AFTER a battle that included petitions and television appearances, Horsham doctor Mihaela Guguila is now eligible for permanent residency in Australia.
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But Warracknabeal podiatrist Wendy Cobbold, 53, is still considered too old and will be forced to leave.
Dr Guguila, also 53, was going to be forced to leave the country next year because she was too old to be granted permanent residency.
But a new legal instrument has abolished residency age restrictions for medical practitioners.
A spokeswoman for Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Tony Burke said Brendan O’Connor signed off on the legal instrument while he held the office.
She said it included an age exemption for medical practitioners aged 50 or older.
It came into effect on June 25.
The exemption does not extend to paramedical professionals such as podiatrists.
Mrs Cobbold said she could no longer see the point in applying for a permanent Australian residency.
FORCED TO GO: Podiatrist Wendy Cobbold
She said she would reapply for her working visa, which would ensure she could continue her work in Australia for another two years.
"You can have a working visa for eight years, I've got another six to go," she said.
Mrs Cobbold said she had not heard about her eligibility for permanent residency before the Mail-Times called.
"The people I treat want to know all the time what's happening," she said.
"I thought my services here were needed and wanted, and I'm prepared to stay."
Rural Northwest Health chief executive Catherine Morley also pledged her commitment to retaining internationally-trained experts in rural Australia.
