Hi all
Just before you say anything, this is'nt a negative thread ... we actually love Australia (been here over 8 weeks now and certainly don't want to go home) but thought i'd let any Plumbers/plumbers wives know of our experience getting Plumbing jobs in Oz.
Before we left the UK we was'nt able to find out much about pay etc., as most plumbing jobs advertisements dont actually put the salary in the advert.... its all negotiable !!!
Also, we knew my hubby would have to get Registered and/or Licenced and possibly retrain out here but was'nt sure how, when and why and its apparently different in each state.
So here goes, these are our experience as follows:
When we first arrived we had to contact the Plumbing Industry Commision in Victoria about Registration. However, we arrived in December and bare in mind that most trades, industries and institution close for the holidays over christmas, new year and a bit more (as its there summer too) so it was all closed till mid/end Jan. so had to week weeks to contact them.
You have to pay $50 approx. to get the ball rolling.
We then had to wait for an appointment with them, a few weeks later (by this time it was begin.Feb).
My hubby had an interview/chat with them and because he had a vast experience in plumbing with over 25 years in the trade, they granted him a Provisional Registration for a year (cost $85 and another $85 for a Gas info. book). Some people only get 3 months provisional or not until you have done the exams, depending on your experience.
However, within that year, he still has to take training and exams before the registration runs out. The training is over $600 then the exams are over $600 to (that for 5 components and there are six, so if you want them all that would be more)
So, considering he has all this experience, he has been offered work for, dont laugh......$800 per week (thats before tax, and then you have to supply your own work vehicle)
The most he has been told he could earn would be $50,000 or if he's lucky $60,000 a year
. Thats quite tight after stoppages with six of us in the house, and teenage boys who dont stop eating all the time!!!!! Local firms will take you on without any Registration atall, but for even less money.. as they have to get another Plumber to sign off your work.
Now, you can go self employed, but this needs further expense, as you would have to be Licensed as well as Registerd with expensive public liability insurance . The self employed option is where you can earn big bucks, as they say, but definately not a good idea when you first get here. You dont know the areas (and coz Oz is sooo big, they travel miles to each job, the bylaws & regulations are different, pipe sizes are different, fittings have different names, no electricity on housing sites so you have to get an expensive generator too and obviously it takes ages to get yourself a client base, contacts and a good reputation for yourself. Its certainly has to be done if you want a more comfortable lifestle, but definately would have to wait a while to establish yourself. OH is going to do that as soon as he can.
My OH spent hours too walking round the city looking for sites, and asking for jobs but could'nt get to talk to anyone, as did'nt have a Red card and work boots etc.,so he was'nt allowed on site, so he only came home with a few numbers. They work slightly different out here as you have to send in Resumes to the HR department and wait for a phone call.... they only ring you if they are interested!!!!
OH is stil hanging out for something better, but will have to take something local soon (as the old dollars run out pretty quick when you first arrive, especially with four kids in tow).
Just have to add...... we hav'nt even thought about coming home, we struggled financially back in the UK,so might aswell stay put and struggle out here, where the sun shines, where I know my kids are safer walking the streets, where everyones really friendly, steak and petrol are half the price, where we can go to the beach most days and nights till late and the lifestyle is more relaxed.
So if your a Plumber, dont expect too much at first..... but we still feel its all worth it, we have no regrets and we're still hanging on in there.
Good luck to all
Sally-ann & Nick
Dont expect to be a millionaire when you get to Oz if your a Plumber !!!!
Its never going to be about materialistic gains for poms... the standard of living is too similar and migrating will often set you back for a while.
