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

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

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.

Hi

Are you talking about the UK? :)

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

Yes I am talking about the UK in the above quote

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

Hi

Thanks for the reply and I do wish you good luck with your future.

As regards to your quote you are very much mistaken on a couple of points.

Building Control service is currently provided by the local authority and the private sector.

Furthermore Building Control Surveyors do have an qualification in order for them to undertake the duties of a competent Surveyor. It takes a competent Surveyor to walk onto site and talk through the construction of a building or buildings with no plans. I personally had to discuss a project with 400 dwellings brick/block and timber frame construction in order for the contractor to show compliance. The contractor in his wisdom decided to submit the project on a Building Notice application, which doesn't require the applicant/agent to submit plans.

My background is BSc Hons Building Surveying and MSc Building Control as well as RICS, CIOB & ABE. Previous experience included general practice surveying, housing and facility management.

So Building Control Surveyors are more qualified than you think and some are quiet devised as well. :)

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

Actually I deal with them on a daily basis and my ex father in law is one. He has no qualifications what so ever to be a Building Control officer other than 35 years in a trade background. He is not, never has been and never will be a Surveyor. He is one of many that I know with no formal qualifications. Ergo my comment that 'some of them' have no formal qualifications.

The fact that the Govt changed the rules a few years ago to allow the private sector to operate in this field makes no difference what so ever, I deal with them as well and quite a few have no formal qualifications.

I would far rather deal with someone who has site experience and no formal qualifications than the vast majority of the 'know nowt' straight out of Uni numpties that I have to deal with. They aren't fit to lace most site foremans shoes and if it's 'not in the book' they are stuck

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

Ha ha you made me laugh.

I guess I one of them university lot but I have managed to gain the respect of the RICS, CIOB and ABE through knowledge and competence. A Surveyor who has no complaints to date and can speak in layman terms to builders etc and get completed projects.

I afraid I have witnessed trade background Building Control Surveyors, who have been on the tools and haven't got a clue on how to comply with the Building Regulations they are a liability in some cases. That is not a dig at your ex father law or all trade background individuals.

I am currently witnessing a BCS who has been doing Building Control work for over 20 years making up the regulations as he goes along in order to show his authority. (Its a power thing and lack of knowledge)

Yes i agreed that there is alot of students that come out of university not knowing anything but that is the same for Building Surveyors as well Building Control Surveyors. Still to this day I am gobsmacked at the some of the rubbish that sits before me on professional interviews to become Chartered Status Surveyors but on the other hand there is some excellent individuals who I wouldn't hesitate to employ.

:)