British Expats - ARTC help!

Hi!

This is a long post - but i've been reading all night about electrical licenses and getting recognised in Australia! it doesn't help that i'm the least technical person i know! any advice is much appreciated!

I'm an Australian and my partner is about to migrate here on a fiance visa from the US. (i know this is UK specific forum but this seemed like the best place to come to and ask about this! - the internet has been a maze of info!). We'll be living in Sydney, NSW.

My partner has been working for about 12 years in the USA working as a building services engineer in large commercial buildings. His resume lists stuff from repair work on HVAC systems, building maintenance, electrical work, plumbing and boilers.

He currently has the following certificates;
General Certificate of Engineering
General Certificate of Electrical Proficiency

and has studied a bunch of courses at the 'National Association of Power Engineers' - which i think is the US industry body. some of the courses are as follows;

CFC Universal License
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration I
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration ll
Basic Controls
Basic Electricity
Schematic
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical Motor Controls
Low Pressure Boilers

and here are the questions...

1) When he gets here - we would like to apply for an ARTC - but are unsure what they will recognise? i know hes qualified to do electrical work in the US - but not sure if its the equivalent of an electrical license in australia?? does anyone have any advice?

2) Once you complete an ARTC - will the TRA tell you what gap training you need to complete to get an electrical license? will they basically just assess your qualifications/experience against anything in australia and translate them to the equivalent aussie qualifications? (whether it be electrical or otherwise?)

3) also - how hard is it to find work without an electrical license?

from the listed qualifications above - do you think that he'll be able to find work? do you think he'll be able to get some of his qualifications recognised?

Thanks for your help!