Moving to Australia, so many questions!

Moving to Australia

While Australia can be a very difficult country to gain entry to it is still one which is attracting more and more attention from expats around the world who are attracted by the laid-back lifestyle, the climate and the country itself. However, even though there are many similarities with the culture of places such as the UK there are also many differences which need to be appreciated and considered before you make your move.

A couple have posted a thread on the Australian expat forum with five basic questions which could prove very enlightening to anybody who is looking to move to Australia in the short, medium or long term.

Question one

“Am I right in thinking that I can ‘tag’ on to my girlfriends visa as a spouse / partner?”

While historically it was only spouses which were really recognised in other countries around the world, times have changed and partners are now able to “tag on” to their partners visa to gain entry to Australia. However, while there are regulations in place which will protect partners moving to Australia there is still a need to prove to the authorities that this is in fact a “proper” relationship and not just a relationship of convenience.

Question two

“As a permanent resident, if some reason her job were to disappear, could she or I just apply for another job and stay or would we have to come back to the UK.”

Permanent residency in Australia may not be as simple to obtain as many people think but once you actually have the status of a permanent resident in the country then there are no restrictions on where you can work, how long you can stay in the country or indeed any similar restrictions for your spouse. The fact is that entry to Australia is often conditional on the fact that you can fulfil an employment role in a vital industry, where perhaps employees in Australia are thin on the ground. If you can place yourself in this position of being useful to the Austrian authorities and the Australian economy then they will reciprocate and allow you freedom upon gaining permanent residency.

Question three

“We have quite a few unsecured debts here some on a payment plan and some not, I have heard a number of times that after 7 years our debts will be wiped if we just walk away from them in the UK. Has anyone done this? If so does it cause you a problem when visiting the UK? i.e. will I be handcuffed at Heathrow the minute if set foot back in the UK for a visit?”

This is a very pertinent question at the moment with more and more people in the UK struggling financially and looking to move overseas and start a new life. This particular question relates to unsecured debts which the couple in question would like to leave behind in the UK when they start their new life in Australia. While the question is not simple, and will often depend upon personal circumstances, it is highly unlikely that you can just walk away from your debts in UK without taking any action, whether this is bankruptcy or any other debt repayment arrangement, and expect to have free entry to the UK in the future. If you’re in this particular situation it is vital that you take advice from legal sources and ensure that the situation will not impact on your new life in Australia.

Question four

“What is the criteria for becoming an Australian citizen? Is it time? Work? Having Aussie kids? or simply just a question of how good you look in a cork hat?”

It would appear from the forum that once you have gained entry to Australia, via various visas, if you remain in the country for four years after your initial date of entry then you will in fact qualify for Australian citizenship. However, as with anybody moving overseas it is vital that you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for and what you can expect in the future. Do you know the tax situation? Do you know anything about healthcare services? Of the Welfare state?

Question five

“If we could get citizenship does that mean that you have to relinquish your UK citizenship or do you just have both?”

When you have decided to move overseas to start a new life it can be very easy to leave behind your old life and your old homeland in the short term. However, if you gain residency in a place such as Australia and receive Australian citizenship and an Australian passport, will this impact upon your freedom to visit your former homeland?

Thankfully many people, some of whom will change their mind in the future and return “home”, it is possible to retain your original passport and effectively have dual nationality when you receive your new Australian passport.

Life in Australia

While many people are attracted by the lifestyle in Australia it is not one of the easiest places to gain entry to and many people have literally waited years for the “go ahead”. A number of people have moved to Australia expecting to experience the traditional “Australian lifestyle” only to find out that it can be very different in the real world. Life in Australia will not suit every expat, no matter where they move from, and it is vital that you do your homework prior to even considering a move to Oz.

Conclusion

While initial entry to Australia will be simpler for those who can offer skilled services for areas of the economy which may be lacking numbers in Australia, it is not always as straightforward as this for everybody. However, it would appear that once you have gained entry to Australia and permanent residency then there are literally no barriers to where you can work and what you can do. The fact that a partner or spouse of a “skilled worker” moving to Australia can actually “tag on” to their visa is something which is proving very beneficial and very useful for many couples looking to start a new life in the land of sun, sea and surf.

Tagged as: Australia