Kimurajoe

Hi there

I've been accepted by a company in Kalgoorlie to start working with them ASAP. I'm reluctant due to the location and now getting concerned with regards to the hourly rate ($36ph). They said they'd accommodate me for 4 weeks. Then it's down to myself to find something.

Is this rate the going rate for a Boilermaker in the area?

Any advice would be great

Thanks

verystormy

Prices have fallen a lot in Kal recently. I would check out realestate.com.au

Are you currently in oz?

Kimurajoe

No not at the moment. But seen a post from only last month for an electriction enquiring about the same thing. People said 40 dollars ph for him was taking the piss. And that was only a house hold spark.

Dorothy

What visa are you going to be moving on? Are the company sorting out a 457 or are you expected to have a visa of your own?

And for $36/hr I personally wouldn't do it. But that's just me.

Kimurajoe

No I've to do it plus pay my own flights. I get reimbursed after 12 months.

Dorothy

What visa do you plan to come on then? You can't just rock up and work without the correct visa.

Oh, and without a visa, having to pay your own flights, etc. I definitely would not even consider it for $36/hr. I'm a secretary FFS and I make close to that.

Kimurajoe

The one you stated above. They have sent me the application forms

Dorothy

For what? A 457? The company has to go through a process of being an approved sponsor, nominating you, then you apply

Kimurajoe

Yeah I'm sure that's it. To be honest I've been more concerned with the location and hourly rate. Than filling out the forms, I've been looking for creditable evidence for me to provide but keep finding things that are putting me off.

GarryP

The mining industry has turned down significantly in the past year, with wages no longer at the '$100k for a gardener' level they used to be. With it the cost of housing has begun to fall, but not enough as yet.

Frankly I'd say $75k to live in Kalgoorlie, particularly on a 457 and with little company support is not worth it. FIFO would be better from the standpoint of having a life, but Perth is still far too expensive. Companies also seem to be trying to avoid FIFO now - it's a buyers market in the resources sector at the moment.

A quick look around the job sites suggest $42-48ph is more like it for those already onsite - so only worth it if you are looking to enter this declining market and know what you are getting yourself into (there are a hell of a lot of ads for "shutdown boilermaker".

Kimurajoe

Thanks GaryP

They are advertising £90,000 salaries in a uk agency site. Is this a declining sector now even thou they are still advertising. I wasn't on planning on staying forever. Was going to use the job as a stepping stone to get offshore. Like I am at the moment. But the money needs to be right so I can still live and enjoy my free time. So $36ph is way below average?

GarryP

Not sure if it's way below average today, given that they'd have to get you in etc. - but they are certainly looking for cheaper workers who aren't used to the higher salaries that used to be paid, and don't know what life in an outback mining town is like.

Need to tot up exactly how much it would cost you (you might find it doesn't add up) and if you did jump in, have an exit route already worked out. I wonder where the FIFO crowd are headed now, it might be better to cut out the middle step.

msmyrtle

Technically I don't think a Sponsor is allowed to do that. They must reimburse you within 30 days of you requesting reimbursement, whether you can 'contract out' of that by agreeing to it, I dunno, doesn't sound legit.

verystormy

To be honest, the company sound very dodgy. I would stay clear.

Geezer123

irrespective of the legalities of the 457 and the employer (Which I suspect is very common anyway)

$36ph in Kalgoorlie...no thanks.