lee2

5 hours ago, Wanderer Returns said:

None whatsoever - they can't wait to throw money at you over here!

But beware of those amazing introductory offers. There's usually a hefty annual fee unless you cancel the card before the renewal date.

Thanks for all the replies...how many months after arriving in Australia would people recommend waiting before applying for a credit card? Or doesn't really matter at all?

Hi folks, I moved to Australia not long ago and am looking at getting a credit card from my usual bank here.

My concern is, if the credit reporting agencies draw a blank due to 'not being on their database', would this be an issue to the Big 4 banks, i.e. how much do they rely on a credit report in making their decision whether to grant a credit card?

When I phoned up one of these agencies, I was asked to scan and send in my ID, ostensibly to verify my identity. Having read the reviews on these credit reporting agencies on ProductReview, I am rather put off by the idea of sending my ID to them and giving them more personal information. From reading the reviews, it seems there are often lots of errors in the credit reports.

I am wondering if others have had any problems getting a credit card several months after landing? Do you request a credit report beforehand to check for errors or to 'get yourself verified on their database' so that they can produce a credit file?

Thanks Ken for your comments.

34 minutes ago, Ken said:

If you are looking for guidance from Australian tax law on this point it remains silent. In any case the ATO allow a wide variety of different exchange rates to be used (provided you aren't trying to game the system by switching methods for different things). Using a Daily Conversion Rate from the RBA is a rule set by your employer not the ATO (although probably done so as to match the method they use for other foreign transactions) so it's up to your employer as to how to interpret this rule. Most employers would do the conversion for you to ensure the correct rate is used (and would normally use the rate for the 11th because most transaction information comes with just the date and not the time), but if they are leaving it up to you then use the rate that works best for you (provided you can justify it).

Thanks Ken for the useful comment. While I am not sure which daily exchange rate my employer uses, the RBA daily rate is how the ATO does it - since 1st January 2020 according to the ATO website.

You are right that it may be best I simply leave it to the employer to decide how they calculate. Adjusting for time zone difference seems a bit over the top as, depending on the exact time of the day,  it may be the 12th in Sydney and Melbourne (AEST) - but still the 11th in Perth, Christmas Island & Cocos Islands. Thanks again and if there is anything further to add please feel free.

Thanks Ken for your comment....but the flights were paid using a UK debit card rather than credit card; the employer will reimburse in AUD. Thanks for any advice!

Hi everyone,

I have a question which is probably a simple one and I might just be overthinking... My employer allows reimbursement of relocation expenses and I am wondering how we convert UK expenses to AUD.

My relocation flights from the UK to Australia were purchased in the UK using a UK debit card. I understand as a general rule we use the offical daily conversion rate from the Reserve Bank of Australia, at the time when the expenses were incurred.

Example: Flights booked and paid in the UK on 11th August 2020 at 4pm UK time. Which falls on the next day (12th August 2020) in Australia due to time zone differences.

My question is whether we should be using the exchange rate on 11th August 2020 or 12th August 2020? Thanks in advance for any help!

On 23/06/2020 at 16:16, Flossy82 said:

Congratulations on your job. I’m a doctor too and am currently in quarantine having successfully got an exemption based on critical skills. I’ve been living in WA for 15/12 and had to fly back as an emergency to the UK as my Dad was terminally ill.

The exemptions are a bit of a minefield and they don’t seem to be giving them for any sort of compassionate reasons, and rarely for skills reasons. The exception to this are doctors and other medical professionals. To be honest it was a still a bit of a pain and took much  longer to get a response than expected (well beyond my advised date of travel, so definitely don’t book a flight).

Whilst I’m a Specialist (O+G) I’ve heard of RMOs and other junior doctors getting exemptions, even for first entry, including one of my own RMOs who apparently had a much easier time than me as she applied a bit earlier on in the pandemic. The key to the application is to emphasis your importance to the COVID recovery of AUstralia ie you’re and ED doctor and you are required to fill gaps in an acute key speciality that is crucial for timely management of any potential COVID cases.Additionally don’t be disillusioned if you get a rejection at first  - they don’t seem to read half of the applications properly - and just keep applying. You medical admin department should also be well placed to assist you with all the importing documents and some guidance. 

Happy for you to message me if you want any further help or guidance. 

Best Wishes

Alex

Hi Alex, thanks very much for sharing your experience. May I ask how long it takes to get a response for travel exemption (for medical specialists) and do we need to apply more than once before getting approved? Many thanks

18 hours ago, Maria18 said:

how long did you have to wait to get your registration from AHPRA? and did you have to go to aus to present in person?

The whole AHPRA registration process (to the point of approval in principle) takes around 3 months although this may vary depending on health profession. After approval in principle, you are given a deadline to present in person in Aus in order to complete the registration process.

14 hours ago, Green said:

Would allied health professionals be included in this grouping? 

https://www.interstaff.com.au/exemptions-australia-covid19/

This is what I came across and it just says 'critical skill - medical'. Also it is unclear if those given exemptions had pre-existing visas.

10 hours ago, hollygolucky said:

Ah this is really helpful thank you, but disappointing that the visas are delayed. Hopefully things may speed up now lock down is easing?

I did read somewhere on a .gov site that they’re prioritising visas with exemptions.

Yeah I also read something along those lines but now even onshore folks are having massive delays.... Would appreciate any comments from others who may have any news!

Cheers

2 hours ago, hollygolucky said:

Thanks for your reply Lee

My employer originally told me that the visa time can be rapid, but that was before lockdown.

I am also wondering how often exemptions are granted for doctors. 

Here are the statistics from 2nd Feb 2020 to 6th May 2020:

https://www.interstaff.com.au/exemptions-australia-covid19/

221 out of 230 under 'medical' were approved for travel exemptions. However it doesn't say if these are people with pre-existing visas. Visas seem to be excruciatingly slow at this juncture although surely it would make sense to prioritise visas for medical professionals in the middle of the pandemic.

I am not sure the best way to approach this. Perhaps apply for a travel exemption whilst the visa is sitting in the queue - would this expedite the visa processing? Any comments from others?

Hi everyone,

Quick question regarding the AHPRA registration certificate....do we need to add this to our visa application? Or would giving the AHPRA registration number have sufficed as this is verifiable online? There has been no request for AHPRA certificate/letter so far and no CO contact yet; I am just hoping to avoid delays by making the application decision-ready but on the other hand not sure if updating the application with additional documents would send me to the back of the queue....

Thank you!!

On 28/06/2020 at 09:08, hollygolucky said:

Hello everyone,

I searched the forum and couldn’t find any results related to 482 visas?

I have been sponsored for a medical job in Sydney. I am applying for my visa and an exemption to the travel ban (as a “critical worker”) next week.

Does anyone have any idea if the average processing times for visas are still accurate? The website says 

• 75% of applications: 48 days
• 90% of applications: 64 days

Is there a benefit in using an agent in my situation? 

Thanks for your help

I am wondering about the processing times too. It does say on the official website that the figures 48 days and 64 days are updated 26th June 2020 for the month ending 1st May 2020. From previous applicants, the processing times were accurate and in fact much faster if your sponsor is accredited, with some doctors getting visas within days or a couple of weeks. More recently some folks are waiting well over 3 months!

Hi all, hope everyone is safe and well during this unabating pandemic. I am just wondering if there is any information regarding processing of offshore visas for health professionals at present? Any recent grants / approximate processing time?

The vast majority of medical professionals were successful in obtaining a travel exemption according to statistics I saw. However, the main problem appears to be the delay in visa processing. Has anyone come across any recent 482 visa grants for healthcare professionals (offshore)?