British couple who lived in Australia for eight years will be kicked out because they're 'too old'

A British couple who have called Australia their home for the past eight years are set to be kicked out because they're 'too old'.

It is certainly a dream for many thousands of Brits to move down under, but relocating to the other side of the world brings its obvious challenges.

Glenn, 57, and Sheena Tunnicliff, 50, managed to do the hard part as they swapped gloomy England for beautiful Perth in 2015.

They fully committed to the move, selling their East Sussex home and uprooting their children, Tamzin, now 21, and Molly, 18, while also bringing along the family Jack Russell, Roxy, for the adventure.

They quickly settled in Perth and got jobs, with Sheena going on to manage a travel agent, while Glenn worked as a plasterer.

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The British couple bought a house in northern Perth, with their children - who were at school when they moved down under - now pursuing their own careers.

First child Tamzin is a nurse and Molly is studying Auslan (Australia sign language) at TAFE - one of Australia's leading education institutions.

But while the family have settled down to their new life, visa changes over the years have meant they have never managed to get permanent residency (PR).

If they achieve PR then Glenn and Sheena would be able to stay for good and eventually achieve Australian citizenship.

As the status has an age limit of 45, neither of them now qualify so they must go home by 4 August.

Speaking to 9News, Sheena said: "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."

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She continued: "We are the ones with the experience and training.

"Australia is turning around saying, 'You're too old but we'll hang on to your kids'."

Sheena claims they have spent £63,200 on visas over the years.

Daughter Tamzin is allowed to stay in Australia on her own visa as she is a nurse, but she faces the possibility of being separated from her family.

However, Molly will be forced to leave with her parents as she doesn't qualify for a student visa due to the course she is studying.

As for Roxy, the family's dog, she might not be able to return to the UK due her age.

Sheena and Glenn are now calling for the rules to be changed so you can be over 45 to stay in the country permanently.

"We are just a pure working family that have been caught up with all the visa changes over the years," Sheena said.

"For us to have to leave the country is very frustrating, there has to be something done."