yeah i had an ace time over there thanks, and can't wait to get back! When i did my assessment in Oct i got a verbal offer of employment and then had a meeting with their immigration officer who just said that they were hoping to have the LA back in place early 2010. They would then contact me to progress my application. I'm so keen to get started the wait is killing me!

Hi all, are we still all waiting 4 the LA to be renewed? I have'nt heard anything yet, but really hope something happens soon! can't wait to get stuck into the Aussie way! On a separate note, is anyone on here doing their diploma in paramedic science? i'm ploughing through mine at the mo and wondered what (if anything) it could be put towards in Oz? i'm keen to get my diploma and then a degree (), and wondered if anyone knew if i could carry it on in Oz?
Phil

The natural progression of paramedicine seems to be moving towards a university level education. OZ is no exception. I believe ASNSW is one of the few which do not require a degree, yet. I believe to be a MICA medic with MAS you need a degree in paramedicine, although I am not certain about this. I think it would defiantly benefit you to continue with the degree. I'm sure it would help with promotions and movement within the service.

ASNSW is indeed being very quiet about the LA. The letter, which was sent out to everyone in November, said early 2010 they expect the LA to be in place. Early 2010 has come and gone and still no LA. I wish they would just tell us something! Anybody heard anything at all about the LA?

Haven't heard anything lately about LA. Do know that they are very short and holes in rosta's everywhere. So much so that they are not granting any leave until the end of June when it will be reviewed. So, when you have worked a year to gain your years leave entitlement, you are then prevented from taking it!

When you have moved your family to other side of world and endured all the stresses involved with it, you really need a break, especially after a years work to experience some of what you came for. Looks like it will have to wait. Then again, there is more than 1 way to skin a cat!

[QUOTE=swigski;8444241]Haven't heard anything lately about LA. Do know that they are very short and holes in rosta's everywhere. So much so that they are not granting any leave until the end of June when it will be reviewed. So, when you have worked a year to gain your years leave entitlement, you are then prevented from taking it!

i am on leave at the moment. maybe try change of station?

[QUOTE=teepee;8446041] block applied for was free on station. Too many off in sector! They have blocked all leave applications until end of June so doesn't matter what station I'm at really

[QUOTE=swigski;8446097] How do you find the first year without any AL? Are you too busy trying to qualify as an ICP to worry about time off? If you can't take AL, did you find there were enough rostered days off, or did you find you worked heaps of night shifts and weekends like our newbies do here?
I don't mean this to sound like i'm just looking for a big holiday! I was just curious as to how things work!

[QUOTE=its_a_big_jump;8446202] First year is basically 8 weeks at college Mon-Fri 8-4 ish. The 10 weeks on road as P1 doing 12 hr shifts 4 on 5 off, then 10 wks ICP on doing same shifts then just continuing as ICP on shifts. Work a rolling roster over 9 weeks so everyone works the same. You only get told your next 9 week roster 1 week before. Don't get me wrong, the 5 off is good.
The point I'm making is that it is very stressful and once you do eventually start to settle you realise how frazzled you are and in need of a good break. You can only get leave in 3 week blocks x 2 or 1 6 week block and you get paid for 8 weeks.

sorry to hear bout your sector probs. not much consolation but i will have a beer for you tonight. hope you feel it go down mate. as regards skinning a cat etc, i had 1 day on workers comp injured last week but needed a further 5 days off to get the note to go back. strange system!

[QUOTE=swigski;8446301] Thanks swigski for the info, sounds like quite a fair system, I can imagine you would feel a bit frazzled after 12 months without AL! I'm on an excellent rota here that runs over 16 weeks, then goes back to the start at week one and just continually runs. We hardly ever do more than 3x12 hour shifts in a row and regularly get 7 days off together. When I came to Oz last year I took 19 shifts off and that translated into 7 weeks holiday in Oz. However, I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the ICP training and experiencing working in Australia. Hope you get some well deserved time off soon! Thanks again for the info!

About the degree.....yes, it is really beneficial if you want to apply for further progression within the service. This maybe Spec Ops, SCAT, ECP or even management. The whole recruitment process is one point scoring exercise and the more points you have, the more likely you'll be employed. A degree in a related discipline gives you a 10 point head start that just cannot be made up by those without a degree.

hi
i wonder if anybody as heard anything about the long awaited labour agreement?
i, like most have been waiting all winter to get my ass out of this freezing hellhole and now the news is constantly full of the election it must surely be time to start packing.

if anybody has any info please tell so i can finally decide wether to buy an england or australian world cup football shirt.

An England one of course, wherever you are! And trust me if you think UK election stuff drives you nuts wait till you expeience the Aus equivalent, its enough to send people running for cover!

Hi fairdinkum, I'm in exactly the same boat as you awaiting this bloomin labour agreement and as of yet i'm none the wiser! It's been a long winter and motivation began to lack there for a while; thinking i'd never get to Oz! However i'm preoccupied now as i've crossed over to the dark side and become a station manager! However i'd drop it all in a 'fast AF' heart beat in favour of Oz! (not that i said that in my interview of course!)

Hi all you lucky guys who made it out to oz before the end of the labour agreement.wonder if you could answer a couple of questions,i have been informed when the new labour agreement comes into place that the post offered will be Qualified Paramedic and not ICP.Would be grateful if anybody could shed some light on the differance in skill level and the monetary differance.