Byrand15

Hi guys

I wondered if someone could help and maybe advise please, we are a young family of 4, age 27/30 with 2 younger kids with my son being autistic, we just wanted to know with him being autistic and currently going to a special needs school, does it make our chance of getting PR or moving to Australia impossible? If one of us has a job on the demand list is that enough to warrant getting us PR or at least a long term visa to get us in as a family or 4 and then work out hardest to get PR while on shore? We are so desperate for a better life for our children as the UK is becoming so bad with cost of living and crime rates ((


Many Thanks

old.sparkles

I emigrated with my son who is Autistic, but he always attended mainstream schooling, and was much older when we moved. Even then his medical was sent to the medical officer and I had to provide additional information before he was found to have met the health requirements (additional info included private psych report at my cost). The decision is based on how much support, or not, required and other health needs, and whether that will carry significant costs (set at $51,000 or more).

More info on the health requirements here - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help...rements/health

If you do not meet these requirements, visa will be refused.

As your reason for moving seems to be cost of living (same world over), and crime (area dependent), have you looked at different areas within the UK. I have heard that support in schools is a lot lower here, and if that support is required, you will likely fail the health requirement.

quoll

Special needs school is pretty much a deal breaker and your chances would be slim to none. It's not just the diagnosis that matters it is the level of support which might be required because that level of support is going to take you well over the threshold for costs. That is going to be true whether you try for a temporary or permanent visa - in fact, in some states, on a temporary visa you could be required to pay for any additional support if indeed you got a visa in the first place. Also, be aware that the "in demand" list doesnt necessarily equate to "being able to get a job".

I know it is easy to say but Australia's cost of living is also going through the roof, accommodation is hard to find and, well, we have crime just the same as everyone else so the "better life for the children" is not necessarily going to be found in Australia. Reports from returnees, especially, would suggest that support for children with autism is much better in UK than it is in Australia. Have you thought of moving elsewhere in UK - it'd be cheaper and maybe meet your needs more easily.

Pollyana

In addition to the comment from Quoll and Sparkles, I just wanted to say that although it might sound on paper like its easier to arrive on a temporary visa and then "work our hardest onshore to get PR" it doesn't work like that on the ground. Medicals for temporary visas may be easier to pass, but then a further medical is required for PR, the same medical that would be required if applying for PR straightaway & that s where many people have come a cropper. Some families even do several years on temp visas then have to leave due to an autistic child failing a PR medical.

Byrand15

That’s so sad because I’m generally super depressed living here in England I just cannot stand it, I’m originally from South Africa so my lifestyle is much suited to the weather and living way of life out in oz, and it’s a dream I don’t want to take to the grave and regret never doing, but I’m currently a police officer and after 3 years we can do a free transfer so I don’t know if that’s the golden ticket in or wether will still be stopped based on my sons neeeds, now I do have family in Queensland, auntys and uncles and cousins if that helps at all, but I really want to know what my best chances of getting me and my family into oz. What about if I was to leave on my own for 3 months to get myself settled and find a job even fruit picking to start with to show me work ethic and willingness as I will do whatever it takes. I really am not sure what options and hope I have left as everything sounds very unpromising 🙈😭

old.sparkles

I'm not sure what you mean by 'free transfer'?

If you are South African, is that an option if you are desperate to leave England?

No, coming on a WHV will not improve chances. But time may depending on how severe your son's Autism is, and whether the level of support he needs will reduce as he gets older.

Byrand15

old.sparkles

How severe is your son's autism? Does he have any other issues?

ETA - if you believe he will pass the health assessment, it may be worth a chat with a MARA agent. If you do not believe he will pass, there is no pathway to PR at this time in all likelihood

quoll

As has been said, the only thing you can do is to have a consultation with one of the agents who specialise in medical conditions. From what you have stated however, it is unlikely that you would get a visa no matter what shenanigans you attempted to pursue to circumvent the medical decision - no, going on your own and getting a job is not going to get your child through the medical. Staying with your aunty is not going to get your child through the medical. Getting a job as a police officer is not going to get your child through the medical. A child in a special school is not going to get a visa. Just because you cant understand that Australia has guidelines for the granting of visas which include excluding those who would cost the Australian tax payer a lot of money is irrelevant - you may not like it, you may not think it is fair but those are the rules. Have you tried Canada or USA perhaps? I know you dont like the idea of returning to SA but maybe if UK is so depressing for you then it may be a way out of your depression. Or maybe try somewhere else in UK - not everywhere is miserable and crime ridden.

Pollyana

Even if you can get accepted on one of the recruitment drives that the various Australian State police services run from time to time (they aren't "free transfers" if thats what you are referring to) then you still have to also pass all the requirements for the visa associated with the role. So you would need to pass the police medical, and then you AND ALL YOUR FAMILY would need to pass the visa medical. Doesn't matter if you arrive first or if you all try and go over together.
Your Queensland family is also irrelevant I'm afraid. Your child's needs will always be the stumbling block, Australia couldn't give a monkeys about your work ethic or willingness to pick fruit, its worried about what will cos the country money.
Sorry to be blunt, but its the truth.

Byrand15

To be honest I think you have all been really helpful and don’t need to apologise for being blunt at the end of the day I am seeking out for help and yous are helping me so I’m very grateful for that!!

what I think my best option is to get an agent Mara agent that was mentioned to asses him now are they people in UK or Australia that we are talking about who will need to do his medical, my son is just autistic tbh he hasn’t got anything else medical wrong, just has autism, non verbal, but doesn’t a lot on his own and for him self with and without our help. It’s just the fact that he goes to a special school which might be a problem I couldn’t even try get him into mainstream at this time as I don’t think he will progress

but I do hold massive amounts of hope because you just never know he could pass the medical but sounds more unlikely based on what people keep saying

christmasoompa

Canada wouldn't be possible either, they have a similar policy for the medical it sounds like - anybody that is going to cost the Canadian healthcare system more than approx $24k a year will be refused a visa, and a child in a special school is going to be over that amount. It's also not great for those with autistic kids according to forum members who have been there and got the t-shirt. The US would be bottom of my list for any family with a child with medical needs as it could cost a fortune, but a police officer wouldn't qualify for a visa there anyway - possible the OP's wife would though depending on what she does.

I totally agree with the suggestion of somewhere else in the UK, not sure where the OP is but where we were was super safe. We rarely locked our doors or cars, we were very rural though and in a lovely village.

Pollyana

The medical would be in the UK, at one of the clinics approved by the Aus Immigration Dept. There would then almost certainly be a request for follow-up specialist reports to assess your son, which would then be submitted to a medical panel in Australia for a decision.
There's an agent called Peter Bollard, who has always been recommended for visas with medical issues, and he might be able to give you a better idea.

https://www.ausimmigrationlawyers.com.au/ourteam

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help...locations/list

Byrand15

I will deffo contact that guy recommended and hope I can have a long in-depth conversation with him regarding my son and he may give me some hope and say there are ways around it and to get him passed on the medical. Thanks so much to you all USA and Canada I do think they could be an option to but not sure if they are super difficult to get in just like OZ

bearbear128

Hello Byrand15

I think we have very similar situation. I am in the Midland and my son is autistic and in mainstream primary school with EHCP. I really want to connect with you but I havent meet the criteria yet . So, if you want, please send me a pm and we could keep in touch.

I want to highlight something that might be a hope for all of us. The significant cost threshold is under review and hopefully it will be increased and become comparable to Canda and New Zealand. Again. But, how does this actually favor our visa application ?? Any idea would be appreciated.
It is easy to get some results if you Google with keywords ausralia disability threshold review immigration.

My MA advised me to get my son to have another diagnosis and hopefully he will not exceed the significant cost threshold. This might then allow us to be granted with visa through health waiver. My question is that the calculation of threshold is based on DSM V classification, either ASD level 1/2/3. But the diagnosis from EP/paediatric psychologist/clinical psychologist in UK does not provide these classification. I am stucked in this as it is very costly to do a diagnosis.
ANyone ever come across with this question?