Help on a few topics
 

Rather than litter the forum with 10 topics I'll do it all in one.

First off, jobs. I'm a brickie here and so pass the skills test thingy. But how much work is available? I have no specific area in mind so wherever you are, I'd like to know.

Secondly, the health service. Is it like England? An NHS style sort of thing? I have to take tablets every day for epilepsy (it's under control so I'm not a danger or risk or owt like that) and I get my prescriptions for free (because of the epilepsy). Would I get them for free in Oz? Or how would I go about getting hold of them? It's no problem if I'd have to pay, I'd be happy to.

Thirdly, money. I don't have huge cash reserves but how much would I need to survive before I found work? I can be thrifty when I need to be but I don't want to live off beans on toast for weeks. How much are hostels? I've also looked into house sharing (some websites have people advertising for a roommate to help with bills so that's an option also).


I'm sure there's a few more but off the top of my head I can't think just yet.

As ever, any help is hugely appreciated.

Cheers

Re: Help on a few topics
 

Hi SteelCityBrickie :)

You mention skills assessment - does that mean you are looking at a permanent move?

Bricklaying is only on the CSOL, so if you pass the skills assessment you would need either employer or state sponsorship. Not sure what states have that occupation on their lists - each state produces its own migration plan

Re: Help on a few topics
 

Hmmmm, not as simple as I thought then (despite numerous agencies saying different). The skills assessment costs £2000. I know this as I met someone from 'ACTS' at a seminar in Manchester. That put me off straight away. That's a lot of money for someone to come and look at my work.

I have thought about going over and doing a college course in Oz in bricklaying. I'm sure it'd be cheaper and at least that way I've got an Australian qualification (I don't know whether building regs are different down your way). I could even do this outside of a temp job so I'm still earning money at the same time.

I'm also a qualified bookkeeper so that's another avenue I could go down (though I've never worked in this field).

Cheers again.

Edit: yes, I am considering permanent in the long term.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

Skills assessment for bricklayer in the UK would be Vetassess - http://www.vetassess.com.au/migrate_...ade_skills.cfm

Think the cost is around $2000 + GST, but I don't think it's a licensed trade so assessment would be technical interview rather than a practical on top of self assessment, and evaluation of your qualifications and references. All the info is on the link provided.

Not sure about coming to Oz to study. If you are under 31 you could get WHV to come over and try Australia and maybe you'd get lucky with an employer sponsor. Not sure what the work prospects are for brickies though

Re: Help on a few topics
 

You will pay for medications - Max around $31 per fill per month, you may also pay for doctors appointments (Pom migrants, more than anyone else seem to have a passion for hunting out bulk billing docs where you don't pay the co-payment though) - around $30 per visit to GP, $100 for specialists

They reckon you should bring enough to see you through 3-6 months without work (average wage is around $70k these days so say between $20 - 35k) and also consider set up charges - car, insurances, rental bonds, upfront rent etc. it's not a cheap endeavour. If you're single with no family then of course you can tighten your belt a bit more stringently.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

25k?! I'll see you in 20 years then....


I'm as good as finished with doctors now anyway so other than serious problems I'll be right as rain.

When I say I'm looking at permanent, that doesn't necessarily mean as soon as I leave this tarmac that's it. Ideally I'd want time over there first, get the feel for it, get some plans in place and then do it. But I want to do it before I turn 30 (I've just turned 27 so time is running out). April 5th is tax rebate day so I should be able to sort something straight after that.

Much appreciated as ever

Re: Help on a few topics
 

Because you've had previous medical issues, it may be worth seeking advice from a good MARA agent as to whether or not these would affect any future visa application.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

You got a link for MARA?

I spoke to a Dr at a seminar a couple year ago (before I'd had treatment) and he said there would be no problems.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

This is a link to their site - https://www.mara.gov.au/

Sometimes if you've had health issues, you can still get your visa but you may need to provide additional reports. Young spark has Asperger's and private psychologists report added nearly a grand to the costs :eek:

Re: Help on a few topics
 

As you're only 27 why not come out for a year on a WHV and see what you make of it? If you do 3 ,onths regional work within that time you could always apply for a second WHV too x

Re: Help on a few topics
 

This is the option I'm leaning towards. But would my option of permanent residency still be available (in the future)? I don't want to jeopardise any future plans at all. I know a WHV allows me to do just 6 month maximum work and the 2nd year option is there also.

Would I fall into work easy enough? That's a big concern of mine. I've been looking at mining recently as I've heard there's big bucks to be had (and I know its graft but I do that anyway).

Cheers.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

It's 6 months with one employer, and shouldn't affect future applications - as far as I am aware.

Mining is not so easy to get into. Seems to be a 'who you know' network - so I've heard.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

In the past when I looked at it I worked out it could affect a future application...because if I failed to get work in my nominated occupation, and the chances of that on a WHV would be quite high, that I would no longer meet a recent work experience requirement - 12 of the last 18 months kind of thing.

Now that may have changed, or be dependent on the particular skills assessment but it's something to look into.

Re: Help on a few topics
 

With regards to 'who you know'; if that's the case I'll leave it. I've had plenty of that stuff over the years myself so I know the deal with it.

Seems I'm learning some harsh lessons on here. Not that that's a bad thing of course. The more I can prepare the better.

Did any of you lot have trouble finding work?

Re: Help on a few topics
 

Given you have no mining experience or skills and there are thousands of miners that have been made redundant in the last 12 months looking for work, I would say your chances are zero.