Don Logan

Thanks. So I take it that you can get the payments made out to a foreign bank account when the time comes to draw it?

Hi, We have PR and have decided that we'll likely want to return the UK in the next year. We've been here 2.5 years. I understand that we won't be able to take our super home with us when we leave- is that correct? If it remains here then what happens to it? Does it just sit there until we turn retirement age and if so then can we get the periodic payments paid into a UK bank account? Thanks

And what's involved in getting the ARTC apart from sending off certs, etc.? I thought it was just a recognition of your status as a qualified tradesman by way of checking certificates and references, etc. I read on BE that someone had to go for a technical interview and answer questions on motors, etc. He failed.

Thanks for your help Derren. Where does it say on that link that they are only referring to electricians with OTSR? It does say: In most such cases, the applicant is from overseas and presents initially with an Australian Recognised Trade Certificate issued by Trade Recognition Australia stating they are qualified as an electrical fitter only. Clearly such applicants will not have the required twelve months practical installing experience required to gain a full WA licence. I'd imagine that SA/ PEER would be best for me. Still an inconvenience, but I have a family to support and don't want to being trying to live on low wages and considering myself lucky that i've even found a T/A job in the first place. So as far as you're aware, this Mutual Recognition (SA to WA) still stands? I'm still waiting to hear back from PEER. I actually work as a hospital maintenance engineer with electrical bias now. I'd like to carry on this kind of work when in WA, although i'm sure that most maintenance engineers will need a full trade licence of some kind anyway. I did also consider doing something else, although any other than electrical installation work wouldn't give me the required on the job 'training' to complete a portfolio. I do a lot of management of contractors, health and safety, machine breakdown and PPM type work at the moment, is that kind of work possible to walk into without more licencing and bureaucracy? Thanks again.

Cheers Derren. They really are horrid bunch of tossers aren't they? I could understand if i was an electrician from Nicaragua, Cambodia or somewhere else where standards and qualifications for electrical work are not up to our standards, but to make fully qualified British electricians go and do another one year apprenticeship is ridiculous. I could accept doing it if it weren't for the fact that it's so hard to get work on a restricted licence... The PEER/ South Australia route might be worth looking into, I did however read this: http://www.licensinglinenews.com/Newsletter/Edition-70-August-2009/WA-statement-on-electrical-licence-recognition.aspx ...and it sounds as though WA will not accept licences from SA to be transferred. They seem to be saying that they'd only give the WA licence after the applicant completes a 'competency assessment' and if this is failed, then twelve months of 'on the job experience' and then completing an ETL course. Does anyone know what the competency assessment would entail? I've contacted Energy Safety in WA and also PEER and am waiting to hear back from them. Thanks again.

Hi, I'm a UK electrician with a PR Subclass 175 Visa with my wife as the main applicant, so no VETASSESS for me. We're planning on moving to Perth in the next year. Could anyone give me up to date info regarding gaining a WA A Grade Electrical Licence? I am hearing different things, my understanding was the below: Apply for ARTC Give it to Energy Safety and get authorisation to attend 2 week course at TAFE/ RTO Complete course Apply for full unrestricted licence I have read a few thing regarding people having to do all of the above and then find work for a year as a Trades Assistant while filling in a logbook and getting it signed off. Is this the case? I really don't want to move out there to have to support as family on an apprentice wage (assuming i can even get a job) for 12 months. If so, i might as well stay in the UK and retrain in something else before moving out there! Thanks.

Hi, me and my wife are going to Oz on a year's WH visa in July '12. We want to buy a 4x4 over there, but are put off by the high prices. I have a 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf here in UK. It's worth around 1500-2000 pounds. From looking on Gumtree WA, a similar model in OZ would cost around A$6000, so i was wondering if it would be worth shipping mine over? I have looked into the costs of shipping mine over there which would be around 1200 pounds for shipping alone, i know that after this there are the various customs/rego/import taxes. But if i'm on a temporary visa, then can i import it on a vehicle carnet and have these costs refunded when i leave with the car? I'm trying to work out what my options are and if it would be worth doing when not having a PR visa. I don't expect you're allowed to permanently import a car on a working holiday visa? I have mates that live in Perth on residency visas though, would it be worth shipping it in their names and buying the car off them on arrival? Just wondering what my options are really, tell me if i'm being an idiot... Cheers.