Does an ETA impact my RRV?

[RachelJP]

Hi everyone

We have had PR and then an RRV but are currently in the UK. We are hoping to go back to Australia for a family wedding at xmas. BUT! there is a line on the immi site that states (see below) that having an eta visa may impact on your application for a RRV (which we want to get again next year). Does anyone know anything about this 'impact' and what it may mean? Thanks in advance!

"Returning to Australia without a permanent visa that has a valid travel facility (for example, entering Australia on an ETA or visitor visa) may impact both your:

• entitlements as a permanent resident
• ability to satisfy the permanent residence requirements when applying for Australian citizenship or when applying for another Resident Return visa"

[paulhand]

Bullet 1 refers to your “entitlements” as a permanent resident e.g. work and study rights, full Medicare etc which you will not have on a visitor visa

Bullet 2 - entering Australia on a visitor visa after having held a permanent visa does slightly change some eligibility criteria for an RRV for those who have been away many years, but generally speaking does not stop you being granted another RRV in the future if you meet the criteria. 
 

If you are eligible for an RRV, and there is time, you would be better off applying before you go. 

[RachelJP]

Thanks for that Paul. Much appreciated. So I've applied for the RRV, but I don't meet the residents requirements, (applying on substantial ties as I have done successfully before) so I'm pretty nervous that I won't get the rrv in time as we are flying on Dec 7. Eeek! Current processing times state 2 - 41 days or up to 12 weeks. Might you have any advice about speeding this up (if possible) and if it's okay to get an ETA if the RRV doesn't come through? OR would that ruin our chances of getting another rrv when we want to move back in the next two years?
Thanks in advance and sorry for all the questions!