Sph14

Hi All, I am a sparky from the UK who just recently moved to Australia to sample the lifestyle and to hopefuly make a better future for my family (Mrs + 2 kids). We applied because as an Electrician of 20 years (which I have had to prove beyond any reasonable doubt) my said trade was on the 'wanted' SOL list. I arrive in Australia OTSR in hand and apply to the ESO in Brisbane to gain a temporary licence to enable me to get a job.......to be told I must have a job first to be granted a temporary Electrical licence.....which proved to be a little challenging asking for a job here as a TA with my UK certificates ??? catch 22 or just utter B@ll@cks ? I have since enrolled at the local TAFE at a (further) cost to myself of $2700 ????? I must complete Gap Training of 16 electives to enable me to take a QLD specific Regs exam to gain my Full electrical licence. I am really struggling to make sense of some of the electives so please if you are a sparky from the UK who has already jumped through these extra hoops these Aussies keep putting in front of us (and charging us for the privilege) can you give me some advise or shed some light on what it is exactly they want from me. I would be eternally grateful and in your debt. We want to make this move a success but its damn hard having the goal posts moved all the time !!! the Electives they have asked me to complete are :-
UEENEE E001B
E002B
E005B
E007B
E008B
E004B
E003B
G001B
G003B
G002B
G007B
G009B
G004B
C020B
G005B
G008B
Again thanks very much to anyonr who can help with this.
Sph......a very disillusioned spark.

old.sparkles

Didn't realise you couldn't get the supervised workers license in QLD without a job. Yes everyone with an OTSR must do gap training, and in some states, so must those with an ARTC. NSW doesn't accept the ARTC at all though, so where you head can affect the paths needed to be taken.

The units you need to cover look about right - don't forget occ. health and safety and electrical rescue from live as well. You may want to check out the electricians forum - Electricians - British Expats

You don't need to just apply for TA roles, you can be considered as a spark, you just need supervision, and QLD do not specify direct supervision I believe but someone else will know for sure. It has been this way for a while now so anyone else considering the move should make sure they check different states for actual requirements

Sph14

Hey Thanks very much for your info/advice. The problem im having with some of these electives is that they are asking for so much information for each elective I could probably write a book for each one !!, others im struggling with are for jobs I may not undertake any time in the near future working as an Electrician (TA) or I simply don't understand what it is they are asking for i.e. solving problems in multiple path DC circuits ??..... Participate in elect work & comp development policies ??? . I just want to make sure I have all the correct info they require before sending it in. I will have a look in the Electricians sections so thanks for that also. (I think I may have to go back to the TAFE to sit with a tutor for an hour or two if poss).
Gratefully Sph.

justcantwait

Hi
We are on the sunshine coast and knew a few sparkys that had to do the tafe thing. there is an sunshine coast facebook group and i know there is a sparky on there with his own business now, i am sure if you joined and asked for some advice they would help you.
Good luck with everything

p.s the group is sunshine coast expat social group, there may be a couple but ours is a closed group so need to ask to be added.

Sph14

Again Thank you so much for your time and help, I will look that up and see if I can join.
Sph.