cdawson0

Hi,

WE definately want to head to Oz or New Zealand and have visited both in past, aiming to be there in Jan 2010. IN Oz, we like the idea of Perth or around Melbourne or around Sydney. Husband is an electrician and we are particularly thinking of his earning potential and job availability in these areas and of course lifestyle. So any advice on electricians in Oz verses New Zealand, and electricians in sydney vs melbourne vs perth would be great in helping us make our minds up
Thanks

steve`o

loads of info here guys
http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=97

comet555

Do you have a visa for either country?

If you don't, I would suggest starting with that, particularly if you want to be there next January (I presume you meant to type 2011?).

Buzzy--Bee

Not sure about Electricians in particular, but for most jobs the wages in Australia are about double those in NZ.

BB

Bob Tonnor

Hi there

Id suggest that you have a look at the Coffs Harbour region, well i would say that because i live here and love it! http://www.locationlowdown.com.au/se...offs%20Harbour it has been voted the most live-able city and best temperature in Australia, have a nosey you might just like the look of it.

Bob

cdawson0

Thanks for the info guys! Had no idea wages in Oz were almost double that in New Zealand , that is definately a factor for us. Visa -wise going out with working holiday visas initially as just still in age range to get them.
So definately liking idea of Perth or Melborne or Sydney I think

fish.01

They are so different....why those 3?

comet555

If your husband wants to work here as an electrician I would start looking into how licensing works in the various states. Basically my point is he can't just show up and work as a qualified electrician. There might be hoops to jump through before he can do that.

Also keep in mind that if you are planning on applying for a permanent visa once you'll come back you'll need a year of recent work experience in his field. Just something to be aware of.

fish.01

While you could get double I don't think double is the average difference. I thought I heard 30% higher? If you live in one of the smaller NZ towns (not Auckland) I would imagine the house prices are a fair bit cheaper than the big Australian cities to balance it a bit....

Buzzy--Bee

Unfortunately the wages are correspondingly lower too.

My FIL in a small NZ town employs an electrician for NZ$25 per hour!!! Here in Oz I pay AU$60 minimum.

BB

warren thomas

Loads of work in perth IF you have a licence, if you haven't, dont bother, you wont get a job paying anything descent.
do your research first, Perth is great!!!

lapin_windstar

Don't forget to think about the mines if he's an industrial electrician (or whatever the right term is) - higher hourly rate but either you live in the middle of bloody nowhere or you're rotating in and out of nowhere.

cdawson0

Thanks for the responses. We were quite keen on Perth as an option anyway. Is the mines work fly in fly out from Perth only or from other cities too? And is mines work available for commercial electricians or just industrial?
Getting excited now! Just feel the job opportunities and pay would be better in Oz than Nz from the comments. Husband is british but grew up in South Africa and wants something similar so thinking Perth may tick the box. We can't start the process required to be licensed in Oz or Nz until we have made our minds up as they are different processes but swaying towards Oz, Perth in particular at the mo. Going on a reccie trip in about 6 weeks, have time booked off just need to get set on where to do reccie

Careyo

Hi, my husband is an electrician too, we've been here for a little over 6 months. We're also looking around for a change and have been thinking about all of the areas you mentioned.

The lifestyle is good where we are in Queensland but we're looking for somewhere where the houses are a cheaper. I'll be interested in what you find out.