thanks for the info re:blue card/green card

to find work in perth as a bricklayer do you need relevant qualifications(if so which ones) or does it go on just experience?

cheers

Yes you need Qualification papers and 5-7 years on the job depending on the trade you have.I'm what sure what that is for bricklayers

All construction workers will require a blue card in WA ,roof tilers would be in demand too as they are a follow trade from all the other trades .
Australia is like two diferent countries at the moment and the west is the best for any kind of construction with the east being quiet slow apart from queensland i believe .

No relevant qualifications or licence required in WA ,you will be judged on what you can do much like the uk .I believe vocational [experience ]is all that is needed to apply for migration as a bricklayer although a much more difficult route to go as it will depend on references ,it would be easier if one has C+G or NVQ plus references .

Thank you for the reply sassenach

hubby passed the TRA based solely on experience but the paperwork was very detailed and lengthy and a nightmare to compile !

He builds new builds here and hasn't been told he needs a blue card nor has been asked for one.

i work only in commercial work now ,but i think all those in the cottage industry will find eventually it will be enforced .Commercial work is bound by more regulations ,i think the enforcement side of it may well come via workers comp ,ie if you hire a man and he gets hurt and he hasnt a bluecard ,you as the subby will pay out of your own pocket for his injuries .Or it maybe if you get injured on a site as an employee and dont have a valid bluecard you may not be entitled to compo ,a bit rough if you bust your back .

what hours do bricklayers work and what time do they start in the morning, to beat the hot weather

We start at 7 finish at 330 ,you may find some of the housing guys who are working away from existing houses may start as early as 530-600am .

is it easy to get work in perth as a bricklayer

thanks for the relevent info re:qualifications required. its hard to know what to expect until we are actually there.

does anyone know if there are any different methods to australian bricklaying than there is in england that i should be aware about? or is it much of the same and pretty easy to pick up?

it's pretty easy to pick up. Hubby started off with an Oz gang to get the hang of things then went out on his own.

There are some differences but depends where you end up.

basically mate forget all your craftsman skills and just lash it up while the guvnor cracks the whip. throw your level away, they only build with profiles, dont worry about getting a bit of donald on the facework, you'll be using acid to wash the wall down after youv'e built it. Forget one gauge they use one of 5; 84mm, 85mm, 86,87+88mm. Blockwork is a different game altogether, you use these H blocks where you get about 25mm to lay your bed on and they swim all over the place. Prepare yourself for some numpty standing over your shoulder checking your'e doing it right and be ready to be treated like an apprentice until they realise that you are actually a better brickie than they are and then they hate you even more!!
Me? I effin love it

cheers ozspur for your answer, you have had us both in stiches, the mrs now knows what donald is.

so basically its easy to pick up. is there anything that you know of that i need to prepare myself for?

cheers

couldnt agree more .Theres donald duck flyin everywhere on our job .quack quack