Glenn Tunnicliff (57) and Sheena Tunnicliff (50), a dissatisfied British couple who have lived in Australia for eight years, are in danger of being deported because they are deemed ‘too old’ to qualify for permanent citizenship.
The couple moved to Perth in 2015 from East Sussex in the UK with their two daughters Tamzin (21) and Molly (18), as well as their dog Roxy.Despite their efforts, they were unable to obtain permanent residency due to changes in visa requirements, and they have now been given seven weeks to depart the country.The Tunnicliff family made their home in Australia and established themselves in Warwick, a suburb of Perth. Mr.While his wife launched her own tourism business called Helloworld, which today employs three people, Tunnicliff found work as a plasterer.Their kids have also started on their individual career paths, with Molly pursuing studies in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and Tamzin working as a nurse.
The Tunnicliff family has learned, regrettably, that they must leave Australia by August 4. This choice was made because of
the 45-year maximum age requirement for gaining permanent residency (PR), which is a step toward citizenship.
We’ve established a life here, so we don’t want to return to the UK, Sheena said 9News.
Unfortunately, the Tunnicliff family cannot apply for permanent residency (PR) in Australia because they are above 45.
Despite their extensive training and excellent experience, Australia considers them ’too old’for PR.
Due to Mr. Tunnicliff’s great demand as a plasterer around the nation, the entire family is currently reliant on his work visa.
However, the business that supports him will shortly go out of business, leaving them without a way to get a long-term visa.
Mrs. Tunnicliff noted that the age restriction would still work against their prospects of getting PR even if they managed to find a new sponsor.
The family has spent $80,000 (£63,200) on visas over the years, sometimes with less-than-ideal guidance from agents.
Tamzin can stay in the nation because of her career choice, but Molly will have to depart because she won’t be able to get a student visa because of her course of study.
The family is also concerned that Roxy, their 14-year-old dog, won’t be able to travel with them on the return flight because of age limits.
Expert in immigration law Joanne Kinslor underlined that elderly skilled migrants’ working lives and
economic contributions are frequently accorded lower importance than those of younger migrants. The community
gains from competent immigrants, but it also has to take on the burden of paying for older people’s Medicare and pensions.
Kinslor noted that the age restriction for skilled immigrants is motivated by the worry that older immigrants’ economic contributions and
working lives may be less substantial than those of younger immigrants. Mateja Rautner, a migration agent,
questioned the 45-year-old age restriction, saying it was inappropriate in light of the fierce worldwide competition for talented immigrants.
‘Despite being in a global talent competition and actively promoting itself as a destination for skilled migrants,
the Australian government is restricting the options available to skilled workers over 45,’ said Rautner to 9News.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was unable to comment on specific cases due to privacy laws, a Department of Home Affairs official said.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil admitted that Australia’s immigration system needs a major overhaul and radical simplicity in February.
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