UK couple who moved to Australia eight years ago will be kicked out because they're 'too old'

A ‘frustrated’ couple who have lived in Australia for eight years are about to be booted out of the country because they are ‘too old’ to get permanent residency. 

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

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 the north of Perth with Mr Tunnicliff getting 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 out on their own careers with Tamzin working as a nurse while Molly is studying Auslan (Australian Sign Language). 

Glenn Tunnicliff, 57, and wife Sheena, 50, have been ordered to leave within seven weeks after they were unable to secure permanent residency due to various visa changes since arriving in Perth in 2015 (pictured, the couple with their dog, Roxy)

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

But now the family have been told to leave the country by August 4 as the age limit to gaining permanent residency (PR) – the pathway to citizenship – is 45 years.  

‘We don’t want to go back to the UK – we’ve made a life here, ‘ Sheena told 9News. 

‘Now we are over that magic figure of 45 there is no route to PR for us. Australia classes us as too old [but] we are the ones with the experience and training.’

The family are all on Mr Tunnicliff’s work visa as his plastering skills are in high demand across the country. 

But the company that sponsors him is about to close down which will leave the family without a way to get a permanent visa. 

Mrs Tunnicliff said it was no use to look for a new sponsor as it still wouldn’t lead to a PR because of the age limit.

She added the pair have 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 as she won’t qualify for a student visa.

And the family doubt their dog Roxy, who is 14, will be able to come on the flight back with them due to its age. 

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

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

The principal solicitor at Kinslor Prince Lawyers added the community benefits from skilled migrants but also has to support them in providing Medicare and pensions to those who are older. 

But migration agent Mateja Rautner slammed the 45-year-old age limit, calling it ‘unreasonable’ amid fierce international competition for skilled migrants.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesman told Daily Mail Australia immigration minister Andrew Giles was not able to comment on individual cases due to privacy rules.