Can't even work for free?
Aug 20th 2009, 10:58 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Can't even work for free?
Argghhhh... I'm a little bit annoyed, I wrote to a few companies asking if I could pop in to their offices a few times a week for a few hours a day to work (for FREE) to gain experience (or at least learn something) as I plan to study next year and would like to get a feel for things before spending a whopping $18500 on a course...
My ONLY response was .....
"Unfortunately we have a freeze on recruitment at this stage, following the recent economic downturn. The Brisbane market is still facing losses and as we work for developers, we are not in a position to interview or employ any new staff at present.
I know you have offered to work free-of-charge to gain some experience, but unfortunately that is against the law.
We will, however, keep your CV on file for a period of six months should a position be re-advertised"
So, fair enough... maybe working for free might mean that I'm not insured or something, I can't even think why it may be against the law. Volunteering is a form of working for free. What REALLY annoyed me was the promise to keep my CV on file... I didnt even send my CV through...
It is really discouraging that the reply was so half-a*sed, an obvious 'copy and paste' of a previous rejection letter sent to applicants...
but I suppose it's a reply, at least, the others didn't even have the decency to do that!!
right... now after that rant i'm going to pour a wine... yay!
My ONLY response was .....
"Unfortunately we have a freeze on recruitment at this stage, following the recent economic downturn. The Brisbane market is still facing losses and as we work for developers, we are not in a position to interview or employ any new staff at present.
I know you have offered to work free-of-charge to gain some experience, but unfortunately that is against the law.
We will, however, keep your CV on file for a period of six months should a position be re-advertised"
So, fair enough... maybe working for free might mean that I'm not insured or something, I can't even think why it may be against the law. Volunteering is a form of working for free. What REALLY annoyed me was the promise to keep my CV on file... I didnt even send my CV through...
It is really discouraging that the reply was so half-a*sed, an obvious 'copy and paste' of a previous rejection letter sent to applicants...
but I suppose it's a reply, at least, the others didn't even have the decency to do that!!
right... now after that rant i'm going to pour a wine... yay!
Aug 20th 2009, 11:32 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Location: back in bonnie scotland
Posts: 342
Re: Can't even work for free?
lots of employers wont let you do that,one reason is ohs;people suing them for any injuries sustained.
Aug 20th 2009, 11:49 am
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,162
Re: Can't even work for free?
Where I work they had someone come in and do 'work experiance'. They had to pay their own insurance though.
There are plenty of voluntary jobs around here, but hubbie can't do them as he is only allowed to work 20 hours a week on his visa, even voluntary work is not allowed over that 20 hours. It is a shame as the local meals on wheels are crying out for people, and he would be great at it. Never mind.
There are plenty of voluntary jobs around here, but hubbie can't do them as he is only allowed to work 20 hours a week on his visa, even voluntary work is not allowed over that 20 hours. It is a shame as the local meals on wheels are crying out for people, and he would be great at it. Never mind.
Aug 20th 2009, 12:47 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Re: Can't even work for free?
I wouldn't mind paying my own insurance, if I could get work experience. I understand that companies need to keep themselves covered incase of accidents etc.
I figured that whilst I'm saving to pay for the course I'll go in and get some experience... it's proving to be more difficult than I thought... any ideas on another approach, perhaps calling??
I figured that whilst I'm saving to pay for the course I'll go in and get some experience... it's proving to be more difficult than I thought... any ideas on another approach, perhaps calling??
Aug 20th 2009, 12:49 pm
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Re: Can't even work for free?
Where I work they had someone come in and do 'work experiance'. They had to pay their own insurance though.
There are plenty of voluntary jobs around here, but hubbie can't do them as he is only allowed to work 20 hours a week on his visa, even voluntary work is not allowed over that 20 hours. It is a shame as the local meals on wheels are crying out for people, and he would be great at it. Never mind.
There are plenty of voluntary jobs around here, but hubbie can't do them as he is only allowed to work 20 hours a week on his visa, even voluntary work is not allowed over that 20 hours. It is a shame as the local meals on wheels are crying out for people, and he would be great at it. Never mind.
Aug 20th 2009, 12:50 pm
#7
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Can't even work for free?
I wouldn't mind paying my own insurance, if I could get work experience. I understand that companies need to keep themselves covered incase of accidents etc.
I figured that whilst I'm saving to pay for the course I'll go in and get some experience... it's proving to be more difficult than I thought... any ideas on another approach, perhaps calling??
I figured that whilst I'm saving to pay for the course I'll go in and get some experience... it's proving to be more difficult than I thought... any ideas on another approach, perhaps calling??
Aug 20th 2009, 4:42 pm
#8
The Stars are Underground
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 423
Re: Can't even work for free?
Ya I am hoping to do some volunteer work when I get to WA, help out community and other forms.
I am going on a tourist visa, plan on doing a few courses too.
Have engineering background, so would like to branch out to other areas of communications, business etc. So was wondering about getting work experience through the new courses.
It would overcome boredom more than anything else and a sense of involvement to the Country I'm in.
1. Can I change my Tourist visa 676 to a Student visa onshore if I want to partake in a course that last for a year?
2. Can I look for sponsorship from an engineering company on a tourist visa onshore?
I am going on a tourist visa, plan on doing a few courses too.
Have engineering background, so would like to branch out to other areas of communications, business etc. So was wondering about getting work experience through the new courses.
It would overcome boredom more than anything else and a sense of involvement to the Country I'm in.
1. Can I change my Tourist visa 676 to a Student visa onshore if I want to partake in a course that last for a year?
2. Can I look for sponsorship from an engineering company on a tourist visa onshore?
Aug 20th 2009, 9:52 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Can't even work for free?
Argghhhh... I'm a little bit annoyed, I wrote to a few companies asking if I could pop in to their offices a few times a week for a few hours a day to work (for FREE) to gain experience (or at least learn something) as I plan to study next year and would like to get a feel for things before spending a whopping $18500 on a course...
My ONLY response was .....
"Unfortunately we have a freeze on recruitment at this stage, following the recent economic downturn. The Brisbane market is still facing losses and as we work for developers, we are not in a position to interview or employ any new staff at present.
I know you have offered to work free-of-charge to gain some experience, but unfortunately that is against the law.
We will, however, keep your CV on file for a period of six months should a position be re-advertised"
So, fair enough... maybe working for free might mean that I'm not insured or something, I can't even think why it may be against the law. Volunteering is a form of working for free. What REALLY annoyed me was the promise to keep my CV on file... I didnt even send my CV through...
It is really discouraging that the reply was so half-a*sed, an obvious 'copy and paste' of a previous rejection letter sent to applicants...
but I suppose it's a reply, at least, the others didn't even have the decency to do that!!
right... now after that rant i'm going to pour a wine... yay!
My ONLY response was .....
"Unfortunately we have a freeze on recruitment at this stage, following the recent economic downturn. The Brisbane market is still facing losses and as we work for developers, we are not in a position to interview or employ any new staff at present.
I know you have offered to work free-of-charge to gain some experience, but unfortunately that is against the law.
We will, however, keep your CV on file for a period of six months should a position be re-advertised"
So, fair enough... maybe working for free might mean that I'm not insured or something, I can't even think why it may be against the law. Volunteering is a form of working for free. What REALLY annoyed me was the promise to keep my CV on file... I didnt even send my CV through...
It is really discouraging that the reply was so half-a*sed, an obvious 'copy and paste' of a previous rejection letter sent to applicants...
but I suppose it's a reply, at least, the others didn't even have the decency to do that!!
right... now after that rant i'm going to pour a wine... yay!
Liability etc etcWe have people rocking up to building sites offereing free work. OH yeahhh, imagnie of one of them slip, fall, industrial accident......
Most wont let you near a site without all the right bits of paper plus a 2 day safety induction course for each particluar site.
Plus there are privacy issues, used to get people offering themself to do a bit of free work in a medical centre
Aug 21st 2009, 12:33 am
#10
(It's not my real name)
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Ilukapool. WA
Posts: 12,467
Aug 21st 2009, 12:42 am
#11
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Can't even work for free?
Ya I am hoping to do some volunteer work when I get to WA, help out community and other forms.
I am going on a tourist visa, plan on doing a few courses too.
Have engineering background, so would like to branch out to other areas of communications, business etc. So was wondering about getting work experience through the new courses.
It would overcome boredom more than anything else and a sense of involvement to the Country I'm in.
You can't work or study on a tourist visa. Take a look at www.immi.gov.au for conditions.
1. Can I change my Tourist visa 676 to a Student visa onshore if I want to partake in a course that last for a year?
Probably but being an international student is tres expensive. Look for some of the threads in the immigration section from Pumpkin Blossom who is here on a student visa.
2. Can I look for sponsorship from an engineering company on a tourist visa onshore?
I am going on a tourist visa, plan on doing a few courses too.
Have engineering background, so would like to branch out to other areas of communications, business etc. So was wondering about getting work experience through the new courses.
It would overcome boredom more than anything else and a sense of involvement to the Country I'm in.
You can't work or study on a tourist visa. Take a look at www.immi.gov.au for conditions.
1. Can I change my Tourist visa 676 to a Student visa onshore if I want to partake in a course that last for a year?
Probably but being an international student is tres expensive. Look for some of the threads in the immigration section from Pumpkin Blossom who is here on a student visa.
2. Can I look for sponsorship from an engineering company on a tourist visa onshore?
Aug 21st 2009, 1:03 am
#12
The Stars are Underground
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 423
Re: Can't even work for free?
I am not looking for work per say, I left a job!
I have my tourist visa and I can study for up to 3 months at a time.
This information in RED is incorrect
Proper Link: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/
As regards turning up at the airport with a briefcase full of resumes, everyone knows you just store those electronically these days
Last edited by Beachband; Aug 21st 2009 at 1:07 am.
Aug 21st 2009, 1:06 am
#13
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Can't even work for free?
I am not looking for work per say, I left a job!
I have my tourist visa and I can study for less than 3 months at a time.
This information in RED is incorrect
Proper Link: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/
As regards turning up at the airport with a briefcase full of resumes, everyone knows you just store those electronically these days
I have my tourist visa and I can study for less than 3 months at a time.
This information in RED is incorrect
Proper Link: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/
As regards turning up at the airport with a briefcase full of resumes, everyone knows you just store those electronically these days
Aug 21st 2009, 1:18 am
#14
The Stars are Underground
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 423
Re: Can't even work for free?
This site is invaluable for information.
I can holiday, study, volunteer!!! I'm happy
Apply for sponsorship if I like it in WA and if the opportunity arises.
The only thing that's killer is I cant play Rock'n'Roll gigs!!
I can holiday, study, volunteer!!! I'm happy
Apply for sponsorship if I like it in WA and if the opportunity arises.
The only thing that's killer is I cant play Rock'n'Roll gigs!!
Aug 21st 2009, 1:21 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Can't even work for free?
Volunteering in Australia
www.volunteeringwa.org.au
If you are thinking about volunteering in Western Australia, then you've come to the right place!