Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi, first time on here.
Can anyone give me any idea on wages for a fabricator/welder in the GC area. Also what sort of licensing do i need when i get there? TRA stuff due back in next week.
Thanks
Trevor

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi - can't help with your question but I'd be intrigued to know as well!! My fella is a welder/fabricator specialising in aluminium and light gauge steel - what sort do you do? how did you find your TRA forms? (so many questions!!! sorry!!);)

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

hi, i work with thick and thin steel,structural and sheet as well as aluminium and stainless. The TRA stuff wouldn't have been as bad if i had thought to save every bit of paperwork i've ever received in relation to work in the last 23 years!! We should have an answer within a week or so..has your OH tried to contact any employers yet? I read on another thread that exp07 is a good place to get in touch with employers.

thanks
Trevor

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

sorry jumping in we are gathering all our information for the TRA they are looking for certified true copies what is that. we have all the trade papers my husband is a welder/frabicator as well he has got references from places he worked in before is that enough what paper work do you need sorry about all the questions.

when my husband was over in Australia back in April he was told you can earn from 1000 oz dollars upwards a week all depends were you were working out side Brisbane nearer the 1000 mark but there is a lot of building in Brisbane so you can earn pretty good money there we have friends living over in the sunshine coast and they were checking it out for us put that back in to euros and its very good money epically when you compare the rate of living is lower in Australia to here

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

wages vary. should be looking at $25 p/h upwards -$50,000 a year with 9% super on top. lots of jobs- i have been offered everyone i applied for in bris- and most companies have lots of overtime and you should get $70,000+ a year without working weekends. apply for your artc when you arrive although no one has asked for mine yet!! get a good cv together and apply when you get here, internet , courier- mail etc. not worth trying to get sorted out from uk in this line of work as , at the moment the skill shortage is bad, jobs are easy to get. don't be surprised if you don't start on a great rate. if you are good ,your rate will be bumped up to keep you. if not move on. lots of work in this line in the gc too. don't put much faith in agencies. look for yourself. not saying don't use an agent, just not on it's own.
ultimately, with say 6-4.30 mon to fri and the odd sat morning you can expect to gross over $80,000, although not everyone wants to do extra hours.
conditions in most shops are very like uk.

good luck!:thumbsup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

don't think it's cheaper here. in my opinion it is, but only very slightly. some may find it more expensive depending on circumstances. it is very much swings and roundabouts.
ultimately you should earn a similar salary to the uk, but may have to move around or prove yourself to get there.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Guess ill have to do some research so i am comparing house prices and food shopping to Ireland I live in Dublin and the houses prices are mad for example if you wanted to buy a 4 bed house in a nice area you would be looking at 600,000 euro which is 941,118.00 oz dollars depending on the area the same house. in Australia i found a 4 bed 2 bathroom house for $347,000 which is 221,267.34 euro that a good difference we would have to move to the arse whole of no were to afford a house here but when we go over we are planning on renting on till we are sure of what we are going to do. ill have to find out more on food and that

but i guess we will have to go over expecting a lower wage just in case so any thing after that will be a bonus :D

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

if you're moving from dublin the house prices will be cheaper. it's all relative eh?
at the end of the day there is much more to a move to another country than being better off, but no one wants to be a lot worse off. do a lot of research and don't wear rose tints;) and all will be fine:thumbsup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Good post - just what I was going to say...:D We've found that our standard of living isn't particularly better, but you will get a better/bigger house for your money here. Lifestyle wise though - definitely better.:thumbsup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

I am still shocked at what you can get for your money house wise not that we have the money at the moment to buy :D your right the main reason for moving is to have a better quality of life for our children and to experience a different country but as you said i don't want to be worse off than i am here. as long as the bills are paid food on the table and a little left over for fun or what ever then ill be happy:D im looking forward to being out side more we love hiking camping all that kinda stuff here but more often than not the rain put a spanner in the works:D

thanks for replying ;)

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Where is the GC area?

keel

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi,
My hubby passed the TRA as first class welder, we had to gather A LOT of evidence, especially since he is self eployed, but luckily the application sailed through(it was 2 weeks bloody hard work to get there though, but worth it!:thumbsup:) Just had acknowledgment of visa 136, and now we wait. We haven't got much idea about the certificate (artc???:confused:) he MAY need when/if we arrive before he commences work, can anybody give specific's please?:thumbsup:
Thanks,
Michelle, Henk and kids............:D

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Gold Coast, Qld

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Gold coast. A word of warning to fab/welders coming over. You are deemed a boilermaker so welders could be expected to read drawings and platers could be expected to do a weld test. Had to do two plates (vert and o/head) but being a welder, I finished them very quickly and guy was very impressed. Because I finished the plates very fast, he kept me welding all the time I was there. Was on $28 casual then $25 permanent. Started another job 1mth ago. $35 on the back shift and all o/t at double time but paid off when work got slow. Start another job in a couple of weeks as I'm not in a rush after getting a big tax rebate:thumbsup: Welding with innershield wire which I'm not too happy about but I'll give it a go.:) Millions of work in Northern Qld.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

sounds good so how many hours a week do you do and was the tax rebate from home or from Australia if you don't mind me asking :D how do you find welding in the heat
thanks

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

38hrs is a bare week and anything over that should be at least time and a half and double on sunday. Be careful as the AWA(Aus work agreement)? varies from company to company but the good thing is, if you get fed up for whatever reason you just leave as there is lots of work. My rebate was from here as its law you have to fill one every year at end of June. Amounts vary violently and its not automatic.:cool:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi Guys

My OH is a diesel fitter (Heavy Plant mechanic) but has learnt welding on the job over the last 7 years or so. Although he doesn't have any formal Quals in Welding. Would he need certifates to get a welding job in Aus?

Kerry

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

so check that twice:thumbsup: it good that this trade is in high demand makes it easier to find work how are you finding living on the wages better than home or about the same :D

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Why would he want one. Diesel fitters in higher demand than boilermakers around the coal mines of northern qld.:thumbup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Ah you see we are off to Tas, I wouldn't be able to stand the heat on the mainland, plus love the 4 seasons. Diesel Fitters are in demand everywhere and so are Welders, its just that he was thinking of going more into welding as he enjoys that more, plus he's bought himself a welder and was kinda hoping to slowly start up his own little fabricating business. But is unsure if there are any regulations on qualifications in this field.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

If I go to the mines, I'll make abt $50 hr but I didnt come all the way to Aus to work away from home. I did that in Scotland and I now like my own bed every night. I find I can live quite comfortably with $25-30 and have the weekends to myself and spend it with the family. Everybody has different goals but I was dead 4 months ago and it changes your priorities slightly.:thumbsup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Is he a sadist:confused:He enjoys welding. He obviously hasn't done much if he enjoys it. Welding is a means of making a comfortable living. Nothing more or less. Small fab shops are notoriously difficult to keep going as you can only have small contracts due to size of workforce and premises and my advice would be to stick to his trade and weld as a sideline. If it picks up, then he can maybe have a serious go at it. I'm talking from experience Kezz where I've watched a lot of mates try it and fail miserably costing them a lot of money in the process. Good luck anyway.:thumbup:ps. No regulations but H & S are everywhere.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Thanks Framac I just think he likes the idea of working for himself. He's fed up of being knee deep in cow shit fixing tractors and diggers! :D

It's not too bad in the summer but in the winter he gets pissed off coming home covered in Crap!

A side line sounds like what he was thinking of to be honest to begin with and if it took off so be it, if it doesn't then oh well never mind.

Sorry, so you don't have to have any formal Qual to do welding then?

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

i know what you mean my oh was away for a month it was horrible and we thought of the mines our selfs he even got a job offer but we have decided we would really have to need the money in a bad way to do that as we want to spend time together as a family. :D i Like your attitude very positive:thumbsup:
to me the wages sound great at even $25 dollars an hour comparing our wages to out goings over here we will be better off in Australia so roll in April its time to get the hell out of dodge:lol::lol:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi,
Has anyone got an answer for my previous post?
Michelle:)

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi Michelle, do welders need another certificate what is the artc as far as i knew once you had your visa you can work :)

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi,
Thanks a lot, that makes life a bit easier:thumbsup:
Michelle...

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Michelle, been at this game fo 30 years and dont know what that is. Came here certified to the eyeballs but as usual in the welding world, I have to sit a practical welding test and pass it before I get the job.
Baby, thats the best way to think. I chased money for years and made plenty but at the end of the day you just spend it faster and on more sh**e than usual:thumbup:
ps. Baby where are you in Ireland

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Thanks Framac to me i rather be happy than rolling in it and your right the more you have you spend it. burns a hole in the pocket:lol: once we are happy and comfortable ill be happy
Im from Dublin south side :D

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Thanks framac,
We kind of expected that he would have to do some kind of practical test, I think he'd rather do that than have to fanny around getting certified! Hubby has also been in the game for a while, and our way of thinking is if it can get us our ticket out of here it's all been worth it, it doesn't mean he will necessarily do it forever, but in the first instance he has something to bring a wage in, right? Personally I can't stand that it's what he does, he is always grubby:frown: and I think it's not exactly healthy as a profession! On the other hand he is self employed right now and is bringing in some cracking money, but Jesus, he's puttin the hours in!!! Henk hates to be pigeonholed and for all intents and puposes he is a welder, but if you asked he would say 'boilermaker', no question. So, let's hope he can slow down and evetually get into something that floats his boat!:eek: What are you up to at the moment?
Michelle, Henk......:thumbsup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

hi
if you are unsure about any TRA stuff you can check things out on their website. Certified copies are all documents asked for by TRA, photocopied, then taken to a solicitor who will stamp and sign the copies saying that they are ''certified copies'' of an original document..don't send any originals coz they will just post everything back to you to do again!! If you check the website you will see that it takes quite a bit of work to get all the info needed, especially, if like me you've got none of it due to house moves, divorces etc etc etc
cheers trev

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

hi thanks alot for that..where do you live at, and how long there?
cheers again
trev

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi All, just found this site, i am moving to Brisbane on the 5th August. At present I work for an Oil company in Aberdeen, Scotland as their welding foreman. I have been making arrangment for the past 2 years to move over, cant wait. I have read all the quotes, especially about the TRA, yip its strict, but that a good thing, keeps all the fly by night couldn't stick sh*t to a blanket dodgers out. Anyway the big ticket out there for me seems to be CERT 10, this allows you to become a supervisor and up, its easy to get if you are CSWIP. I could do with finding out a bit more general information about living in Brisbane.
Does anybody know of good areas around the southside of Brisbane that are good for welding work, but more importantly good to stay in.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hey bill what oil company do you work for then in aberdeen,im also from this area well not aberdeen but outside it aberdeenshire,i am a pipefitter and also work for a oil contractor and others in the past,also hopeing to head to brisbane cause i have a girl there i want to be with.
Perth is the idea place for our kind of work,as worked there in 2004 for 3 months on a working holiday visa,i just came back from brisbane in march 19th with being there for 3 months and thats where i think i will head,have no idea best areas to go,but its nice there and hot most of the time.
been thinking about going to oz since 2000 and now in the process of doing my tra,just hope i can pass.
maybe we will be on the same job over there one day.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Hi, Working for Weatherford UK. The TRA are OK as long as you have papers and history on paper.

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

hi, the artc is done through the tra. you basically send off the same application you sent to the tra and get an australian recognised trade certificate(artc) this gives you an australian qualification.it can only be done when resident in oz .
framac is spot on about weld test etc. you are unlikely to need an artc but may feel more comfy having something on paper. it's more relevant for plumbers and sparkies who can't work without one

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

lots of areas in the south. carole park, rocklea, coopers plains, slacks creek all have welding work and close to corinda, sherwood and graceville , all great residential areas

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

been here 2 months and renting in graceville. really good area but don't think we will be able to afford to buy here.
i think getting a good house in agood area presents the biggest challenge here.:thumbup:

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

Thanks for clueing us up kporte!:thumbsup:
Michelle Henk n family!!!:D

Re: Fabricator/welder in GC
 

might sound stupid :o but is the TRA the work assessment you send off before you can apply for you Visa
what papers do you need beside your trade papers, and references from past employers. do you need your employer to write out a detailed list of what your duties were while you were working for them :D thanks