JohnC

Update to the brickies from home looking for work, good luck. http://au.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=f1d834038a7bd2ab&q=bricklayers&l=Perth&from=ifa&utm_source=publisher&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=newifa&pub=ed1a86dec6e1834630b1c3ffe3317b990cace3277f6b99df

Yeah, and you'll find very few on social media where its opinions that get in the way of the facts.

I remember a funny quote from a football manager whose team wasn't performing as it should and being questioned on his teams stats, he said "Statistics are like mini skirts, they can hide everything and never give you the full picture, or show you the good stuff". Crime statistics will be massaged by whatever political agenda is on the table at the time, pre election is always a time when these figures are thrown in the face of the ruling parties.

I don't think anyone has ever said they thought this place was some sort of tranquil paradise, but most of us are certain it is not as bad as the UK for crime, you have mentioned schoolkids breaking into cars, well back in my hometown they are maiming and killing one another, violent crime is a way of life back home with frequent and repeated reports of youths fighting, stabbing, shooting, stealing, drug dealing and drinking alcohol on a daily basis, there is not a city in the UK that is exempt to this. There are no go areas in cities back in the UK, places where non one is safe walking day or night and places where most of the crime goes unreported and police success rates in solving crimes are pretty poor, if you are burgled back home don't expect it to be solved and your belongings returned, police take a report and file it. Having said all that although I have been exposed to crime back home I have never been the victim of a crime, my home town is Glasgow which gets a bad rep from those that have never visited, but it is a pretty safe place in which to live, I believe that Perth is safer than Glasgow, or any other city in the UK, but that doesn't mean I leave my doors and windows open, don't lock my car or walk around at night with my wallet hanging out my pocket and give the thieves an easy opportunity, but I would never factor in the crime rate here in Perth to make a decision for moving back home, as I honestly believe this city to be the safest I have ever lived in and am happy to raise my kids here, if I thought this place was spiraling out of control I would move tomorrow, but it isn't so I won't. Social media has a lot to answer for in the hysterical way some things are reported, however I am not naive and know **** happens, maybe its how you deal with it that matters.

Kane you can apply without a TFN, but its best to wait till you have one. He'll get his ABN very soon after attaining the TFN, not all contractors ask for an ABN anyway, some even pay you super, (when they want). He can start work right away and tell the people he is waiting on his ABN, you can apply online and he'll have it within a couple of weeks. https://abr.gov.au/For-Business,-Super-funds---Charities/ABN-explained/

I live in Kinross which is the other side of Marmion ave to Burns Beach, which is nice area if a bit underdeveloped, there is a lot of building still going on and the houses are pretty expensive, but it is a nice place and two minutes from the beach. Go to the other side of Marmion ave and the prices drop significantly simply because you are a few hundred yards further from the beach. Kinross and Currumbine are decent areas, good schools, good amenities, shops, good pub/restaurants in Currumbine, sports club, and your right at the end of the freeway which will be extended by next year taking a lot of traffic away from the area, you also have Joondalup 5 minute drive away with Lakeside shopping mall bigger than anything I've seen in the UK, but shopping isn't my thing! Best thing to do is rent in Currumbine or Kinross for a year, have a look around at the other areas, and then decide, most will probably depend on your budget anyway.

Yeah I'm a brickie, also do H&S, but currently more work in laying bricks as WA isn't too good on H&S in construction. There is work out there for him, but the daily rates are down to around $320pd on average and $35ph, residential is slow, but who wants to do that work anyway? People I spoke to are all with the bigger builders who said they are going to be busy, but the building game is an uncertain one at the best of times. However, he will have contacts over here for work so he will be working probably right away, if given the choice of staying here and working for whats on offer or returning to the UK and working for even less money in dreadful weather, well its not really a hard one for me anyway, I'm from Glasgow so I wouldn't be working back home now anyway with the weather, at least over here you pretty much guarantee a 5 day week at least. Its always quiet at this time of year, so wait two months and get back in touch and I can gauge it better then, but I'm pretty sure he won't be stuck for work.

I assume he was working over here as a brickie before so he will get a job without much problem, although he will have to work for less than he did before there is work out there, the residential market has slowed down, but the money and conditions were poor anyway in that sector, same as anywhere if he is a good reliable brickie he'll find work. Speaking to a few guys I know that are high up within large commercial builders they say they will be busy this year, so there does seem to be some positive news coming out. The airport are always hiring people for ramp staff if your stuck.

PM sent geordiel

I'm sorry things didn't work out for you here mate, we all have different experiences when doing the move and for various different reasons it just isn't right for some, hopefully when you get back to blighty things are still the same and your town hasn't been invaded by the huge influx of immigrants the UK has seen in the last few years, I know its ironic to complain about immigrants ruining the country, but it was another factor in my decision to move. Glasgow isn't as bad as it's made out and even us Glaswegians tend to talk it down, but if you have never been take a run up for a weekend break, I'll even put you in touch with some guys to take you to see the Rangers working our way back to the pinnacle of Scottish football, (I do realise its not a very high pinnacle), despite what many say it is a very friendly city and which may change your views on my home town. My wife and kids love it here and I really do believe the crime to be much lower than back home, maybe I've been exposed to more of it than others or summit like that, in any case I won't be copying you and going back as this is my home now. Good luck on the move mate and I hope the new year brings you everything you are missing.

But the stats show Perth's suburbs to be safer than the UK, including your home town. Can I ask how long you have lived in WA?

Simple google search, you should have tried it before posting your views. http://www.ukcrimestats.com/Neighbourhood/West_Midlands_Police/Hayley_Green_and_Cradley_South I used my own area here as a comparison. https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Crime/Statistics?locality=Kinross&startYear=2015&startMonth=1&endYear=2015&endMonth=12 Kinross would seem to be safer, but then I am not living in fear having lived in the wasteland that is Glasgow.

Just read your PM mate, don't know why you have to go PM. Firstly I didn't "bash" where your from, I simply stated the West Midlands has its problems like everywhere else, and Glasgow is exactly the same as every other city in the UK, I have experience of living in various cities and although the accents may be different I assure you the criminals are just as nasty. The crime rates for where you live in the UK are very similar to that of areas of size here in WA, the stats show the chances of you being burgled in your home town is on a par than with in a small similar suburb here in Perth, the same would be said for drug offences, vehicle crimes and crimes involving violence, the biggest crime rate in your home town seems to be anti social behaviour so it seems the kids are way out of control back home to, possibly even more so than here in Perth if we consider the numbers. The UK crime stats show your town to be a relatively safe place to live, however towns which are very close to it are not as safe, and that's before we even venture a few miles further afield into Birmingham and its surrounding towns, which just like Glasgow boasts crime stats that make you want to cry and make Perth look very quiet. I have never been to your home town and I am sure it is very nice, I did work not to far from it and was even witness to an assault in my hotel on Hagley road, I also had my car broken into near the Bullring and was verbally assaulted whilst watching Birmingham play Villa, probably my own fault for going to watch such turgid boring football. I don't know how long you have been away from the UK, but its unrecognizable from the place I grew up in. Good luck with your return and I wish you the very best of luck.

Hi mate, I was comparing it to the UK in response to Plimthing who had already raised the issue by saying he lives in fear of his house being broken into here, but not the UK. Do you honestly believe the cities of the UK to be safer than Perth? My wife watches the news programs everyday, so in that respect I do see all the bad things that are going on around me, however I don't trust many media outlets, I have witnessed how they can spin things to look the way they want, I want to see and hear facts when I watch a news program, not the channels owners opinion or which political party they lean towards. Given a choice would you prefer to walk through Perth's city center at midnight or Glasgow's?

Whose responses have you deleted and why, aren't we allowed free speech and can't you respond in a courteous manner without being offensive? I have looked back at my posts and can't fathom out why anyone would be offended or to respond in an offensive manner, please explain mate.

I live in Kinross mate, its far from perfect, but its relatively quiet and I've checked the crime stats for this area and its nothing to be overly concerned about. Are you saying that ten year olds breaking into and stealing from cars to support their drug habits is commonplace and happens in all areas from Mandurah up to Quinns Rocks? I don't know how long you have been away from the west midlands, but to want to move back there cos some kids broke into your car is madness, as for living in fear of your house being burgled, why not get a decent security system or better still a dog, you could even set it upon the wee :ssign1: breaking into the cars. Merry Christmas mate.

I've never heard of ten year olds breaking into cars here in Perth, I never said it wasn't happening, there is a lot of money in Perth and many people with disposable incomes and inevitably you get drugs and crime, but I don't put it on a level with the UK where the police lost control a very long time ago. I am a fairly recent immigrant to Perth and left a UK that is riddled with drugs and crime, Glasgow boasts one of the highest crime rates and violent attacks on young people in the world, we hear regular reports of teenagers stabbing one another to death because they come from different areas, several kids will spend xmas in hospital due to our alcohol and drugs culture which is and has been common place for many years, the police don't control the streets in the UK they limit the crime committed on them. Every major city on the planet is awash with drugs and the resultant crime, but I simply don't see the level here in Perth being comparable with the other major cities I have lived and worked in, I don't read the newspapers and find the news reporting here like channel 9 sensationalist, its car crash tv which I simply switch off, I get all the news I need online and without the "we're all gonna die" screaming from the reporters. In short moving from here back to the west midlands is jumping from a wee frying pan into a big huge burning hot fire. PS Merry Christmas to you and all yours.

Hi mate, sounds like you have had some bad experiences living here, I don't know where you live, but I have never read or heard of areas where 10 year olds are breaking into cars, drug addicts are breaking into houses, mugging people, fighting in the streets and folk are living in fear of their homes being broken into, you must have had really bad luck if it has made you desperate to move back to the West Midlands. This has to be the most negative opinion I have ever read about Perth and most certainly not the same as mine or anyone else I know that lives here.

Hi mate, don't do any training in the UK as you will probably have to retrain to have the qualification recognized over here, there is a company in Perth airport that are forever looking for bodies, pay is around $25ph but its shift work, most people who work there are studying or training to be something else. PM me if you want more info.

Hi mate I'm a bricky things are quiet just now, should pick up again in the new year, but stay away from the house building, too hot and poor conditions take you back to the early 80's in the UK, H&S is poor on most sites, even the big ones, but it non existent on the cottages. The money will average out at around $350 a day, but Perth is as dear as. Life isn't easy over here as a bricky and you will have to get a white card and an ABN before you get started, let me know closer to your move and I'll try and help you get a job as soon as you come out. By the way, being a UK trained bricklayer you will be better than the Oz brickies, however they will ask for experience of working in Perth which is ridiculous, but too many backpackers chance thier arms. Send me a PM if you want more info on this place.

Perth is one of the safest places to live in the world, I'm from Glasgow and have lived in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and worked in various large cities in western Europe, I feel a lot safer walking down the streets of Perth than I have anywhere else, as other posters have said, if you want trouble you will find it.

Edited, just seen the post date!!!!

Now Sold

Hi Claire Get your visa before you do anything else, it'll take over a year if you haven't started the application yet, my advice would be to go for the PR visa as the 457 will get you here but no guarantees, you don't want to be moving the family back just after you have got settled. Bring as much as you can, it'll depend on how long it takes for your husband to find work, if he finds it before you come out all the better. We came with about £25k but my wife had a job and I didn't, her salary ($70,000) didn't cover our outgoings and started to eat into our savings, not too much though. I am now working and we are just fine. You wont get a long term rental until you get here, and its pricey, the agents want to see who they are renting to and it can take a bit of time, but if you put together a rental pack and you know where you want to be then you may be able to get sorted within a few weeks. We rented a short term let for six weeks and looked from there, we got sorted after about 3-4 weeks and got a nice place near the beach to settle in the kids. I'll forward the details of that letting company if you want. As for Perth its better than the UK, by quite some margin, it is expensive but the salaries compensate for that, its a great place to live and the crime rates in the UK are far higher than over here, schools are as good if not better than back home and the quality of life way better. I have two daughters aged 6 and 10, both have settled in very well at school and have never looked back, both took everything in their stride and both have made friends at school, you kids will love it over here trust me on that one. And their grannies are coming over for a few months over the xmas period, so they are looking forward to that to. We used an agency to get our visa, we have permanent residency and this helped secure work for me. My advice would be to start the ball rolling with the visa, get accepted and then plan seriously, tell everyone at that point so they get used to the idea. Hope this helps, let me know if I can help anymore. John

I'm not asking anyone to wash them for £15 or $30 fact is I would pay up to $100 to have someone wash them for me, but $250 is just taking the p###, its maximum two hours work, however maybe I'm not taking into consideration the years of training needed to do this job.