A British couple called Australia home for eight years, but are about to be kicked out as they're deemed “too old” to move permanently under new rules.
Glenn Tunnicliff, 57, and wife Sheena, 50, arrived Down Under in 2015 from their home in East Sussex to start a new life with their daughters Tamzin and Molly.
However, after eight years in Perth, the family has been told to pack up and leave by the beginning of August as the age limit for permanent residence is 45.
As a result Mr Tunnicliff - a plasterer - and his wife who has her own travel franchise, will have to give up their lives.
Mrs Tunnicliff told 9News: “We don't want to go back to the UK - we've made a life here, now we are over that magic figure of 45 there is no route to PR for us.
"Australia classes us as too old. we are the ones with the experience and training.
“We are just a pure working family that has been caught up with all the visa changes over the years."
The rules state Tamzin may stay in the country as she is a nurse. She faces being separated from her family who has been ordered to return to the UK.
Over the years, the family has spent $80,000 (£40,000) on visas and advice.
Joanne Kinslor, principal solicitor at immigration law specialists Kinslor Prince Lawyers, said the rules are designed for the benefit of Australia’s economy.
She said: “The age limit in place for the vast majority of skilled migrants arises from a policy concern that the working lives and economic contributions of older skilled migrants are likely to be smaller than that of younger migrants.
"As well as benefiting from the skills and labour of skilled migrants, the Australian community also meets costs in supporting permanent residents of Australia, such as publicly funded healthcare and aged pensions."
It comes as a mother also faces deportation from Australia and an impossible decision on whether or not to leave her disabled daughter behind.
Kamisha Gobdurdhun moved to Australia in 2008 from the East African island nation of Mauritius and her daughter Sabiana was born a year later.
The 13-year-old was born with a rare genetic condition called Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, which causes severe developmental delay.
Kamisha moved to Australia on a student visa 15 years ago and when her renewal was rejected in 2018, she was granted ministerial intervention, with a medical treatment visa that expired last month.
The Mauritian national unknowingly missed her chance to transfer to a permanent visa, before her daughter became an Australian citizen.
She is now seeking another visa but fears it won't be granted and she may be deported next month.
The single mum now faces the prospect of having to either leave her disabled daughter in Australia so she can continue getting the healthcare she needs, or take her back to Mauritius which would risk the 13-year-old's life.
Kamisha told 9NEWS: "I know the difference between the medical treatment here and what we can get back home.
“Honestly if you say to me take Sabiana back home, it would be like someone saying to me OK, take her and let her die and I can't do that."
