[PartyGirl]

If you're an Aus Citizen, how long can you stay away from Australia?
Let's say you're a dual citizen or you have permanent residency in some other country etc, so after getting the Aus citizenship, you're hoping to stay away like 10-15 years or more in that foreign country. Can it be possible? or Aus citizens have restrictions?

 

[cjbell19119]

I don’t think there is restrictions living overseas if you are Australian citizen. Main thing you going to make sure is if you going to work in the country you intended to live you report it with Ato. Not 100% what else is out there, just my thoughts as i used to work in a bank here in Aus.

 

[didgerydoodle]

I was away 14 years

Only hassle was the driving license lapsing and having to do a bloody learners test again !

 

[PartyGirl]

I was away 14 years

Only hassle was the driving license lapsing and having to do a bloody learners test again !

After how many years it lapses? can't you just pay the fee online and renew it before it expires.

 

[JandE]

After how many years it lapses? can't you just pay the fee online and renew it before it expires.

It depends how long you got a licence for. Some do 3 years. Some do 5.
It's the difficulty in having the photo done in the transport office, that stops an online renewal.

 

[Aussie83]

After how many years it lapses? can't you just pay the fee online and renew it before it expires.

It's not a bad idea anyway in case there have been changes. Took me less than 3 minutes to do it when I got my bike licence and had my car license for near 20 years

 

[Aburayan]

however, if you spend more than 5 years outside of Australia and your absence is not for an acceptable reason, then your permanent residency status can be questioned by the department of home affairs.

I do not understand this part. if I am a citizen, then I should be free to travel as long as I need. I never heard of any citizen questioned for living outside Australia for a long time

 

[Aussie83]

I do not understand this part. if I am a citizen, then I should be free to travel as long as I need. I never heard of any citizen questioned for living outside Australia for a long time

Ignore that. They are referring to PR which wasn't your question so irrelevant also ignore the comment about Medicare.
Been some interesting info given they are meant to be MARA agents.

 

[didgerydoodle]

Ignore that. They are referring to PR which wasn't your question so irrelevant also ignore the comment about Medicare.
Been some interesting info given they are meant to be MARA agents.

Agreed.
Agents.....tsk tsk

 

[JandE]

As long as you maintain your Australian citizenship and have an Australian passport, you have the right to return to Australia at any time, however, if you spend more than 5 years outside of Australia and your absence is not for an acceptable reason, then your permanent residency status can be questioned by the department of home affairs.

You have confused Australian Citizenship with Permanent Residency.

They are two very different things.

A permanent resident has the 5 year restriction.

A citizen has no restrictions on how long they can be outside Australia.
Non whatsoever. They can leave at age 1, (if they are a citizen) and come back at age 70, or older, if they wish. They may not be eligible for the aged pension, but immigration have no issues on that.

You need a refresher course if you are actually an immigration agent. Do you have a MARA registration number?

 

[JandE]

Agreed.
Agents.....tsk tsk

Not all agents are that bad.

The two RMAs that answer many questions on here, appear much better.

Paul Hand
Registered Migration Agent: 1801974
SunCoast Migration Ltd.
suncoastmigration.com

Westly Russell
Registered Migration Agent: 0316072
pinoyau.com

 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasher]

You need a refresher course if you are actually an immigration agent. Do you have a MARA registration number?

I think every post they have made contains incorrect information.

I'd put money on not being registered - have reported them to mods

 

[TeamBnB]

I think every post they have made contains incorrect information.

I'd put money on not being registered - have reported them to mods

I reported them too... every answer I see has mistakes in it.... the other agents on here are def better informed and helpful