Medicare - Proofs Required
Jul 7th 2009 | 5:09 pm
#1
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From: Woollahra, Sydney
Medicare - Proofs Required
I just went into the medicare office to register. They said that because I had already validated my visa the visa itself was not sufficient and I had to prove that I was moving here permanently, as opposed to flitting in and out.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
Last edited by hopalong; Jul 7th 2009 at 5:13 pm.
Jul 7th 2009 | 5:18 pm
#2
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,289
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
Did you register with Medicare when you validated the visa? If the answer is "yes", then that's why you are now having these problems.
By registering and then leaving the country - you can now not register as a new migrant but are classed as a "returning resident" (same as an Australian citizen returning "home"). And as you have found out it's not easy to re-register then.
If you did not register with Medicare when you validated, I'd go to a different Medicare office ... Print from their website the forms that new migrants have to fill in and take it from there.
We validated our visa in December 2005 (stayed for two weeks). But we knew not to register with Medicare during the validation trip. We finally moved in November 2007 and had no problems registering with Medicare as new migrants.
By registering and then leaving the country - you can now not register as a new migrant but are classed as a "returning resident" (same as an Australian citizen returning "home"). And as you have found out it's not easy to re-register then.
If you did not register with Medicare when you validated, I'd go to a different Medicare office ... Print from their website the forms that new migrants have to fill in and take it from there.
We validated our visa in December 2005 (stayed for two weeks). But we knew not to register with Medicare during the validation trip. We finally moved in November 2007 and had no problems registering with Medicare as new migrants.
Last edited by ozhappy981; Jul 7th 2009 at 5:58 pm.
Jul 7th 2009 | 5:28 pm
#3
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Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
My way to re-register was even easier... I got my wife to fill the forms in, I signed it, and she took them into the Medicare Office, while I waited outside... 
I don't know what happened other than I was re-registered ...
I don't know what happened other than I was re-registered ...
Jul 7th 2009 | 5:36 pm
#4
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Woollahra, Sydney
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
No, I didn't register before. They just didn't like the date on my visa, said it was old, when I pointed out it was still valid she actually said immigration rules are different to theirs!
It did occur to me that another office might have a different approach, I think when they see anything unusual they aren't quite sure what to do. I might just give it a go here first though, at least I have some removals documentation and have opened a bank account, hopefully that will do.
Sounds like no one else has come across this though.....
PS: unfortunately no wife to do mine for me
It did occur to me that another office might have a different approach, I think when they see anything unusual they aren't quite sure what to do. I might just give it a go here first though, at least I have some removals documentation and have opened a bank account, hopefully that will do.
Sounds like no one else has come across this though.....
PS: unfortunately no wife to do mine for me
Jul 7th 2009 | 5:47 pm
#5
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
No, I didn't register before. They just didn't like the date on my visa, said it was old, when I pointed out it was still valid she actually said immigration rules are different to theirs!
It did occur to me that another office might have a different approach, I think when they see anything unusual they aren't quite sure what to do. I might just give it a go here first though, at least I have some removals documentation and have opened a bank account, hopefully that will do.
Sounds like no one else has come across this though.....
PS: unfortunately no wife to do mine for me
It did occur to me that another office might have a different approach, I think when they see anything unusual they aren't quite sure what to do. I might just give it a go here first though, at least I have some removals documentation and have opened a bank account, hopefully that will do.
Sounds like no one else has come across this though.....
PS: unfortunately no wife to do mine for me
Jul 7th 2009 | 7:15 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,708
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
I just went into the medicare office to register. They said that because I had already validated my visa the visa itself was not sufficient and I had to prove that I was moving here permanently, as opposed to flitting in and out.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
They told me to do all this stuff 6 months ago. Didn't bother going back as I couldn't be bothered jumping through all those hoops.
Jul 7th 2009 | 10:07 pm
#8
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 629
From: Melbourne
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
I just went into the medicare office to register. They said that because I had already validated my visa the visa itself was not sufficient and I had to prove that I was moving here permanently, as opposed to flitting in and out.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
I just wondered whether anyone else had come across this? Also thought it might be useful to pass it on, especially in the current market where more people are validating and returning later and many houses aren't selling.
They gave me a sheet called "returning residents" with a list of suitable proofs, and I need to show two. The list actually says it is relevant to PR visa holders "previously registered in medicare", I have never registered for medicare before, but because my visa is oldish they still insisted on the documentation. On it were things such as proof of sale of property in UK (I have let mine out in current market), acceptance of resignation from past employer (currently in my container), proof of closure of bank accounts (I am not closing them as have to cover flat costs etc) and transit document for household goods / furniture. Hopefully I can produce something for the latter, though I haven't shipped my furniture, just goods. Alternatively from Australia - lease agreement or utility bills, commencement of employment, private health insurance (most require medicare proof before you can take it out), purchase of property etc.
In addition I have been asked to fill out a "statutory declaration" basically stating that I am moving here permanently and that has to be certified by a suitable person such as police officer, pharmacist etc.
I can see where they are coming from, was just a bit surprised and just hope I pass (will let you know if it becomes a bit of a saga). Whilst much of the documentation may seem straightforward for someone who is renting a room in a flatshare, not sold property in UK and not yet got a job here it isn't quite so easy to prove.
Jul 7th 2009 | 10:38 pm
#9
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From: Woollahra, Sydney
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
Yep we had to do all this as returning residents never mind new arrivals. Each time we went into the Medicare office they changed the goalposts and requested more paperwork. I ended up spitting the dummy, went to my local MP and bingo within 24 hours had a public servant on the phone from Canberra who subsequently delivered our Medicare cards within a week.
Jul 7th 2009 | 11:41 pm
#10
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,998
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
We also found when we were having problems with a different agency that when I said next time I had to go to the offices I would be bringing along a member of the media things suddently started going our way. Seems government agency staff don't like the idea of having newspapers/TV news presenters doing stories on poor mistreated immigrants.
Jul 7th 2009 | 11:49 pm
#11
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From: Woollahra, Sydney
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
thanks for the tip.....watch out prime time tv here I come....!! 
Jul 7th 2009 | 11:53 pm
#12
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 90
From: Gold Coast
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
We had a similar problem when we first arrived. We had validated our visas 18 months before and the Medicare office asked us to fill out a statutory declaration to show our commitment to the country - as if spending thousands of pounds getting here wasn't enough 
.
This all sounded far too much effort so we left it a few weeks, went to a different office and by then was able to produce a rental agreement, invoice from our shippers and a bank statement and that seemed enough - no mention of the stat dec. All signed up now
. This all sounded far too much effort so we left it a few weeks, went to a different office and by then was able to produce a rental agreement, invoice from our shippers and a bank statement and that seemed enough - no mention of the stat dec. All signed up now
Jul 8th 2009 | 12:02 am
#14
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From: Woollahra, Sydney
Re: Medicare - Proofs Required
One thing that is easier here than UK is getting Statutory declarations done. OK, I don't know if UK even has such a thing, but getting certified copies of things is quite difficult in the UK as only a few people can sign them. Over here there is a long list of people who can sign and I just walked into some random chemist and the pharmacist knew all about it and quite happily signed it and with no charge.
Interesting to here that I am not the only one then, so it doesn't sound completely like a jobsworth but actually a general policy if you have validated first and come back months later.
Not made it to medicare yet, got the stat dec, got the letter from my bank, next job is to print off my removals documentation that is currently on my laptop.
Interesting to here that I am not the only one then, so it doesn't sound completely like a jobsworth but actually a general policy if you have validated first and come back months later.
Not made it to medicare yet, got the stat dec, got the letter from my bank, next job is to print off my removals documentation that is currently on my laptop.
Jul 8th 2009 | 12:03 am
#15
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From: Woollahra, Sydney
