kubby Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Hi Guys, Although I have been in Australia since last 4+ years on a 457, I just got my PR granted last week. And now I am trying to find the things that I will need to take care off as a PR. Here are couple of them which comes to my mind: 1. Apply for a Medicare card. 2. Apply for Driving license - I can only use my existing international driving license for 3 more months. 3. Private medical insurance - On a 457 I have been paying a hefty amount for my Private insurance. I now need to get this changed since I am a PR and it would cost less. My question to you guys is - WHAT ELSE? Please share from your experiences. Thanks in advance! Cheers, Kubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cashmere Glow Posted April 22, 2013 Share Posted April 22, 2013 Hi, Congrats on Your PR. In regards to your questions: 1. Yes, you can apply for the Medicare. You have to bring all the documents needed by the Medicare Officer. Please visit their Office 2. You can only use your Driving License for maximum of 3 months and you should up change it to Australian Driving License. You have to come down to Department Vehicle Services and they will let you know what documents that you need to prepare before you are able to convert it or take the written or practical test. 3. Not sure about this. 4. You have to have tax payer id Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubby Posted April 22, 2013 Author Share Posted April 22, 2013 Hi, Congrats on Your PR. In regards to your questions: 1. Yes, you can apply for the Medicare. You have to bring all the documents needed by the Medicare Officer. Please visit their Office 2. You can only use your Driving License for maximum of 3 months and you should up change it to Australian Driving License. You have to come down to Department Vehicle Services and they will let you know what documents that you need to prepare before you are able to convert it or take the written or practical test. 3. Not sure about this. 4. You have to have tax payer id Thanks Cashmere Glow. I already know on how to proceed with the first 3 points. About point 4 - I already have a TFN. Is there anything else that comes to your mind? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubby Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 Any feedback, guys? cheers, kubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaoticturtle Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 The driving license one seems to very by state - so check what your state's rules are. We went in to change my license in ACT and were told that there is a minimum three month period before I can get an Australian license here. So I was told to go away and not come back for a couple of months! Only other thing I can think of is that as you have been on a 457 for a while then you will be eligible for citizenship soon, but you are limited in the amount of time you can spend out of the country in the last 12 months before applying. Might be worth checking the rules so you know when to apply etc and so that you don't get caught out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 We went in to change my license in ACT and were told that there is a minimum three month period before I can get an Australian license here. This seems very strange. I obtained my ACT licence within a month of arriving from the UK in 2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaoticturtle Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 This seems very strange. I obtained my ACT licence within a month of arriving from the UK in 2011. We were surprised but the guy in the shop said that its a fairly recent change. I'm planning on double checking it just in case! Last thing I want is to be driving illegally, but he really did seem to be very very sure that I had to wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowPerth Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 If you have been here 4+ years, could you apply for Citizenship? It would change your entitlements for the better again. Or did you mean 4+months. Congrats on getting your PR - much more security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterhuli Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 You would be eligible to apply for citizenship a year after the PR grant date, if you've fulfilled the 4 year temp residency requirement... https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/citz/startIntervalCalc.do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 We were surprised but the guy in the shop said that its a fairly recent change. I'm planning on double checking it just in case! Last thing I want is to be driving illegally, but he really did seem to be very very sure that I had to wait. What you've been told contradicts their website too: http://www.rego.act.gov.au/assets/PDFs/Approved%20Country%20List.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolac34 Posted April 26, 2013 Share Posted April 26, 2013 Make sure you tell your bank you now have PR as it effects any credit applications you make in the future. I'm surprised about the DL, I got one the day after I stepped off the plane and I was on a WHV! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubby Posted April 26, 2013 Author Share Posted April 26, 2013 Make sure you tell your bank you now have PR as it effects any credit applications you make in the future. I'm surprised about the DL, I got one the day after I stepped off the plane and I was on a WHV! Thanks Nicola. I will do that. Out of curiosity... how exactly does any credit application gets affected with visa status change. I hope we have covered everything here... please post .. if anything additional comes to anyone's mind. Thanks again people. Cheers, Kubby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolac34 Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Thanks Nicola. I will do that. Out of curiosity... how exactly does any credit application gets affected with visa status change. I hope we have covered everything here... please post .. if anything additional comes to anyone's mind. Thanks again people. Cheers, Kubby When I applied for a credit card with my bank & they refused & when I asked why they said it was because I was on a temp visa - I said I wasn't any longer so they changed the record & then I was approved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubby Posted April 27, 2013 Author Share Posted April 27, 2013 When I applied for a credit card with my bank & they refused & when I asked why they said it was because I was on a temp visa - I said I wasn't any longer so they changed the record & then I was approved! Copy that!! Thanks Nicola. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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