work opportunities downunder

[steve33]

Is there anybody out there who can give me some good advice about moving to Australia? Is there a market for domestic appliance repairs? Rates of pay? Which parts of Aus offers best opportunities? What qualifications are required? Job availability? I would appreciate any advice, especially from someone who has already made the move from the UK. Cheers all, Steve 😀

[qas]

Re: work opportunities downunder

There is a shortage of repairers (not usually called engineers here) in most rural areas that I have noticed. I found, a couple of years back, that an ad in the local area Yellow Pages will result in enough work to keep going – I started my business about 5 months before that new phonebook came out and struggled in that time, as soon as the phone boook was out I haven’t looked back.

Things are probably different in the main cities, but if you don’t mind being out of town a bit, you should be OK.

Australia is still mostly top load washers, but they are slowly getting the hang of front load machines and many of the brands here are ones that you would be familiar with.

Generally a service call is about $60-$90 (where the average wage is ~$150/day), so with low overheads you could survive on 3-4 completed jobs a day, 5-6 would set you up with a good life. If you want to work on stoves you will need a D electricians license, but otherwise no license is required for plug in appliances.

As an employee, don’t expect great pay, but it could be a good way to get used to the local brands before working for yourself.

Steve

[Phidom]

Re: work opportunities downunder

I was just looking at this after watching a TV programme about the assisted passages in the ’50s & ’60s. I was trying to work out if I had enough points to qualify but I can’t find our work listed in their list of occupations:
http://www.visabureau.com/australia/ski … -list.aspx

I was surprised to find that UK qualifications are not worth any points but degrees etc from Australian universities etc are worth a few points.

[qas]

Re: work opportunities downunder

Going on that list:

If you fix fridges
Refrigeration & Airconditioning Mechanic.

If you have an electrical qualification
General Electrician

Otherwise, right at the bottom
Tradespersons & Related workers

There is no general qualification in australia for whitegoods repairer but you need a refrigeration license to work on refrigeration equipment, an electrical disconnect license to work on wired in appliances (ovens etc), plumbing license for pipes and a gas license to work on gas connected appliances.

To work on general appliances the plug in and have screw on hoses there is no actual qualification or permit needed, therefore there is no easy training route, so no recognised ‘Trade’.

[Phidom]

Re: work opportunities downunder

Thanks gas. I tried doing the online assessment using “Tradespersons & Related workers” but failed. Partly age I guess, as at 48 I score no points for age.

[Author]

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