OE17

We currently have flights booked for LHR to MEL at the end of June with Qatar Airways, but the fact that international flights haven’t restarted to Melbourne since the recent snap lockdown is a constant reminder of the fragility of the situation, knowing that our flight could easily get cancelled a few days before and be stuck in limbo not able to find another affordable flight for months after. For this reason I am thinking of booking a second flight for a few weeks later to Sydney as it seems a more reliable destination and the likelihood of both destinations being out of action unlikely. I am not in the position to be able to waste money, so this is on the premise of the Qatar Airways flexible booking policy allowing for full refunds no questions asked and regardless of whether one’s flight is cancelled. Therefore if the Melbourne flight goes ahead as planned I can just cancel the Sydney flight and get a full refund. Has anyone else tried this approach?

Would also be interested to know if anyone is hearing anything about offshore 309 visa progress .. we had just submitted my medical and police check (both all clear) in March after receiving RFI at end of Feb, but since then haven’t heard anything. Felt like we were so close to getting it granted but also understand why it’s gone quiet! Any thoughts / theories on when visa grants might restart?