Taken from a post by Paul, 'Tidds' (Thanks Paul):

All electrical workers are required to be licensed and you may find it difficult / impossible to find employment without it. There are 3 categories :-

A class allows you to work unrestricted
B class allows you to work under the supervision of an A class electrician
Contractors license allows you to trade self employed

( There are other licenses that are required for telecommications wiring, HV work etc but the A class will cover you for general electrical work )

Before you start the A class course you're supposed to have your ARTC ( Australian Recognised Trade Certificate ) which you can only apply for once you arrive in oz. You obtain this by sending all your training details, TRC and city & guilds or BTEC certificates etc to Colin Field at TRA in Sydney
( www.workplace.gov.au/TRA ). If you are applying under the skilled migration category this will be part of your application anyway so keep copies of everything and carry it with you in your luggage when you emigrate so you can send it all again to TRA once you arrive ( don't pack it in your container or else you'll be waiting another 10 weeks or so ). For a fee of about $100 you get a certificate as an electrical mechanic. Check out ( www. workplace.gov.au ) for more info.

As for the A class course, it's really just a refresher on the regulations ( which are mostly based on the UK regs ). The quickest way is to do it at PEER Training ( www.peer.com.au ) which is not far from the city centre.

The course is set out in approx. 10 modules which each take a half day attendance at PEER in order to complete. These are arranged at the discretion of the course tutor and are usually spread out over a number of weeks. You cannot pre-book this course from the UK and may have to wait several weeks or months to get on the course depending on availability.

The course is based on each section the the Australian Wiring Regs. You have to work through a series of questions on cable sizing, installation methods, diversity, definitions, earthing and bonding etc. If you can get a copy of the Australian regs AS/NZS 3000:2000 ( with the latest revisions already in as it will save you hours cutting and sticking !) then read through it before you start the course just to familiarise yourself ( you'll find it pretty much the same as the UK regs ). You will also need a copy of AS/NZS 3008.1.1:1998 ( cost about $70 here) which are the cable rating tables and derating factors etc. You can look these up on the web and get them sent to you. Each session you attend at PEER you are given a worksheet of questions which start on section 1 of the regs ( next session section 2 and so on ). You are also given homework that you can do in class the following week or at home. The more you do at home the quicker it will be to complete. I think i finished the course in about 6 or 7 sessions and took about 3 hours to do the exam ( total cost $495 ). It's not rocket science and all the answers are in the regs or on previous examples that you did in class. If you are employed or have a letter from an employer to say you are about to be employed then you are eligible for a CITB discount off of the cost of the course.

Once you have completed the exam, you are sent a certificate which you take ( along with your ARTC ) to the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs ( level 3 91 -97 Grenfell Street, Adelaide ). Show your certificates and 100 points of ID, hand over $300 (ouch), they take your picture and you're then the proud owner of an A class license ( which you renew every 3 years by paying a slightly reduced fee ).

Keep any work related reciepts for books, training, clothing, tools, vehicle ( with log book ), dry cleaning etc as this may be tax deductable. Even if you are employed ( PAYE UK equivalent ) you have to fill out a tax return each July. Any work related expenses can be claimed and you may be entitled to a tax refund.

There is a shortage of trades and employers seem to start you off on a trial period between 1 - 3 months. Average wages are betweem $17.50 (award rate ) and $25 per hour. More money can be earnt for shift work or away work in the mines or gas fields.

For more information on award rates and conditions check out this link :-

www.docep.wa.gov.au/lr/LabourRelations/Media/ElecCon.29Nov2004.pdf


As for your UK qualifications they don't mean jack SH*T here which can be frustrating. Be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up.

And more, from Juliew....

Training can be done at TAFE (adult college ) there are several in Adelaide ,see yellow pages online for address
OR at PEER TEC which is a plumbing, electrical,electronic and refridgeration technical education centre; 1042 Port Road , Albert Park SA5014
Phone 83481200
Fax 83481201 OR contact Corinne@peer.com.au OR Amy@peer.com.au

This is where they offer all the necessary courses for licences (including A class and contractors , which you need to go it alone )
There is a waiting list for the course but as far as I know you can book a place from the Uk so you will start once you get here (check this though !)
The A class takes 9 sessions (session is usually 7.45am until 12.30 + loads home study !) unfortunately the courses are booked solid but tutors are few so although you only need 9 sessions this may be spread over several weeks !. The course costs for unemployed (which you will be !) $495.00

The exam lasts 4/5 hours is fairly straight forward as you are allowed notes and books etc (similar to 16th edition but MUCH longer !)


Once exam done then have to have TRA info verified again , all has to be signed by justice of peace or similar (found ours lurking in local library ,as they have sessions there for such things) and then sent to Sydney (costs another $100 ) and takes up to 90 days (Ians took over 2 months !) .
once all paper work back , have to take in to Dept Trade & Industry (city ) to have it put on to official licence ($300 ! also need to visit govt office for official photo for licence (free!!)

You then have your licence !! Ian started his on the 11th Jan and received his licence on April 22nd !! Nothing is quick here , please make sure you are prepared for not being able to work for quite a while (have seen a couple of sparkies get into financial trouble as they expected to work immediately and couldnt !