I am coming to Australia in October/Noverber this year on a working holiday visa (417). I am a fully qualified electrician with 2 years experience after an apprenticeship in factory maintenance. I am hoping to work as an electrician or and electricians mate in Australia when I get there and am trying to sort everything out before leaving.

I just need to ask a few questions on what I should be doing before I leave.

Should I look at my skills being assessed by Vetassess before leaving?

Can the skills assessment be caried out on the visa I have and is this something I need to do in order to work as an electrician in Australia?

Please could you point me in the right direction as I am very confused as I have been told lots of different things and everything seems to change each year.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I couldnt find exactly what I was looking for with the search and most things on google seem to be out of date.

Thanks

Jon

If you are coming to Sydney then you can get work as an unlicenced sparky. There are jobs around. Check seek.com.au and also the local papers have jobs in. Not sure about elsewhere. I know years ago that Melbourne was a prick to get work unless you were licenced and in the union.

Thanks for that. I will bear that in mind. I am travelling with 2 mates and the plan was to end up in Perth for the final 6 months. Does anyone know what I need for Perth, Or can I apply for anything before leaving UK?

Cheers

hi jon
you can apply for an artc $300 ( dont bother with vettesess its just too dear $1200 ) as an electrical mechanic with this you can apply for a permit to train and get a job as a TA ( trades assistant )

but to be honest as your only going to be here for a year and you intend moving around i wouldnt waste you time chasing a full licence
i probably wouldnt even bother with the artc as a permit to train would only be vaild in its state of issue

not much use but relevant

regards steve

Thanks for that. I am planning on being in Perth for 6 to 8 months so would it be worth applying for the artc?

How long does it take to get and should I apply now before going or when I get there, sort it out?

Just trying to get as much done before going. Only have 8 weeks as only booked it last week!

Cheers

artc normally 30 days you`ll need your visa number and a mates address in au as they wont post it overseas

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Progr...ages/home.aspx

well jon,
I find myself in pretty much the same position as you,did you find out any more about un-licensed work in perth?Im in two minds as to going for my licence as it sounds stressful and expensive when il only be there for 8 months!!

Calculate yourself if its worth:

In my case it took me ca. 2-2,5 month (but u can do it faster) until i get my license (apply for it tomorrow). Cost me in total ca. 765$ (300 ARTC, 85$ Peer, 200$ books, sa-license 180$ (if the information on the obca-site is correct). Not included is the wa-license.

I am a backpacker too and will move to perth at octobre and will work there for 5 month. When u see how many job offers at seek.com.au are and the hourly pay, calculate how much u can earn .

I would say. its defenitely worth

when you put it like that it seems worth while!You have $85 for peer,i thought the course cost $900,thats what i gather from some of the other threads.Does anybody know if work is available for T.a's as i dont see any ads on SEEK etc?

Also steve o where would i look for the permit to train?thanks for the info lads,this site is a god send!!

electrical safty office ( qld ) is where licencs are issued in queensland
not 100% about other states

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-a...l-work-licence

NSW
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tr...lectrical.html


Victoria
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/ForElectri...6/Default.aspx

South Australia
http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/assets/fil...heet_07web.pdf

Western Australia
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energy...Licensing.html

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=29

Usually course cost 505$ and the requiered books 425$ (got them for 200$ (i sell them soon again :P))

Fair play Andi you have all the angles covered!Il be in perth in september so if your around an want to sell those books,im your man,cheers!