Hi,
My partner and I would love to emigrate to australia. He will complete his 3 year electrician apprenticeship in July 2010. Can anyone tell me how much experience he will need before we can even think about emigrating?? (we would go 2moro if we could!!) Or if we can gain this experience while living in oz?? Also if he can work as an electrician on a working holiday visa? Any info would be helpful
Thanks Isabel

Hi Isabel,

I moved to Australia the week after I qualified on a working holiday visa and have been working as an electrician since I got here. Where did your partner do his apprenticeship and how did he do it in 3 years?..Its normally 4. Have you looked into getting a licence to work as an electrician in Australia. Saying its not easy to get it is an understatement but its worth it in the end!

Adrian

Hi Adrian,

The other half (Kev) knows all the info of the apprenticeship, so I apologise if this doesn't explain it. I think he said, its 3 years and then he has to do the AM2, so if he gets booked on that after he qualifies, he would have completed it within the 3 years. If that makes any sense! lol
How long have you been living in australia? Do you find it difficult finding work because, am I right in thinking you can only work with one employer for no longer than 6 months, on a working holiday visa??
I dont really know much about the licence. Ive been trying to look for the info but it gets so confusing! Would you be able to give us any clues as to where to start? We're not afraid of the hard work, just as long as we get there in the end! The thought of staying in england is depressing! lol

Thanks for the reply
Isabel

I've been living in Australia for almost 2 years. It can be quite difficult to get work as an electrician without a licence. There is lots of info on this forum about how to go about it. First of all you need to get your trade recognised and get an ARTC by going through TRA. After you do this you can then do the exam to get your liccence. I did this through PEER in Adelaide where it can be done through correspondence and then just go there for 2 days to do the exam. This is by far the quickest and easiest way of doing it. The requirements for getting the licence vary from state to state with some requiring you to keep a logbook of your work for 6 months or more before you can get it. Where are you thinking of moving to? In Perth you need to do a course for 2 weeks full-time or 10 weeks part-time and then complete the exam. I would recommend doing it through PEER as would alot of other guys on the forum as it is alot easier. You can even get the books sent over to the UK before you leave to get a headstart. Hope this helps and best of luck!!

Adrian

Thanks Adrian thats a big help, just been looking at the website now. After reading about the TRA, think we might have to wait until he's done four years. Looking at the peer website it def seems the best option, when/if we get the ARTC!
Are you still working on a working holiday visa? I thought it was only valid for a year? Do you find it easy to get work? We was looking at western australia but not 100% sure, just trying to get as much info as possible!
Sorry for all the questions! lol

Thanks again
Isabel

I'm still on the working holiday visa. I done 3 months regional work to get a second year visa. I have found it reasonably easy to get work since I've had the licence..it wasn't as easy without it! Western Australia would be a good choice as there are plenty of big projects starting this year so jobs should be plentiful.

Hi, Can you make something a little clearer for me please. Do you require the ARTC even if you are coming to Australia to work as an employee for a firm, or do you need the ARTC if you want to work for yourself ? IE self employed/own business.

Regards

SC

ARTC stands for Australian Recognised Trade Certificate. You need to get an ARTC in order to apply for an electrical licence. The electrical licence will enable you to work for an electrical company as an employee. Most companies will be reluctant to hire somebody without a licence. To become self employed you would need to get a contractors licence which even harder to get.

Hi.

Thank you for your prompt reply. The information was very usfull.

Best regards

SC