In Todays Advertiser - Tradesmen

Al.

Yes its a good piece, but means naff all when you get here and can't saw a bit of wood in half because the stupid licencing people won't give you a licence to work.

If you are planning on being employed, then don't worry.

Steve has 20 years experience in Carpentry, all self employed with the last 12 years running a limited company and training and employing staff and apprentices.
He was told he couldn't have a licence because he didn't have enough "business experience" What a joke. And the reason people don't take on apprentices here, it cost $5,000 each apprentice, which you have to pay the Australian Government. Back in the UK the CITB gave us money to train apprentices. Its cost us a small fortune in courses at the Master Builders Association just so he can do a job he's been doing for years.

Jo

hi steve n joe have you got the contact details for the licence as i am in the same position as you only been self employed 20 years as bricklayer i would like to get the ball rolling before we get out thanks for any help you can give.

Also a bricklayer hope i will be able to work .............self-employed in this country so hope it works down under.........just have to apply for a ABN number to work

Adelaide bound 2006

:) I'M ALSO SELF EMPLOYED BRICKLAYER :sign61: WHAT IS ABN NUMBER & AGAIN HOW DO YOU GET ONE :help:

Hi

Look here www.ocba.sa.gov.au

all the information to depress you is here.

JO

hi all,

To get the licence you need a business qualification and your trade papers along with a Aussy police check to apply, you then hav to wait for them to call you for an interview and then if they are happy you get your licence, i am a Painter by the way.

Business course- i done mine with the Master Builders assosiation (MBA) cost $510 but you need to register online with the (CITB) Construction industry training board to get it at that price or it will cost you about $910. This is the fast track couse which last for two weekends and is the fastest way to get the bits of paper needed.

Then you need your police check which you apply for at the police station $44.

then you can apply for the licence another $450 for this.

it's all a load of nonsence as you have to have your skills assesed before getting your visa, but once you are here you have to basically do it again.

not sure how long it all takes as i am still waiting for mine, alothough i made the mistake of not applying for it straight away, i would guess between 2 - 3 months though.

Most trades would benifit from registering for GST which is Genral services tax equivalant to the UK VAT. Most tools and materials you buy you pay GST on which is 10%, if you are self employed you can register for GST which means that every job you do you charge 10% GST on top which you pay to the Aussie goverment. This also means that everything you buy for the business with GST, you can claim back, if that makes sence. Your accountant will help you. I use Dougie on adelaide brits by the way , very good.

you also need an ABN which is Australian business number, so you as a business will register with the AST, Australian tax office and get an abn which is a number that can identify your business.

I am a painter, but still need a licence.
The good thing is that i am flat out with work, just started painting on another site with 21 houses on, so have work there for a few weeks yet.

good luck
Kevin

Steve is still waiting for his and he finished his fast track course weeks ago.

I'm not sure Kev but I think Steve was on the same course as you.

Jo

Hi Jo,

I remember steve from the course, he said you use this site but i couldn't rember your username.

i only sent of my application last week, this was because i first had to wait for the police check to come back, and i printed the application form of the OCBA and sent it off with all the paperwork required and the correct fee. Afew days later they sent the whole lot back saying i had to go to there office or phone them to complete the application verbally. Guess what they asked exactly the same questions that were on the form.

They then sent the new application form part filled in so i could resend all the same paperwork, yet more delays and a load of Bol***s.

Just have to wait for them to contact me now for the interview.

kevin

All this rubbish with qualified and assessed tradespersons having difficulties when they arrive in Oz has been going on for years.

Same thing happened to us in 1991 when we emigrated. Hubby was a gas technician with over 20 years experience with British Gas, got our visa on his qualifications then were told when we got here that he could not work in the job doing what he had done for the previous 24 years.

He did go back to college to do his electrical and plumbing licences. He was eventually granted a hot water plumbers licence and a B grade electrical, which meant he just could not get back into his industry at all as gas fitters need to do wiring and cold water plumbing too. It meant he had so many restrictions he could not work as a gas fitter at all.

Bottom line is he just gave up, and retrained as a welder.

Hi all,

Well my other half is a bricklayer, he is self employed and has an abn number.

He works for a company called trewstone building contractors, in a very similar way he did in the UK.

His boss is currently looking for bricklayers and if anyone is due to arrive soon, then pm us and we will give you the contact details.

daihla