Hi,

Are there any NDT guys out there ? I'm thinking of going down this route and would like to know if the qualifications are the same in Oz as they are here ?

Is the industry busy over there ?

Any thoughts / points are welcome !

Rich

Hello Rich

I'm in Perth and yes it's very busy. Most of the NDT houses are sponsoring workers to come out here. I'm a welding inspector and I'm meeting POMS on 457 visas all the time.

If you can come out here unsponsored all the better then you can choose where you want to work.

All your Cswip quals are accepted over here. I've got a mate who has to return to Fife next week to renew his UT (I think) quals. Volcanoes permitting.

Keel

Hi Keel,

Thanks for the quick relpy. I'm currently a commercial diver and I shall be undertaking my 3.1 & 3.2 ut courses in July. It's my aim to wind down on the diving and go for more NDT course as soon as poss' Any advice on what to take and what the industry is like would be great Will people take on fresh guys like myself (not sure how long I can stick it here after doing the relative courses !) What is the wages like down there for NDT guys ?

Cheers,

Rich

Hello Rich

They seem keen on all NDT I think.
If I were you I'd concentrate on phased array UT. Not many can even spell it over here (I hope I've spelt it right).

I'm not sure about the skill level of phased array but I know it takes a couple of years to become provicient at normal ut. I'm assuming the new method is easier to learn due to the computer doing a lot of the work.

Where have you been working?

Keel

Hi Keel,

Thanks for your reply. As I say i'm currently a commercial diver, who infact wouldn't mind continuing in Australia, however I think once I do my NDT 3.1 & 3.2 phased array in July I will know whether I have the bug or not. I have spoken to a lot of companies here in the UK, they are all encouraging and say its a great career to get into (this a know from a diving point of view) but I wont stay young for ever so it will be a natural progression for me i think.

I may be able to join a couple of local companies for a period to gain my experience before the big step. I'm ex-mob, not married and have no kids so i'm not concerned about much......except the need for a better way of life etc etc. I haven't had any NDT work as yet, but in general terms as a diver I have only really worked in the UK (if that's what you meant?)

Cheers,

Rich

Onshore NDT job in Perth/Darwin/Brisbane with 3 level 2 certs ( PCN/CSWIP) will start at around $30/hr with usually time and a half for first 12 hrs overtime and double after that. Don't expect a 38 hr week as it won't happen. Avoid Sydney as its the worst paying area in the country for NDT by far.
AINDT is same as PCN over here but it's not worth buttons outside Aus/NZ, don't do them unless employer pays.
Site work in WA ( Karratha ) you would be looking at 40-45$ basic plus the above overtime rates (which is good dough when your doing 70 hr week).

There will be some phased array work coming up on LNG pipelines and storage tanks. Also offshore pipeline work, but a lot of that now is done by Asians, and there's no shortage of Malaysians, Indonesians and Phillipinos already fully qualified in phased array, TOFD and long range UT.

Lots of NDT guys here on 457 visa's particularly Brits, Irish, Indonesians and South Africans. And from experience, its a simple fact the majority (apart from SA's) are much better at the job than the locals.
Personally speaking from experience there will be a shortage of good RT techs before a shortage of specialised UT techs. Good RT techs are very few and far between in Australia, the overall quality is very mediocre.
PCN and CSWIP exams and courses can be done in Brisbane and Perth. RT/UT/MT are the 3 to do first. PT is a waste of money.

Or if you want proper money, and less work 3.1 welding inspection ( 70-100$/hr flat rate).

Hi Upyerfud (I wont ask what that means !)

Thank you for your comprehensive reply, it's good to know there are people out there who are genuine and are happy to help and advice. My first Step is to do the 3.1u & 3.2u, earn some decent money offshore for a couple of trips and plough the money back into the 'dry' versions, plus as much as I need to to get to the other courses. I have contacted a number of local companies here in the Northwest of England who, due to their work load have told me they are happy to talk me on board, either part time or full.

It will then be my next step to move abroad, most likely Australia where I hope my trade and experience will count so I can continue in a good career.


meanwhile, I have emailed quite a few Australian dive companies, unfortunately none have replied, a pity as maybe I could have made the step earlier and undertaken my 'dry' NDT in Oz ?....

Again, thanks.

Rich