Can you really not move to Australia with Autism?

[sandygrapes]

Just that really.

I follow a midwife on there from the UK. She is open and honest, and is paid so much better with amazing working conditions. That's just one example of a profession

Is it really true families who have someone who's autistic cannot move out there or is it far more complex than that?

This is just out of interest.

I have family in NZ and know they're quite strict there

No it doesn't. stop trying to shut down debate by being outraged at hearing truths.

Having moved to the USA I can assure people that it is pretty difficult and definitely involves a medical exam, blood tests, extensive medical history.

I watch Border Force - you get a grilling if you take a wrong turning from Canada and end up at the US border, never mind trying to get in permanently.

Where did you get that impression, @Nanaof1? It’s a real process getting an American visa-background checks, medicals, education and employment history, affidavits testifying that you’re a “naice” person, etc, etc.

As I said upthread, you have to be more productive and better behaved than the average American. And certainly healthier!

Yes, but they were desperate then.
Now, they can be more choosy.

No, not really.

It may add some points to your application, but unless you have a job lined up, perfect health and background checks, having a family there means nothing.

Migraines?!?

Well, in that case, autistic people have no chance.

Well, as @DifficultBloodyWoman said, 30% of the population was born outside Australia so they must be allowing a lot of immigrants in!

That’s around double the percentage of the UK population born outside the UK.

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release

They will be excluded anyway . This happened with close friends and their 3 year old

Not what the poster said below.

Well, you were trying to come into the country legally. I guess we need to be strict "somewhere along the line". But then, what do I know. Have only lived here 8 decades. 🙄

I am guessing one must be healthier and better behaved than the citizens of most countries one wants to enter.

As a (relevant) aside - when I entered the UK for the first time, everyone coming in from South Africa and India was taken aside to be checked for TB - apparently I needed a recent TB check at home before flying but no one had told me. If I’d had TB, I wouldn’t have been allowed through security before being sent back. This was 2008, not the dark ages.

Countries do all sorts.

Autism isn't catching so not quite the same.

I remember when the White Australia policy ended, I think it was in the 1960s.

There was a BBC programme about people emigrating to Australia and NZ and I do remember one family had a child with autism so I'm pretty sure it isn't a blanket ban on autism.

@TheWayTheLightFalls The US tests for TB too, I was tested coming from the UK so they must test everyone.

My children have a relative who wanted to join a sibling but because the relative's first child had down's syndrome there was no way they could ever emigrate to Australia.

Yes, any huge change to the law like the Voice to Parliament needs a referendum. The whole thing was very badly managed from the start. It was definitely very complicated.

NZ has the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti underlying all laws. Australia had Terra Nullius. That's why Maori have a better deal.

Aboriginal is OK to use but is capitalised.

Thank you.
I always wondered why there was a discrepancy. when I’ve been to both places the difference was stark.

NZ and Oz had very little in common prior to the arrival of British colonists. The Maori were a warlike people, who lived in a cohesive and sophisticated society, with everyone speaking the same language. They defended themselves quite well against the British, hence winning a relatively favourable treaty.

By contrast, the Aboriginals were mostly hunter gatherers, spread out in small groups across the vast Australian land mass. They spoke different languages and had little contact with other groups, so had no incentive to build the advanced, militarised society of the Maoris. Realistically, they never had a chance against the British and their sophisticated weaponry. Hence the very different outcomes.

Really interesting thank you.

I've been considering a move to Australia with my family. I'm a registered nurse and have a 9 year old son with ASD and ADHD. We would have to move over on an employer sponsored visa and apply for a health waiver after 2 years. I wouldn't be able to apply via the points options as health waivers aren't attached to these visa and we would be refused on the basis that my son would be a financial burden. It doesn't matter that he is in mainstream school and isn't medicated. The diagnosis pushes him over the accepted cost threshold and that's that. We would need to argue that my skills and contribution to Australian society would outweigh the cost but there are no guarantees this would work. It also puts us at the mercy of an employer. If he didn't have a diagnosis, we could get through on our points and have the freedom and flexibly to work and live where we please. I'm not sure it's worth it if it's only for a couple of years. I'm still trying to make my mind up.

Incidentally, how would other governments actually know if you have an autistic child and you didn't declare it? I know you have to declare everything in your application is true, but what if you don't have an official diagnosis? And if you did, can they go looking into your NHS or education records?

It’s the norm when moving to a country that requires a visa to provide your full medical records.

It will be pretty obvious to a (Medical Officer of the Commonwealth) MOC that some children are autistic without even looking at their medical records. Saying that, mild cases would be picked up anyway as disclosure of each family members full medical history would be requested from the GP. Even if you did manage to conceal it; it wouldn't be in the child's best interests if they can't get the support they need and withholding that sort of information could result in deportation or even a prison sentence. I for one wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of Australian immigration.

Topical:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13515955/Geelong-South-Africa-tradie-visa-diabetes.html