daunting - dont know what to expect!!!

[egghead]

I have just read a really daunting post on another forum about the difficulties (and I mean like extracting teeth with a blunt instrument) okay! went overboard there a little!

of getting a plumbers licence in oz, well queensland in particular. it seems although me and the oh have done lots of research about licencing requirments and general plumbing in oz its nothing compared to the harsh reality of gaining recognition. anyone out there in oz already doing plumbing/heating; whats it been like for you.
any advice info would greatly be appreciated
bec

[fatpom]

Can't tell you about the process of getting a licence but I can tell you its well worth it in the end... so stick with it... whatevers required.
For example hiring contract staff costs me the following rates; fitters $40/hr, sparkies $60/hr & plumbers $80/hr. Damn glad I'm not paying for it myself :) Even plumbers cheerfully acknowledge its a steal :) I met a few (well OK, a couple) mature apprentices recently gone from fitter & foreman to plumbing.

[egghead]

Originally Posted by fatpom

Can't tell you about the process of getting a licence but I can tell you its well worth it in the end... so stick with it... whatevers required.
For example hiring contract staff costs me the following rates; fitters $40/hr, sparkies $60/hr & plumbers $80/hr. Damn glad I'm not paying for it myself :) Even plumbers cheerfully acknowledge its a steal :) I met a few (well OK, a couple) mature apprentices recently gone from fitter & foreman to plumbing.

Hi fat pom, thanks for responding

thats good news. ive just read that if your certs are city and guilds it is a bit easier, which is what OH has. he also has his gas licence so that may be a possible route too. in your opionion, do you find that non licenced plumbers get it hard? what I mean is, Ive read that someone needs to sign off your work and therefore it is harder to get employment as people dont want to do this. what do you think?
bec

[fatpom]

Originally Posted by egghead

Hi fat pom, thanks for responding

thats good news. ive just read that if your certs are city and guilds it is a bit easier, which is what OH has. he also has his gas licence so that may be a possible route too. in your opionion, do you find that non licenced plumbers get it hard? what I mean is, Ive read that someone needs to sign off your work and therefore it is harder to get employment as people dont want to do this. what do you think?
bec

I'm not 100% certain but I suspect you're unlikely to find too much work unlicenced except as a TA (trades assistant) or commonly called 'offsider'. It's basically a labourer to assist the tradesman for two man jobs. You could probably choose to do this until you got your ticket. It would give you an insight into local trade practices.

[tracy hunt]

Hello Egghead
I don't know if you are aware but it will be possible to get your license before you leave the UK soon. More details will be available soon on that from TRA.
$80 an hour sounds good!
Do you Fatpom live in Queensland?
That would be fantastic if that was achievable in Melbourne.

Tracy xx

[egghead]

Originally Posted by tracy hunt

Hello Egghead
I don't know if you are aware but it will be possible to get your license before you leave the UK soon. More details will be available soon on that from TRA.
$80 an hour sounds good!
Do you Fatpom live in Queensland?
That would be fantastic if that was achievable in Melbourne.

Tracy xx

thanks tracey, how do you do that then?
did try and pm you but your tab wouldnt open up.
bec

[tracy hunt]

Hello Bec

If you look on the TRA website you can find out a little more info www.workplace.gov.au/tra. The new system will be in operation on 1st July and it is designed to enable new migrants with certain trades to gain work on arrival in Oz easily. It says on the website that more info will be available early May. Basically it looks like you will be able to go to a testing place in the UK and obtain the registration before you go to Australia.

Hope that helps
Tracyxx

[fatpom]

Originally Posted by tracy hunt

Do you Fatpom live in Queensland?
That would be fantastic if that was achievable in Melbourne.
Tracy xx

I do now but lived in NSW previously. Vic will probably be similar, otherwise they'd be out of plumbers by now.
I did my restricted electrical licence (national requirement) along with other tradesman including many plumbers. You might consider doing this course also so that you can replace domestic hot water heaters without the need for a sparky. It was an easy course & you probably wouldn't learn anything new (1 night per week for about 6-12 months). You just have to do it (including aussie plumbers) to change electric water heaters yourself.