for travel".  I think this is cause for hope for those living in the UK with children where you absolutely cannot get a child double vaccinated unless they are extremely clinically vulnerable.

Question: Will Qantas refund a flexible ticket?

Given the uncertainty brought by the questions above, and the speed at which tickets are being bought, it seems sensible to book a seat via a fully flexible, fully refundable tickets.  Qantas describes their "flex" ticket as "fully refundable", but when you dig into the detail on their website, the refund is always referred to as a voucher that has to be used within 12 months.  

Answer: Yes. Though it's clearly not their preference and they don't make it easy.  If you are a paranoid sort like me, I'd advise doing the following. 

• Call Qantas (make sure you have a spare hour or more to spend on hold) and ask the advisor the question explicitly. 
• All calls are recorded and stored for 10 years. 
• Ask the advisor for the timestamp of the call on their end, where they are located and their name
• write it down somewhere safe in case it's needed later

Question: What proof will be needed to show someone is fully vaccinated @NicF

Update: This remains unclear.  Airlines have been told that they will need to ensure passengers are fully vaccinated, but they still await details of what that means and how it is to be proven

Question: How will home quarantine work? @NicF

Update: No official word on this.  SA is trialling an app with facial recognition and geo-tagging.  Details like restriction on other people who live in that home are unknown.  Some reasoned speculation in this article

Question: Flight reliability @Darrenowen

Update: Qantas remain the only carrier thus far adding more flights and they are certainly selling seats quickly (we missed a few preferred options as we wrung our hands over the price).  We won't know until they start flying in mid-November if they are reliable.  A fully flex ticket is refundable, but it's often a lot more expensive than the cancellation fee of a saver ticket.  If the airline cancel they'll refund you.  Your grandfather probably wouldn't need the travel exemption as he is a PR.

Question: How will quarantine work if you need a domestic flight to another state after entering Australia? @BusbyBoo

Update: there is currently no information on this other than SA announcing an intention to allow fully vaccinated visitors from NSW & Victoria to enter SA by Christmas

 

In the hope that this is of use to some people, I'll keep it updated as the details emerge

With the flights through Qantas, even without a flex ticket, which costs considerably more, they are offering free flight changes (of course paying any difference in new booking) or a credit, so not really much differs to a flex ticket.

My question about domestic flights after landing could be a real problem. As at the moment flights with Qantas are only going to leave Melbourne or Sydney, (although there could be a connection in Perth,( not looking likely) or Darwin (still in discussion), people from all other states can’t quarantine at home after landing unless they take a domestic flight……… and sharing a flight with international travellers would go down like a lead balloon for the domestic travellers! Mmmm can’t wait to see how this will work. Personally I’m glad I live in NSW for this reason. In particular Queensland or Western Australia will definitely not want international arrivals on a domestic flight, sharing  all their potential Covid germs 🦠 and tbh you couldn’t blame them.
 

There’s still a lot of logistics to work out.

On 02/10/2021 at 02:09, FirstWorldProblems said:

Today's announcement that borders will re-open in November is great news, and I'm sure mine is not the only family hoping to travel to Australia to spend Christmas with our family there. Qantas immediately brought forward the start of bookable flights from 19 December to 14 November for their two most popular routes, London and LA.  As I have been exploring flight options today I can see people are booking them quickly.

But the announcement is light on detail, absent which it is difficult to book a flight with confidence.  Thinking there might be others struggling with the same questions, I thought I'd start a thread where we can share any answers we might find, or add to the related questions.

Question: Are family of Citizens and perm Residents able to enter?

Although the official press release refers to "australian citizens and permanent resident"s, all newspaper reports of the press conference quote the PM as saying "fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents and family members"

Question: How do the family of citizens get a visa to join travelling citizens?

I've had a visitor visa application sat in "Received" state since February.  Do I delete it and try again?  

Question: What constitutes "fully vaccinated"?

"Seven-day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated" is great news for those visiting family.  No need to spend two weeks in a hotel.  But what constitutes fully vaccinated?  Australia is very clear that this is 2 doses of an approved vaccine.    In the UK (which is one of only two destinations Qantas is opening flights for), under 18's can only have one dose.

So will they be allowed to travel?

Question: Will Qantas refund a flexible ticket?

Given the uncertainty brought by the questions above, and the speed at which tickets are being bought, it seems sensible to book a seat via a fully flexible, fully refundable tickets.  Qantas describes their "flex" ticket as "fully refundable", but when you dig into the detail on their website, the refund is always referred to as a voucher that has to be used within 12 months.  Though hidden deeply in the website you can find reference to cash refunds being something to speak to your local Qantas office about.   1hr 12mins on hold today was all I can manage before giving up.

During Covid I've had a few cancelled flights and was able to get a refund from Air China instantly but Emirates took a few months and Etihad I have a voucher with an option for refund.  What experience do people have in getting a cash refund out of Qantas when you choose to cancel? 

I thought I’d add another question…

it looks like at present you can book from Sydney (via Singapore) and Melbourne (via Perth Darwin or Singapore when sorted) to UK. However with home quarantine expected, what will happen if you live in another state and require to take a domestic flight to another state? How will quarantine work? 
 

I have been brave and I have booked for February.. I decided on Sydney flights,  as I’m in NSW I won’t need a domestic connection. So I’m keeping everything crossed.

I’d also be interested to know if Australia will be doing booster shots, I’ll be 6 months from 2nd shot and really would be happier if I could get a booster.

It’s a big decision, and as Marisa said on a temp visa you’re really going to have to think very hard. Other factors to consider apart from house prices is your kids education, as a temp resident there may be school fees to pay (depends on state not sure about NSW). Then when children leave school to go on to further education you have to pay full fees, and even if you are a permanent resident, although you can get domestic fees rather than international fees you have to pay upfront, rather than get a HECS (government loan payable later when they’re working). So ideally you want citizenship by that time.. which you can’t apply for until 4 years of permanent residency and it can take a year or more to get it.  Check they’re offering a fair wage too.

As others have said, could you afford London? If the Visa is permanent then go for it, you can move later.

I’m originally from Lincs, but we are nomadic including our kids. So for us we’ve always been ok with wherever we lay our hat that’s home. But if all your life has been in lincs village with family all around….. Sydney is London only younger and cleaner, although I love it, as long as I’m only visiting.

Good luck and remember if it’s your dream you can make it work whatever the obstacles.

Congratulations to you both.

I can’t help re the pregnancy issue for health undertaking, but, my partner also had to do one (and we knew for sure he didn’t have TB). It was a number of years ago, however, from our experience…… we had to make appt at the chest clinic we were told to use, at appt he saw Dr and had yet another chest X-ray and sputum test (he refused sputum test, as there wasn’t anything to cough up, yuk) I think they also did a mantou test ( little forearm test, to test for reaction, although we have been vaccinated so a bit pointless). However, you do get the opportunity to see Dr and discuss your situation, so you will have done what Immigration request and your Dr can then work out the best way forward for you.

Interestingly I also had to do the same TB check thing for a job in health at same clinic. I actually refused the X-ray because I had just had radiotherapy to my chest and wasn’t letting them do anymore, wasn’t a problem and didn’t fail me.

So do what they ask, tell them when you make appt and go with the flow. Enjoy your pregnancy and peace while it lasts

Why is it tone deaf? I would assume that the research being conducted has not just been pulled out of thin air. Person/persons conducting the research will most probably be studying their graduate/post graduate etc. and as such are doing a research paper. These are often chosen for reasons of personal interest or contemporary issues, related to area of study. They will already have been working on this research project for some time, so current status in Sydney is irrelevant. It can be quite difficult to find an area of study that is or has not already being explored. Good luck with your research, I hope you find plenty of participants. Shame you don’t seem to have included those of us unable to visit family overseas, but are denied exit as citizens or PRs of Australia.

Research creates knowledge

Thank you Marisa and hug’s accepted , and I agree about the venting. Sometimes I think we do it on a forum because we are anonymous, and it’s easier to argue on here without repercussions. As someone who constantly feels anxious I often feel I read answers I know would set me off to dark place. As such I always think very carefully about what effect my response might have on a worried and distressed forum user. As an example my DD once informed me when I texted her and I hadn’t  added any kisses or emoj  I must be mad with her. I guess sometimes when a blunt answer is given in a post the OP feels the same. My DH thinks I’m nuts but lots of us are sensitive to the written word and read into the wrong meaning from well meaning people. Until recently I hadn’t given it much thought but a good neighbour of mine posted an innocent thing on Facebook and was brutally attacked with comments even threats to her business, she was distraught and took to her bed for days. 
I know the forum is a brilliant place and many posters offer great advice. But everyone has different writing styles and sometimes they may come across a little blunt .

I’m definitely not here to offend anyone. I have enough of my own problems

23 hours ago, Loopylu said:

Marisa told me I was selfish for travelling to the UK to see my dying father and that as a Christian I should have sacrificed this trip for the greater good. So yes - she said I should turn my back on my parents. 

I am not religious as such and believe most people have an automatic desire to do the right thing for others I.e morals. Our Western world offers the opportunity to debate the rights and wrongs of our government decisions and make our opinions heard. For that I am grateful, I am ok to be guided and protected and if necessary stopped from doing what I believe I need to do. 
On a personal level I had to make a decision way back at the beginning of COVID of whether or not to visit my parents, I normally visit twice every 18 months. Mum was very sick and probably going to die, I had to fight with drs surgery to even get her seen as apparently the major fluid loss from her legs and fluid filled abdomen were  nothing! Her delirium eventually enabled me to get her to hospital (i was in Australia trying to deal with this). I simply couldn’t go, it was the hardest decision I have ever made. Fortunately she is still alive and I FaceTime every day. My point is as individuals we have to work through our most challenging times, it doesn’t sit well with me, I am aware I could probably get an exemption to leave Australia. But I know I will struggle to get back and I have commitments here too. It tears me apart I am the only family my parents have, I can’t even sort out my power of attorney because I can’t prove my identity to banks etc.... I only just managed to stop my dad from being scammed by getting their cleaner to convince him it was a scam. They need care setting up but I need to be there to do it. 
I feel for everyone who has lives affected by this terrible pandemic, but unfortunately it is what it is. Governments have had to do what they believe is right for the majority and sometimes they get it wrong but no one has a crystal ball. So for me I have to look forward and hope that as a world we can get it under control as soon as possible, then we can all do what we need to do. No family is any more deserving than another, we all have pain and trauma to overcome. 
LoopyLoo is simply distressed at her situation and when we are distressed we vent. I could start venting about everything right now but I wouldn’t be able to stop, so I get it.

Love and peace and deep breaths to everyone

$10 on top of my NBN and I got a free fetch box and heaps of channels. I confess I still like my BBC First and uktv 🥰 and discovery etc.

Forgot to mention you also have to insure it as soon as agree to buy. I was confused by this but it seems as I was told.... this is because if it burned down you still have to buy it, and the original owners may not have insurance .

Just to add..... inspection companies know you are on a tight timeframe, they do the 48hr thing all the time. You can also add ‘subject to finance’ but most people have already organised this in principle, so added to the contract as an extra just in case bank changes it’s mind. 
It really does matter where you buy too.... a very popular area will have more than one offer, so it pays to be ready. A decent agent will give you advice, but you need to ensure they understand you are new to the system. Above all forget everything you did in the UK to buy a house, we don’t mess around here. You have 48hrs and bang it’s yours, unless you have a finance clause, and even then there’ll be a date quite soon agreed. Every state is a little different too, for e.g NSW is 5 days but you have to pay a non refundable deposit immediately. 
I think we spend more time choosing which steak to buy for dinner than our house purchase . 
My advice for what it’s worth is learn the system, make sure you know exactly where you want to live, SA is huge. Know your budget and where you’re likely to work etc... Don’t panic buy, personal experience shows what I thought I wanted was actually not right, you can change as you settle in and get to know more areas.

Good luck and welcome 

On 09/02/2021 at 22:38, LucaLeon said:

Hi all,

We immigrated to Australia 6 years ago and then returned to the UK. I feel we made a mistake coming back and are thinking of applying for a visa again BUT me & my husband are 44 now. Is this too old? I am interested to know peoples ages when they made the move. Our kids are 12 and 8.

My husband is a Plasterer and feels he is too old to start at the bottom again as it was a struggle to find a job when we came before. 

 

You didn’t say how long you were here for. Not a migration agent but that may have a bearing on RRV. It’s a complicated decision if you come back and try again you may feel the same, or settle. Personally my only word of warning would be, as children get older it gets harder to move backwards. Myself, I would have gone back a few times over the years, but now I’m trapped. I won’t leave my now adult children and so I make the best of it. For me I’ll always be a nomad and have accepted my life and the feeling of always missing ‘something’ not very sure what though. Jobs come and go wherever you are. So apart from difficulty in getting work make sure you question ALL your reasons for going back the first time.

Good luck

4 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Does it work on an Australian phone? I've been tripped up by a couple of British apps which aren't downloadable on an Australian phone.

Hi Marissa, I’ve never had a uk phone as I haven’t lived there since they resembled bricks . So when I set it all up it was the only way I could do it. I downloaded the app with no problems and it still works. If they have changed it since I did it a couple of years ago it still works is all I can say. I open the app click on access code and within 30 seconds have to enter it on website. When I set it up it wouldn’t let me put an Aus tel number in, hence I did the app. Hubby is set up the same. However I have a couple of mates who were able to set up with Aus mobile number and they get code via text. However what I will say is when I set mine up they still accepted an expired passport whereas I don’t think you can use that method now, it has to be valid.

Also wanted to add to those interested..... if you were working and paying NI before you left UK you can still apply to top up with the class 2 (I think, anyway the cheaper one) contribution. It takes a while to fill in the forms and get a response but for 160 quid ish a year might be worth it for some. Sadly I have to pay the bigger fee so I’ll need to make sure I live till I’m 70 to get my money back , but hubby pays the lower figure and you can still catch up for 10 years or so. Only the individual can decide if it’s worth it, depending on if you’re gonna get Aussie means tested one.

9 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Y-e-e-e-s but where is the app?  Isn't it on a phone? 

On my phone or tablet, but I don’t need a phone number for it. So makes no difference as long as you can connect a device to wifi. As I read it OP is trying to ascertain how to still access HMRC without a UK phone number, it’s another option and I personally would assume OP would still possess a phone that can download an app?.....

Just thought I’d add another option... I get my access code through the app not mobile phone. Although someone I know uses her Aus mobile number.

Oops I screen shot them from live so you get my dogs too

Cicada birth, it was a deafening time they were so loud. Images a bit blurred as I had them on live shot.

some more

Taken a while ago, we lived in the hills and we’re visited by wildlife daily 🥰

CatMoose 

not sure if you’re coming back to SA, but just a heads up, some councils are now registering cats not just dogs. So you might want to check that out.

Lots of people do this on tourist visas, enables a cheap holiday, there are sites to arrange it. Surely you are still going to be spending in the economy. But I’m no expert so...... However we have used house sitters who claim a means tested pension so would that not also mean that they would need to declare they’re living rent free therefore earning???
 

Just my thoughts and as I said I’m no migration agent

Just thought I’d add,  if you have a NHS dentist in the uk, get your check up, clean and any treatment done BEFORE you migrate. Dentistry is excruciatingly expensive. I once had a recent arrival nearly have a cardiac arrest at the cost when given an estimate and when my Aussie colleague asked him if he was a pensioner he took it as an insult and stormed out. Pensioner means on benefits here and not just old age (he was about 35), she was only trying to tell him he may be able to use the government clinic