nspark1

I imagine its very hard going over as a family as food and bills will need to be paid from the off. It seems they expect to fall into full-time employment straight away. Also, the fact you feel like an apprentice again after passing out 20 odd yrs ago. I'd be happy to work as a TA while im in the process of the licence. I hope i can make a life for myself out there because if i fell in love with Aus, then i couldn't imagine leaving after the 2 whv's. But thats a long time away. Go, enjoy and embrace!

Sweet : )

I hope im the same : )

Thats amazing! It seems to be families struggling when going over. I suppose they need income straight away, which is understandable, esp with kids. Also, seems to be common with many not finding work instantly. I wont be rushing into looking to spark etc, as i want to travel and be free, so to speak. See different parts of Aus. In a way, get a feel for the country. I met a few Aussie lads in Thailand and they were great guys. It will be daunting at first, but just think positively. 2 years ago i would never have thought about going alone, but now i want to : )

I know your location says South West, Uk, but are you still in Aus?

I fully understand thats not what its for. I plan to travel and experience new things. When i read the stories of others, it makes me want to go even more. I hear you with saying plenty of time to be stuck on a site ha! I suppose im thinking that if i fell in love with Aus then i'd want to get my licence to stay. I know i wont get it on a whv. i just meant that id look into gaining the licence while im on the whv. Are you still in Aus?

That must be such a good feeling for you. My parents are also very supportive of me going. They said you only live once, so why not? Im also 24. As said before my friends are all settling down, so its time. I find myself coming home from work and doing nothing and the same for weekends. Or if i go out, then its to the same boring place. I know its going to be the same working hours, maybe longer, but work doesn't bother me. I enjoy sparking. As you and many others say, its a different life out there. Being able to plan for the weekend etc. What do you love about Aus?

Very encouraging, thanks

You must be thrilled to have escaped and finally be in the job you wanted. How are you liking oz? England is pretty much screwed. Im lucky to be on the books of my company. I would be going from company to company if i wasnt with them. Thats the thing that makes me wonder, if i cant make it out there, then im coming back to hard times. But i feel life has a way of working itself out. I suppose you have to believe and work hard. Im going to give it a go as you only live once. Could be the best decision i've made. Or i just come home, but i don't want to be thinking like that.

Sounds very promising! You're right with regards to sparks wanting to come over and fall straight into a job similar to here. Im under no illusion that i would get that. Im happy to work as a TA as i'll get an understanding of how the other side, so to speak, spark. I want to try oz as im so bored here and all my friends have settled down. I feel its my time to see what else is out there!

Perth is where i had in mind. You are correct regarding transferring over uk certs for an oz licence. Seems a 12 month logbook is needed and you have to be working to complete the book. Seems very difficult to get in a TA.

Such a refreshing reply! As i said i'll be happy to work in a non related field. I'll just have to work hard in finding work in my field. I suppose i've just got to go and embrace it! Thanks again : )

Very true reply. I think you've got to be there and then search and not by reading and replying on forums. Word of mouth out there too. i wouldnt mind doing other jobs for experience and the laughs. Also, the fear of finally settling in after two years and then you have to leave : (

Thanks for the positive reply. I hope i'd find a sponsor too, but it seems pretty tough going. It would be awful after ravelling for a while and then when your ready to work finding out you cant find any work in your field.

Thanks for the reply. I wondering how difficult it is to actually get work as many say alot of firms wont touch you unless you have an A grade licence. Also because we're poms it makes it harder to be employed. Im happy to work as a TA until i get the licence.

As per title.... Im a 24 yr old qualified spark here in England. I know it takes a while now with the logbook and limited work. But whats the chances of making it this way? Always reading doom and gloom stories.

Received some replies today from sparks in Aus and it seems soooo difficult to be a spark out in oz. Im 24 and completed an apprenticeship but they are asking for so much. I received a reply from energy safety and basically its the dreaded logbook scenario. How am i meant to complete the logbook if i cant even get constant TA work.

Is it really that hard to find work in Aus (WA) I just read doom and gloom stories from English sparks going over. I'd be happy to be a TA while i completed the relevant paperwork. Im a 24yr old spark with full-time employment here, but im so bored of England. Fancy a little travelling then a whv and in that time look to get my a grade licence. Puts me off going all the negativity:mask:

WoW!!! It now seems easier to get a job in England than Oz. Im a 24 yr old spark and have full-time employment, but looking to head over to Oz later this year. Hoping to spark over there after my whv's but with all this logbook talk and difficulty in finding a job, it seems unlikely it will happen.

Wouldn't i be wasting work time by travelling around? I thought about the issue with carrying work related documents, so as mad as it sounds im going to leave a copy of them with my uncle who lives in Thailand. Its not far away and i'll be going there at some point. I just don't want to waste my whv. Also, i'll look into getting a A grade license as many people do that while on a whv.

Hi guys, Im looking to head over in December/January I'll apply for a tourist visa as i want to travel for a few months and then apply for whv. I just have a few questions regarding life over there while on a whv and the options after using both whv's. Is it hard to find a job with reasonable hours and pay. Im an electrician, but seems hard to find work without an A Grade license. It would be ideal to acquire one while im there, but its seems pretty strenuous. Is it hard to make ends meet over there? Im constantly reading that Aus isnt as easy as it you to be. Many pom's coming over and cant find work. Im 24 and have no ties over here. My friends are a little older than me and nearly all are married or have kids. Im also pretty bored with life here and fancy a new adventure. Looking at heading to Perth? Any thoughts on this location? Any advice would be great. Thanks

Thanks for your reply. Any advice on the matter would be great guys. Thanks

Hi all, Its my first post, so please go easy. Completed my city&guilds apprenticeship around 4 years ago. Been thinking of travelling to aus for x amount of months to see how i find it. If i like it, then i'll apply for a working visa and then see what happens. You read so many different views on what it takes/needs to work as a spark in Aus. I wouldnt mind working as a trade assistant while things are in process, and also i feel you'll get an understanding of what it takes to spark in Aus without putting too much pressure on yourself. Could some explain to me what the actual process is from getting in as a TA to becoming a spark. Heres a few other questions that would be really handy to have answered.... How hard are the exams in Aus to get your license? Cost from TA to spark? Time it takes from TA to Spark? Difficulty in finding work in WA/Sydney? Is the standard of sparking higher in Aus than England? Is it hard to survive on a TA's wage? Any other pointers would be great. Many thanks

Hi all, Its my first post, so please go easy. Completed my city&guilds apprenticeship around 4 years ago. Been thinking of travelling to aus for x amount of months to see how i find it. If i like it, then i'll apply for a working visa and then see what happens. You read so many different views on what it takes/needs to work as a spark in Aus. I wouldnt mind working as a trade assistant while things are in process, and also i feel you'll get an understanding of what it takes to spark in Aus without putting too much pressure on yourself. Could some explain to me what the actual process is from getting in as a TA to becoming a spark. Heres a few other questions that would be really handy to have answered.... How hard are the exams in Aus to get your license? Cost from TA to spark? Time it takes from TA to Spark? Difficulty in finding work in WA/Sydney? Is the standard of sparking higher in Aus than England? Is it hard to survive on a TA's wage? Any other pointers would be great. Many thanks