Applying for Tier 2 General + Spouse, currently on WHM

My husband and I are currently in the UK on WHM visas. I've been offered a CoS and permanent job through my current company, and have organised travel home to Australia for both of us at the end of the month.

We're keen to start our applications now so we can arrange a biometric appointment ASAP. My first question is can we use the online form to apply whilst we're still in the UK?

My second question is do we need to cancel our WHM visas? They don't expire until October 2010, but I've used up the 12 months of working and my husband is close to finishing his. Do they do this for you automatically when you apply for a different visa?

Also, does anyone have any idea of the current processing times for Tier 2 in Canberra? The visa processing times website is still displaying Feb statistics. I've emailed them but haven't received a reply (2 weeks and counting...).

I've looked through the online form and have a whole heap more questions, but most rely on where I am at the time of application.

We'll I've asked the companies immigration lawyer and she said it would be fine so I've already applied now. Apparently the other visas are canceled automatically.

My biometrics are the day I land in Perth and hopefully I'll get the VISA to Canberra for the following morning. *fingers crossed*

Still no idea on the processing times. I check the guide regularly but apparently they can't update due to the UK election? http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/processingtimes

Does anyone know how much longer it takes to process a Tier 2 + spouse rather than a straight Tier 2? Anyone applied from Perth recently?

Also, if the date you have been asked to start working passes while you are applying does it matter?[/url]