12 replies to this topic

[Tricky]

Hello to all or should I say G'day Cobber,

If you've ever thought about emigrating to Australia and thought it isn't possible because you're in a wheelchair, think again!!

I'm a T12 Paraplegic (complete) who emigrated 3 years ago to Perth, Western Australia. I came here from the U.K with my wife and 2 children and have loved it ever since!

I've already helped a few people realise their dream by pointing them in the right direction for help with the visa process and would like to offer any help to anyone out there who would like to start a new life down under!

If you need any assistance, I look forward to hearing from you.

Richard

[Andrew Meddings]

hi tricky now your settled in australia you will be looking at getting naturalised & be a ausie .but to be a real ausie you need to get a swimming pool in your back yard & lucky for you i'm the man toy supply it to you. just joking welcome to our great country
cheers andrew

[HiltonP]

Richard,

Did you buy your way in, or have family there, or show proof of independent finances, or emigrate as a working individual?

If you slap down Aus$500 000, or have family members already living in Oz, or show proof that you've got enough money to support yourself, then they'll let you in . . . but otherwise one has to go through a rigorous series of medical exams which many able-bods fail. They've also recently tightened up their immigration regulations, so what worked a couple of years ago would not necessarily work today.

Bottom line is that the Aussies are spoiled for choice, and no longer take all comers. They can afford to be pretty fussy!

[Tricky]

Andrew Meddings, on Feb 23 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

hi tricky now your settled in australia you will be looking at getting naturalised & be a ausie .but to be a real ausie you need to get a swimming pool in your back yard & lucky for you i'm the man toy supply it to you. just joking welcome to our great country
cheers andrew

Hi Andrew,

It just so happens that we having our citizenship ceremony in 3 weeks time, then we'll be true Aussies! We've already got the BBQ & swimming pool in the back yard and realise we should have moved here 20 years ago!!!

God I love this country!.

Cheers,
Tricky

[Tricky]

HiltonP, on Feb 23 2009, 04:34 PM, said:

Richard,

Did you buy your way in, or have family there, or show proof of independent finances, or emigrate as a working individual?

If you slap down Aus$500 000, or have family members already living in Oz, or show proof that you've got enough money to support yourself, then they'll let you in . . . but otherwise one has to go through a rigorous series of medical exams which many able-bods fail. They've also recently tightened up their immigration regulations, so what worked a couple of years ago would not necessarily work today.

Bottom line is that the Aussies are spoiled for choice, and no longer take all comers. They can afford to be pretty fussy!

In answer to your questions;

We did not buy our way in nor have family here already. We also didn't have to prove our finances, I think that's for older people! We managed to obtain a permanent visa as my wife applied as the main applicant and her job was on the `wanted list`.

I'm not too sure about the $500,000 thing, but I am aware that if you have family already in Australia it helps a great deal. With regards to the medical examinations, I had just the same as anyone else and appeared to pass them. However, our first application was refused on the grounds that I was a paraplegic and in the eyes of the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth I would cost the Australian tax payer too much. I appealed against his decission and proved that I wouldn't cost any more than the average able bodied person and he had no option but to grant the visa and hey presto, the rest is history

I do believe that the Department of Immigration are continuously changing the visa application process, but still if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way like we did.

Cheers,
Tricky

[HiltonP]

It is the only place in the world where I want to live! . .

[edlee]

Bigger Island, huh? Don't even have to change the accent much.

Just wondering,,,,, what is it that makes it so much better than the place you used to call home?



I feel the same as you, HiltonP...... But I mean here.
ed

[Oldsparkie]

Tricky, on Feb 23 2009, 09:02 PM, said:

Andrew Meddings, on Feb 23 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

hi tricky now your settled in australia you will be looking at getting naturalised & be a ausie .but to be a real ausie you need to get a swimming pool in your back yard & lucky for you i'm the man toy supply it to you. just joking welcome to our great country
cheers andrew

Hi Andrew,

It just so happens that we having our citizenship ceremony in 3 weeks time, then we'll be true Aussies! We've already got the BBQ & swimming pool in the back yard and realise we should have moved here 20 years ago!!!

God I love this country!.

Cheers,
Tricky

Hi Tricky

Sure took you a while to make up your mind, my forebares saw the light left "The Old Dart" over 150 years ago!!! And why Perth the most isolated Capital City in the world. Why not Australia's most livable city Melbourne. Congratulations anyway on your forthcoming citizenship.

OldSparkie

[Tricky]

Oldsparkie, on Feb 24 2009, 02:22 PM, said:

Tricky, on Feb 23 2009, 09:02 PM, said:

Andrew Meddings, on Feb 23 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

hi tricky now your settled in australia you will be looking at getting naturalised & be a ausie .but to be a real ausie you need to get a swimming pool in your back yard & lucky for you i'm the man toy supply it to you. just joking welcome to our great country
cheers andrew

Hi Andrew,

It just so happens that we having our citizenship ceremony in 3 weeks time, then we'll be true Aussies! We've already got the BBQ & swimming pool in the back yard and realise we should have moved here 20 years ago!!!

God I love this country!.

Cheers,
Tricky

Hi Tricky

Sure took you a while to make up your mind, my forebares saw the light left "The Old Dart" over 150 years ago!!! And why Perth the most isolated Capital City in the world. Why not Australia's most livable city Melbourne. Congratulations anyway on your forthcoming citizenship.

OldSparkie

Hi OldSparkie,

I know it took me a while, but I know I'm a lot happier than the rest of my mates back in the U.K who are still leading their boring old lives!!! Anyway, Perth isn't that bad. There was a certain attraction about being so isolated and being involved with a community that's still in an expanding city. I took a trip to Melbourne last year for a mucky weekend away with the wife and loved it, it's certainly a vibrant city. Having said that I was glad to be back home in Perth.

Thanks for the congrats.

Cheers,
Tricky

[Tricky]

edlee, on Feb 24 2009, 11:16 AM, said:

Bigger Island, huh? Don't even have to change the accent much.

Just wondering,,,,, what is it that makes it so much better than the place you used to call home?



I feel the same as you, HiltonP...... But I mean here.
ed

Have you ever been to Rochdale, Lancashire, U.K??? If so, you'll know exactly what I mean!

Tricky

[HiltonP]

To echo Tricky's comment . . .

If you've ever been to South Africa you'll know why I'd rather be living in Oz.
SA's a great country, with a wonderful climate, and amazing fauna and flora . . .
but, it's just a pity about the majority of two legged animals who reside here.

Let's just say that while God might have been kind to SA, history wasn't!

[LeeSUK]

Hay Richard

I know it's been a couple of years since you emigrated and i hope you will still get this message.

I am just in the process of applying for a 457 temp working visa, I'm T7 para (Stoke Patient).

If you can remember that far back, what was the medical like? I have the full backing of my consultant and have (touch wood) had no issues since my date of injury (May 1992)

I have the means to pay for private medical insurance and a job to go to (Sponsored by the WA Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies), do you think, in your opinion this should cause any problems?

I have the job, I have family there, I have the skills and I have the desire - but I don't want my injury to be the only thing getting in the way - it's my last chance, as I am now 40 years old!

Any advice or at least a contact for when i get out there for a decent spinal consultant would be great

Good on ya mate

Lee

[KayDub]

LeeSUK, on 09 September 2011 - 08:05 PM, said:

Hay Richard

I know it's been a couple of years since you emigrated and i hope you will still get this message.

I am just in the process of applying for a 457 temp working visa, I'm T7 para (Stoke Patient).

If you can remember that far back, what was the medical like? I have the full backing of my consultant and have (touch wood) had no issues since my date of injury (May 1992)

I have the means to pay for private medical insurance and a job to go to (Sponsored by the WA Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies), do you think, in your opinion this should cause any problems?

I have the job, I have family there, I have the skills and I have the desire - but I don't want my injury to be the only thing getting in the way - it's my last chance, as I am now 40 years old!

Any advice or at least a contact for when i get out there for a decent spinal consultant would be great

Good on ya mate

Lee

I'm in the process of becoming a naturalised Aussie. My fiance was born and raised in Perth and we were there living together until medical problems sent me back here. I know I'd be eligible for Medicare married to an Aussie, but I'm not sure about your situation. I can ask though! Where in Perth are you looking to move?