65 million

Hi All,

Some old timer posters may remember me, its been a while since ive had chance to post.

Basically we have moved into a unit in Cranbourne East and doing any casual work we can to tick over. The biggest thing that shocked me here is how difficult it is even to get a very average job. There are simply hundreds of people applying for pretty much everything advertised.
I don't mean to put people off, I just thought you ought to know what our experiences have been. Ive been working as a printers assistant at a place called Koo-Wee-Rup, way down in the southern end of Melbourne. I have been starting at 6am - 3pm for $19 per hour. The company notified everyone while I was working there that they were closing down and have done so this easter.
Since last week my wife and I have done some Apple Picking near Pakenham for $15 per hour. I feel like I'm on a working holiday now. The orchard is a lovely place to bee, but back breaking work.
Please anyone reading this just be aware jobs are HARD to come by and you have to be flexible and do what you can till (hopefully) you find what you want.
Good luck!

happylad

Hi,

Is this the same all across the board, or are there certain fields that are more employable than others?
cheers.

NJJ

From what I've heard from others if you're in a field of work such as nursing it's pretty high in demand but I too am in the same boat as the original poster and I've been in Australia since August 2003.

TraceyW

Have to agree with this, sorry. We're in Perth and have been for 9 months. Husband got a job very quickly, but his trade is in demand (because the pay's so crap probably! No sane Aussie wants to do it! )

I applied for 32 jobs within the first 5 months. Most of the time I didn't get a reply but the replies I did get specified that they were looking for someone with Aussie experience!...derrrrr...chicken and egg!

All very demoralising. I'm not thick, stupid or unemployable, but it made me feel that way. We have friends that are having the same problems. One guy has spent a fortune on various courses....still can't get a job. So, it all depends what line of work you're in. If you're a nurse, sparky, chippy or a hairdresser....you're laughing!

I am now at uni completely retraining as this is the only way I shall get a decent career.

happylad

Glad to say I'm a chippy and want to move to Perth, though feeling very anxious about the whole TRA thing/application process and actually getting there!! like having a drivers license but no car eh!
D

TraceyW

Hi, They'll be falling over themselves to employ you mate!

Watch out though....the rate can be poor unless you get on a union site, it varies between $21 to $28 per hour if you're lucky. Not a great salary when you're in 40 degree heat slogging your guts out eh?

Our one friend is a sparky, he's only managed to get agency temp jobs since he's been here. He hates it though. He reckons the Aussie blokes aren't very keen on pom labour and make it preety clear to him! But that's just his experience, I'm sure there are plenty of decent blokes to work with.

Where are you looking to settle over here?

happylad

In Perth ideally. Love the place, though it kinda depends on my partners job as she is a Marine Biologist. Of course, thats depending on her getting a job a such!

Neil S

I'm having trouble too. We came across last September sponsored by the Vic Government under the STNI scheme. My skills in demand are officially listed as Urban and Regional Planner, on the basis that my previous position was Transport Policy Officer which I did for 8 years after getting a Transport Engineering MSc degree. I also have 14 years experience testing highway materials. Here in Oz, I have applied for about 40 jobs and had about 10-15 interviews, but each and every time I get the feedback that my experience doesn't quite fit the position. I haven't had any interviews now for about 6 weeks, despite still applying for jobs and I am now taking anti-depressants. Whilst I sympathise with the other posters, its comforting now that I'm not the only one having this trouble. I've registered with more recruitment agents than I've had hot dinners, but I never ever hear from them!

Paul2004

Hi all. What's your knowledge of Mechanic work? I'm coming to Oz in January to study to be a Motor Mechanic. I'm aware pay isn't the best for them, but the trade IS on the MODL so I guess in demand!

Any views will be appreciated, even of they aint good!

jad n rich

:scared: Thats pathetic! We pay chippies $35.00 an hour over here in qld and theres still plenty of work for the qualified.

In general people need to arrive in aus prepared with the knowledge many jobs are offered what would be considered temporary or short term work in the UK.

Its called casual labour here and you can be casual for 20 years quite legally, no hols no sick just if and when the employer wants you. I know some immigrants find this hard to accept after UK working conditions, you are compensated by a slightly higher rate of pay, however living week to week with fluctuating hours takes the wind of of many a plan. Just be aware before you arrive.

Regarding the pom labour comment, its a difficult situation, the aussie construction methods differ from the UK in many ways, and the laws regarding liablility for your work are very tough, aussies generally want someone whos very familiar with the laws methods and work statements, not to mention lunatic laws covering everything, if someone stuffs up on a job, somebody will be held liable, $$$$$$$$$$ wise.

65 million

Yes, I must agree with most of the posters here.
I worked for a company in Koo Wee Rup called PMP Print, as I said earlier they have just shut the plant down this easter. Most of the printers were not qualified and were also known as casual hire and had =been casual for several years despite been employed 5 -6 days a week every week!. The job situation really sucks here, but like others have said it greatly depends on what you do for a living. Trades people seem to have plenty of work, but more specialised or even general work is near impossible to get.
I had plenty of country boys who wouldnt even acnowledge me when i walked into the plant in the morning. I tried not to take an offence and worked really hard on them and some of them have turned out to be really nice people. One guy ( a printer) I had to work with I actually became quite good friends within a few weeks, he later told me that most Ozzies have a pre-conception that Pommies are arrogant, think they are smarter and better than the ozzies. One down 19.999999 million to go.
Keep at it and all the best to everyone. For anyone reading this who hasnt made the big move yet, you have to decide what to do, but do it with your eyes & ears open.

Princess_atta

Hi Guys,

I'm glad to hear chippys are in demand as that's hubby's trade. We're going to Melbourne in 3 weeks on an STNI visa. He's been fitting windows for the past 15 years and sent off his cv to around 15 window companies in Melbourne (using White Pages).

Many came back with a no thanks but one company in Dandenong has actually offered him a permanent position. We've done what checking on the company we can from here and he's had lots of correspondence with them and has been told he can start asap.

Even if this just keeps us going until something else crops up (if necessary) then it's a start.

Good luck everyone else though and hope something turns up soon.

HUP

Just what ever you do don't live in Dandenong :scared:

Bordy

I'll second that.

65 million

I'll THIRD it!