Birch4 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) Hi everyone, I have been here in North Lakes for around one month. I am a Secondary Teacher and I am constantly being asked to submit all documents and have them verified despite the fact I now have my QTC Registration. If you are coming here as a teacher I would advise you to get that done as soon as possible as it does take 12 weeks! I have some work tutoring kids in foster care starting this week - just a few hours a week. I have another interview with an agency tomorrow and despite having filled all paperwork and having everything verified by JP and scanning this and sending it I have to take everything again to be checked. I have registered with TRACER and then it is 10 days for them to process and start work - that is when you then get your employment number with them. Apparently there is a lot of contract/supply work around but might need to do the commute or travel over an hour or more for work. The commute to Brisbane which my husband is doing everyday is a nightmare! He leaves at 5am. He is an Electrician but does not have his Queensland Licence and he is struggling to find a company who will take him on as a Trade assistant so that he can work towards this - we won't be giving up though. The TAFE college no longer deal with the Electrical licence here. We called and visited. This post is not intended to be negative but realistic and honest. We have been out cycling everyday almost and the weekends we have been to beautiful beaches and wonderful places. It is NOT easy getting starting and established though IMO - I never came with rose tinted glasses but some days have been a bit harder than I had thought :wacko: Other days we have wonderful experiences and I feel so lucky to have this experience regardless of what happens longer term :wink: The Sunshine Coast is stunning and have loved travelling to different places. We have also been to the Gold Coast too. Our son has been at school for just over a week and he is really enjoying it and he has made friends. My husband and son have been chatting to people locally via playing football on a Sunday at local park area. I am really sociable however, I haven't met anyone yet probably because everyone seems to be already in groups when we go to the parks etc. I maybe need to join a local group or something soon. Although it will depend on work. I am surprised how dark it gets so early. Anyway just a wee insight so far. Feel free to ask any questions and I will help if I can :-) :notworthy: Overall, no regrets and things I worried about before we came are not really worries. Things we hadn't planned for we deal with as and when they arise! And they do! Edited August 15, 2016 by Birch4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Welcome to Queensland the sunshine state that also lovesss its licencing rules and red tape.. You will get there eventually but totally understand the frustration. Good to see you have been out and about exploring, i loved finding new places every weekend when we first arrived. Hope things are on track for you both soon, if you do find temp work nearer to Brisbane could you not move closer (if hubby works that way too), are you in a rental? Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Hi everyone, I have been here in North Lakes for around one month. I am a Secondary Teacher and I am constantly being asked to submit all documents and have them verified despite the fact I now have my QTC Registration. If you are coming here as a teacher I would advise you to get that done as soon as possible as it does take 12 weeks! I have some work tutoring kids in foster care starting this week - just a few hours a week. I have another interview with an agency tomorrow and despite having filled all paperwork and having everything verified by JP and scanning this and sending it I have to take everything again to be checked. I have registered with TRACER and then it is 10 days for them to process and start work - that is when you then get your employment number with them. Apparently there is a lot of contract/supply work around but might need to do the commute or travel over an hour or more for work. The commute to Brisbane which my husband is doing everyday is a nightmare! He leaves at 5am. He is an Electrician but does not have his Queensland Licence and he is struggling to find a company who will take him on as a Trade assistant so that he can work towards this - we won't be giving up though. The TAFE college no longer deal with the Electrical licence here. We called and visited. This post is not intended to be negative but realistic and honest. We have been out cycling everyday almost and the weekends we have been to beautiful beaches and wonderful places. It is NOT easy getting starting and established though IMO - I never came with rose tinted glasses but some days have been a bit harder than I had thought :wacko: Other days we have wonderful experiences and I feel so lucky to have this experience regardless of what happens longer term :wink: The Sunshine Coast is stunning and have loved travelling to different places. We have also been to the Gold Coast too. Our son has been at school for just over a week and he is really enjoying it and he has made friends. My husband and son have been chatting to people locally via playing football on a Sunday at local park area. I am really sociable however, I haven't met anyone yet probably because everyone seems to be already in groups when we go to the parks etc. I maybe need to join a local group or something soon. Although it will depend on work. I am surprised how dark it gets so early. Anyway just a wee insight so far. Feel free to ask any questions and I will help if I can :-) :notworthy: Overall, no regrets and things I worried about before we came are not really worries. Things we hadn't planned for we deal with as and when they arise! And they do! Look under socialising and get togethers. A poster called Pat arranges fairly regular meet ups and the next one looks to be on the 17th sept. Might be an ideal way to meet others. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaty Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Well done you. You're doing great. You need to get into some structured groupings, or clubs...and remember Brisbane, I mean, Rome wasn't built in one day. Keep us posted. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints man Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 Hi i am a sparky aswell, if he cant get the training done at tafe try QET Queensland electrical training the guys name is chris williamson, basically you complete some books / etc and take a 2 day exam, the good thing is that he used to work for the licencing board so he submits your application and you have your licence within 2 weeks. But again he will still need to keep a diary of work he has done for 6 months, the hard part is getting a company to give you a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 I used to watch Wanted Down Under when I was in the UK and I always got SO angry with that program, because they regularly took families to Brisbane to research job opportunities and then showed them Sunshine Coast houses to live in. Very few Australians would even consider commuting to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast! Let's hope your husband can find work locally soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie13 Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 yep I can relate to you with the teaching registration....it was such a piano to get all the documents certified time and again, as well as tracking down my teaching prac transcripts from my old university, well worth it now though. Been here 4 years now and enjoy teaching here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 I used to watch Wanted Down Under when I was in the UK and I always got SO angry with that program, because they regularly took families to Brisbane to research job opportunities and then showed them Sunshine Coast houses to live in. Very few Australians would even consider commuting to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast! Let's hope your husband can find work locally soon. Op is in North lakes which is nowhere near the Sunshine Coast just in case anyone is confused. It is on an average clear drive 45 minutes away and therefore much closer to Brisbane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Smith Clan Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Hi everyone, I have been here in North Lakes for around one month. I am a Secondary Teacher and I am constantly being asked to submit all documents and have them verified despite the fact I now have my QTC Registration. If you are coming here as a teacher I would advise you to get that done as soon as possible as it does take 12 weeks! I have some work tutoring kids in foster care starting this week - just a few hours a week. I have another interview with an agency tomorrow and despite having filled all paperwork and having everything verified by JP and scanning this and sending it I have to take everything again to be checked. I have registered with TRACER and then it is 10 days for them to process and start work - that is when you then get your employment number with them. Apparently there is a lot of contract/supply work around but might need to do the commute or travel over an hour or more for work. The commute to Brisbane which my husband is doing everyday is a nightmare! He leaves at 5am. He is an Electrician but does not have his Queensland Licence and he is struggling to find a company who will take him on as a Trade assistant so that he can work towards this - we won't be giving up though. The TAFE college no longer deal with the Electrical licence here. We called and visited. This post is not intended to be negative but realistic and honest. We have been out cycling everyday almost and the weekends we have been to beautiful beaches and wonderful places. It is NOT easy getting starting and established though IMO - I never came with rose tinted glasses but some days have been a bit harder than I had thought :wacko: Other days we have wonderful experiences and I feel so lucky to have this experience regardless of what happens longer term :wink: The Sunshine Coast is stunning and have loved travelling to different places. We have also been to the Gold Coast too. Our son has been at school for just over a week and he is really enjoying it and he has made friends. My husband and son have been chatting to people locally via playing football on a Sunday at local park area. I am really sociable however, I haven't met anyone yet probably because everyone seems to be already in groups when we go to the parks etc. I maybe need to join a local group or something soon. Although it will depend on work. I am surprised how dark it gets so early. Anyway just a wee insight so far. Feel free to ask any questions and I will help if I can :-) :notworthy: Overall, no regrets and things I worried about before we came are not really worries. Things we hadn't planned for we deal with as and when they arise! And they do! Thanks for sharing your experience and I feel your mindset will be very helpful in that you didn't go with rose tinted glasses. Hope all gets sorted. We have just returned from 3 wks travelling from Brisbane up th East Coast and was also surprised with the early nights. Do you gets the bats out where you are at sunset, ive never since Bats that size before. Good luck and keep us posted. Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockinTas Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Never understood why people from the UK are so surprised at the short evenings here - particularly the further north you go. You are nearer the equator. In Singpore/Bangkok etc it's darker even earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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