This is my first post so here goes.

We are currently going through the visa process and hope to be in OZ sometime early next year but we are having the debate of where to reloacte to. Adelaide and surrounding areas or southside Brisbane. We understand the plus and minus for lifestyle etc but the big factor for us is work for my OH. I work currently for a PCT in clinical governance and audit so hopefully I can move into something else fairly easily.

Anyway my husband is by trade a heating engineer. He has over 12 yrs experience, a full plumbing apprenticeship, gas registered, oftec oil registered and solar hot water heating experince, so I would say pretty well skilled in the trade. I understand all about having to attend college and relicensing etc but pruely based on skills do you think he would stand more chance of getting similar work in SA or QLD.

It would be great to hear your views and experiences.

I can't speak for QLD as OH is plumber in SA and there is not much work about here unless you've got a workers/contractors licence. With a provisional licence you can expect to be paid about $24 p/h and be treated like a labourer. (as a comparison call centre jobs pay about $20 p/h)

To get workers licence it is possible that you will need to do a gap course at TAFE. My OH has completed an apprenticeship, has his NVQ certs, water regulations certs and still needs the course. We arrived in October and the next gap course is not until end of feb - it runs for 5 weeks. With the workers licence you can not work as self employed, you have to be employed by someone with a contractors licence. To work as self employed you need a contractors licence.

In order to get a contractors licence your skills have to be assessed - My OH will have to do another TAFE course that will last 1 year (this may not be the same for your OH as his qualifications may be different). In addition to this you have to prove that you can run a business, either by doing another couple of TAFE business courses or by running another business for a year as a Sole Trader.

This link will give you some more info for the SA requirements www.ocba.sa.gov.au/licensing/

It's a hard slog to be an immigrant and work as a plumber in SA.

Oh, by the way the charge you for all of the licences and the courses. If you can get hold of a CITB card the courses will be cheaper.

Hope this helps.

Mrs PHH

Thanks for the reply the info is great.

How's your OH finding work now? What did he think of having to go back to college, I know my OH isn't particularly looking forward to that part but he knows he must do it to get on out there.

If you don't mind me asking where are you living?

We're living in Strathalbyn, which is a small country town about 1 hr south of Adelaide. In order to get round the plumbing issues we are running a Home Maintenance company while OH does his plumbing courses, with this we get the years "running a business experience" we need as well. OH just couldn't bring himself work as a plumber but be treated as a labourer.

Mrs PHH

In Queensland you will need a license - this is in addition to the recognition exam thing you get in the uk. So its recognition of prior learning and I think some course work if you need it

Viv