ozfarang

My statement is not incorrect. I have been seeing my specialist for 7 years and need a new referral letter every year. What happens in Melbourne is not what happens in Perth, just like Thailand, different rules in different states

I've just returned to Australia (Perth) after a 2 year absence and got an appointment with my cardiologist within 2 weeks and I don't have top level private health cover. Referral letters from a GP to specialists are only valid for 1 year

Left Thailand a month ago with my Thai AIS mobile. Did nothing except turn cellular data off and roaming on have credit of ฿200 credit that expires in February 2024. I receive OTP's from bank and an email address that require 2FA and have no problems receiving on wi-fi. I can top up credit, if required on my K Plus app any time.

All the bad publicity for Jetstar will not deter the punters who are always attracted to cheap fares like bees around a honey pot

The OAP indexation is effective 20 March. The maximum fortnightly rate of the pension will increase to $1064 for singles and $1604 for couples, including the pension and energy supplements.????

Big assumption there KH. My wife, Australian citizen, worked in Australia for 28 years and did in fact pay tax for all those years. Now she receives the pension. Is there a problem with this?

Sent today(this morning) and arrived in my account in 30 seconds. Wow, seconds, just as they advertised ????

Mainly to AVOID any personal dealings with Immigration

NO. Why you asking? Agents in Thailand smooth the way through the bureaucratic nightmare that is common to many government departments in LOS

You obviously don't pass the assets test so the OAP is not available to you as you are a self funded retiree.

Yeah, but I'm prepared to pay for convenience and only deal with Immigration at the border on exit and entry

I use an agent to avoid all this.

My wife (Thai) arrived in Australia on the 14 February after living in Thailand for the last 7 years and applied for the OAP on the day of our arrival and it has been approved today, 1 March. She will receive the full OAP, married rate, and needs to stay in Australia for 2 years to gain portability. Very impressed with Centrelink for a speedy approval

I'll worry about it when it is presented in the lower house and the debate begins. In the meantime no interested in what if's

'The Russian flight (believed to be Alaska Airlines) also had to land at an alternative airport.' Don't believe everything you read, Alaska Airlines, Russian. Really, or did it get lost in translation? ????????

The legislation has not been passed by the lower house yet, so a long way to go before it becomes law

Not informing Centrelink you are leaving Australia is not an option. The minute your passport is scanned by Border Force Centrelink know you have exited the country. After 6 weeks your pension reduces and after 26 weeks will reduce further depending how many years you are assessed under the Australian Working Life Residency (AWLR), if 35 years or more your pension is maintained at the post 6 weeks rate.

And usually attributed to pilot error. Some here are indicating minimal damage, impossible to tell until a thorough engineering inspection.

14K

After I did my 2 years in Australia to gain portability, when I left to return to Thailand I never mentioned to Centrelink that I was leaving Australia permanently, only going overseas indefinitely. My new Medicare card arrive at my mailing address in Australia about 6 months ago and now that I have returned to Australia 14 February to apply for the OAP on behalf of my Thai wife who has been absent from Australia for 6 years. The application has been accepted and she should receive her first payment on or after the 4 April. Also a quick call to the Centrelink International line to confirm I had returned to Australia after being away for 2 years and during the call the officer on the line adjusted my pension back to the full pension and had a new Pensioner Concession Card issued which I will receive in the mail shortly. A heads up for anybody returning to Australia and you have any question regarding your pension only call the Centrelink International #131673 only. Centrelink shopfronts don't know all the rule regarding people on the OAP living overseas All my recent experiences

Unfortunately there is no chance of any waiver to the 2 year rule

I use an agent for my extensions

Not my experience, 3 RTP turned up in their new BMW and talked exclusively to my 2 neighbours, checked their ID's and the took a couple of pics of myself and wife, inside and at the front gate. Gone in less than 20 minutes. I've changed to retirement extension to hopefully avoid any more house visits

You will have your pension reduced to ZERO if you leave Australia before your 2 years living in Australia to gain portability of your pension. Good luck, enjoy Sydney for a 2 year break from Thailand

If you are not over 80 Centrelink will not bother you