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Hi All, my partner and I are looking to relocate to Sydney or Melbourne. My partner has 12 years experience in construction ranging from project management, quantity surveying and managing projects up to 50 million pounds in value. He owns his own construction business with his own staff and contractors and turns over about 2 million a year. I'm a Town Planner and have 7 years experience and I am chartered. We are wondering how this would translate in terms of job opportunities, salary expectations and if anyone else reading this has any tips or information they could share? Ideally my partner would try to get sponsored before coming as his job is in high demand but is that difficult to do? Thanks for any responses all.

Hello, My partner is a site manager working for a house builder in the UK with an NVQ level 6 in construction management. In the UK this is equivalent to a Bachelors degree, but Australia don’t seem to recognise this qualification and VETASSESS have told him this wouldn’t be enough to pass the skills assessment. We are trying to find a way he can convert his NVQ to an Australian qualification for a skills assessment and also so he can get a supervisor license once we get over to Oz. Everyone he has spoken to has sent him to state gov websites for overseas qualification recognition, but this is for Australian residents only so not helpful for us Does anyone know where we can do this from the UK? We seem to be going round in circles at the minute!! Thank you!

Hi, i am new to the forums here and I am looking for information in relation to what the job market and demand for workers looks like in the coming years in the construction industry. I am a uk/Irish citizen and I'm currently making a career change, I'm studying a Foundation Degree in Architectural Technology but have the option of completing a Bachelor Degree with a further 2 years study in Architectural Technology or alternatively Building Surveying and then my aim is to complete masters study in BIM with Management or Construction Project Management. Then I would be looking at gaining a few years experience in my chosen role. I'm lucky in that I'm still early enough on in my studies that I have various options open to me and so can tailor my skills in a way which would help me be more employable in Australia. My main reason for posting is to get an idea of where the industry is heading and what skills and experience may be in demand. I have previously completed a working holiday in Australia and my long term goal is to emigrate, hopefully within the next 10 years. I know in 10 years a lot will change and no one can predict the future but I think having a direction to steer in will help. Thanks in advance for any help and comments.

Hello, Which type of visa is suitable for someone who is looking for a visa sponsored job in Australia? I am from Kenya and I'm looking for a job as a civil engineer /project manager in construction sector is Australia. Please advise....

Hi all, I was hoping someone out there would be able to shed some light on selecting a skill to fit a Building Surveyor? I am just about to start the process of a 491 application and at the very first step, the skills assessment, I am struggling to see or find a good skilled fit for a Building Surveyor? I am recently qualified and currently working through my chartership with RICS. However, although newly qualified, I have industry experience in the construction industry and previous to that as a Royal Engineer in the Military. In general, I mainly manage and coordinate construction work for a local authority. Non of this I can pigeon hole into a relevant skill. Any help would be fantastic! Jon

Hello, I have been working in the construction field for quiet a while now. And I am planning to get my charted membership from the CIOB, and i was thinking if anyone here would know any ciob professional review examples? If anyone has any info, could appreciate if you can suggest. But No pressure. Many thanks Alex

So my other half is a Bricky and we will be Brisbane bound in Feb 2015. I'm trying to get organised ...but I can't calculate anything as I don't know how much my husband would be earning... Anyone know bricklayer wages, and hours?? This would help a lot !!!

Hi i am having trouble locating my nvq level 3 certificate in bricklaying. I need copy to send off for my visa. I have contacted city and guilds, citb and the college I got it at and none of them seemed to be able to locate it. Does anybody have any advice on how to locate it? Thanks

Hi Can anybody tell me if the the work for bricklayer's in Perth as picked up any and if so whats the going rate ? Thanks

If you're moving to Australia and haven't decided where to want to live yet, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye on CommSec's 'State of the States' reports. The quarterly report attempts to find out how Australia’s states and territories are performing by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth retail spending equipment investment unemployment construction work done population growth housing finance dwelling commencements. Just as the Reserve Bank uses long-term averages to determine the level of “normal” interest rates; CommSec do the same with the economic indicators. For each state and territory, latest readings for the key indicators were compared with decade averages – that is, against the “normal” performance. The latest State of the States report also includes a section comparing annual growth rates for the eight key indicators across the states and territories as well as Australia as a whole. This enables another point of comparison – in terms of economic momentum. FIRST - Victoria SECOND - NSW THIRD - Australian Capital Territory FOURTH - Tasmania FIFTH - Queensland SIXTH - South Australia SEVENTH - Northern Territory EIGHTH - Western Australia Victoria is now at the top of the economic performance rankings (For the first time since Commsec introduced the 'State of the States' economic performance rankings). Victoria ranks first on economic growth, dwelling starts and construction work done. NSW is second on the overall economic performance rankings but still holds top spot for retail spending and the relative performance on unemployment. The ACT has held on to third spot on the rankings. The ACT is top-ranked on relative housing finance and equipment spending and second-ranked on population growth and unemployment. Tasmania has held on to fourth position on the economic performance rankings and it can be broadly grouped with the ACT. Tasmania is ranked first on the relative position on population growth, a position that is driving strength in home building. Queensland is now in fifth position on the performance rankings ahead of South Australia but there is little to separate the two economies. Queensland ranks fourth on two indicators and fifth on four indicators South Australiais now in sixth position. But unemployment is the lowest in 5½ years in trend terms. The Northern Territory retains its seventh position on the economic performance rankings and can be broadly grouped with Western Australia. Both are facing challenges with the transition of resource projects moving from the production to the export phase. The Northern Territory is third-ranked on construction work done and economic growth. But it lags all other states and territories on four of the indicators. The good news is that employment is growing again in annual terms. Western Australia is seventh on three indicators and lags other economies on three indicators. But equipment spending is now the highest in just over three years.

If you're moving to Australia and haven't decided where to want to live yet, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye on CommSec's 'State of the States' reports. The quarterly report attempts to find out how Australia’s states and territories performing by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth retail spending equipment investment unemployment construction work done population growth housing finance dwelling commencements. Just as the Reserve Bank uses long-term averages to determine the level of “normal” interest rates; CommSec do the same with the economic indicators. For each state and territory, latest readings for the key indicators were compared with decade averages – that is, against the “normal” performance. The latest State of the States report also includes a section comparing annual growth rates for the eight key indicators across the states and territories as well as Australia as a whole. This enables another point of comparison – in terms of economic momentum. FIRST - New South Wales SECOND - Victoria THIRD - Australian Capital Territory FOURTH - Tasmania FIFTH - South Australia SIXTH - Queensland SEVENTH - Northern Territory EIGHTH - Western Australia NSW has retained top rankings on five of the eight economic indicators: retail trade, dwelling starts, equipment investment, construction work and unemployment. NSW is in third spot on economic growth, population growth and housing finance. Victoria is second on the economic performance rankings for five of the eight indicators and in third spot on the other three indicators. The biggest improvement has been the job market with unemployment now almost 3% below the decade average. The ACT has held on to third spot on the rankings. The ACT is top-ranked on housing finance, in second spot on the job market and in third position on dwelling starts and retail trade. Tasmania has held fourth position on the economic performance rankings and it can be broadly grouped with the ACT. Tasmania is top-ranked on relative population growth and is second placed on equipment investment. Population growth is the strongest in 7 years. South Australia remains in fifth position on the performance rankings and it can be broadly grouped with Queensland. South Australia is ranked fourth on dwelling starts and fifth on three other indictors. Construction work done is at record highs. Queensland remains in sixth position on the performance rankings. But annual employment growth is the fastest in the nation. Population growth is at 4-year highs. And the annual total of export receipts is up more than 26% over the year. The Northern Territory retains its seventh position on the economic performance rankings and can be broadly grouped with Western Australia. The NT is top ranked on economic growth and second-ranked on construction work done. But it lags all other states and territories on five of the indicators. The good news is that exports are growing strongly, up 22% on a year ago. Western Australia is seventh on five indicators and lags other economies on the other three indicators. But equipment spending and exports are posting firm annual growth.

If you're moving to Australia and haven't decided where to want to live yet, it may be worthwhile keeping an eye on CommSec's 'State of the States' reports. The quarterly report attempts to find out how Australia’s states and territories performing by analysing eight key indicators: economic growth retail spending equipment investment unemployment construction work done population growth housing finance dwelling commencements. Just as the Reserve Bank uses long-term averages to determine the level of “normal” interest rates; CommSec do the same with the economic indicators. For each state and territory, latest readings for the key indicators were compared with decade averages – that is, against the “normal” performance. The latest State of the States report also includes a section comparing annual growth rates for the eight key indicators across the states and territories as well as Australia as a whole. This enables another point of comparison – in terms of economic momentum. FIRST - New South Wales SECOND - Victoria THIRD - Australian Capital Territory FOURTH - Tasmania FIFTH - South Australia SIXTH - Queensland SEVENTH - Northern Territory EIGHTH - Western Australia NSW has secured top rankings on five of the eight economic indicators: retail trade, dwelling starts, equipment investment, construction work and unemployment. NSW is second on economic growth and in third spot on population growth and housing finance. Victoria is second on the economic performance rankings for five of the eight indicators: retail trade, housing finance, population growth, construction work done and equipment investment. The lowest ranking is fifth on the unemployment rate. The ACT held on to third spot on the rankings. The biggest improvement has been the job market, with annual employment growth now the strongest in almost a decade. The ACT is top-ranked on housing finance. Tasmania has lifted from fifth to fourth position. Tasmania now is top-ranked on relative population growth and is third-placed on equipment investment and unemployment. Population growth is the strongest in 6½ years. South Australia has eased from fourth to fifth on the performance rankings. South Australia is ranked fourth on four of the eight indicators. Queensland remains in sixth position. But the outlook is promising with annual employment growth the fastest in the nation and just off the fastest for the state in over a decade. The Northern Territory retains its seventh position on the economic performance rankings. The Territory is top ranked on economic growth but now lags all other economies on six of the eight indicators. Employment is now lower than a year ago in trend terms. The good news is that exports are growing strongly, up 35 per cent on a year ago. The economic performance of Western Australia continues to reflect the ending of the mining construction boom. But employment growth was just off the strongest levels seen in five years. And annual population growth has lifted for the past four quarters. Download the full report: CommSec_State_of_the_States_January2018.pdf

Hi thereI'm a 32 year old fully qualified electrician from Wales U.K. and have decided after years of talk to move to the Gold Coast, Queensland with my wife and 3 children. I have run my own successful electrical company for over ten years now and am really interested in taking the plunge for a lifestyle change. My one main concern is the reality of finding work once I'm there. Once I have sold up I am considering going out alone for a month or two just to be sure I can find a job as I don't want to drag my wife and children over if it doesn't work out as planned..I have done a bit of research and learnt that before I move I should get my OSTR in place, obtain my white card and apply for my provisional electrical licence while I'm in the uk so it saves time rather than doing it in Australia, hence speeding up the process while I'm there. Please correct me if I'm wrong but can I apply for a provisional licence while I'm in the uk?I understand that you can only do gap training in Australia, is that true also or can you do the theory part to it in UK? And just do the logbook part in Aus?? Can anyone advise the best way to approach/contact possible employers either it be through an agency or either by turning up and talking to them face to face when I'm in the area? Any help would be so much appreciated from anyone who's been through this similar process..Many thanks Jason

Hi Everybody, I am intending to apply for visa 189 as Construction Project Manager but I am little concerned because I was not actually practicing construction in a strict sense since a while. So I am working as Contracts Manager (Admin) in construction projects since 10 years, however, I have a Civil Engineering degree and I had around +3 years experience at my early years as Construction engineer. I also have an LLM in Construction Law and Arbitration. So my questions are: - Given the above can I apply for a Construction Project Manager? - Is there a minimum activities of Construction Project Manager that need to be included in my Company letter of experience under the Contracts Manager? if so what would be the acceptable minimum match between both positions e.g. 60% or what? - What would be the main criteria of assessment that could make it or break it when it comes to a case like mine? Sorry for the elaboration and looking forward for your advice. Regards, SH

Can anyone help? We're about to get my husbands skills assessed as a Construction Project Manager. He can evidence this role since April 2007 to present. He also has a degree in Construction Management awarded June 2010 and a HNC in Construction awarded July 2007. As we were completing the form online, this paragraph came up - "This occupation requires a qualification which is assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree or higher degree, in a highly relevant field of study to the nominated occupation. In addition to this, applicants must have at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level completed in the last five years in a field closely related to the nominated occupation. If employment is not post-qualification, then five additional years of closely related employment are required. If the degree is not in a highly relevant field of study, three years of employment at an appropriate skill level completed in the last five years in a field closely related to the nominated occupation is required. This is reduced to two years if there is an additional qualification at least at AQF Diploma level in a highly relevant field. A positive assessment of both qualifications and employment is required for a positive Skills Assessment Outcome. If the qualification(s) is not at the required educational level, employment will be assessed below the required skill level." As he only qualified with his degree in June last year, he obviously doesn't have the 'one year post qualification employment'. Although he's been in the role for 4 years and holds a HNC. Anyone know if this looks like a problem? :eek: Thanks

Hi All, I'm new to this sight so hope I'm posting in the place I need to be posting! My husband and I are looking at going over to Oz at some point and hopefully he can get sponsored by work as he is a Construction Site Manager (retail) here in the UK. My question is, he currently has an NVQ 4 qualification in this field and he is looking at completing an NVQ6 this year, is this recognised in Australia? If not, what does he need to do? Help, clueless! Thanks so much... Karen

Hi first message posted on this forum however been Lurking for months reading the posts. Just a general rant/ question regarding my currrent situation and see if there's anyone out there in my position. Cut a long story short, applied for 189 visa. General plumber. Been a long struggle up hill with countless hurdles and what seems to be a never ending money pot. At the last hurdle UK side at the moment with all documents submitted 26th April, pcc's done and medicals done. Just a waiting game now for co allocation/ Grant approval. Tried my up most best to obtain information on where to attend college for my migrant gap training, where to obtain my provisional plumbing licence and what is required to obtain employment. I seem to have the right information now but considering this is supposed to be a required occupation the government don't make it at all easy for plumbers to gain employment in Australia. Contacting TAFE institutions with detailed questions regarding courses or information they couldn't care less, rather than replying to an email they reply with a generic response by copy and pasting a transcript off the government migrant website. No one seems to have the right information and just points you to websites that just lead you back to where you started.. It has been a dream to move to Australia since my first visit ten years ago. I knew it would be a struggle but the information/training is just not there. Hopefully it will all be worth it. Rant over. Ha. Anyone else having the same sort of issues and wants to share feel free. Would be nice to know I'm not the only one on this boat!

Hi there! This is quite a long one, but I'll try and keep it as brief as possible! I'm a 21 year old student currently in my final year of University studying Building Surveying and have thought about of going to Australia/New Zealand for a few years but never thought it would be financially possible. Looking at it though, I should be able to gather the funds required to take a "working holiday" visa. So far however, I've got very mixed opinions on whether or not I would be able to get a job when I'm out there. Research tells me that there is no direct translation of the role of a building surveyor from the UK to Australia and as I have no experience in industry, I'm not sure if anyone would realistically want to employ me. I've had several people tell me that it would be best to simply travel on a "working holiday" visa and try to find a job when I'm there, as there is a high demand for workers in this area and it is on the specialist skills list. Others are saying that it is best to get some experience first and take it from there. In brief, does anyone know: - What the chances are of anyone being willing to take on a graduate fresh from University? (A very well respected uni for the subject). - If you travel on a working holiday visa and find a company willing to employ you for an extended period, how easy is it to get your visa extended? Sorry if these questions seem a bit vague, but any advice would be appreciated!

Howdy folks, I'm a first timer here, So appreciate if people will go abit easy on me. :cool: I graduated from the UK studying Civil Engineering, got my lucky break afterwards getting the chance to work for a main contractor in the buildings sector. After a couple of years working I left the UK & did a small stint in South Asia working again as (you guessed right) a Civil Engineer. Then came the bright idea of applying for my PR in Australia and setting sail for the land down under.Armed with a couple years experience and a degree to add to my credentials off I went bright eyed bushy tailed. here is when my problems started, Its been a year since i set foot here and I still have problems trying to find my first break as a Civil Engineer.:confused: After applying to recruiters (not the most professional lot i've seen), companies directly, through linkedin, cold calling i'm still back to square 1. I think i've seen the worst of the lot over here from a consultant dragging my application for 7 months to tell me they wouldn't continue with my application, getting the daily dose rejection emails (not sure if they have even glanced at my resume, Oh and here comes the best.........................Tra la la...... - getting rejected from a job that I dint even apply to. :biglaugh: just wanted to see if any one else is going through the same situation as I am????:wacko: P.s - before you ask me, - no i'm not British, i've got my CV looked at by a professional, and I do live in Sydney. ( I have applied to other states as well) - My biggest problem is trying to overcome this local experience c...p Cheers

Dear, I am Arun, recently received my PR for Aus. I am a Civil enginner. I have 4+ years of experience in India in construction industry and currently working as Manager-Planning in India. My Academics is post graduate in Civil and Structural Engineering from UTS, Australia. I'm terrified, as one of my mates from Sydney has told me that the chances are really tough to get a job in Aus.:err: So I would like to know what are the chances of getting an opportunity in Australia to work full time, in Construction industry? And also what improvement shall I make before coming down to Aus (Im still in India, preparing to come in Oct'2014)? All your suggestions are welcome and greatly regarded

Some hints and tips for anyone who is considering migrating as a Health and Safety professional or is currently working in that field in Australia already. The first point to note is that there is no national approach to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) here in Australia. They recently harmonised the health and safety legislation in all of the states except Western Australia and Victoria via the introduction of the new Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (WHS Act 2012). Why didn't they adopt this in WA and Vic? The best analogy is to see WA as the USA and Vic as the UK. They have a special relationship and are often reluctant to do what everyone else is doing in Australia just as the USA does around the world and the UK does in the EU. So, this is why there is no national approach to OHS in Australia. This doesn't mean that the introduction of the new WHS Act hasn't had an impact on both WA and Vic in terms of nationally recognised Work Health and Safety courses. Why does this matter, I hear you ask. It matters because if you are considering undertaking a course of study in the field of OHS in Australia or from overseas you need to know that the old certificate IV Occupational Health and Safety and the old Diploma Occupational Health and Safety have now been superseded by the following two courses: · BSB41412 Certificate IV Work Health and Safety · BSB51312 Diploma Work Health and Safety The point of this post is to make sure that you don’t throw your money away on now defunct OHS courses. Cheers. Karl.

Hi everyone, Just a thank you to the guys at Train4Gap, They a company in Uk who have just started and basically offer educational courses aimed at helping in you're move to Aus. Basically, I sat my White Card test with them and the course was very helpful and the lecturer Ben Waite was a great help. For those in the construction industry the white card is an essential and is basically a carbon copy of a CSCS card in the UK!

Hi all! Im Heading out to Melbourne in august on a WHV. I plan on traveling for a month or 2 before finding work. I have a Degree in Construction Project Management and 7 years experience. Im pretty laid back on the location so could someone point me in the direction of where best to find work. Also would i need a blue/white card? Cheers, Dave

Hi all, I've decided to emigrate to Oz in three years time, and I've decided to go as a skilled worker, in the form of a surveyor. I already have an idea of what *I* think would be the type of surveying where most jobs will be available come the time I get over there, But right now I'm in the lucky position where I have the option of choosing what type of surveying I want to start learning via a degree here in the UK. If anyone can offer any thoughts or advice on what type of surveying work is most in demand over in Australia at the moment, and what they predict will be most in demand 3 years down the line, I'd really appreciate it. I only really get one shot at this, and I need to do it right, so I need as much advice as I can get If you're in Australia and know about this sort of thing, or are based elsewhere and have done some really serious homework on this matter, I'd really really be thankful for any wisdom you can share Thanks in advance folks!

Hi, I have been trying to start the process of applying to move to Australia for a while now, and really want to get the ball rolling but just don't know where to start. A brief back ground: - I am 27, my Fiance (Keely) is 36, we have our own daughter of 12 months and Keely has a daughter from a previous relationship who is 12. We have been together for 10 years so I have brought our eldest up and she has taken my surname. I come from a carpentry background, but realised I did not want to do it all my days so went to university, part time to get my degree. I am currently in my 3rd year of my Construction Management Bsc. Keely has her own degree from 1995 in English Literature. She has worked as a residential carer for 2 years. She has 7 years experience previous to that in hospitality. I could really do with a good few pointers on where to start as I am going round in circles typing into google "I want to move to Australia, what do I do?" Any help would be greatly received. I aim to want to go Autumn 2014 - From UK to Sydney area. Thank-you Tom