downesy22

Hey people. I been thinking about working in Austrailia, mainly because the UK is awful for opportunities and work.

Anyway, how would I go about getting the ball rolling. I have experience in construction and looking to use that to get a job over Austrailia. Just don't know where to get started.

Any advice welcome.

thanks

verystormy

What qualifications do you have? Do you have a trade?

downesy22

I have a NVQ level 2 in Welding & Fabrication. Worked on a few power station sites as a Industrial Painter (but no official qualification for that) and I'm currently doing a city & guilds level 2 in Plumbing studies.

Got a few tickets to my name as well like CSCS, IPAF & CCNSG safety passport.

coldbeer

If you're looking to come over long term the first question is do you qualify for a visa. You could get a working holiday one but it only lasts for a year.

downesy22

I haven't got a criminal record, is there other things that are taken into account?

Dorothy

Yes there are. Take a read of www.immi.gov.au to see whether you actually qualify for anything. Be aware that not everyone does.

Oh, and Australia is not some utopia. There's unemployment and crime here, as well.

downesy22

Ok thanks for the link.

Still can't be as bad as the UK though, the unemployment out here is awful. hardly any opportunities for apprenticeships etc.

What's the cost of living like?

downesy22

Ok thanks for link.

Even still I bet it's a lot better than the UK especially with unemployment rates over here through the roof. I've even considered trying to get an apprenticeship over there because its all who you know over here and plumbing apprenticeships are hard to come by :/

Anyway, what's the cost of living like?

coldbeer

Sorry but

Yes, getting a permanent visa is not an easy process, I'd guess only about 20% of people qualify for one. You need very specific skills which are assessed by an industry body, lots of paperwork, heath checks, character checks, police checks etc etc.

There are a lot more people who want to move to Australia than can be allowed in, especially from lower wage countries. In fact its such an involved process some people get a specialist agent to handle their application. Generally it costs thousands and takes 6-18 months.

Or you could get a Working Holiday Visa, much simpler but only for young people (under 30?) and only lasts for a year, after that you have to go home or apply for a perm visa.

Try the visa wizard - http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/

downesy22

I don't want to permanently move to Australia just work out there for a while. I tried the wizard online and they couldn't come up with a visa that suited my needs, think that's because I put down I want to stay for over 12 months.

I'm wondering if there are any big jobs going on put there that pay well.

Dorothy

Yes, there are. However they go to people who have the skills and experience to do them.

Go back to the DIAC page (I gave you the link above) and look at working holiday visas. You can come for a year, work for any employer for up to 6 months and if you do 3 months of specified rural work you can apply for a second year.

As for getting an apprenticeship here, I'm afraid that's not likely to happen. There are plenty of Australians who want apprenticeships and not enough spots for them all.

Pomster

You are only eligible for an apprenticeship if you are a permanent resident or citizen.

However if you wanted to take a qualification at an Australia educational facility, you might get a student visa- but you also need to have the funds to pay for the course.

Amazulu

I admire your enthusiasm dude but your best bet is to get skilled and then apply to emigrate - most of us have had to do just that.

Yoy sound like you're a young guy so have plenty of time to get yourself sorted

Good luck

downesy22

Thanks for the feedback people.

I've looked at the 12 month visa and it does appeal to me. I think for me to move over to Austrailia is if I could earn serious money, it's a big risk to take. If being fully qualified is what it takes then so be it.

I will have to make sure that I become a plumbing & heating engineer over here then see if I still want to move over to work. It really does appeal to me though. I did have a family member living over there but he's passed on.