butturance of support problems Sender: Scotty1

Hi JayJay

I have had exactly the same situation as you (and have 5 cousins, but only one for various reasons that could butture) and discovered a couple of things

Firstly this is not as important to them as it is to you Secondly it involves them in lots of hbuttle - not so much the form filling but the evidence collection, the time off work to get to Centrelink etc Thirdly, the Ozzies are very laid back - things take time!

My strategy in dealing was patience and a few phone calls. It took me some weeks to get my cousin to do his Form 40 (even when I had an agent) as he had to get four different forms of evidence to prove who he was. It then took a further few weeks to get the appointment with CentreLink - not because he was unwilling but there was only one person at CentreLink who dealt with this and they were off sick. He also had a busy job and needed to take time out at work to visit during office hours.

He may have changed his mind - but if so he will need to answer to his other cousins as well as you - so asking the next most suitable may change his mind back again. Suggest a call to establish gently the position and then ask what you can do to help. And then you just have to be patient and walk the fine line between gentle reminders and being too pushy. I found every 10 daystwo weeks if I hadn't heard anything I would call or email (and remember emails can go astray)

I also engaged peer pressure with other cousins - made sure they knew what was going on and why we still didn't have our visa - all very gently of course.

Try not to worry - just get the facts and you can plan from their

Good luck

Scotty

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