ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Springer** · 25-01-2008, 01:52

Lats,

you are on the way

Well done!

P.S. Weather nice and hot now - still a bit wet in Queensland though!

**Latissimus_Dorsi** · 25-01-2008, 13:10

Thanks springer

Received another email from DIAC, this morning, informing me that our medical forms had been received, assessed and cleared. Hoping permanent residency visa will be issued within the next 8 weeks.

I am off to Kapooka, NSW. Queensland can wait!

Happy Australia Day.

Lats

**weegwa** · 01-02-2008, 12:29

Story so far - job offer, medicals etc done and visa lodged 31 Dec, so just doing the waiting out bit now. Provisional bookings for flights, movers, etc - if visas come through then start date is 16 Jun and heading to Holsworthy.
Question for those already there - what did you do about transferring your UK pension, who'd you recommend and costs involved?
Thanks

weegwa

**BATCO** · 04-02-2008, 07:09

Can anyone confirm the police check requirement - did you complete forms for just area in now or did you go back to other counties that you have lived in.

Hi weegwa, I'm due to go to Holsworthy at the end of July - have you had any contact with regards to housing , schools etc. I'm also trying to find out anything about the area.

**Mole** · 04-02-2008, 10:33

Originally Posted by BATCO

Can anyone confirm the police check requirement - did you complete forms for just area in now or did you go back to other counties that you have lived in.

Hi weegwa, I'm due to go to Holsworthy at the end of July - have you had any contact with regards to housing , schools etc. I'm also trying to find out anything about the area.

Hi BATCO,

You approach your local police force and they will run your details against all the UK addresses you put down. NI is included also. The terminology is "Subject Access Request" under the Data Protection Act. They have 40 days to reply. If you have also lived in Germany see my email note about payment.

**Mole** · 04-02-2008, 10:39

Originally Posted by weegwa

Story so far - job offer, medicals etc done and visa lodged 31 Dec, so just doing the waiting out bit now. Provisional bookings for flights, movers, etc - if visas come through then start date is 16 Jun and heading to Holsworthy.
Question for those already there - what did you do about transferring your UK pension, who'd you recommend and costs involved?
Thanks

weegwa

Weegwa,

Looks like you are about a couple of weeks ahead of me. No expert on the pension, but lots of useful stuff on previous pages particularly from Gary-K. Key points: Lump sum (not just pension) has to go down under within 6 months of arrival or you'll get taxed at 40%. Not declaring your monthly pension payment could be very dangerous.

**weegwa** · 04-02-2008, 20:17

Hi Guys,

Good to hear from you!
Batco- From what little we can gather, the majority of the MQ's are in the Wattle Grove area next to Holsworthy. Holsworthy itself has been described to us as a kind of Aldershot down under! As far as applying for MQ's they won't entertain until the Visa is complete.
We don't have kids so not sure about the local schools etc.
Sorry I can't be of much more help at the moment, but will let you know any info as we come across it.

Does anyone know what the current timelines from application to visa being granted are at the moment?

**Latissimus_Dorsi** · 04-02-2008, 21:55

Hey weegwa

I sent my visa app to Oz, in early Dec 07, and it was registered on the 17 Dec. I had to send some further paperwork: form 80, passport bio-data pages (copies) and Australian values Form. I sent that on the 21 Jan and it arrived in the DIAC office yesterday. My case officer has informed me that, he will be in touch when the decision has been made.

I guess the decision could be in a week or a month, not too sure. It doesn't do anything to make you feel at ease. I just hope all is well with our visa app.

As far as pensions go; I think I may leave mine in the UK and transfer some across when needed. I will obviously declare it on my OZ tax return, if I get there of course.

Don't forget to look into getting a tax rebate before you leave this country. Look on the HM Revenue & Customs website, find form P85. You may also want to find out about paying NI contributions whilst in OZ. This will give you a full UK state pension on retirement. As you have been paying into this for quite sometime now, it is worth looking into.

Soooooooooooo much to think about!

Regards

Lats

**Springer** · 05-02-2008, 01:48

BATCO,

the Police Checks apply back to 10 years and for every country that you have served in (over 12 months) in that period. This includes checks for your wife and any kids over 16. They will send you a form which has the contact details for most countries, if not search the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) Forms website.

The Germans are ultra efficient turning mine around within 5 days, the Canadians (RCMP) took nearly 5 months! You will also need an RMP check. The Canadian RCMP check included fingerprints etc which I had to get done by N Yorks Police - think that this costs 36 pounds each or so. Keep all receipts as they will be re-funded when you get across. Do it early - if in doubt send off now without waiting for the forms.

Springer

**Springer** · 05-02-2008, 02:00

Mole, Weegwa,

I am going through the pension admin now. Once you get across fill in a P85, both my Wife and I got tax refunds. Also apply for exemption of UK tax under the Double Taxation Agreement, this will stop tax being taken off your UK pension, but will make you liable for the 40% to come off across here! The Form that you fill out must go through the Australian Tax Office before going back to UK - they fill in their bit and then forward it. So they know that you are receiving revenue from UK and will crucify you if you dont declare it in your annual tax return.

As for housing, wait-out as you cannot access Defence Housing Authority website until you get a PM Keys number (I>D>) - when you recieve your "pack" from Oz house London, this will include a contact e-mail for your local office, you still wont get access to the site but they will be able to forward you photos of housing that they have available. In this pack will also have the schools contact details, removals etc etc.

Best of Luck and keep Plugging on!

Springer