Guest lynne Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 We have been in Perth for over a month (not long I know). My husband is a plumber from UK and is having a lot of hurdles to cross to work here. He has applied for plumbing license to be a tradesperson. He can only work under the direction/guidance of another contractor. Pay money to governemnt. for this and that. If he wants to start his own business he has to go back to school for 2+ years to learn to run a business! (He already ran one in UK) and numerous other restrictions.All the UK plumbers here are saying what caveman standards the plumbing is here. He is so frustrated. Adverts for plumbers say e.g. 5 years + experience in Western AUs. He has also been told e.g. fixing a tap leak in a house, have to sign and lodge compliant cert. etc paperwork which also enables a statutory 6 year protection for consumers. I would not mind if they did quality work over here! It's almost laughable! Perhaps life in UK is not so bad after all, at least you can be a real qualified proud plumber If you have not left England yet and are a plumber, please be aware. I am sitting in front of leaflets /paperwork from the WA Plumbing licencing board. It's not easy ANy helpful comments would be appreciated from anyone and any plumber already here. Got any jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scor81 Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Wow, thats rough. I had no idea it was so hard for plumbers here. I've met lots of plumbers on sites and some of them are real idiots.. you can tell that they don't know what their doing. Good luck, let us know how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have worked in UK construction for a very long time, I have been here for nearly 2 years. I think its pretty unfair to be making the derogatory statements you do about Australian tradesmen. They take trades pretty seriously here, and that is a good thing, its obviously very different here, but there are plusses and minuses. I can tell you that there is some absolute dross in the UK also. You will win no friends and support and support from Australians with these kinds of superior attitudes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazbevo Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 First thing to say is that this is from a plumber's other half and not the plumber himself! Next thing to say is don't panic. No it isn't easy, and will have come as a bit of a shock if you didn't realise all of this before you came out, but it isn't impossible to sort out. Yes your OH does need to get his tradesperson's licence, and until he does he can only work under supervision, but once he has it he will be fine. If he is going to do anything with gas then he will need to get his gas permit too. It would be a very good idea to get his blue card if he hasn't already as he won't be able to work on any sites until he has that - but that is very straightforward and reasonably cheap. We were very lucky in that we had to come out to validate our visas and Daz stayed behind to do his migrant's plumbing and gas courses. This was last October, and he was able to do them in a one week block full-time for plumbing and two weeks block full-time for gas. The rumour at the time was that they were going to stop offering them in a block like that and make them part-time evening study, but I don't know if they went through with that? Obviously it is much quicker to just do them full-time and get them out of the way because you have your cards then and can work without supervision quicker. Daz is going to also now do his servicing ticket, and was due to start that on Monday but apparently the MPA have been broken into this morning and so it has been put back until the end of the month! He has found work too - he's working for Tap Doctor at the moment. This was only a temporary position to cover sickness, which suited at the time due to him wanting to do this course, but his boss has extended it for a while longer, which is good. And then there is the contractors course which Daz is going to do via evening study, though I'm not sure exactly what this covers, being only the plumber's wag! Daz has spoken to lots of people who have said that work is out there, and that it is worth applying for jobs even if they do state that WA experience is required, as some companies can be flexible on this if you have lots of experience and fit what they are looking for. Also, don't be afraid to cold call, and to call to chase up applications. Would it be worth seeing if you can find someone who will give your hubby some work experience, if even for a couple of weeks, and even if he is having to do it as a voluteer? That way he can get a bit of experience to put on his CV, a reference possibly, and he can also see for himself what it is actually like to be plumbing here, rather than relying on what others think. It is different, but we're in a different country with different ways of doing things. And yes it is frustrating not to be able to hit the ground running straight away, but I guess Australia is just protecting it's own back, so to speak. Don't forget to save all your reciepts for any courses and tools etc, and take advice once your hubby is working, as you can claim quite a lot back when you fill in your end of year tax form. Hope you get it all sorted out - but you have only been here a month which is no time at all. It will fall into place, Best wishes, Cheryl xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest1337 Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have worked in UK construction for a very long time, I have been here for nearly 2 years. I think its pretty unfair to be making the derogatory statements you do about Australian tradesmen. They take trades pretty seriously here, and that is a good thing, its obviously very different here, but there are plusses and minuses. I can tell you that there is some absolute dross in the UK also. You will win no friends and support and support from Australians with these kinds of superior attitudes. Well said Greg these people clearly haven't heard of FIFO (Fit in or F*ck off) lol:eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scor81 Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Greg said: I have worked in UK construction for a very long time, I have been here for nearly 2 years. I think its pretty unfair to be making the derogatory statements you do about Australian tradesmen. They take trades pretty seriously here, and that is a good thing, its obviously very different here, but there are plusses and minuses. I can tell you that there is some absolute dross in the UK also. You will win no friends and support and support from Australians with these kinds of superior attitudes. I'm a plasterer, and have been for many years. I've been over here in Perth for the best part of 5 years now, and I worked in the construction industry for in the UK for about 10 years. In my trade, I can tell you for certain that the skill level, quality and competence of tradesmen here in Perth is WAY below what you would find in the UK. Yes there are good and bad examples or workmanship everywhere, but what I mean to say is, like for like.. if you took the very best examples of the Plasterers that Perth has to offer, time served tradesmen who should be able to give you quality work everytime and compared them like for like with their UK counterparts, then the guys that were taught here will be made to look very average indeed. And the same goes for plumbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bobcat Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 We have been in Perth for over a month (not long I know). My husband is a plumber from UK and is having a lot of hurdles to cross to work here. He has applied for plumbing license to be a tradesperson. He can only work under the direction/guidance of another contractor. Pay money to governemnt. for this and that. If he wants to start his own business he has to go back to school for 2+ years to learn to run a business! (He already ran one in UK) and numerous other restrictions.All the UK plumbers here are saying what caveman standards the plumbing is here. He is so frustrated.Adverts for plumbers say e.g. 5 years + experience in Western AUs. He has also been told e.g. fixing a tap leak in a house, have to sign and lodge compliant cert. etc paperwork which also enables a statutory 6 year protection for consumers. I would not mind if they did quality work over here! It's almost laughable! Perhaps life in UK is not so bad after all, at least you can be a real qualified proud plumber If you have not left England yet and are a plumber, please be aware. I am sitting in front of leaflets /paperwork from the WA Plumbing licencing board. It's not easy ANy helpful comments would be appreciated from anyone and any plumber already here. Got any jobs? Plumbing down-under has been very good to me over the years. Yes it is different; granted there are a lot of cowboy plumbers around in the Perth district. There are also a lot of good plumbers around too. I picked up my WA plumber's license here in Perth back in the mid-70's. I let it lapse when i went to work over in Algeria as a pipefitter. Now i am too old at 60 to be carting heavy objects up and down ladders, I'm too fat to crawl under floorboards........... so i have had a career change. Biggest mistake I used to make when on the tools was to constantly tell the Aussies, "Over in England we don't do it that way......... we do it this way blah blah blah." I was very politely told to f&*k off back to England you whingeing pom. The secret is to adapt to one's new country and surroundings. Unfortunately my Advanced City & Guilds in plumbing isn't worth the paper it is printed on here in Australia, and being a member of the UK based Institute of plumbing doesn't carry any weight downunder either. No good crying about it though........ those are the rules so it's best to just get on with it, accept that that's the system and they aren't likely to change it. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted July 15, 2009 Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Plumbing down-under has been very good to me over the years. Yes it is different; granted there are a lot of cowboy plumbers around in the Perth district. There are also a lot of good plumbers around too. I picked up my WA plumber's license here in Perth back in the mid-70's. I let it lapse when i went to work over in Algeria as a pipefitter. Now i am too old at 60 to be carting heavy objects up and down ladders, I'm too fat to crawl under floorboards........... so i have had a career change. Biggest mistake I used to make when on the tools was to constantly tell the Aussies, "Over in England we don't do it that way......... we do it this way blah blah blah." I was very politely told to f&*k off back to England you whingeing pom. The secret is to adapt to one's new country and surroundings. Unfortunately my Advanced City & Guilds in plumbing isn't worth the paper it is printed on here in Australia, and being a member of the UK based Institute of plumbing doesn't carry any weight downunder either. No good crying about it though........ those are the rules so it's best to just get on with it, accept that that's the system and they aren't likely to change it. Good luck Much more diplomatic than my effort! Hats off to you sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lorraine & Jason Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 Does anyone know if Carpenters need a licence?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Armadale Gas and plumbing Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Fairly sure you dont need a license to be a Joiner/chippy unless you are building a house as a builder i think the only license trades are Plumber, gas fitter, sparky, painter. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KimandGary Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 My OH is also a plumber with his own company in the uK - but he's using this move as an opportunity to get out of a business that is ruining his health (bad back, neck, knees - all the time) and get into something else. Could this be an option for your OH???? Kim x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Matt3Kingston Posted May 19, 2011 Report Share Posted May 19, 2011 I guess carpenters doesn't require licence unlike electricians or plumbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Johnboy Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 First thing to say is that this is from a plumber's other half and not the plumber himself! Next thing to say is don't panic. No it isn't easy, and will have come as a bit of a shock if you didn't realise all of this before you came out, but it isn't impossible to sort out. Yes your OH does need to get his tradesperson's licence, and until he does he can only work under supervision, but once he has it he will be fine. If he is going to do anything with gas then he will need to get his gas permit too. It would be a very good idea to get his blue card if he hasn't already as he won't be able to work on any sites until he has that - but that is very straightforward and reasonably cheap. We were very lucky in that we had to come out to validate our visas and Daz stayed behind to do his migrant's plumbing and gas courses. This was last October, and he was able to do them in a one week block full-time for plumbing and two weeks block full-time for gas. The rumour at the time was that they were going to stop offering them in a block like that and make them part-time evening study, but I don't know if they went through with that? Obviously it is much quicker to just do them full-time and get them out of the way because you have your cards then and can work without supervision quicker. Daz is going to also now do his servicing ticket, and was due to start that on Monday but apparently the MPA have been broken into this morning and so it has been put back until the end of the month! He has found work too - he's working for Tap Doctor at the moment. This was only a temporary position to cover sickness, which suited at the time due to him wanting to do this course, but his boss has extended it for a while longer, which is good. And then there is the contractors course which Daz is going to do via evening study, though I'm not sure exactly what this covers, being only the plumber's wag! Daz has spoken to lots of people who have said that work is out there, and that it is worth applying for jobs even if they do state that WA experience is required, as some companies can be flexible on this if you have lots of experience and fit what they are looking for. Also, don't be afraid to cold call, and to call to chase up applications. Would it be worth seeing if you can find someone who will give your hubby some work experience, if even for a couple of weeks, and even if he is having to do it as a voluteer? That way he can get a bit of experience to put on his CV, a reference possibly, and he can also see for himself what it is actually like to be plumbing here, rather than relying on what others think. It is different, but we're in a different country with different ways of doing things. And yes it is frustrating not to be able to hit the ground running straight away, but I guess Australia is just protecting it's own back, so to speak. Don't forget to save all your reciepts for any courses and tools etc, and take advice once your hubby is working, as you can claim quite a lot back when you fill in your end of year tax form. Hope you get it all sorted out - but you have only been here a month which is no time at all. It will fall into place, Best wishes, Cheryl xx Hi Cheryl my name is John and I am moving to Perth in feb 2014 and I am looking for a plumber to work with out there, would your daz like to take me on. many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTGAS Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 Hi dazbevo Like you advice its helps to hear the experience of others. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTGAS Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 Thats a cracker and its true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 I have worked in UK construction for a very long time, I have been here for nearly 2 years. I think its pretty unfair to be making the derogatory statements you do about Australian tradesmen. They take trades pretty seriously here, and that is a good thing, its obviously very different here, but there are plusses and minuses. I can tell you that there is some absolute dross in the UK also. You will win no friends and support and support from Australians with these kinds of superior attitudes.Totally agree with this. My brother is a plumber in the UK and on one site his FULL TIME job was to go around the new houses snagging all the rubbish work that the plumbers had made an ar*e of so UK plumbers arent superstars either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven_gers Posted July 6, 2014 Report Share Posted July 6, 2014 The OP was im 2009, and from reading the post its clear to see the OP and her partner did not investigate what is required to become a licensed plumber and gas fitter in Oz! I'm not over there yet but I totally agree with what Australia do. Just because you have 30years experience in the UK doesnt mean you have the same experience in another country. Some people bewilder me, its like they say to themselves "bugger it! I'm moving to Oz, they need skilled people so lets pack up and I'll get paid a fortune and own a big house and swimming pool, get greated at the airport with my new van from my company or I'll start a business and earn mega bucks"! I've researched being a plumber/gas fitter for when I arrive and it'll be a tough month or 2 obtaining my licences but they have different regs etc so it's a must to familiarise myself with the rules. If only the UK had the same tough legislation I wouldn't need to go round after cow boys and pick up the pieces of devastated family's from poorly installed gas appliances and water fittings. However that said, any plumber/gas fitter thinking of moving to Oz not just Perth, just be prepared to take 2 steps backwards to go 5 steps forwards. Good things comes to those who work hard then get to play hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumber Paul Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 Register with recruitment agencies and cold call companies. Check out Indeed.com.au or simplyhired.com.au or seek.com.au I've been in Perth for over 2 and a half years and have never had a problem finding plumbing work. I'm with my 6th plumbing firm at the moment, each of the previous jobs were natural stepping stones in the development of my Australian plumbing career which has led me to better work prospects and better pay. Its important to have the right attitude. Being a UK plumber doesn't give you the red carpet. Be prepared to 'learn the ropes' regarding the Australian Standards, suck it up like a sponge and work hard. If you're a plumber and you work well you'll get a job. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaboo Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 Register with recruitment agencies and cold call companies. Check out Indeed.com.au or simplyhired.com.au or seek.com.au I've been in Perth for over 2 and a half years and have never had a problem finding plumbing work. I'm with my 6th plumbing firm at the moment, each of the previous jobs were natural stepping stones in the development of my Australian plumbing career which has led me to better work prospects and better pay. Its important to have the right attitude. Being a UK plumber doesn't give you the red carpet. Be prepared to 'learn the ropes' regarding the Australian Standards, suck it up like a sponge and work hard. If you're a plumber and you work well you'll get a job. Good luck Thank you Paul for your positive message. I am a plumber and would like to migrate to Perth. Which visa did you get if I may ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumber Paul Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Thank you Paul for your positive message. I am a plumber and would like to migrate to Perth. Which visa did you get if I may ask? Hi, we came over as permanent residence on a wa state sponsored visa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaboo Posted July 11, 2014 Report Share Posted July 11, 2014 Hi, we came over as permanent residence on a wa state sponsored visa. Ok, Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plumber Paul Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 Howzit Kaboo, Whereabouts are you with your migration plans? What visa are you coming over with? We came over to Australia after spending 8 years in London. Life is good here in Aussie and work seems plentiful (at least here in Perth). Australian plumbing is heavily regulated and everything is run on the Australian Standards. Initially you have to jump through a few hoops and spend a fair bit of coin just to get going in the industry. I found it a little frustrating that after 15 years of plumbing and once I arrived here in Aussie I still needed to prove my capabilities. After 2 years of plumbing here I'm still find the Australian Standards somewhat restrictive to what you can do installation wise as opposed to the plumbing in the UK for instance. In my opinion, the tradies here seem to take their work seriously and the standard is good with some riff raff here and there. Australian employers treat you like an idiot until you prove them otherwise. Everything is done 'their way or its the highway'. Once you get in with a good company and you get to do what you do best then all is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaboo Posted July 14, 2014 Report Share Posted July 14, 2014 Howzit Kaboo, Whereabouts are you with your migration plans? What visa are you coming over with? We came over to Australia after spending 8 years in London. Life is good here in Aussie and work seems plentiful (at least here in Perth). Australian plumbing is heavily regulated and everything is run on the Australian Standards. Initially you have to jump through a few hoops and spend a fair bit of coin just to get going in the industry. I found it a little frustrating that after 15 years of plumbing and once I arrived here in Aussie I still needed to prove my capabilities. After 2 years of plumbing here I'm still find the Australian Standards somewhat restrictive to what you can do installation wise as opposed to the plumbing in the UK for instance. In my opinion, the tradies here seem to take their work seriously and the standard is good with some riff raff here and there. Australian employers treat you like an idiot until you prove them otherwise. Everything is done 'their way or its the highway'. Once you get in with a good company and you get to do what you do best then all is good. Hi Paul I have not done much yet on the visa issue. Was thinking of applying for subclass 186 or 457 visa. I still have to do the IELTS test then skill assessment test. I have 21 years plumbing experience. Thank you for the info on the Australian standards, I now know what to expect. It was going to be nice if I could get a job offer in Perth while we are still here in South Africa. That will be a huge help on the costs. Do you know of any companies that are willing to hire foreign plumbers? Your help is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norval Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) Hi Lynne, We are in the process of purchasing a house in East Fremantle...really keen to find a good plumber - there's not a huge amount of work to be done, but please contact us as and when you can. Norval - from Surrey (uk) Please PM me Edited August 19, 2015 by verystormy Removed phone number as per forum rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjean Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 That's well said Cheryl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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