Hi Crowded House
I am a UK installation electrician and moving out to Melbourne area in June. I completed the VETASSESS assessment for our visa application in october 2008. We recieved our permanent resisdency visa in may 2009. I have also applied and been granted an ARTC as an electrical mechanic. Prior to this I rang Peerand was told that I could still apply even if I had VETASSESS. I then telephoned the TRA regarding the ARTC assessment and they said it made no difference, though you needed evidence of your permanent resisdency visa in your passport. We travelled out to Melbourne for a holiday in february 2010 to activate our visa and had to go to the immigration office to obtain a sticker as evidence in the passport. I filled my ARTC application in stating my UK address and not stating an Australian address as we do not have one yet. I did not mention the VETASSESS in the application though. The application was paid for and sent the first week in March 2010 and granted two weeks later. As for the PEER exam as I have enroled and they are sending the workbook out and can c0omplete the wiring regulations exam in Adelaide when I feel ready. Will probably try do this in June when we arrive.
As for the evidence, I included certified copies of all of my trade certificates, birth certificate, passport (with visa sticker also), JIB grading card, work references (stating what types of work you have been involved with and tools that you have used). As for the write up page, the TRA told me that you have to be able to prove that you have served an electrical apprenticeship. I wrote about 7 A4 pages (typed) starting from my first day as apprentice. I went through each year trying to remember some of the jobs that I had been involved with and stated what types of tools and equipment I used to carry them out and also what types of installations I had worked on (ie. domestic, commercial and industrial) I went on to say that once I had completed my apprenticeship I was working alone to complete tasks set out by my employer and successfully completed the city and guilds 2391: inspection and testing allowing me to certify my own work.
I was told to apply for electrical mechanic and not electrical fitter as this is for maintenance sparks whereas electrical mechanic is for installation sparks. It takes a bit of time and effort to do but i'm sure it will be worth it because with the VETASSESS assessment, I believe that you have to complete 12 months supervised employment on 4th year apprentice wages. This is in Victoria anyway, not sure if it differs elsewhere.
The TRA also told me that if you can prove in writing that you have served an apprenticeship in electrical intallations, then you do not have to complete the practical assessment. The only thing is that you can not recieve your certificate in the UK. It will be sent to an Australian address only, so unless you know someone there then they will hold it for you until you arrive. The application cost $300 AUD and the PEER wiring regulations exam cost $930 plus $100 to post the workbook to the UK. Should have the workbook by mid next week.
Anyway, hope this helps you. Good luck!
