[samishah]

So my wife, daughter and I entered Australia on our 475 visa a month ago. We landed in Perth and then moved to Northam where my wife (the primary applicant) got her job. Since then we have been living in Northam, she is working full time, paying rent, etc. Basically being productive members of society.

The question is though, the DIAC website and all the documentation we got when we were granted our visa, doesn't tell us who to inform about our achievements. As in, shouldn't we be telling someone at DIAC that we are working and living in regional WA and the first year of our visa fulfillment has begun? Who do we give this information to? How will we know after 1 year whether we are eligible to work in Perth or not?

Sometimes the lack of clarity in this process can be confusing.

[joojay]

After you have lived in regional area for 2 years, apply for your PR visa. At that time, you would need to show evidence to prove that you HAVE infact been living there for 2 years, and been working for atleast 1 year. No need to send them day to day info right now, just collect and preserve all evidence that you can, so you can make a solid case for your PR visa.
With 475, you are not eligible to work in perth for 2 years.

[commonwealth]

keep ur utility bills, rental contracts, bank stmts, anything proving u stayed/worked regional. make friends with neighbours and coworkers as they can possibly provide references later.

[samishah]

I had understood that we are obliged to live and work fulltime in regional WA for one year and in the second year we can work in Perth but still live in regional WA. Like living in Mandurah and working in Perth. I remember reading that and now I cant remember where.

Also the DIAC website says to inform them of any address change but not who in particular.

[mrsgreenstar76]

Originally Posted by samishah I had understood that we are obliged to live and work fulltime in regional WA for one year and in the second year we can work in Perth but still live in regional WA. Like living in Mandurah and working in Perth. I remember reading that and now I cant remember where. Also the DIAC website says to inform them of any address change but not who in particular.

No, I've never seen any evidence of that. It's certainly not on the WA state sponsorship website.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by mrsgreenstar76 No, I've never seen any evidence of that. It's certainly not on the WA state sponsorship website.

Er - yes it is..

At the bottom:
Applicants will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after having lived for two years and worked at least 12 months in regional Western Australia.

[mrsgreenstar76]

Originally Posted by NickyC Er - yes it is.. At the bottom: Applicants will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after having lived for two years and worked at least 12 months in regional Western Australia.

That isn't what they were saying. What they said was:

I had understood that we are obliged to live and work fulltime in regional WA for one year and in the second year we can work in Perth but still live in regional WA

There's a difference between assuming you can work in Perth after a year and applying for the next visa (which is what they can do after working for one year and living for two there).

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by mrsgreenstar76 There's a difference between assuming you can work in Perth after a year and applying for the next visa (which is what they can do after working for one year and living for two there).

I'm not sure what you're saying there. The OP has said they understood they could still live in regional WA but work in Perth after working in regional WA for a year. Your statement above doesn't make any sense. They can apply for the next visa if they are working in Perth after a year.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by mrsgreenstar76 That isn't what they were saying. What they said was: There's a difference between assuming you can work in Perth after a year and applying for the next visa (which is what they can do after working for one year and living for two there).

Huh?
The requirement for the permanent visa is that you live regionally for two years and work regionally for one year.

That's what they're planning to do.

[Bermudashorts]

The 475 visa permits the holders to live and work in specified regional areas and nowhere else. They cannot work in Perth or anywhere else not designated as regional whilst they are on this visa.

After spending two years living and at least one year working, they can apply for the PR visa. Only when they have an alternate visa, may they work in Perth.

[Bermudashorts]

Originally Posted by NickyC Huh? The requirement for the permanent visa is that you live regionally for two years and work regionally for one year. That's what they're planning to do.

I read it that they want to work in Perth next year whilst still on the 475 visa. They cannot do this.

[NickyC]

I get it now - they don't need to work the whole two years regionally just a minimum of one year. Any remaining time they can be unemployed but they can't work in Perth.

Apologies for confusion..

[Bermudashorts]

Originally Posted by NickyC I get it now - they don't need to work the whole two years regionally just a minimum of one year. Any remaining time they can be unemployed but they can't work in Perth. Apologies for confusion..

And would just add it is not for "two years" literally, it is until they have the PR visa granted, which would presumably be more than two years because they cannot even apply until the two years is up.

[Pollyana]

Originally Posted by samishah I had understood that we are obliged to live and work fulltime in regional WA for one year and in the second year we can work in Perth but still live in regional WA. Like living in Mandurah and working in Perth. I remember reading that and now I cant remember where. Also the DIAC website says to inform them of any address change but not who in particular.

You use Form 929 and send it to your local DIAC office

[mrsgreenstar76]

Originally Posted by NickyC I get it now - they don't need to work the whole two years regionally just a minimum of one year. Any remaining time they can be unemployed but they can't work in Perth. Apologies for confusion..

No worries.