NPKA

The skills list is out of date i would say. I am not portraying doom and gloom only telling it like it is. Remember that I am meeting other electricians here in Australia who are having the same problems and thoughts as i post here. The reality is that you will apply for jobs like crazy and eventually get one most likely making switchboards in a workshop or on transportable's ( buildings that get sent to the mines) due to not having a license. You will get paid around $30 for these jobs which if you do a basic week will give you a take home pay of around $940. I have heard of people earning even less than this. The gap training is a huge expense as you will have to spend 4 weeks at TAFE in total as well as paying the fees. Your previous experience will count for nothing here and you go back to the bottom again. Even with a license most companys pay around $35. The union jobs are well paid but hard to get in to. I will have my license soon so that is where i am hoping to go.

How are you getting on wit the gap training?

​im booked for 2 week course end of June, what's in store after that?

Well if you go on a WHV you would apply to the TRA which you do when you get there. It can take up to 3 months, then you do a 1 week nobody can fail course and that's it. The TRA application is a watered down version of the vetassess paper application, you need to provide proof of apprenticeship, references and declaration about your work activities (If you look at another migration site called british expats theres an electricians forum in there with a lot of info on the TRA application). But........... You can only do this in WA and SA currently, and you can work in NSW without a license, all the other states make you do gap training as well. I was told it was getting changed in WA to gap training for all soon but wether it does or not is anybodys guess. They seem to change the system state to state a lot. If you are intending on coming long term then you would be better jumping through the hoops and getting PR as you may find an employer to sponsor you but if you lose the job you have 28 days to find another and i personally wouldn't like an employer to have that kind of hold over me. Its a minefield and it depends on where you go and it could change by the time you get there!

well how are you getting on wit the gap training? eprofiling system? you think it can be completed within the year?

What an absolute disgrace , TBH if I had to do all that i think I would tip it, sorry it seems cutting but these ***** over here have more chance of winning the lottery than being a spark, tyipcal Ozzie spark has as much knowledge of electrical work as an average DIY bloke in the uk. Seriously thinking of writing to energy safety about all this bull s••t you have to do.

i second the writing to ES about this, surely whv should complete gap training and pr/vetassess otsr should go back to doing the original system.. its all wrong!!!

NPKA

 

I ve been here a few days mate done me medical etc. Its true what the others are saying. Theres boat loads of sparkies coming in. Everything is slowing down this time of year. Rentals are a nightmare. Theres 50-60 people turning up for viewings. friend im stopping with is on his 3rd house in 2 years. He says they try putting the rent up, you say no, they ask you to move out. Greed is the true problem here. I went into the bank tuesday and there quite happy to give me mortgage within a month providing im working and that i can pay the deposit needed. I may look at doing that before getting the family out. I would seriously think about coming out on your own before flying your family out. I paid $15 for a pint the other night.

If your not working mate your hammering the savings.

well how r u getting on now?

any updates on the job start?

Good to hear someone else telling it like it is. The problem you will have, you are competing with people on WHV for TA jobs and some of them will work for $20-$25. Far easier to employ them for quick fix labour.

any updates on the course? u all finished, whats next?

NPKA

 

I ve been here a few days mate done me medical etc. Its true what the others are saying. Theres boat loads of sparkies coming in. Everything is slowing down this time of year. Rentals are a nightmare. Theres 50-60 people turning up for viewings. friend im stopping with is on his 3rd house in 2 years. He says they try putting the rent up, you say no, they ask you to move out. Greed is the true problem here. I went into the bank tuesday and there quite happy to give me mortgage within a month providing im working and that i can pay the deposit needed. I may look at doing that before getting the family out. I would seriously think about coming out on your own before flying your family out. I paid $15 for a pint the other night.

If your not working mate your hammering the savings.

good to hear u have arrived ok, any date on ur start for work?

all of your info is being talked about a lot lately.. it dosnt seem to b the great picture that has been painted last year.. keep me posted on ur findings:confused:

Yeah we just have to get on with it. The one problem i do see though is for other electricians arriving after us, i just cant see how there will be enough jobs for the amount of electricians arriving. Companies can only employ so may guys with a yrs gap training at once............................................

r u serious?

im planning on arriving march/april 13, but like u said if theres 2 many TA sitting unemployed il b coming to activate and back home..

surely if they see this happening they will do something bout it, is all your class working?

Thanks Colin. I emailed the TRA and they said the same thing. At the time i thought that they was just saying that to cover there backside, but obviously they must be doing. Ah well. Keep us posted on your progress. I ve just booked my flight for Saturday got medical on Wednesday before i start work.

good luck crowded house

keep us posted on ur journey :biggrin:

Colinmaclec

 

Thanks for the update pal. Keep us posted as yo progress. Did you manage to find out if the lads that had the ARTC cert from TRA got it done after the Vetassess?

 

Many thanks

crowded house

have you arrived yet?

r u going to do the 2 week in poly b4 the job starts?

reguards the books colin, r they the same books that was needed for the original 2 week at CET, iv a mate that did that course and has all the books waiting for me?

cheers

Yes pay through the nose just like im about to do. So let me just ask you.

 

Before you come to oz. a friend of yours asked you if he can help get you a start where he is working! Would you say no? Now this to me is a no brainer especially reading some of the horror storys i ve read on here.

 

I dont wanna get into silly arguments over this and i appreciate that im gonna hit the ground running and im very greatful for that.

 

I have the bit of paper from energy safe saying im allowed to work as an electrician but that i need to complete the relevant gap training and all work must be checked.

 

Peace out

fare play to ya.. and your mate for helping ya out.. best of luck :wink:

so whats ur plan of action now?

just go the poly route, and start work in mines? have they agreed to complete the log book for you?

this is also the last email from poly i received....

Basically the gap training is achieved by completing a two week course upfront, with some external studies and a final Capstone run over a four day block. Plus you may need to do further training depending on meeting the requirements for an elective or not. The course starts every month and how long it takes is then up to you.

The fee is the same whether you are a permanent or 457/176 visa holder and that is approximately $2,000.00.

You are better off getting the on the job going as soon as possible to complete the required hours. This could take 12 months or even less than 6 months depending on the type of work you are doing.

I sent an email to TRA and got this responce after asking if they would be so kind to assess my skills. Dont look good for us Vetassess rejects!!

 

I thank you for your enquiry regarding the Australian Recognised Trade Certificate (ARTC).

 

Trades people currently holding an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) will need to complete Australian context training and a period of supervised employment prior to applying for an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate (ARTC).

 

Upon arrival in Australia tradespersons in licensed trades who hold an OTSR are required to work under the supervision of a licensed tradesperson and undertake Australian context training to gain Australian specific knowledge such as occupational health and safety regulations, wiring rules, codes of practice and other Australian standards.

 

For OTSR holders who choose to apply for an ARTC before completing their Australian context training and supervised employment, TRA will notify the relevant Local Committee that the applicant has not met their OTSR training and supervised employment requirements, Australian specific knowledge of that trade is incomplete.

 

Local Committees are currently awaiting direction from the ARTC Central Committee on whether or not an ARTC may be granted to an applicant who has not yet completed their OTSR. Until such advice is received, applicants currently holding an incomplete OTSR will be held pending the Central Committee decision. The Central Committee is not due to meet in the near future. If you are currently holding an OTSR you should complete the requirements of your OTSR.

 

ARTC applicants with an OTSR will need to provide Local Committees with evidence that they have completed their OTSR requirements.

so whats ur plan of action now?

just go the poly route, and start work in mines? have they agreed to complete the log book for you?

So basically they are saying there is no way round it if your the main visa applicant but if you came on your partners visa or a whv you can do a 2 week course. Dumb!!!!!!!!! and dont forget someone on a whv is likely to be young and inexperienced compared to a main applicant who basically has to have 10 years plus experience

we should all gang up on energy safe... crowded house u r main app arent u?

Im told they want me start mid october. So im gonna head out in a couple of weeks. I Have a mate thats working on the same job. There setting up a new team, i dont know that much but i applied for a TA position. its paying $9200 a trip (4 weeks) Licensed sparks are getting $10800 a trip. I called polytechnic. They have 3 spaces available for november the next one is febuary?? Im gonna try and cut this out and do the TRA route. Basically send all your certs references to them (just like Vetassess) and they decide to either give you an ARTC or make you sit a trade test again. Its a run around but the assesment is only $300 dollars. Ifthey give me the ARTC i can then go to the college of electrical training and do the 2 week course. I also called Energy Safety and told them what i planned on doing. They said thats fine but i have to surrender my restricted license to them and re-apply after getting my ARTC and passing at CET. By the way the course at Polytechnic is $2000 dollars. I confirmed it when i called last week. Apparently they got the fees wrong. You will also have to by course material. I think with the job, its who you know when it comes down to it. They wouldnt have gave me a second looking if it wasnt for my mate putting a word in. Its the same here in the UK. I ve worked all over the place on powerstations, oil refinerys, LNG plants etc, and 9 times out of 10 its generally someone you know getting you a start on them. If im honest I dont think i would move the family out with no job to go to. Its a mine field. Nobody wants to employ TAs i ve heard loads storys of sparks driving buses and running surf shops just to pay some bills cause they cant get a start. I cant afford that. My moneys still tied up in our house which aint selling so probably gonna have to rent it out and on top of that we are getting married this saturday which has cost me another £12000 grand and thats a low budget wedding. Im gonna go out in a few weeks but i dont think the family will be coming until Jan/Feb next year.

Im told they want me start mid october. So im gonna head out in a couple of weeks. I Have a mate thats working on the same job. There setting up a new team, i dont know that much but i applied for a TA position. its paying $9200 a trip (4 weeks) Licensed sparks are getting $10800 a trip. I called polytechnic. They have 3 spaces available for november the next one is febuary?? Im gonna try and cut this out and do the TRA route. Basically send all your certs references to them (just like Vetassess) and they decide to either give you an ARTC or make you sit a trade test again. Its a run around but the assesment is only $300 dollars. Ifthey give me the ARTC i can then go to the college of electrical training and do the 2 week course. I also called Energy Safety and told them what i planned on doing. They said thats fine but i have to surrender my restricted license to them and re-apply after getting my ARTC and passing at CET. By the way the course at Polytechnic is $2000 dollars. I confirmed it when i called last week. Apparently they got the fees wrong. You will also have to by course material. I think with the job, its who you know when it comes down to it. They wouldnt have gave me a second looking if it wasnt for my mate putting a word in. Its the same here in the UK. I ve worked all over the place on powerstations, oil refinerys, LNG plants etc, and 9 times out of 10 its generally someone you know getting you a start on them. If im honest I dont think i would move the family out with no job to go to. Its a mine field. Nobody wants to employ TAs i ve heard loads storys of sparks driving buses and running surf shops just to pay some bills cause they cant get a start. I cant afford that. My moneys still tied up in our house which aint selling so probably gonna have to rent it out and on top of that we are getting married this saturday which has cost me another £12000 grand and thats a low budget wedding. Im gonna go out in a few weeks but i dont think the family will be coming until Jan/Feb next year.

glad to seen this thread is sorted, id be lost without it.

here comes the ????

can you apply for the ARTC from uk if youv a wa address?

if and when recieved, apply for the re-strict licence through energy safe?

hoping the letter they send back gives the go ahead for the 2 week course to be booked in the CET balcatta/jandakot?

they have dates avail every 2 weeks in either college and cheaper rates for PR...

so basicially all that vetasses crap was just to get ur visa then no help after that, awk they need to sort it out, it dosnt even make sense anymore.

cheers for the info, and good luck for the big day. :-)

Well luckily I ve been offered the job today without all that. As for working away I ve done worse shifts than that, 6 months being the longest and I won't be shipping the mrs and kids out until next January.

Great news on the job offer, I take it u have contacts there??

So what's your plans with this course stuff? I emailed the polytechnic & reply stating 170 hrs, then 12 month log book. Wtf!!!!

Does this mean attending college as a student for 170 hrs... What's the deal wit you going to mines? As a TA then can they do ur log book. Did I read somewhere the cost of the course at polytechnic is $1700.. Money spinner I'm thinking. My reply email didn't make much sence so I couldn't be bothered sending another. What is your next step then?

When we called them they did not have a clue what the program was going to be and the nice lady was equally frustrated at the program and also confirmed to us that employers need fully licensed electricians. Since then we have phoned back and She thinks its a 2 week course then you go and do your log book on site (for which you must be employed to have it checked by a licensed electrician). Once your log book is complete (anywhere up to a year) you then return to sit a final exam. once passed you can then apply to energy safe for the full unrestricted A grade license.

 

Basically if your looking to apply for jobs make sure you get booked on this course before getting a start. I may have a job on the mines in september but its a "fifo" 3 weeks on and 1 week off and i dont know how thats gonna work with this gap training. I need to look at doing the course before the job starts. From what i gather theres a course running october (ring and confirm polytechnic west first) then every where shuts down until febuary next year. So im sure that its gonna get booked up quick as its the only place you can now do your gap training.

 

Regards

thanks for that info were looking at next year anyway so going by the oz xmas hols feb will be them opening again.

After endless phone calls of despair at the changes one of the questions i did ask at the licensing office at energy safe was about the down under tradies group and the course they run. The chap did acknowledge the company but stressed that there gap training was no longer a route that could be taken. Polytechnic west is now the only course that will be recognised through energy safe so beware!! Energy safe issue the license after seeing succesful training through there dedicated RTO :skeptical:

crowded house

what exactly did polytechnic say was the procedure to obtaining this dam licence.

head slightly confused by all these changes again!!!!

Thanks for this. That seems straightforward enough. :yes: He already has a OTSR through Vetassess, so he can apply for a restricted license with energy safe. 'Downunder Tradies' are recognised to do the Context Gap Training (MACG) and say the course is 72 hours at Downunder Tradies Group in London and then 8 hours at CET Balcatta for final assessment. We're considering if it's worth him doing that over here before we make the move down under.

i have read some negative posts about them so double double check everything even by ringing perth balcatta college to make sure.

I don't think its as bad as it sounds........ This is how I've been told it works, through speaking to different organisations and people who have gone through the process:

 

1) You gain your OTSR - which you need before you start your visa application.

2) You apply for your restricted license with energy safety - if you gained your OTSR with Vetassess you can apply for this in the UK. This then allows you to gain employment as a trade assitant under the supervision of a sparky with a license.

3) You then need to complete your Australian context training with a recognised RTO (Registered training orgination) and have an Australian address - some people have said that there might be a waiting list for this? This course along with on site experience (12 months) allows you to complete the sections on your OTSR which are marked with a x.

4) Once you have completed your Australian context training you can then apply for your Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) usually a certificate III, through the TRA approved RTO who issued the OTSR (Vetassess)............Once you have this you can apply for your license.

 

Its not as easy as just turning up in oz and saying I'm a spark give me a job!! You have to get familiar with the way things are done. Having worked with ozzy sparks in London who don't have to go through this process to work the UK it makes perfect sense, because if they did, then probably half of them would have to work as mates!!

If you are a decent spark with nothing to hide, then I wouldn't worry. But if your a chancer..........

 

 

 

yes this sounds right.. but have you researched any jobs yet?

they all state WA ELECTRICAL LICENCE essential

so how can you complete a 12 month log book via an employer and college if they wont take restricted licences on??

i have my restricted licence and im still in uk, i was hoping that by completing the vetasses, get my restricted licence, and then being able to book the grade A course upon arrival id get my licence and that would be it, up untill a few weeks ago that was the case now its all changed..

This just gets worse. No information or warning from Vetassess at all. We called Energy Safe this morning as they have had problems processing my application payment. we paid over the phone and then asked to be transfered to the licensing department to find out exactly whats going off! They informed us that there is one place now that you can do the gap training and this is Polytechnic west. The course will run for a year. No more 2 week course, to get your license! this loop hole is well and truly shut. We then called Polytechnic west and spoke to the department who is carrying out the training. The nice lady on the phone answered as honestly as possible with "we dont have a clue whats happening, we dont know what the course involves all we know is that Vetassess has appointed us as the official college" she then went on to say "its a joke, there are companys in perth that are desperate for ellectricans, we dont know how long the course will be for but there will also be a seperate course for employers to boost confidence in taking on electricians with the restricted license. we have a meeting scheduled with vetassess next week, until then we dont have any answers for your questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I feel like im having a nightmare and that any minute im gonna wake up and everythings gonna be ok again.

every job on seek.com.au states Electrician wanted must have A GRADE LICENSE!!

iv received exactly the same as yourself,

its a joke, vetassess, energy safe, cet, and now polytechnic, how many different people do you have to go through??

surely this meeting will see PR that have gone through vetassess in the uk don't need to become apprentices again and esp with all there qualification, college certs, references..

very confused!!!!

hi,

still in uk, and applied for restricted licence in WA with the vetassess OTSR, got it posted to an address in perth and it states,

GAP TRAINING- to be eligable for an electrical licence you are required to provide a copy of your cert 111 in electrotechnology electrician issued by vetassess.

please contact the following registered training organisation (RTO) to arrange gap training

POLYTECHNIC WEST (BALGA CAMPUS)

anyone else received this info?

basically does this mean from reading prev posts that iv to do 12 months as a TA before i can apply for the grade a licence, that all jobs advertised are looking??

was the point of doing vetassess in the uk and forking out all that money to do the practical and being told that my trade was now recognised in wa a waste of time and effort and money.. that when i land in wa iv to beg to be taken on as a TA and work like this for 12 months before i become an electrician with a full licence..

At the beginning and up on till a few weeks ago the OTSR was a cert that allowed you to obtain the restrict licence, then once receiving that i could then book the 2 week course at the electrical college and get my licence...

could someone that has landed in perth or spoke to someone in wa enlighten me on this situation before i ring the college and speak to someone that dosnt know what there talking about..

thought it was all to good to be true!!!!

skill-shortages?? im thinking this is only going to get worse as uk qualified sparks can't just go and do the 2 week licence course and start working with all the legal papers that is needed...

I have received my restricted license now but it states that i have to i have to contact Polytechnic West (balga campus) to arrange my gap training.I seen a post on another forum from somebody who has just arrived in Perth saying the same and that the course costs $1700. So it now looks like i will have to do the log book etc. There is no mention of CET balcata and the 2 week course. I will call them on Monday and find out for sure but it looks like the goalposts have been moved again.

its cheaper if your PR i think its around $300. if ur temp visa then yes the larger amount...

Wat do u mean by gap trainning?

Hi NPKAE, yes rentals was starting to be slightly stressful, but thank goodness we got accepted on one today, there are lots of houses to look at as they seem to be building a great deal. But I have the feeling with five children and not in work we did nt fair well on paper to the owners of these rentals, but need this licence to get work as an electrician, so bit of a nightmare, but we can at least relax a bit now, got just over two weeks to wait now for course, so roll on two weeks. Also is a good idea when you get here and waiting to do course is to book yourself into other courses which I'm going to be doing is working at heights, EWP, confined space and senior first aid which unfortunately apart from the first aid are about 300 dollars a course, and if you want mine work you need a suitable induction course, ie Rio tinto. All employers are wanting these, so its just a matter paying for them and getting them done really, they are day courses and local. Hope you hear soon from your restricted permit.

briliant glad yous got house sorted.. wat area r ya for? we know NOR pretty well after staying there in 2010.

have good few mates up that direction.

energy safe should have my stuff now so just wait to see if it goes through alrite, was looking at doing them courses here in ire b4 heading over but prob better to do there in wa, as they don't seem to b interested in uk certs.

i did the white card online last sat so thats done and was posted to mates address in perth.

is there much to study from them books?

yea iv heard that about the rentals alright.. they may start building more houses to accommodate all these poms coming over..

sent away the forms to a friend in perth so she's posting them on monday, least u havnt long to wait till ur course august isn't it?

id say if an employer knows you are booked in for course they'd prob take ya on, bet ur glad u did all from the uk, so u can concentrate on the other stuff..

good luck and keep us posted on ur findings..