Visiting Oz if you have a disability.

BLD86

Hey all

Im a newbie to this site so im not even sure if im in the right forum.
Basically im a young female who suffers from cerebral palsy, and i am interested to find out if/how this would affect my chances of possibly emigrating to Australia in the future.

If anyone has any info on the subject it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers Beth :beer:

elsien

I remember a couple of years back reading about a doctor who was unable to emigrate to Oz because his daughter had severe cerebral palsy and was considered to be likely to be too much of a drain on resources. (They didn't put it like that, but that's what they meant.)

I think it is likely to depend on how severe your CP is, what the prognosis is in terms of future health care needs and how much money you've got - if you're a billionaire it probably wouldn't be a problem!

There's this page which doesn't actually tell you a lot in practical terms,
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements/overview-health-req.htm
They used to be quite strict, but I'm not sure how much things have changed in the last few years.

Edit - here you go, if this is any help.
http://www.emigrating-australia.com/2012/11/good-news-for-potential-migrants-to-australia-who-have-a-disability/

BLD86

Thank you for your reply, Ill take a lot at the info you posted . Its only something ive recently started to think about. In terms of how severe my condition is, it really only affects my left side. I can walk, live independently etc. Anyway thanks again for the reply i really appreciate it x

skipsmum

Not entirely the same I know (my son has CP) but friends emigrated last year with their 7 year old who has Down Syndrome. They had to prove that financially he wouldn't be a drain on resources. My friends DHs company is funding the extra costs of his education but they had a lot of trouble proving that he wouldn't cost the state more medically than a non-disabled child would. They got approval in the end but it took a year and lots of private specialists reports.

BLD86

Thank you. If I was lucky enough to be eligible it's not something I'm planning on doing for a few years but don't want to get my hopes up and then end up disappointed (if that makes sense) I appreciate your reply and I hope your son is doing ok

Cheers Beth x

Pinkapple_2

Hello.

I don't know much about emigrating, but if you are British and aged between 18 and 30 - you are entitled to work (and travel) in Australia for at least a year on the Working Holiday scheme. Same with NZ (plus a few other countries but they have some restrictions).

I rarely hear of people being turned down, so I can't see your health affecting that visa at all.

Good luck

Pennywise2012

Their medical system is like in the US, where you pay health insurance for treatment. It would probably be worth making sure that they wouldn't charge you ridiculous prices for the premiums, because I think that health insurance is non-optional for immigrants.

Brassedoff

My response may help on their thinking.

I was director of a tour operator that was based in Sydney. That qualified me for residency under commercial rule and before I became disabled.

I know from many issues customers came back with they were either refused a visa based on a medical condition that they could not get cover for (short or year long insurance). Then there were the workers who wanted to do the rep's jobs over the from the UK. If they had something long term, again, they were not allowed in. If they lied and did not disclose it to Somerset House and tried to live there preminantly, the Medicare people would pick it up and refer it back to immigration.

If you cannot get Medicare, you cannot get residency. Oz is not like the states at all. You have a basic healthcare provision, Medicare tops this up and gets you faster treatment compared to waiting on welfare (as they call it). Plus you will not be entitled to the dole (again their word for benefits).

They really do not allow anyone in the country who would e a drain on their resources. There is a massive debate going on there at the moment about it forcing the federal government to tighten up rules.

I speak with friends there nearly every day so hear them going on about it all the time.

You cannot help but think if only we did the same thing on this island, as in not allow anyone in who would be a drain on or resources. They definitely had an attitude of Oz first!

kurgon

You would only need a specialist to confirm that you don't need ongoing treatment or medication that would impose a burden to them.

An alternative is to migrate to NZ, get residency there, wait 2 years then migrate to Oz. The rules are less strict in NZ and it's a nicer place anyway!

BLD86

Thank you 😃. If anyone had any useful information I would be grateful 😃 x