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Marisawright

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Everything posted by Marisawright

  1. Marisawright
    It seems obvious to me. If the couple were genuinely living together, then it's reasonable to suppose that the applicant knew their partner was claiming a benefit from Centrelink. So while the applicant wasn't directly defrauding the government, he was colluding in it.
  2. Marisawright
    That is not what it says, and I am sorry if you misunderstood it. Many people do. Sometimes the employer (or an unscrupulous agent) makes it sound easier than it is, because they want you to go ahead. But what it actually says is, if the company is happy to offer the 186, you can apply and if you are eligible, you may be able to transition to PR. But it is not up to the company, it is up to the government. It depends on what the immigration requirements are at the time. I'm not so familiar with how the 186 works, but look at the 189 skilled visa: you can have all the qualifications and experience and points needed, but that does not mean you will get the visa. There is a limit on the number of visas granted each year, so they pick only the very best, with the most points. It is a competition. If you are coming from a country where life is poor, I can understand you taking this big risk, because you have no alternative. I am always surprised when people coming from England or some European countries take a 457 hoping to transition to PR, because they are taking risks for a very small (or perhaps non-existent) improvement in their lifestyle.
  3. Marisawright
    We're talking about two totally different things here. I am talking about the misconception that the UK pension is something you pay into, therefore you have a right to get that money (and its profits) back. My cousins are getting their knickers in a knot because of that perception, because they feel the UK government is stealing their money. It's not. Why you should get offended because I criticise the government for not increasing the contributions beats me. I am not disputing your right, or anyone else's to claim the pension which you have a legal right to claim (though the legal name for it, by the way, is a "contributory benefit"). I am not aware of anyone rubbishing people's credit ratings.
  4. Marisawright
    Yes, but you should know it's a risk and be prepared. Years ago, my first husband had a three-year contract in another country. We had the chance of a second contract but we decided against it. Why? Because we looked at the probability of being able to stay long-term, and it was less than 50-50. We decided that if we stayed longer, we'd put down roots and it would then be too disruptive to leave if things didn't work out. So we went home. Yes, I know it feels awful when it goes wrong and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but it doesn't change the fact that it's partly self-inflicted.
  5. Marisawright
    Being in a job for 7 years doesn't make you indispensible. I had a job for 7 years and the company was able to replace me, it happens all the time. Of course, the company would rather keep the employee they've got, than go to the trouble of training a replacement, but that's not the government's problem. They designed visas like the 457 as a way to temporarily fill a gap until there are Australians who can do the job. They may be wrong in their assessment, but that's the intent of their decision.
  6. Marisawright
    The reality is, though, that if someone comes to Australia on a temporary visa, they know it's a temporary visa when they sign up. If they rashly made decisions on the basis they're here for life, that was their choice. If the employer gave them the impression they were secure and guaranteed to be able to stay, the employer should be shot because that's very far from the case. More than half of all 457 holders end up going home. Length of service or being a "genuine employee" are not part of the criteria. When you're on a 457, you're on a temp contract with a possibility of maybe being able to migrate in the future. I wish everyone the best of luck in making the transition, but it's a lottery and the government has been making it ever more difficult. I wish people would think it through more, before they even apply for a 457, but I guess the unfortunate thing is that it's human nature to think "I'll be the lucky one who'll get to stay".
  7. Marisawright
    Yes, I know it's because the government told you so. And I'm a Brit too, remember! I've obviously expressed myself very badly. I'm not mistaken, because you've just said, above, exactly what I'm saying. The books don't balance. People are living longer and therefore, the contributions we paid in during our lifetime (I'm 64) were not enough to fund our long old age. My cousins are saying, "I paid my money in, now I'm entitled to get it out, so you're robbing me if you increase the pension age". I think they're wrong, because they (and I) didn't pay in enough to get paid for so many years, and the government is only trying to address that by raising the age. It's rough on those affected because we all grew up taking the pension for granted, which again is the government's fault for creating that perception.
  8. Marisawright
    I apologise if I upset you, SusieRoo, because I had absolutely no intention of mocking anyone. I just stated a fact. I'm sorry if I expressed myself badly so you misunderstood. You said, " the UK state pension is paid for throughout our working lives, it's not a benefit like to dole". That's reflects what most British people think. However when you look into it, the amount you paid in (and the interest it earned) isn't nearly enough to fund your pension. That's not your fault, it's because they set the contributions too low for many years. So although some of your pension is your return on your investment, some of it is really a benefit like the Australian one. Also as Linda pointed out, you don't actually get your money back - your pension is being paid by the current contributions and this generation's pension will be paid by the next generation.
  9. Marisawright
    You are absolutely right, but talk to the average Brit and they don't see it like that. I have cousins who are absolutely furious about the raising of the pension age, on the grounds that "I paid into that pension, so I'm entitled to it". Look at @SusieRoo's and @Fisher1's responses above - both believe they have paid into the pension and are therefore entitled to it. The truth is, the NI contributions an individual pays during their lifetime are nowhere near enough to pay for a pension for 20 years, which is what many people will be collecting. I only realised this when I looked into paying a few extra years' contributions. I only had to pay a few thousand extra to make a big difference to the UK pension I get, and that's for the rest of my life. I don't know whether the government have managed the fund badly or not - but it's bleeding obvious that they haven't increased the contributions over the years to what they should be, and that's a huge part of the reason why the fund falls short.
  10. Marisawright
    The card gives you additional discounts as a pensioner. Many Australians don't get that card either, it's a subsidy for pensioners on a low income. If you don't qualify for the card, you still get prescriptions and Medicare benefits at the normal rate. That's what your visa fees pay for.
  11. Marisawright
    My advice is, don't try to choose from a distance. It's a very bad idea to take on a long-term rental before you arrive - real estate agents doctor their photos. Just book an Airbnb or a holiday home for 4 weeks for when you first arrive, and go from there.
  12. Marisawright
    I was going to say, I don't know Darwin well, but I do know a lot of young families move out to Palmerston instead of in Darwin proper. Palmerston is where the main shopping mall is, and there is also a good primary school.
  13. Marisawright
    I wouldn't worry about the TFN until you move permanently, it's quick to get and it won't prevent you getting a job if you don't have one - you just need one before your first pay. Credit score does not work like the UK. I was amazed when I went back to the UK to find out how everything is dictated by your credit score - it's almost irrelevant here. Whether you have individual or joint accounts will make absolutely no difference, whichever you prefer. What documents - can't think of any, other than what you'd normally bring on holiday. It will be too soon to rent or buy a place. If you want to try approaching some employers, you could bring your CV's, but with just a week I'd suggest spending it getting to know the place.
  14. Marisawright
    Never hire a lawyer to handle immigration. Use a registered migration agent. they are specialists. There is no need for a migration agent to reside in the country where you live, hire one of the ones who frequent these forums - that way you know they are reputable.
  15. Marisawright
    Er - yes, they always do. The agent's guide price is always an under-estimate. It's not supposed to be, and some state governments have legislated to try to stop the practice, but it's still rife. In Sydney, if an agent tells you the guide price is $800,000, it's quite likely to sell for a million. Melbourne is much the same. The rationale is that the agent wants you to turn up at the auction, and he's banking on you getting caught up in the excitement and bidding way over your limit. He's not bothered whether you can afford it. That's at auction. If it's for sale, then it's the opposite - you'd expect to offer less than the asking price. House prices are dipping by a few percent - but they've soared so much in recent years, I don't think it would make much difference. @ant111 - you'd have to travel much longer than half an hour to get cheap housing. Half an hour from the city centre in Melbourne or Sydney is still in the middle of trendy suburbs. Expect a commute of an hour or so to get something reasonable.
  16. Marisawright
    In Australia you never, ever, ever get to speak directly to the seller.
  17. Marisawright
    One more thing - I'd be cautious about leasing a car. Check very carefully what would happen if you need to leave the country before the lease ends. Usually you won't be able to sell the car because it's under finance.
  18. Marisawright
    They're keeping an open mind about whether they'll settle, PLUS they're only on a 457, so it makes sense to hang on to their UK numbers for if/when they return. The phone companies say they'll reassign your number if you don't renew the contract. However, I still have my UK number in an old phone. The contract expired nearly two years ago, but although I can't make calls, I can still phone that number and it still rings on that phone.
  19. Marisawright
    Yes, it is too simple. Private health care does not cover GP visits or prescriptions - the Australian taxpayer still has to subsidise those. Even if you're healthy now, the average person in their seventies or eighties is visiting the doctor fairly frequently, and is often on a cocktail of several expensive drugs. Besides, I don't think the Australian government could get away with forcing parents to maintain private health insurance or they'll be refused treatment even if they're dying. Or perhaps the government should say, maintain your private health insurance or we'll deport you? Circumstances change, people can make bad investments and end up in hardship, or outlive their savings. Can you imagine the outcry if the government turned an old granny away from the hospital or put her on a plane? I'm sure you have every intention of supporting yourself and doing the right thing, but you will still benefit from taxpayer support in lots of small ways. And there will be plenty of other parents who will not scruple to take advantage of every benefit that's going. It's human nature.
  20. Marisawright
    Never, ever trust what the immigration office tells you on the phone. Usually the person you speak to is just a call centre person, not an expert. If you take their advice and it turns out to be wrong, you will be in trouble - you won't be able to prove you acted on their advice.
  21. Marisawright
    I knew they had started cross-checking between the ATO and Centrelink but I didn't realise Immigration had managed to catch up with the 21st century too. Progress.
  22. Marisawright
    So that's their narky way of getting their own back, because they didn't get the increase through? Amazing.
  23. Marisawright
    Who is the sponsor?
  24. Marisawright
    What Snifter says. In states where it's recognised, some couples choose to register their relationship because it's useful proof of when the relationship started, but it's not compulsory. Registering it now would be a backward step because it's way too late. So there would be no need to mention registration or Centrelink in the application itself. You will prove your relationship by providing the documents Snifter mentions. I doubt they'd contact Centrelink because it's got nothing to do with whether you're eligible for the visa. Australian government departments aren't that well integrated so I doubt it would pop up anywhere automatically either. Where you might get caught is that (as Snifter says) you have to submit evidence of shared finances etc, and I assume your Centrelink payments will show up on your bank account. I'd suggest a good migration agent (like one of the guys on these forums). If your partner is talking to a lawyer, tell him it's a bad idea - lawyers are not specialists and they're even more expensive than agents, most of the time! A MARA registered agent is a much better bet.
  25. Marisawright
    True, we've had two (or is it three?) people posting in the last couple of weeks, who were refused after being invited.
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