hi, we arrived in australia feb 08 on a skilled person visa (BN 136). we actually got the visa last sept although all the paperwork had been approved Oct 2006. i keep hearing conflicting things abt applying for residency. i thought we had to remain here 2 yrs and could then apply. however, i have since been told it has changed and you now have to wait 5 yrs before you can appy. our visas stipulate that we can remain here indefinitely but this is not automatic residency status is it?? any help appreciated. thanks

I think that you are getting confused with the difference between 'permanent residency' and 'citizenship'. As holder of a 136 visa you are indeed 'permanent residents' and you can remain in Oz indefinitely. This does NOT however make you an Australian Citizen (although any childrren that you might have after you arrived in Oz will be Australian Citizens at birth).

After 1 July 2007 the Citizenship Act changed the waiting time required to become an Oz citizen from 2 years to 4 years (not 5 years). Five years is the amount of time that you can freely come and go from OZ, without having to either become a citizen or have to apply for a Resident Return Visa (or RRV). On your visa label you will notice that as well as saying you can remain indefinitely, it also says that you 'must not arrive after xx-Feb-13'. What this means that if you were to leave Oz after that date you would not get back in again - you must apply for a RRV before that time or become Aussies and get an Oz passport.