A gutted Scottish family are being kicked out of Australia over issues with their visa, despite having lived in the country for 10 years.
Mark Green, his wife Kelly and their daughter Rebecca, moved from Prestwick, Ayrshire to Oz in 2012 after skilled electrician Mark was headhunted by a solar power company that offered to sponsor his Visa.
The hardworking family have spent the last decade building a good life for themselves in Adelaide and are 'absolutely gutted' at the prospect of leaving the country report the Record.
READ MORE - Edinburgh woman injured as emergency helicopter attends ongoing incident on Arthur's Seat
The family will be forced out on August 10 if the Australian Government do not allow them to stay whilst they reapply for residency.
Mark, 44, told the Daily Record: "To be honest, we don’t know if we are coming or going at the minute.
"The stress and strain this is causing my family is indescribable.
"We are just absolutely devastated at the thought of having to leave Australia.
"This is our home. Our lives for the last 10 years have been here.
"We really don't want to come back to Scotland. It's just a better way of life here."
When the Greens first arrived down under, they were on a three-year visa.
They had hoped of getting permanent residency at the end of Mark's contract, but the company he was working for went bust and he had to find a new job, meaning he needed to start the Visa process again.
The same thing has happened to him seven times.
Mark added: "I got a call out of the blue from a company in Australia called Great Solar and they asked me to come work in Australia for them.
"They said they would pay for everything to bring my family out. We jumped at the chance.
"Turns out it was 'not so Great Solar' and it shut within 13 months. This is where the trouble began.
"Since then, this has happened to me time and time again."
The family say they have already spent around $150,000 on lawyer fees and visas.
Mark said being forced to travel back to Scotland will cost them another $60,000.
Also, if the family decide to bring their beloved pet dog it will cost them another $35,000, which Mark said sadly he doesn't think will be feasible.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
He added: "I'm working seven days just now to afford to come home in August.
"I’m really done in.
"All we want to do is start living life without worrying.
"I want my daughter to go to university, but because of this situation she can’t because she’s not allowed.
"She had to get work while her friends are all at university."
Rebecca, 18, works with her mum at a local bakery.
Kelly has been employed at local business Vili's since she arrived in Australia.
Her boss Mary told Australian news channel 'A Current Affair' that she couldn't be happier with Kelly's work ethic and said losing her would be a massive loss to her company.
She added: "I can't get enough retail and factory staff and if I lose a great worker like Kelly, it will affect my business."
Mark's current employer Hai, told the broadcaster he feels the same way, saying the Scotsman was 'essential' to his business.'
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs in Australia said: "We do not comment on individual cases."
READ NEXT:
Edinburgh Pitt Market announces closing date after seven years at current venue
Edinburgh Pride: Hundreds turn out for incredible LGBTQ+ march through city centre
Edinburgh Pentlands catch fire as emergency crews race to put out BBQ blaze
ASDA staff told embarrassed mum to 'leave store' while shopping for a birthday cake
Edinburgh man builds incredible Hobbit-themed shed from scratch in back garden
