We're on permanent visa 136.

Ok thanks.

I'm really scratching my head now

It's like a lot of things here they make them so confusing and you get told different things by different people. I rang to find out the postal address for where to send our forms to and the man didn't know and he was working at the place!

We are (hopefully) sorted with it now and feel better that the forms have been filled in and sent to the right place.

Just will wait now and see what we get back in the post!

Then it will be another thing ticked off our list. The next thing is trying to get Telstra, Alinta etc cancelled in a few weeks. Was difficult to do that when we sold up and moved in to our rental here. I am sure they employ 14-17 year olds like they do at Hungry Jacks.

Yes, its all very painful, i'm not looking forward to it

When are where are you going back to?

That is the 64,000 dollar question. Because OH is a New Zealander, he has to get a spouse visa which he is applying for next week. As soon as he gets it we are off!
It has all been made a bit more stressful as a food of jobvacancies have suddenly all come up at once for him in the UK and 2 of them are interviewing in January, so it all depends on how quickly the British visa place in Canberra sort it out.

What area are u thinking of or is it where the jobs are offerd?

ooops sorry... we need to be in the south as all our grandchildren are there. Basically looking for jobs in the eastern counties outside the M25. Essex, Kent, Sussex

How about you?

I'm on a permanent visa and my super company said I can't take my funds out of Australia until I'm 55.

Which form do you have to sign?

Don't know those area's well although my parents lived in Chelmsford for a couple of years so I have been there years ago. My Brother in Law is from Southend-on-Sea so have been there when they lived there now they are in Matlock, Derbyshire.

I'm originally from Birmingham but lived in Sheffield for the past 22 years and our children born there.

We have decided to move to Exeter, North Devon as it was our choice along with Australia when we thought of moving 5 years ago. Wished we have gone for it then but really excited as we're going back there in just over 4 weeks!

It's form 1194.

It is lovely down that way... have you got somewhere to stay when you go? I am sure someone from the Aus forum said they have a house to rent out near there.

Fleaflyfloflum

My OH is home now. He said he thinks you may have a problem if you OH is from New Zealand but it is worth speaking to the people who deal with your super fund to check on this. It's a shame if you cannot claim yours because of this but they have quite strict rules.

Something I didn't mention before to any one else who is interested in this. By filling in the form 1194 we are showing our immigration status. We have lived here for 5 years now and are permanent residents (136) but our visa expired in May. We are entitled to stay here no problem but would have to renew the visa. We have not done this as we are moving back and have no intention of returning to Australia again. Therefore we fufil the requirements of the immigration form and they are satisfied that we are leaving the country and do not have a valid visa that would enable us to get back in.

For anyone else wanting to cash in their super I would phone and check the requirements as it would be a different story maybe if you were an Australian citizen (something we didn't do) or if you visa was still valid as you were leaving.

All I will say for sure is that if you are like us and are leaving and definatley not coming back therefore meeting the forms requrements you are definatley entitled to claim all your super back which is what we are doing.

To your other question we are staying in a holiday cottage until early March. Looks lovely. Hoping to buy a house fairly soon. Seen loads on the internet.

Does anyone know if you cancel a permanent visa, can you then get a refund of your super??

Not sure but I think this would have to be done before you leave Australia.