I have had to return back to the UK giving up a lifestyle and job I loved, as the wife's mother has cancer, now at the moment she says she will not be going back to Australia however I don't want to end my chance just yet.

So my question is can I extend my PR visa and if so how?

So how long have you been back in UK?

3 months but my visa runs out in September

Ah, just looked at your signature. Your visa doesn't expire until September 2013, so you have until then to come back. Otherwise you'll need an RRV or qualify for another way to come back.

2013 I thought it expired this year! DOes a visa last 5 years?

Take a look at your visa label. It will say how long it's valid for.

the re-entry feature of PR visa normally is valid for 5 years from date of grant. however, you can stay in Oz indefinitely if you're physically in Oz on a PR visa unless you commit a deportable offence.

Guys thank you so much I have been so depressed these last couple of weeks thinking that my dream was over. This gives me enough time to get back.

If you are still in the UK when it gets nearer to the expiry, you will need to investigate getting a RRV.

http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/rrv.htm

You can only get a PRR visa if u have lived in Australia for 2years or you arrive back before the date the visa was validated! (ie we arrived on 27th march 2008 so we have to be back there on or before 27th march 2013)We found this out the hard way! We had to come back from Tassie after only 6 months there...Due to family... and have been back here in the UK for nearly 4 years and we are looking at going back next year but we have to arrive before the date the visa was validated! (ie 27th March 2013) which we arnt able to do so we now have to apply for another PR visa! Hope this helps

I thought visa was valid for 5 years from grant date not validation date?

A PR visa is valid for 5 years from the date of grant - which is printed on the visa. It isn't impossible to get a RRV offshore but its not as easy, and it is possible to get one with less than two years residency if you can provev sufficient ties to the country. Lots of threads on it with the reasons people have used to get them when offshore, if you do a search

Your key date is the date visa was granted, not validated.

I was told by the Australian High Commission here in London that it was from the date it was validated not the date it was issued! God i hope they havent got it wrong!
Hubby is now looking at going out there before us in March next year.. and if ur right he wont be allowed in! Might just have to ring them again to double check....

Yes they have got it wrong, I am 100pc certain. You can confirm by looking at the visa label in your passport or the original grant letter if you still have it. When was it granted?