British couple who moved to Australia eight years ago are being kicked out for being ‘too old’

A ‘frustrated’ British couple who have lived in Australia for eight years are on the verge of being deported for being ‘too old’ for permanent residency.

Glenn Tunnicliff, 57, and wife Sheena, 50, have been ordered to leave within seven weeks after being unable to obtain permanent residency since arriving in Perth in 2015 due to several visa changes.

They moved from East Sussex in the UK to start a new life with their two daughters Tamzin and Molly, who are now 21 and 18 – as well as their jack russell Roxy.

The family settled in Warwick in north Perth, where Mr Tunnicliff got a job as a plasterer, while his wife opened her own Helloworld travel franchise – where she now employs three people.

Their girls are now starting their own careers with Tamzin working as a nurse while Molly Auslan (Australian Sign Language) studies.

Glenn and wife Sheena (pictured along with their dog, Roxy) moved from East Sussex in the UK to start a new life with their two daughters Tamzin and Molly, who are now 21 and 18, as well as their jack russell Roxy.

The family (pictured) settled in Warwick in north Perth and call Australia home

The couple (pictured along with their daughters in Australia) have been told to leave the country in August because they are ‘too old’ to get permanent residency

But now the family has been told to leave the country before August 4, as the age limit for obtaining permanent residency (PR) – the path to citizenship – is 45 years old.

“We don’t want to go back to the UK – we’ve built a life here,” Sheena said 9News.

“Now that we’re past that magic number of 45, there’s no road to PR for us. Australia considers us too old [but] we are the ones with the experience and training.’

The family all have work visas from Mr. Tunnicliff, as his plastering skills are in high demand across the country.

But the company sponsoring him is about to close, leaving the family with no option to get a permanent visa.

Ms. Tunnicliff said there was no point in looking for a new sponsor because it still wouldn’t lead to a PR because of the age limit.

She added that the couple spent $80,000 on visas over the years, while not always getting the best advice from agents.

Tamzin can stay in the country because of her career choice, but Molly will have to leave because she doesn’t qualify for a student visa.

And the family doubts that their dog Roxy, who is 14, will be able to join them on the flight back because of his age.

Immigration law specialist Joanne Kinslor said the working lives and economic contributions of older skilled migrants are likely to be less of a priority than those of younger migrants.

Kinslor’s lead attorney Prince Lawyers added that the community benefits from skilled migrants but should also support them in providing Medicare and pensions to the elderly.

But migration agent Mateja Rautner criticized the age limit of 45, calling it “unreasonable” amid fierce international competition for skilled migrants.

A spokesman for the Home Office told Australian Immigration Minister Andrew Giles he was unable to comment on individual cases due to privacy rules.

Tamzin (pictured, with her parents) can stay in the country because of her choice to be a nurse, but younger sister Molly will have to leave because she doesn’t qualify for a student visa

Glenn Tunnicliff (pictured) and his wife are due to leave Australia in August this year