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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

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Original poster

Have you moved to Australia or New Zealand with a disabled child??

20 replies

Mitchell81 · 29/05/2008 14:32

Have you immigrated and applied for residency in either Australia or New Zealand with a disabled child? I have heard that you are unlikely to get in with a disabled child because of the cost to the government- medical costs etc. But I have also heard that there is a chance. Anyone know first hand? Thanks if you have any advice or information.

OP posts:

suzywong · 29/05/2008 14:47

eidsvold's dd1 has Downs, but then they already had Aussie passports.
She's in Brisbane now so it will be GMT + 9 for her.
I'll bump it in the morning so she sees it

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 29/05/2008 18:02

Thanks I have spoken to her before, but as you say she had australian citizenship before they had DD1.

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eidsvold · 31/05/2008 09:17

I have just seen this. Fortunately for us - dd1 was able to claim aussie citizenship by descent as I am an aussie.

I think one of the grounds they can refuse or make it very difficult to get in is on the basis of ongoing medical care.

I think your best bet is to see if there is a support group in Australia ( or the state you are hoping to move for) for your child's condition and see if people there can advise you.

There may be ways around it. I unfortunately don't know them.

Shells · 01/06/2008 10:35

Hi Mitchell, I am in NZ with a child with mild disability (speech and language disorder), but same as Eidsvold, we had NZ citizenship when we moved back here last year so not an issue. There are good government websites if you do a bit of googling, I'm sure you can find out the answer to your question. Good luck.

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 01/06/2008 10:55

Thanks Shell and Eidsvolds will do that

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Shells · 01/06/2008 21:50

Ps Mitchell. It sucks that you might be at a disadvantage. Fingers crossed for you.

Sidge · 01/06/2008 21:56

My dad lives in Oz, and when we visited him last year he said that they often take each case individually.

For example we have a disabled DD but my dad said that if we wanted to emigrate we may be considered because we have family there, desirable occupations, and have 2 other children with no disability that would be seen as "earning potential".

sunnydelight · 02/06/2008 06:06

Have a look on the British Expats website. I know some people who post there have got in with children with disabilities. My goddaughter is severely disabled and her parents were really hoping to join us in Oz but were told they would be wasting their time applying. She has a lot of complicated needs though, and will never be able to live independently so I guess if anyone is going to be refused on those grounds they would

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 04/06/2008 19:36

sunnydelight- who told them it would be a waste of time?

Thanks Sidge, we also have two other children who are fine and don't have the same genetic syndrome as our DD.

We might try get in on a sponsored work visa and then once we were in apply for PR. At least we could maybe have more of a chance of being granted PR.

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sunnydelight · 05/06/2008 03:58

A couple of different agents Mitchell. We suggested the "457 then try for PR" route but they felt that even if that were possible they didn't want to make such a major move (they have other kids as well) as there would be no guarantees that they would end up with PR.

If it does work out for you please share I was talking to my friend last night and I miss her SO much - if they thought there was a real chance they just might go for it!

ninedragons · 06/06/2008 01:19

Do be careful about migration agents - many of them will promise you the moon on a stick. I think the industry is going to be regulated soon so do check that any agent you use complies with all the current rules.

What do you do, if you don't mind my asking? I would guess your chances are greater if you are in an area in which it is impossible to find staff at the moment, such as mining.

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 06/06/2008 09:13

thanks ninedragons for your advice. I am a SAHM, my DH is a Risk and safety advisor(health and safety) in the Oil/offshore industry.

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wannaBe · 06/06/2008 09:23

I think it depends on the disability etc. Also the laws have changed fairly recently. Several years ago I knew a visually impaired couple who applied too emigrate to Australia and were told no, even though family were prepared to sponsor them (they were both working btw so no drains on the system there). However, when I looked into emigrating to aus 6 years ago I contacted the australian council for the blind and some other organizations who deal with imigration, and they said that all cases have to be taken on their own merrit as it is now illegal to dismiss a case purely based on disability. However they said that the one thing that is likely to disallow your application is if you have a lot of medical needs and are unlikely to ever work thus meaning you would not contribute financially to society but would only take from it.

My parents looked into emigrating to nz when I was little though and no such issues were ever even raised. I also have a blind friend who emigrated to nz with her parents and again it wasn't an issue.

ninedragons · 06/06/2008 13:06

I am not at all qualified to offer real advice, but anything to do with oil sounds good. In my most casual opinion, you're much more likely to get through than, say, another nurse or teacher. Worthy professions, of course, but every year 30 zillion nurses from the Philippines graduate and apply to migrate.

The Australian embassies are incredibly helpful - could you make an appointment for a chat? Then at least you know you've got it from the horse's mouth, rather than from some dodgy immigration agent (or random person on MN ).

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 06/06/2008 22:32

Wannabe: DD will probably never work and will always be dependent on us for all her care. I know we will have a struggle when we apply.

Ninedragons: Thanks for all your advice

will let you know how we get on.

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ninedragons · 06/06/2008 23:42

Good luck! Do let us know.

chloeb2002 · 09/06/2008 05:49

ahh nine dragons slating us nurses.... northern hemisphere nurses have priority in the job market because we have one major skill.... them aussies can understand us!.... jumping off my soap box now...
i have just had a ds, 6 weeks old who has been born here and has a form of hydrocephalus. and other dd who is above average in everything.. here on a tempory visa (457) which covers all his required medical care including surgery which will be forth coming, and have been advised that as he will be indepenedant and functional within society ( in fact he will probably have no deficet after surgery, but the immigration dont know that) it will not affect our perm res application. I think it depends how badly they want you here. Dh is a business anylyst and as said before i score top points through migration on demand as a nurse. I am yet to here of a nurse not getting in.

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 09/06/2008 16:24

chloeb- thanks for that, sorry to hear about your DS.

Does anyone know for the 457 temporary work sponsored visa, is the medical the same as for PR. (Does the whole family have xrays and a medical?)

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chloeb2002 · 09/06/2008 22:42

dd didnt have to have chest xray but had medical. ds didnt need medical because he was born here but i think he will need one before pr is processed... may be wrong tho. generally they are more relaxed on a 457 as it is only valid for 4 years so they can assess your suitablilty so to speak!

Original poster

Mitchell81 · 10/06/2008 09:30

Thanks Chloeb, where about in australia are you?

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