I actually know a fair bit about Australian visas.

Fact - you do not need permanent residency to access Medicare.

Fact - The reduction of issued visas recently is due to the reduction in "Skilled Worker" applicants. The planning level remained the same as other years (actually slightly increased) just not enough applied.

Fact - if you are serious in moving to Australia you need to consult with a Registered Migration Agent. I know of around 6 that I would happily recommend as very good.

Fact - There are far better places to live than Sydney. But for the unlucky, many companies have a "Sydney Allowance" that assist a bit.

Seems the average exchange rate over last 10 years is $0.86652831
Dec 2009 - $ 0.79211631
Dec 2010 - $0.91969131
Dec 2011 - $1.03385331
Dec 2012 - $1.03593731
Dec 2013 - $0.96791531
Dec 2014 - $0.90281331
Dec 2015 - $0.75212431
Dec 2016 - $0.74366431
Dec 2017 - $0.7668301
Dec 2018 - $0.750338

If you want to come over for the lifestyle etc, do it. Come on in, the waters warm. It is pricey and the industry is kinda inbred. Property is silly but if you're not high maintenance you'll find a nice spot for yourself depending on your job location and what you like to do.
welcome

Every year for as far back as I could check the migration "Planning Level" numbers have been meet within a handful of the published levels.

Last year the number fell short by around 30,000 in the Skilled Migration sector, the other targets were reached. The general opinion for this reduction is the uncertainty of our governments and the policies they keep changing. Things like the "Backpacker Tax" and the 457 abolishment have made the prospective applicant consider other countries for migration. Many people in large city's like Sydney and Melbourne are of the opinion that our migration levels are too high - the reality is it is too small and while these two city's get a disproportionate number of migrants compared to the rest of Australia neither city has put in the required infrastructure/policy to grow. Simply take a look at Sydney, single airport and the restrictions on that - no infrastructure (2nd airport) and a curfew (a restriction on types that can be used 146 only I think) a policy that is political suicide to touch.

"While the headline planning figure has not changed since 2012–13, a number of recent policy decisions are changing the composition and actual size of the Migration Program. The planning level itself has changed from a target to a ceiling, as noted in Minister Dutton’s media release for the 2017–18 Budget. In 2016–17, for the first time, there was a large discrepancy between the planning level and the number of permanent residency visas granted. It may be the case future discrepancies exist for 2017–18 and into the forward estimates period."

There is actually an increase of around 2,000 places but they don't count the humanitarian numbers in these figures.

While many of you have posted Australia is not all roses, it is still a pretty good place to live and bring up a family. While many see allowing pilots in on visas is a bad thing and is driving down wage growth, I think many other factors are controlling wage growth even within the industry. If you look at the difference in pay for pilots between Qantas and Jetstar (owned by Qantas) you could say because Jestar pilots are working for less than the Qantas counterparts they stopping the wage growth of the Qantas pilots. I see having good people come here with good intentions is a good thing.

Adelaide - Lead Balloon?

When comments like " Nothing wrong with Adelaide water as long as you chew it properly" are made, maybe drink bottled water!

And this from the tap water championships-

We're definitely in Marysville. So, I've got to ask, how do you feel about Adelaide's tap water?
David: Well, having been brought up with Adelaide water, we think it's quite drinkable. Therefore, everything else is theoretically an improvement on that.
June: We're hardened. It's got to be pretty bad before we refuse to drink it.

https://www.greenleft.org.au/content...adelaide-water

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...d28538ff64037b

There is a lot of misinformation flying around this thread regarding the lifestyles enjoyed by pilots in the US compared to Australia.

An apples to apples comparison would see Australian pilots fair much better than most expect.

“The generally-agreed statement is that Australia is the only third world aviation nation where you can drink the water. The word “aviation” in that statement is important. Anyone here saying it is not needs to fly in an actual first world aviation nation.”

I am interested to know what exactly constitutes “third world” in the aviation sector down under as apposed to the “first world” to which you refer. Can you provide some detailed examples?

“The socialist/marxist thing is gaining momentum”

Interesting, can you provide some examples?

The only caveat is if you come from a country which has a reciprocal health agreement. Which are;

• Belgium
• Finland
• Italy – you don’t need to have been living in Italy, but you must be an Italian citizen and meet the other agreement conditions
• Malta
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Ireland
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

I don't see the States on there, which is where the OP is from.

So I showed you mine, now show me yours :E

(Happy to be corrected, but the above has been my experience)

Firstly the 457 visa system has been scrapped, so it is a little hard to apply for one (some applications are still in the pipeline).

Secondly the reciprocal health agreement we have with those countries is not Medicare and there are limitations on what is provided.

Thirdly, and the important bit is the requirement to be eligible is to have applied for a Permanent Visa - the exception is Parent Visas.

There is no restriction on countries, you simply go to Medicare with receipt of payment for a PR visa, your Medicare application form and the current visa you have to be legally in Australia such as a Visitor Visa or a Bridging Visa E. A short time later they will give you your Medicare Number and tell you your "Blue Interim Card" will turn up in the mail in around 2 weeks, you stay on the "blue card" until PR is granted often a few years later. There is no difference in what is provided between the Blue and Green and I see Ukraine is not on that list!




https://www.humanservices.gov.au/ind...who-can-get-it

https://www.seekvisa.com.au/visas-el...-for-medicare/

This one also covers Temp visas and a statement of a time limit for Reciprocal Health cover.

https://www.immiaustralia.com.au/blo...-for-medicare/

I can also direct you to a forum where many had/have Medicare on temporary residence visas.

I threw the Google Maps pin - ended up in Mexico first, so had another throw.

St. Paul Downtown Holman Field

2014 was 66,475 aircraft operations 74% being GA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul_Downtown_Airport

One thing this joint ain't, is, Socialist. It's still run by a bunch of clowns like a f@cking penal colony. With probably less privacy laws than the US.

We might even let you become an Austronaut!!

Your colleagues will be friendly to you. It's casually racist place, even for white people, worse if you are 'of middle eastern appearance', asian or a native. You won't get shot by police during a routine traffic stop.

PS Live your life the way you want. If you want to have a go, come over and try it. Looking through a different set of lenses can make this place what you like. Especially if the girl is worth it. For the rest of us here, familiarity breeds contempt. You can always go back to the US if it goes bad. Plan on AUD$10,000 to apply for permanent residency.

PSS If you get here, and you end up flying, whatever you do, do not bust a CTA step.:hmm:

Oriana - these guys say $6,000 - $8,000 using a RMA, I don't know them but seems close to the mark.

https://migrateoz.com/index.php?opti...ask=view&id=45

$10,000 is more like an Australian citizen bringing in his foreign partner in on a Partner Visa without using an RMA, more like $15,000 if you use an RMA.

With the American taxation system - "can always go back" phrase rolls off the tongue a bit fast!

Quote: Fact - you do not need permanent residency to access Medicare.

I know a person that had Australian citizenship and passport ( due inheritance from their parents), the person visited OZ for the first time in their life.

Medicare told the person, they cannot be covered by Medicare, until, they have been in the country for a continuous 6 month period.
Although the person had AU citizenship, it didn't help in that instance.
The person needed personal health or travel insurance during their 6 month stay.

I know of dozens that have been told they are not eligible for Medicare, speaking to the supervisor or going to another branch often rectifies the problem of the poor staff training in some Medicare offices other offices are excellent. We were done and dusted in less than 10 mins inc wait time.

I asked a very simple question in a very basic way via email to the concerned department (at the time) in relation to eligibility of Medicare on a certain Temporary Visa - it took 3 replies to get the simple basic answer of yes they will be eligible.

A good chance that that Medicare person that told the person you know now works at CAsA or they will soon be poached now you let the cat out!

P.S. It is citizenship by descent, and I will warn 2 of my 3 kids about that trap.