Plumber Paul

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, we came over as permanent residence on a wa state sponsored visa.

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

We've probably all brushed arms at the Cape To Cairo store in Ozzy park ...

Yebo, I'm one! I grew up in Cape Town, moved to London in my early 20's and lived there for 8 years. Been living in Perth for over two years now - and loving it.

Update time. I quit working up on the mines in January because I had enough of that FIFO lifestyle. I managed to complete 15 months on a 4:1 roster. We accomplished what we set out to do - to buy a house and renovate. Two weeks after arriving back in Perth I landed a permanent plumbing position with a reputable company and am now getting back into the swing of things. Looking back it was a unique experience to live and work up in the Pilbara but there is absolutely no place like home in Perth with my wife and 2 young girls.

I started a new permanent plumbing position last Monday. I feel I have been very fortunate getting plumbing work in Perth ever since we arrived 2 years ago - never had to wait longer than 2 weeks. Besides having the right skills and experience, I still believe that finding work boils down to the right call at the right time (a degree of luck). Try registering with Hays Recruitment - they managed to organise 2 weeks worth of work for me just after I quit the mines (they had more work lined up for me but then I got this current permanent position.) Good luck Plumber Paul

Hey, Your plumbing qualifications don't amount to much here in Australia. You'll need to complete a skills assessment (its a 3 tier process, called Vetassess) at the beginning of your visa process to determine whether you're even eligible for a visa. Once you pass that and eventually arrive in Oz you'll need to complete a compulsory 2 week migrant plumbing course at TAFE. Only then will you be issued with a Tradespersons license that will allow you to work in the trade under the direction of Plumber who holds a contractors license. Getting the contractors license is a whole new story but only then will you be able to work for yourself. You will also not be gas qualified when you arrive so you'll need to redo your gas. Plumbing work was a bit flat last year (I'm in Perth) but its apparently going to be picking up this year. I'm currently looking for work in Perth after spending over a year up on the mines working as a poly welder. There is work around but employers but it can seem like a challenge for migrant plumbers. It definitely helps knowing someone in the industry. Good luck with your decisions. Paul

I have that very same bbq. It is probably the best buy I have ever made - a big hit in our family! There are plenty of accessories that go with this particular Weber. It bbq's the meat perfectly all the time

We've recently used these guys ... very efficient. http://resicert.com/

Life for me and the family is a lot happier and our lifestyle has improved heaps since we arrived in Perth.

Check this store out, http://www.soundcentre.com.au/, its just down the road from my house. I browse through there loads checking out all the rad guitars, drum sets, basses etc. I just recently purchased a Fender acoustic and in the post received a $20 voucher for me next visit. Also check out The Rock Inn in Mt Lawley. Cheers

Crikey! I sounded just like that when i was in London before arriving in Oz! Back then, everyday, I'd be imagining about life in Australia, the good weather, the wholesome lifestyle, the beach, the open space and the time spent with family. And do you know what? Its been everything I wished for and more! I know there are a lot of people on here that have had a struggle and it hasn't worked out, but I reckon more people post about negative experiences and tough times more than those who its worked out for. I honestly still pinch myself everyday to the fact that we're living the way we do here in Australia. The weather is consistently fantastic (get to bbq delicious fresh prawns frequently as well as all kinds of good meats), the white sandy beaches is a 20min drive away, nature parks and bush walks are close by, wide open roads in the countryside, the kids and us spend way more time outdoors, feel happier and we're financially in the best position than we've ever been and we've only been here for a year and 4 months. Its working for us Good luck with your adventure - hope it works out.

I landed a job on my 3rd day in Perth. That was February 2012 and since then I've worked at 3 different companies (each being better paid and better work) and have always been employed full time. At the moment I'm working FIFO and doing poly welding.

Hey guys, After having lived and rented in the lovely central suburb of Morley for over a year now, the time has come for us to buy a house. Unfortunately Morley is too pricey for us so we're looking at Ballajura, situated immediately north of Malaga. We've been to view a few open houses in recent weeks and the homes seem to be affordable, of good size, clean and the neighborhood seems family orientated. And Scarborough beach is still only a 20-30 minute drive away! Does anyone on PerthPoms live in Ballajura? And how do they rate it? I'm hoping some people could give me some tips on which area of Ballajura is more desirable to live (excluding the upmarket area of 'The Lakes') Thanks for any replies in advance! Go well Paul

Yeah, I agree. That's why I eat Kangaroo sausages now. And Tim Tams.

I currently live in Morley which is just south of Malaga. Its a good suburb - nice and central to everything (10km from CBD, 20min drive to scarborough beach, Morley Galleria shopping mall etc). We're looking at buying a house in Ballejura soon as Morley is a bit out of our budget. You could also look at Noranda. Avoid Mirrabooka, Balga.

Welcome to Perth Ian. Hope you guys settle in ok and find plumbing work soon. You really shouldn't have a problem. I'm back in Perth tomorrow from my roster week off so I'm pretty excited. I was hoping to feel the slightly cooler weather in Perth compared to the heat in the Pilbara but I hear that Perth is having another mini heatwave in the coming days. Great! Good luck with everything

Don't bother bringing your pipe benders, 15mm and 22mm pipe slicers as the pipe sizes are different.

Well, here I am 3 months later. I'm currently on my 3rd swing up north doing FIFO. The 4:1 roster is pretty hectic, it sometimes feels like a hard long slog especially in the Pilbara heat. I miss my wife and 2 kids a lot but the week that I have back in Perth is very full on and rewarding - good family time. I started working FIFO with a realistic goal in mind and am giving myself a year of this lifestyle. Financially the rewards have been good - take home pay is more than double what I was back in Perth working as a plumber. We have hired a live in au pair to help our family while I'm up here and she proving to be a star.

Wow Ian, only one week to go hey! You have come along way since I first started interacting with you on Perthpoms back in October/November 2011 when you were asking about the Vetassessment. Well done! Grab your new Aussie life by the horns and enjoy it for what it is. Good luck

I totally agree and very well said ... 'its time to ignore the horror stories and make it work!' Believe in what you need to happen and more often than not it will happen! Let the adventure begin ...

I have lived in South Africa, England, Czech Republic and now Perth, Australia for 1 year. Sunny laid back Perth rocks my boat in a very big way! Good strong economy, good lifestyle, good weather, pretty good work prospects, sparsely populated but fairly diverse, large open spaces and nice beaches. And now for the negatives ... um .... er ... I'm trying to think of some ... too many traffic lights? Wishing everyone a good 2013!

Yeah, I'm still working up north on a mine site. I'm back in Perth during xmas and will be back working in the furnace soon. It does get bloody hot up there and I'm not really looking forward to returning just yet! Perth is in the middle of a heatwave at the moment with temperatures hovering around 38 - 42 degrees since christmas. Its pretty uncomfortable, especially during the night but air conditioning is a real lifesaver! When we can manage the time we can hook up over a few cold beers for sure. Cheers

Exciting times Ian! Soak up the goodness of the next four weeks. Keep positive when you arrive and remember the reasons that made you to decide to emigrate in the first place. A positive mind puts you in a positive place. New beginnings means new opportunities that might not necessarily show up as you'd expect. Good luck to you and your family - 2013 will be like no other! Paul