retropeck

Hi,

I've been lurking on this site reading up for a while and found a wealth of information but I have a few questions and instead of starting numerous topics thought I would put them all here if that's OK...

We (me, my wife & our 3 yr old) are considering moving out to Brisbane next year for me to study for 2 years, potentially� with the idea that if we are taken with it� to try and apply for PR through the Job Ready Program on a post graduate visa 485 and subsequently a skilled independent visa 189. We are both UK citizens, have both spent a year or so in Australia a while back on WHV's plus my brother is currently living in Brisbane (on a sponsorship).

My questions are:

1. I have Crohn's Disease and currently receiving Infliximab (Remicade) through the NHS. I know I would have to see a specialist in Australia to continue the treatment and from what I have read I would be covered under Medicare on the student visa. Would I still be covered on the� 485 & 189� visa? Also being quite an expensive medication (£10,000 p/year) would this hinder my medical assessment if applying for PR� in any way? I have contacted George Lombard as I have read they are the one's to speak to regarding medical conditions and just waiting to hear back.

2. Our little girl was 3 last April so she would currently need some childcare if I was studying and my wife working part time, does Australia offer any help towards this? The UK currently pays £82 p/child p/month� to all tax paying� families until they are 16� and 15 hours free childcare once they have turned 3.

3. I have been looking in to schooling for our� daughter as she will be entering that age� and found it a little confusing. Are we entitled to the fee exemption while on a study visa in QLD, the same for� 485 & 189� visas? If not what sort of fee's should I expect? $262 p/week?

4. I believe my wife can work up to 15 hours p/week on my study visa, is this same on 485 & 189 visas?

Sorry for waffling on, these are some of our 'make or break' questions before we starting looking more deeply in to costs and� visa qualification etc. Thanks in advance for your help!

Alex.

Pollyana

I'll chip in with a few bits. Firstly I believe (though willing to be corrected) that you need medical insurance on a student visa. I doubt that Crohn's would be covered by Medicare whilst you are on a student visa. Its also possibly an issue when you come to applying for PR. Temporary visas are much more lenient on health issues. I would suggest you are taking the right path in consulting George, he is excellent on such things, and can also advise whether you need medical insurance as a student.

You get NO government assistance on temporary visas - childcare costs will need to be met from your own pocket. that sort of assistance doesn' kick in until you have PR.

Queensland doesn't charge for public (state) schooling in temporary visas. Most other states do. You will only be expected to pay the same as any PR or citizen.

Your wife will have no restriction on hours of work on the 485 or 189.

quoll

Dependents on a student visa pay school fees $253+ pw depending on year level
http://https://eqi.com.au/pdfs/trac-fee-structure-and-exemptions.pdf
For kids under school age you would be up for childcare fees which run to about $120 per day with no benefit from government.

And in answer to the other questions, no government assistance at all and, yes Crohns could be a deal breaker so talking to George Lombard is a good idea. There is no guarantee of permanency at the end of it and most people would say that unless you are very rich with money to burn it's not a great option especially with a family. Better to study in UK, get qualified and experienced then think about moving if the occupation is still on the list