Thank you for the helpful advice.

One last thing, I'm also a member of MENSA. How many points do I get for that?

What if I go there as a student working towards a grad degree in my college degree field? Could I drag that out for several years part time and then turn that into a PR?

I think that student to PR visas have just been axed.

Surely you're intelligent enough to go and find that out for yourself?

But during those several years studying I could surely find someone to give me a part time job teaching, working in a lab or something, right?

How many years do they allow you to stay on as a part-time student? I have no real interest in pursuing graduate degrees so I would need some very light, easy coursework.

As graduate degrees cost in the region of $8000 - $14000 per semester, dragging it out over a few years could be hideously expensive. Furthermore, in order to get a PR visa from a student visa you will need to study full-time in an area that will lead to a job on the SOL (Skilled Occupation List). Bearing in mind that this list changes like the Melbourne weather, it's a risky process nowadays.

I got PR from student visa - but now, even with a PhD and a job which puts me in the top 30 or so people in the whole of Australia with my specialty I would not qualify for a 885 (PR visa).

I'd DEFINITELY put that on your visa application. It'll help a lot.

This is beginning to sound like a wind up

Beginning to sound? I've seen the tongue in their cheek since the whole surf shack proposal started!

Yes, I particularly liked the MENSA touch.

Haven't read that bit

Actually not a windup. I really do want to move there. It sounds like Oz is the perfect place and the strict immigration requirements are great. Unlike North America and Europe, they don't allow hordes of fools to enter the country (although I do hear they import lots of refugees, can I somehow qualify by getting PR in a war-torn country and from there apply for a refugee visa to Oz?).

Seems I'll just have to wait until my assets >800k but the problem with that is that is they have stringent ways of looking at where the money came from. Doesn't seem like you can just show them your bank statement.

Haven't you read BE?

What is BE? Link?

The secret to a good wind up is to not overplay your hand