Guest dt1234565 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Hi all, I have been doing research into my husbands trade, he is a fully qualified and registered Plumber who has been running his own business for 20 years here in the UK. From what I have read, UK plumbers dont seem to to very well in AU. He is on good money here and we are not rich but live a nice life here in the UK. I understand he will need to retrain and resit all his exams to get qulified in AU for around a 6 month period. That is ok, but after that I believe work is quite scarce without years of AU experience and many plumbers end up doing just about any work they can find to get by. Is this true? We dont want to move to the other side of the world and life becomes a struggle! Many thanks in advance. P.S. If i should post this on another section please let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 No don't listen to the horror stories. We have a pal who went out there on a working visa and is working as a Plumber. He works for a big company who are employing many Brits. Maybe go on the state website for each state and if they are sponsoring Plumbers that would maybe be a good indication that there is work in that area? Just stay positive. It's all about who you know in the trades and i'm sure if you keep posting on here in the run up to when you go, others might come forward who work over there and can give you some contacts. Through that friend who is over there we are now in touch with a small company who are willing to take on my other half .... yes it's true that with even 15+ years of experience a little training will be required, but it's not like the whole 4 year apprentiship here again. If he runs his own business like my OH does, he obviously won't get the same pay to begin with. But their basic pay is much higher even when not full qualified (by their standards). It's like anything, you can't get a definite until you try it xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Fantastic thank you! We do know he will take a step back till we get established but dont wanna be skint! Thanks for the info! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 TBH I wouldnt say don't listen as it 'could' happen to you and you are better to be prepared about what could happen than arriving oblivious and falling on your butts.. I have met quite a few migrant plumbers over the last 4 years,, 3 went along with the training and are now doing great and making a decent earning, a few didnt want to go through the training and are doing other work but are happy and paying their way and a couple went back to the UK within their first 2 years but not because of work issues. Getting work can vary and the more flexible you are with where to settle the better chance of finding something relatively quickly. Labouring with a plumbing company whilst your sorting the licence also gives you chance to get a good reputation out and about, word does seem to spread quickly in Oz when discussing good trademen. Lots of luck with everything Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Thank you, that does sound good. My husband has never advertised his company and works solely on recommendation. Looks like training is the way to go and he would be more than happy to do that. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Also, should we apply as Plumber (general) or Gas Fitter There is a big difference in fees Gas fitter is $300 and Plumber $2000+! Not sure why that is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I say 'don't listen' as you can't be put off by people putting horror stories on here....I wouldn't be going out if I listened to people about money. There are Plumbers out of work where we live but if you stay positive, work hard, persevere, I believe things will work out for you. Just my opinion. It's obviously up to you what you apply for, but we only found out about the Gas Fitter costs when we had applied and it's costing us thousands by applying as a Plumber. Not sure why there is such a big difference but you don't have to do a skills test as a Gas Fitter too! Unbelievable really. My OH is gutted as that's what's holding us up, costing us tons and he trained in Gas when he did his apprentiship so is no less qualified than he is as a Plumber. Crazy eh? Good luck x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 It is crazy and amazingly confusing! I have been told today that if you qualified as a plumber at the end of your apprentiship you have to apply as a plumber and if you qualified as a gas fitter you have to apply as a gas fitter, but obviously thats not the case with you? My husband qualified as a plumbing and heating engineer (plumber?) so in light of your application I am completely confused now!!!!!!!! :unsure: x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ashleighthomas Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 I say 'don't listen' as you can't be put off by people putting horror stories on here....I wouldn't be going out if I listened to people about money. There are Plumbers out of work where we live but if you stay positive, work hard, persevere, I believe things will work out for you. Just my opinion. It's obviously up to you what you apply for, but we only found out about the Gas Fitter costs when we had applied and it's costing us thousands by applying as a Plumber. Not sure why there is such a big difference but you don't have to do a skills test as a Gas Fitter too! Unbelievable really. My OH is gutted as that's what's holding us up, costing us tons and he trained in Gas when he did his apprentiship so is no less qualified than he is as a Plumber. Crazy eh? Good luck x Hi, my dad is a UK plumber whos UK gas certificates have expired, he too is about to apply as a general plumber but after reading your post is wondering if, to apply as a gas fitter, you need to have current UK certification? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Hi, my dad is a UK plumber whos UK gas certificates have expired, he too is about to apply as a general plumber but after reading your post is wondering if, to apply as a gas fitter, you need to have current UK certification? It's a tiny bit different for us as my OH has been qualified in Plumbing AND gas throughout so he would meet the general criteria for both (ie he gets top marks for x amount of years in the past so many years working in that profession - is it 8 out of the last 10 years or something?). His title has always reflected that he does both but I think it would possibly be different if he had been employed as a Plumber for the past 4 years for example. He too is a Plumbing and Heating Engineer so we think he would be able to apply for both but maybe it's more confusing and indepth than we think? I wouldn't imagine you could apply without your gas tickets being valid as that would mean you haven't been working in that profession for the past how many years? Maybe speak to your agent if you have one. We don't have one so I can't ask for you i'm afraid It's definitely worth finding out for sure if you can as if we didn't have to do the skills test, we would have put our application in when we got state sponsorship which was before the July 1st deadline and we might have even had our visa now! Let me know if you find out any more information x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 It is crazy and amazingly confusing! I have been told today that if you qualified as a plumber at the end of your apprentiship you have to apply as a plumber and if you qualified as a gas fitter you have to apply as a gas fitter, but obviously thats not the case with you? My husband qualified as a plumbing and heating engineer (plumber?) so in light of your application I am completely confused now!!!!!!!! :unsure: x Yes my OH said his qualification reads Plumbing and Heating Engineer also....so that would mean both??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Aaaaaargh! I dunno! Lol! Although we haven't got all my husbands papers out yet my husband seems to think you first qualify as a plumber and add to it with the gas the more you go on and higher Certificates you get. I think most plumbers have to apply as plumbers. If you trained with British gas or something then it's gas. Maybe! ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ashleighthomas Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 It's a tiny bit different for us as my OH has been qualified in Plumbing AND gas throughout so he would meet the general criteria for both (ie he gets top marks for x amount of years in the past so many years working in that profession - is it 8 out of the last 10 years or something?). His title has always reflected that he does both but I think it would possibly be different if he had been employed as a Plumber for the past 4 years for example. He too is a Plumbing and Heating Engineer so we think he would be able to apply for both but maybe it's more confusing and indepth than we think? I wouldn't imagine you could apply without your gas tickets being valid as that would mean you haven't been working in that profession for the past how many years? Maybe speak to your agent if you have one. We don't have one so I can't ask for you i'm afraid It's definitely worth finding out for sure if you can as if we didn't have to do the skills test, we would have put our application in when we got state sponsorship which was before the July 1st deadline and we might have even had our visa now! Let me know if you find out any more information x Hello, thank you for your reply, we will be looking into it further x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 OK, I have more questions! Shock - not! If my husband applies as a gas fitter then he fills out TRA forms with all paperwork and we pay $300.00 If my husband applies as a plumber then we do exactly the same? (But pay a lot more for it!) and wait for them to contact us regarding exams/interview? Is that correct? Same forms, same department, different fees and test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 OK, I have more questions! Shock - not! If my husband applies as a gas fitter then he fills out TRA forms with all paperwork and we pay $300.00 If my husband applies as a plumber then we do exactly the same? (But pay a lot more for it!) and wait for them to contact us regarding exams/interview? Is that correct? Same forms, same department, different fees and test? According to my hubby, you use the TRA as a Gasfitter and go on their website for the app form. But for a Plumber, the TRA refer you to either Vetassess or Melbourne University to first fill out an application with them and then a technical test. We went for the Melbourne University route as we are located far north and that way you can do it via Skype instead of travelling to Accrington with Vetassess and doing a practical there. All very costly eh! We filled out the forms and have sent the fee away and they have 7 weeks to book us in (or so it says). xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Thank you, at thi stage I am contacting all the plumbing associations in Australia so see how you get your card out there, as it seems a long and costly process once you arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea4two Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Okay...well I think I have more information...sort of lol. We have actually sent off our fees etc to Melbourne university and were just waiting on a date for his skills test...but then had a huge wobble as the cost for a Gasfitter is only $300 with no test. We stayed up late last night to call the TRA to get confirmation but the guy basically said that all the information was on their website. I then trawled through all the websites to see if I could find clarification on what exctly they mean when they say that TRA checks to see if your skill level is on a par with OZ. Although I found this hard to get an answer to...the DIAC website clearly says: This occupation has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience in Australia of AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. But according to some users on here, this has not been the case for them and formal qualifications has counted for a lot. My OH has a level 3 qualification after training for 3 years plus other study after this date so we were fairly sure that we could apply ... but then I decided to double check over the official job description and if the duties listed are what my OH does day in day out then we would apply and cancel the other Plumber application. This is the official job description: Installs, maintains and repairs gas mains, piping systems downstream of the billing meter, and appliances and ancillary equipment associated with the use of fuel gases, including liquefied petroleum gas systems. Registration or licensing is required. The DIAC also direct you to the Australian Bureau of Stats for more information and their job role says: 334114 GASFITTER Installs, maintains and repairs gas mains, piping systems downstream of the billing meter, and appliances and ancillary equipment associated with the use of fuel gases, including liquefied petroleum gas systems. Registration or licensing is required. Skill Level: 3 Specialisations: Gas Main and Line Fitter Liquefied Petroleum Gasfitter This is maybe where the problem lies and why agents have been advising Plumbing and Heating Engineers to apply through the Plumber route...my OH says that here (not sure if this is just Scotland) you don't really go near the mains, Transco (?!?!?) do. He said he is not a gas main and line fitter if that's what they mean. So for now, using the above job role, we don't think we would qualify as this is surely what they mark against. Any thoughts on this would be good - even just to finally box it off x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Yes it must be Plumber general then. The gas fitter sounds like Transco/british gas type work. That a bloody great 2700 dollar shame anit!!!!!! Well done on the clarification! Let me know how you get on with putting everything together for the app. We are getting all the paperwork out to start organising it this weekend but expect it will be a while before we have enough documents to apply. You need reference from customers and suppliers as well as qulufucations don't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dt1234565 Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Sorry about typos! On my phone! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest acbarno Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 You need reference from customers and suppliers as well as qulufucations don't you? Sure does seem to be very difficult to get in as a plumber, I've read about so many issues, let alone the issues of what you have to do once over there in able to work as a plumber. If anyone knows what courses or training it'd be great to find out. What has everyone done when filling in the initial TradeSet self assesment? So far I gather you've got to tick everything on the core skills just to be able to proceed, and people seem to have done that even though it may not be accurate. I'm just wondering on the second part, how honest have people been, just because you've ticked yes originally, have you continued to say yes to items listed originally, but not include proof of these skills in your bumpf of references and job descriptions etc, or have you then been honest and just ticked the skills you can talk about and prove? Also when it comes to sending in previous work experience proof, my OH was particularly crap before meeting me at keeping any documents ie payslips P60 etc, in fact he has none. There's definitely a few employers he can get a letterheaded reference /job description from, but a couple he might not and one that disappeared with 3 months salary and folded, so i'm thinking we wont track them down ever lol. I know the tax office won't provide copy P60's, but is there anything else that people have got and used as more proof of work? Thanks for ANY help at all, we are just starting this journey and its very overwhelming especially thinking we can't even do the skills assesment now ha. Jen and adam :eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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