Heartbreak for Queensland expat couple a week before welcoming their first child

An expat couple who have been living in Queensland for a decade face being deported back to the UK after their pleas went unanswered despite spending $40k on visas.

Sarah Maxwell and Lewis Christie at their Gold Coast home. Picture: Richard Walker

A Queensland couple facing deportation in the lead up to welcoming their first child say they haven’t even bought a crib or decorated a nursery because they fear they will no longer be in the country when their baby is born.

Sarah Maxwell, who is originally from Wales, and Lewis Christie, from Scotland, live on the Gold Coast and said they have spent more than $40,000 on visas to remain in Australia.

But the couple has launched a fresh plea to the federal government to fast-track a decision on their application for permanent residency, with their current temporary visas due to expire at the end of August.

The pair told The Courier-Mail they were still are awaiting a response from Immigration Minister Tony Burke to urgently review their temporary visas as Ms Maxwell is expected to give birth in 12 days.

Ms Maxwell said they received a response from Mr Burke’s office on May 9, which said to “try again after the election”.

Ms Maxwell is now pleading with authorities to not view them as “just another number.”

Sarah Maxwell and Lewis Christie at their Gold Coast home. Picture: Richard Walker

“We’ve jumped through every single hoop, we’ve dotted, every I cross, every T paid the money,” she said.

“We just want to be seen, you know, for the situation that we’re in, rather than just be

numbered.

“We’ve been here for nearly 10 years coming up … we’ve done the right thing, we’ve contributed, we’ve paid our taxes.”

Ms Maxwell said she has lived on the Gold Coast almost four years, while Mr Christie had lived there for nearly two and the couple had made many friends who also had children.

She said the uncertainty around their future had put a “damper” on any long-term plans and the arrival of their newborn.

A pregnant Gold Coast couple say they’re facing deportation back to the UK after years building a new life in Australia. Picture: Supplied

“We haven’t bothered getting a crib and decorating a nursery, because what if we’re not here. We don’t want to waste all that time and that money and that energy when we just don’t know what’s ahead,” she said.

“We have friends and family and stuff back in the UK, but I haven’t lived there for 10 years in November.”

Ms Maxwell is a Queensland child protection worker and Mr Christie is a personal trainer.

The couple said they are hoping Ms Maxwell’s application for a 491 Skilled Regional Visa will save them from having to leave the place they call home.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Queensland has a total of 1,200 skilled visa nomination places, with 600 for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 600 for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.

“We have jobs, we have our apartment, we have our cars, our whole network is here,” she said.

Sarah Maxwell from Wales and Lewis Christie from Scotland are living on the Gold Coast have spent over $40,000 on visas to remain in Australia. Photo: supplied

“I was a frontline worker during Covid, and at the time, I was working with children and young people facing homelessness. I’ve done my bit towards support in Australia, and I feel like now this is the opportunity that they could … give something back to us, and we’re not asking for a free ride.”

A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said the program is focused on getting the right skills in the right places .

“The size and composition of Australia’s migration program delivers on the Government’s commitment to carefully manage migrationlevels,” the spokesperson said.

“The Skilled stream of the migration program is designed to attract migrants who make a significant contribution to the Australianeconomy, and fill positions where no Australian workers are available.”

Since launching their Change.org petition in January, they generated over 12,000 signatures and hopes will add to their case to stay in Australia.

Originally published as Heartbreak for Queensland expat couple a week before welcoming their first child