Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi all,

I am a teacher and doesn't look likely that i'll be able to get a job in teaching in the areas that we want to live from looking at comments on here. My OH is a Building surveyor, this title doesn't exist in Oz (it is called a project manager we think) Is there anyone who has gone into surveying over there? What is the money like? Is it enough to support a family without an additional wage? Are there enough jobs about?

Any info would be appreciated. :)

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi, sorry been trying to find this post again for the last couple of days. Looked on that many different sites I couldn't remember where I had seen it.

Anyway, it would appear that the term Building Surveyor in Oz is used to describe what we would know in the UK as a Building Control Officer or Inspector. It is on the SOL list but not currently on the MODL list. It carries 50 points at the moment, so it will depend on your OH's age etc as to how many points you get.

Quantity Surveying is on the MODL list and many of your husbands skills will be applicable to the type of work that they do, but obviously they won't recognise him as being a qualified QS. Project Management is another avenue he could explore for work once you get there.

You may be able to get sponsorship (that's the avenue I am currently exploring).

I have a friend who is a migration expert and is currently doing some research for me on this. I can point you in his direction if you would like.

I am also investigating whether it's possible to perhaps do some additional modules (maybe at night school) to get recognised as either a Cadastre Surveyor or Forensic Surveyor, I'll let you know if anything comes of that.

Good luck with it all

J

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hiya,
I have bee in Oz for three months and am now working for a recruitment agency. I am in WA and can tell you that there are loads of jobs for project engineers over here.
Let me know if I can help more.
All the best
Heather:rofl:

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi
I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and the problem I have encountered is that the term 'surveyor' relates to cadastral surveyor and not building surveyor for which no direct equivalent exists. None thes less in the latest RICS Business Journal it states that there is a HUGE demand for the surveying profession in Oz with virtually no home-grown qualifies personel. Some companies are so desperate that they are considering training up carpenters and estimators to try to fill the void.

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

[QUOTE=Rock Ape;6463735]Hi
I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and the problem I have encountered is that the term 'surveyor' relates to cadastral surveyor and not building surveyor for which no direct equivalent exists. QUOTE]

It does exist, see my earlier post, it's just not a Building Surveyor as we know it. But then I'm currently doing the job of a Structural Engineer :D

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

[QUOTE=innojuk;6479734]Ah yes but that's the problem. A Chartered Building Surveyor is NOT a building control officer or Building Inspector. The dutues are worlds apart. If you have a look at http://www.abs.gov.au under UNIT GROUP 3121 ARCHITECTURAL, BUILDING AND SURVEYING TECHNICIANS you will see that Building Surveyor is listed (together with Clerk of Works) as an alternative title to Building Inspector. The duties are very restricted and specific to licensing of building works.

The jobs I have been offered as Building Surveyor are asking for the duties one woud expect in the UK of Building Surveyor. The problem is that the immigration forms to do allow for the use of one occupation title with the duties of another - hence the difficulties.

I believe that RICS Asia pacific is currently in talks with the various authorities in Oz & NZ to try to rectify this issue.

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Totally agree, all very annoying. Sorry if I didn't make my post clear, I was bascially saying the same as you.

I was looking at a sponsorship visa to go as a Surveyor but wasn't happy with the implications so am using my trade to go through the visa process.

My agent gave me an outline description of a role that a Building Surveyor would be able to fulfill and is on the MODL list and would have got me there on a sponsored visa but it wasn't called 'surveyor' from memory, I think it may have been a Project Manager.

I could send you the details if you wanted them, if you fancy exploring that route. I may be preaching to the converted but a sponsored visa does tie you into the sponsorer and it has been known for them to abuse it. You may be able to look at state sponsorship though which should be open to less abuse. I think you may have to live in an area though that may not be your first choice.

Sorry but I have no time for the RICS, i resigned my membership when they gave free tickets to estate agents (just my little rant)

Good luck with it all

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi,
I agree with you about RICS - many shortcomings in my opinion but that is a discussion for another day!

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Indeed, maybe over a beer in sunnier climes :D

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Looking at the 1121i form on the immigration website there are 2 surveyor descriptions 'Surveyor' which I understand to be cadestral and 'Building Surveyor' typically similar to surveyor role in UK but also can act as independent certifier in Oz too (you can certify privatly there rather than using council building control.) Check out AIBS good source of info and details for membership www.aibs.com.au

Building Surevyor is ASCO Code 2549-79, is a 50 point occupation and is presently on SOL & ENSOL see http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf

You can qualify with a diploma in Oz and as good knowledge of their buiding regs (Building Code of Australia) is required then might be worth doing some study before going. Correspondence courses are goo from OTEN which is Open Uni type extension of TAFE. see www.oten.edu.au/oten/oten.htm
They offer good recognition of prior learning I found and you can get credits for most of the courses leaving the Australian building regs and legislation parts. Saves getting then and having to start study!

Hope this is of some help.

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

I am quite surprised to find that UK Building Surveyors find it difficult to find their equivalent counterparts in OZ. We clearly need to do more work to get ourselves out there. Go to the AIBS (Australian Institute of Building Surveyors) website www.aibs.com.au

Building Surveyors are building control professionals. Administering building control legislation (which differs from state to state), the Building Code of Australia and the referenced Australian Standards. We work in private practise, local government, state government and federal government.

In some states the legislation refers to Building Surveyors as certifiers or similar. Typical example of government getting things wrong:-) We are Building Surveyors tracing our history back to the great fire of London, as do our UK and other country counterparts.

There is a Building Surveyor skills shortage in OZ, as there is with many professions. Plenty of work not enough people to do it. I am the Municipal Building Surveyor of Hume City Council in Melbourne. I am on the Exec of the AIBS Victorian Chapter. Hope that this is informative.

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Peter, many thanks for that info, however, therein lies the problem.
In the UK as Building Surveyors we are not building control officers as a rule. Some may be involved in that line of work but it's an area I haven't worked in. Most of my work has revolved around Dilapidations, Contract Administration, Condition and Acquisition Surveys, Party Wall Awards and the preparation and supervision of Schedules of Work. I am currently working for a firm of Structural Engineers dealing with subsidence, earthquake, flood and fire damage insurance claims to domestic properties.

Building Control here is administered by the Local Authority and the type of work you describe is undertaken by Local Authority employed Building Control Officers, they are not necessarily qualified surveyors.

Therefore the problem lies in filing out the forms for immigration. I cannot hand on heart say that I have experience of the type of work that my Australian counterpart undertakes. I could do it, no doubt about it but I have no experience in it. Also it's only worth 50 points which would leave me 5 points short of the required number.

But thanks for your input.

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Building Surveyors in OZ do the things that you speak of, we just use different terminology. Pople often confuse Building Inspectors with Building Surveyors You use the delapidation, we talk about standards of habitation or unfit for occupation. I employed a UK Building Surveyor about three years ago, it took him about two weeks to get into the groove and he fitted in well. We also do everything and anything relating to buildings, building control, structures, safety, protection works, derelict buildings, standards of habitation, buildings past their used by date etc etc etc

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Well thats good to know.

I will still be applying on my trade qualifications but any tips on places to look for Building Surveying vacancies in Oz??

Thanks

Re: Building Surveyor in OZ any Info!!!!!!!!!
 

Hi,

I am currently in the UK completing my MBA from a leading European Business School.

I have set up Building Consultancy and Project Management for two of the leading Building Surveying specialist consultancies in Australia and was also responsible for setting up the RICS Dilapidations working party on Dilapidations and had my own consultancy in Melbourne, so I think I can claim to know a little about Building Surveying and Project Management in Australia.

The Best Practice Guidance document was published in 2006 and I think it is still the only RICS publication produced offshore from the UK. Copies can be obtained from RICS in Sydney. The RICS in Australia are a far more dynamic beast and do an excellent job in Australia.

There are many opportunities for experienced and well qualified Chartered Building Surveyors in Australia.

I would suggest that the best possible route would be to follow the temporary visa route which I recall using for some of my staff, 457 which an employer will usually sponsor you for.

I would suggest that you approach direct the following companies which all employ chartered building surveyors and are good and reputable companies in building surveying and project management:

1. CB Richard Ellis - Projects Team.
2. Jones Lang La Salle - Projects Team.
3. Napier and Blakely
4. SGA Property Consultancy.
5. DTZ Australia.

I would also suggest you approach direct some of the quantity surveying firms such as Davis Langdon and Rider Hunt, which undertake property due diligence, which is a more detailed version of what you guys call building surveys.

I hope this helps and good look in your adventure.

If you have more specific enquiries, I am happy to be contacted at [email protected].

Best regards

Paul Anderson