Prior Migrating to Australia, Ask Yourself at Least 5 Whys
While living and working in Singapore for three years, Gilbert first got curious how to become Australian permanent resident (PR) when he realised that Australian dollars (Au$) exchange rate to Philippine pesos (Php) was $1:Php40+. It means your 1 dollar is valued as 40 pesos. The Singapore dollars exchange rate to pesos that time was $1:Php34 only. Gilbert sends money monthly to the Philippines for his parents and parents-in-law’s cost of living, for his niece/nephew’s milk, and his wife’s niece’ university studies. Aside from sending regularly, he also sends ‘surprisingly’. Sending ‘surprisingly’ means when he receives ‘surprise’ calls/facebook messages from his relatives and friends asking help for hospitalization, school tuition, donation, special celebration, and the never-ending “tions”. Gilbert was enticed to the idea that in Australia, his dollar money is becoming more powerful. Although he understands that exchange rate is quite volatile, like you are riding a carousel, you slowly go up, remain steady, and then gradually go down, then up again, and so on. Nevertheless, research-based historical chart shows (www.exchangerates.org.uk ) that Au$-peso exchange rate is at the average of $1:PhP40.
What if you are in the Philippines now or in other countries with very weak currency? Your answer to “why migrate to Australia?” is very clear-cut and obvious. If Filipinos just like Gilbert, living comfortably in Singapore and already earning dollars decided to leave and move to Australia, Filipinos currently in the Philippines should have ample answers to “why migrate to Australia?” Another article entitled “Why Leaving (but still loving) the Philippines was/is the Best Decision Ever” will be published soon.
Secondly, Gilbert realised that staying in Singapore is good for working only, not living. In 2011, Singapore government started to stringent its permanent residency requirements to foreigners, as part of its commitment to serving better its constituents – the Singaporeans. If you are not a PR in Singapore, even if your employer will renew your working visa, the government may reject it, considering the ratio of the number of foreigners comparing it to the locals working in your company and other lawful considerations like age, position, salary, and industry. Thus, Gilbert contemplated that living in Singapore maybe good for short-term but not long-term.
Another compelling reason is regarding your children. There is a certain requirement of allowing your child to stay in Singapore depending on you and your spouse status e.g. combined financial situation. If you fail to qualify, then it is an unfortunate ‘pack-up’ time for your children. Few parents took the risk of crossing the border to Malaysia with their child who is allowed to stay in Singapore within 30 days only. Then back in Singapore from Malaysia after few days. Then within another 30 days, they will bring their child to Indonesia just to exit Singapore. Others thrived in this strategy at few times but failed in the next attempts. Mostly, did not endure. Some parents compromised to stay in Singapore while their children are in the Philippines, maybe with grandparents or hire and pay nannies, hoping that they will love and take care of their children in the parents’ absence. You will be miles away from your children, remembering them every time you see an ice cream, or when you see other children happily playing, or when you bump into a young man of somewhat the same age as your son, or even in the middle of the night when you are happily dreaming and then you wake up and realise that it is just another nightmare, then your tears drop, your heart aches again and again. While we applaud and appreciate parents sacrificing this system of living, most Filipinos certainly don’t like the way it is, if given the choice. Do you?
Gilbert was astounded also of the lengthy and amazing list of Australian PR benefits for dependents (children/spouse), child care/school subsidies, house rental assistance, allowances, free medical, retirement plan, and numerous others. Three Filipino friends who were Singapore Permanent Residents before and are now Australian Permanent Residents unanimously illustrated this way – Imagine a 12-inch ruler, with numbers 0 to 12. Number 1 being a foreigner in Singapore, number 12 being a Singaporean, the benefits you get in Singapore if you are a PR is at scale 6 or 7. However, if you are a PR in Australia, your PR benefits are at scale 11. This means you are eligible of the benefits as PR almost the same as an Australian citizen.
In 2016, a Filipina friend in Australia was pregnant. She was taken cared of including ultrasounds, necessary tests, labour and birth care. Even after giving birth, there was an astonishing continuous medical support given. Total cost? Zero. The baby boy automatically became an Australian citizen also.
In between 2017 and 2018, another Filipina friend was in and out of the hospital for many months due to cancer. Check-ups, chemotherapies, and other necessities’ total cost? Zero. Yes, you read it right, Zero cost.
The department of Human Services range of benefits offered by the Australian Government is available at www.humanservices.gov.au.
Venturing into entrepreneurship is another broader reason that excites Gilbert. Lastly and most importantly, is on strengthening and growing family’s spirituality in Australia. Watch out for more life-changing stories about being an entrepreneur in Australia, as well as deep and inspiring spiritual insights and principles, soon to publish at https://blogs.pinoyau.info/.
How about you? Why you migrated to Australia? Or why you plan now to migrate to Australia? Comment below your answers to “your whys”.
Bryan Galo
Latest posts by Bryan Galo (see all)
- Prior Migrating to Australia, Ask Yourself at Least 5 Whys - August 8, 2018
