Anyone been back to Australia for the forced 2 year exile to move pension to Thailand?

[Nemises]

11 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Impressive  insight! Can you lets know the ins n outs re the value of my dugout home in Coober Pedy, just curious if your realestate expertise stretches that far! 😄(kidding)

Pretty sure your Coober Pedy joint is worth about the same value of Taylor Swift’s 2-level, 6-bedroom Sydney penthouse she’s currently staying at!

[Will27]

We've all got different circumstances.

Some single, some married, some married with kids.

Different budgets etc.

 

Scorecard had access to the RSL and cheap rent that most won't before he returned to Thailand.

 

Still kicking has gotten himself cheap rent but looks as if he's staying in Oz.

 

My biggest gripe is that you have to do it (return to Oz) if you want the pension.

 

But it is what it is I guess.

[Dolf]

On 1/3/2024 at 5:04 PM, 4MyEgo said:

 

Living in a caravan for 2 years has got to be hard for anyone, that said, I would want to live within a 30 minute drive of my daughters place and a couple of mates that I know, for when getting together.

 

My objective would be to enjoy the 2 years while there, e.g. train rides, site seeing, beach walks etc.

 

Buying a 2 bedroom unit would be perfect for me as the wife and kids would have somewhere to stay for March/April school holidays when they come over for the 2 year period, and me going back to Thailand in October when the kids have school holidays shouldn't be an issue with Services Australia as I believe they allow you a 2 week trip per year and if that is the case, I would only be away from the family for 5 months at a time, which I believe is doable.

 

While the unit will have strata levies to pay, plus council and water rates, the initial outlay, plus stamp duty and legal costs, should be recouped when I sell after the 2 year portability period is granted, that said, the outlay won't be generating me an income, but will save me about $40,000 renting for 2 years after taking away $12,000 for the above outgoings. It would be pointless making $40,000 a year on the money that I would outlay o the unit, as I usually make per year, because most would reduce the pension to nothing, suffice to say, they have you cornered every way you turn. 

I have a friend who bought a cabin for $12,000 in a caravan park. Pays $147 a week in fees. He is spending $20,000 to renovate it then it's worth $60,000 to $70,000. So his fees are lower than any rent and his outlay on the cabin is cheap. 

[Olmate]

15 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I thought you being a bogan they could do one on your home in Mount Druitt 

George you,ve been spotted! 

[still kicking]

17 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Having had a look at the block of (10) units, i.e. an early 70's, motel style 2 level walk up building with average sizes of units being about the size of a one bedroom unit, meaning 2 bedrooms is tight in todays standards, but good for a single bloke.

 

From what other units have been renting and selling for in the building, e.g. condition, level, parking, size of the unit, location, it's about the money for the unit vs the return the owner is getting, and not wanting long vacancy and selling periods, the owner has probably suggested to himself and with the agents advice not to increase the rent in fear of losing the tenant and the unit being empty for a long time, i.e. the unit wouldn't be in high demand.

 

I would suggest you don't have any parking as there appears to be limited parking available, albeit it only saw 2 spaces at the front.

 

So there we have it in a nutshell everyone, Maylands WA for a cheap, small 2 bedroom unit in a suburban street, albeit it I would think that you will need a car to get around, as I can't see transport and shops being close by, the airport is about a 20 minute drive so might be hearing the big birds coming over every now and again.

 

Personally for me, it doesn't fit the bill, but your $240 a week serves you well, it kind of reminds me of Lakemba in Sydney where I wouldn't live, but the rents are cheap, e.g. $350-$400 a week for a similar place.

 

it all depends what one wants, could I live in it, sure, but being spoilt, I need modern, with pool, gym, spa, sauna, and of course shops within a couple hundred metres, which includes public transport.

 

 

You are wrong again I do have a carport, my rent also includes water charges, and it is only a short walk to the train station or bus. I don't need spa or pool I will turn 77 in July so for me the place is ideal. But people don't believe me when I say my rent is only 240 AUD per week. There are 4 carparks at the front and many more behind the building. Why should I pay 5-600 Dollars just to live in the city centre? And yes, there are shops nearby Aldi just down the road and Coles a bit further away. Aldi sells alcohol so no need to go to the pub to buy anything. I buy red wine for 10 dollars for 4 litres. So, all in all I am happy where I live.

[georgegeorgia]

35 minutes ago, still kicking said:

You are wrong again I do have a carport, my rent also includes water charges, and it is only a short walk to the train station or bus. I don't need spa or pool I will turn 77 in July so for me the place is ideal. But people don't believe me when I say my rent is only 240 AUD per week. There are 4 carparks at the front and many more behind the building. Why should I pay 5-600 Dollars just to live in the city centre? And yes, there are shops nearby Aldi just down the road and Coles a bit further away. Aldi sells alcohol so no need to go to the pub to buy anything. I buy red wine for 10 dollars for 4 litres. So, all in all I am happy where I live.

And what are the neighbours like ?

Must be loud on weekend nights

[still kicking]

2 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

And what are the neighbours like ?

Must be loud on weekend nights

No very quiet there is 2 buildings my building has only 4 units 

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, still kicking said:

You are wrong again I do have a carport, my rent also includes water charges, and it is only a short walk to the train station or bus. I don't need spa or pool I will turn 77 in July so for me the place is ideal. But people don't believe me when I say my rent is only 240 AUD per week. There are 4 carparks at the front and many more behind the building. Why should I pay 5-600 Dollars just to live in the city centre? And yes, there are shops nearby Aldi just down the road and Coles a bit further away. Aldi sells alcohol so no need to go to the pub to buy anything. I buy red wine for 10 dollars for 4 litres. So, all in all I am happy where I live.

 

Ok, so you have parking on the premises, that's another plus for the $240 per week your paying, good for you.

 

As you say at 77 it suites you to not have a spa or a pool and I agree, if you can get away with paying less than $500-$600 a week, why not, if the train station and shops are within walking distance good, I couldn't see that on Google maps, albeit I am not familiar with the state of WA, let alone the area.

 

If your happy, that's all that counts, each to their own, but $10 for 4 litres of red has got to leave a bad taste in my mouth, may I suggest a bottle of Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2021 at the very least, which will set me back about $40.00 or a Penfolds Bin 128 Shiraz 2021 which will set me back about $55.00.

 

Red wine is like a woman, you can get them cheap, but take a look at what your getting, red wines all look the same, but the taste is different, so it's top shelf for my budget, and they have to look as good as it tastes.

[KhunHeineken]

On 2/23/2024 at 1:49 AM, still kicking said:

So, all in all I am happy where I live.

If that's the case, why are you posting on this forum? 

[still kicking]

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

If that's the case, why are you posting on this forum? 

Can't I have friends? This forum is not Thai Visa anymore.

[4MyEgo]

14 hours ago, still kicking said:

Can't I have friends? This forum is not Thai Visa anymore.

 

Sorry to be bearing bad news, but besides HK & GG there aren't many real friends here for you to choose from  

[still kicking]

5 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Sorry to be bearing bad news, but besides HK & GG there aren't many real friends here for you to choose from  

No need to I am here for news 

[KhunHeineken]

On 2/29/2024 at 9:57 AM, still kicking said:

No need to I am here for news 

Why seek out news on this forum when you live full time in Australia? 

[rhodie]

Got a mate who came back earlier. Just got his pension approved. It took 4 months and 1 week. He has been out of Australia for 6 years. Will call soon to see if he has to do the 2 years.

[Will27]

2 hours ago, rhodie said:

Got a mate who came back earlier. Just got his pension approved. It took 4 months and 1 week. He has been out of Australia for 6 years. Will call soon to see if he has to do the 2 years.

That processing time is unacceptable.

 

Be surprised if he doesn't have to do the two years.

[simple1]

1 hour ago, Will27 said:

That processing time is unacceptable.

 

Be surprised if he doesn't have to do the two years.

 

Long processing times for Age Pension has been in the news in Oz, govt allegedly recruiting more resources. However, standard processing time  has been 13 weeks before eligibility for a long time. Agree with you will be obliged to stay two years to obtain portability.

[rhodie]

5 hours ago, Will27 said:

That processing time is unacceptable.

 

Be surprised if he doesn't have to do the two years.

Yes, he expects to do the 2 years. 

Have another mate that was away for 6 years, but returned a 3 times in those 6 years for less than a month each time and owns a place here. He was good to go without doing the 2 years. 

[Will27]

47 minutes ago, rhodie said:

Yes, he expects to do the 2 years. 

Have another mate that was away for 6 years, but returned a 3 times in those 6 years for less than a month each time and owns a place here. He was good to go without doing the 2 years. 

Yep, it depends on the individuals circumstances.

 

I imagine most who live in Thailand will have to do it.

[KhunHeineken]

On 3/25/2024 at 6:37 AM, Will27 said:

Yep, it depends on the individuals circumstances.

 

I imagine most who live in Thailand will have to do it.

I agree, but some will now have to wait until they are 67. 

[rhodie]

On 3/25/2024 at 5:37 PM, Will27 said:

Yep, it depends on the individuals circumstances.

 

I imagine most who live in Thailand will have to do it.

And just to confirm, yes indeed, he has to do the 2 years.

Officer told him if he leaves the country in the 2 years, his pension will be suspended until he returns and the time away will be added to the 2 years.

Seems different reports on what happens in the 2 years. I thought you were entitled to reasonable trips abroad, but who knows.

[Will27]

9 minutes ago, rhodie said:

And just to confirm, yes indeed, he has to do the 2 years.

Officer told him if he leaves the country in the 2 years, his pension will be suspended until he returns and the time away will be added to the 2 years.

Seems different reports on what happens in the 2 years. I thought you were entitled to reasonable trips abroad, but who knows.

Thanks for the update.

 

The 2 year period is bloody disgraceful IMO.

[KhunHeineken]

14 hours ago, rhodie said:

Officer told him if he leaves the country in the 2 years, his pension will be suspended until he returns and the time away will be added to the 2 years.

Added on, or starts again?

[scorecard]

Short holidays abroad when accumulating the 2 years back in Oz to achieve portability.

 

This subject has been debated many many times, many comments made that short trips out of Australia during that initial 2 years period don't interrupt accumulation of the 2 year period. But it's difficult to find this stated on Centrelink websites.

 

Has any member found a Centrelink / Services Australia websites which states this categorically? Please share.  

[Nemises]

34 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Has any member found a Centrelink / Services Australia websites which states this categorically? Please share.  

https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/4

[Will27]

18 minutes ago, Nemises said:

https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/4

Portability for former residents - Age, DSP

Since 20 September 2000, a former resident who returns to Australia and is granted Age or DSP, or who transfers to Age under SS(Admin)Act section 12, cannot take that pension outside Australia if they leave within 2 years of having resumed residence in Australia. The purpose of this legislation is to discourage people from travelling to Australia just to get an Australian pension to take back overseas.

 

The 2-year period includes, as separate full days, the day on which the recipient returns to Australia to resume Australian residence and the day on which they leave again.

 

There is no discretionary power to allow portability of Age or DSP during the 2-year period (note, some exceptions to the 2-year rule apply - see below).

Payment may be suspended for short overseas absences during the 2-year period and does not have to be reclaimed on return to Australia.

 

A short absence from Australia (as long as the person is still classed as an Australian resident) will not impact on the end date of the 2-year period (i.e. the absence still counts towards the person's 2-year period).

[georgegeorgia]

On 4/12/2024 at 9:55 AM, Will27 said:

Thanks for the update.

 

The 2 year period is bloody disgraceful IMO.

I guess if you have never worked and paid taxes I understand your opinion, 

I believe you didn't work as you said 

 

But considering the hard working taxpayers like myself we  want it raised to 3 years and I will support any politicians who agree 

Edited April 13 by georgegeorgia

[scorecard]

On 4/12/2024 at 6:45 AM, rhodie said:

And just to confirm, yes indeed, he has to do the 2 years.

Officer told him if he leaves the country in the 2 years, his pension will be suspended until he returns and the time away will be added to the 2 years.

Seems different reports on what happens in the 2 years. I thought you were entitled to reasonable trips abroad, but who knows.

 

Please read this:

 

https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/7/1/4

[Will27]

28 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

I guess if you have never worked and paid taxes I understand your opinion, 

I believe you didn't work as you said 

 

But considering the hard working taxpayers like myself we  want it raised to 3 years and I will support any politicians who agree 

What are you talking about you peanut?

I worked and paid taxes my whole working life in Australia.

 

And the topic is about the 2 year qualifying period Sadie.

Edited April 13 by Will27

[Olmate]

46 minutes ago, Will27 said:

What are you talking about you peanut?

I worked and paid taxes my whole working life in Australia.

 

And the topic is about the 2 year qualifying period Sadie.

Seems the GG boy didnt take note of mods sage advise re flaming etc in genuine topics such as AOP.

[Will27]

4 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Seems the GG boy didnt take note of mods sage advise re flaming etc in genuine topics such as AOP.

He keeps posting nasty snide remarks.

Him and few others continually do it.

 

I guess they'll keep on doing it as the Mods seem to let them.