Tania Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Hi We moved to WA earlier this year after hubby secured a 176 visa in Bricklaying. During the process we read with interest how WA was screaming out for skilled bricklayers! My husband specialises in regeneration and renovation and is used to working on large scale projects across the UK. Since arriving here in April, my husband has struggled to secure a position with any large 'recognised' company (although believe me he has tried). Instead he has had to resort to working with smaller jobs building residential properies. Whilst the pay is OK, work is not consistant and he has yet to complete a full week - not great since he is currently the only wage earner in our household. Health and safety is shocking and as there is no union - it seems anything goes (even drinking alchol on the job ). The situation is very frustrating considering all the hard work and effort we put into coming here. Even jobs in mining is extremely difficult to get into - it appears everyone has jumped on the 'band-wagon' so it's more a case of who you know rather than what you know. There are a number of courses you need to take (which aren't cheap) before you're even considered and even then you're not guaranteed a job. Don't get me wrong - I love it here and still think we have made the right choice especially for the family. It's a great place for the kids and I'm sure eventually things will work out for us!! I just want to know how WA can justify a shortage in skilled bricklayers as my husband has not found one yet. So - anyone out there working for any major construction company who thinks they would benefit from a hard worker like my husband - please feel free to PM us. Tania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen_PFR Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 The relevant union for your hubby's line of work is the CFMEU - here's the link:- http://www.cfmeuwa.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiajoemillie Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Hi, I'm a plumber and not over in Perth until early next year. I was thinking the same, I constantly read the local papers and look on seek etc for plumbing work with most jobs requiring minimum of 5 years WA experience ( it's like me advertising for a plumber here in the uk stating no eastern europens) I am getting a bit worried about the move as I've always got loads of work here in Devon Without having to look for it. Good luck Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samlee337 Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Tania, whereabouts in Perth are you? We're moving over in October and my OH is a brickie, secured his 176 in 2010. As he will be the only provider for us to, im now a little worried Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tania Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Ian - lol, hubby is desparate to get out of building trade now and has even considered taking on plumbing (but as he will have to start as an apprentice I think it is 4 or 5 years training). If you have all the relavant skills etc I do believe that trade is doing OK here. At least you would be working even when it rains... Sam - we live North (Butler - best known as 'Little Britain' due to the number of british), great place to live especially for families. We chose to live North as they are expanding along the coast, so plenty of land being sold and thousands of houses to be built. There is no shortage of bricklaying jobs - just 'skilled' bricklaying jobs. Hubby says there is no money to be made in residential work as the majority are contracted out to small 'gangs' and therefore constant work is not guranteed. He has tried desperately to get back into the commercial stuff, working for a proper company. I don't think your husband will have a problem finding work - just that he may be disillusioned if he is skilled and expecting bigger and better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samlee337 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Thanks Tania, we'll be heading NOR for the same reasons. OH was site management but he's still hands on so working on site wont put him off. It'll be short term hopefully as he's planning on setting up his own 'gang'. His attitude is 'do what i have to do before doing what i want to do'! ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McKennasul Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Hi guys. I'm just wondering how your husbands are now getting on with work. My oh and I who is also a bricklayer are just about to begin the visa process. Any info at all would be great, cheers Maggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tania Posted March 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2013 Hi Maggie - my husband is doing something completely different now. Whilst there is loads of 'residential' bricklaying jobs NOR the working conditions are a little more 'relaxed' and unfortunately regular work was never guranteed. He's now working towards his HR licence so that he can get a FIFO job on the mines - that is where the money is Again, this is an area where most people are struggling to get into. Your husband won't have any problems finding work in Perth - especially NOR as this is where they are selling great chunks of land and thousands of houses need building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clairdelune3511 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 My partner and I own a bricklaying company north of ther river, It is very hard for us to get workers to turn up and usually when they do they have a hang over. We have so much work and no workers, so my partner has to work 7 days a week to cover those who dont bother turning up for work. Hi We moved to WA earlier this year after hubby secured a 176 visa in Bricklaying. During the process we read with interest how WA was screaming out for skilled bricklayers! My husband specialises in regeneration and renovation and is used to working on large scale projects across the UK. Since arriving here in April, my husband has struggled to secure a position with any large 'recognised' company (although believe me he has tried). Instead he has had to resort to working with smaller jobs building residential properies. Whilst the pay is OK, work is not consistant and he has yet to complete a full week - not great since he is currently the only wage earner in our household. Health and safety is shocking and as there is no union - it seems anything goes (even drinking alchol on the job ). The situation is very frustrating considering all the hard work and effort we put into coming here. Even jobs in mining is extremely difficult to get into - it appears everyone has jumped on the 'band-wagon' so it's more a case of who you know rather than what you know. There are a number of courses you need to take (which aren't cheap) before you're even considered and even then you're not guaranteed a job. Don't get me wrong - I love it here and still think we have made the right choice especially for the family. It's a great place for the kids and I'm sure eventually things will work out for us!! I just want to know how WA can justify a shortage in skilled bricklayers as my husband has not found one yet. So - anyone out there working for any major construction company who thinks they would benefit from a hard worker like my husband - please feel free to PM us. Tania Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WERN105 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Hie clairdelune351 Can u plis help to get any manual or labour job in your company,i am a qualified Accountant with the AAT qualification and i got two years experience. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clairdelune3511 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 two years experience Qualified Accountant or Bricklayer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WERN105 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Qualified Accountant but if you need a labour i might as well do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancslass Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 This will be coming up to our 7th summer here, husband is a bricklayer and I can honestly say it has been the hardest years of his life. I have never seen him work as hard or look as physically drained and exhausted at the end of each day. I have lost count the number of times he has had heat stroke and he is so careful to drink plenty of water and cover up. Nothing can prepare you for the extreme heat of the long Perth summers let alone having to lay bricks for 9/10 hours 5/6 days a week with the sun beating on your back and no shade. Money is very hard to earn, there is a lot of work at the moment but no consistency and out of the $300 a day as a subbie you have to cover your own pension, holidays, sick leave, tax, gst, insurances. There are many backpackers here that are keen to do bricklaying and they will work for a lot less. He ran his own gang for a while but most lads turn up stoned or drunk or just wouldn't turn up, trying to get jobs finished to get your money in was sometimes impossible. He has caught lads doing drugs on site or having a 6 pack in their esky!!! Then there are the building supervisors that ask for WA experience only, how rude! A lot of supervisors will just put the phone down on you when they hear your British accent. Every bricklayer we know here wants out of it, it is not healthy working in these extremes for long, you need to set a limit on it or it will wear you down. Also be prepared to travel, the sites are spread out over a vast area..could be in Butler one week and Success another. My husband is doing something a bit different now thankfully, it has taken him a couple of years to try and get something else though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 (edited) Hi I'm Chris and moving to perth in 45 days, I'm a bricklayer and will be looking for work ASAP when I arrive and once I sort out ABN and TFN. Any information or contact details would be a great help.[ Edited September 23, 2013 by Chris Jones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McKennasul Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 My partner and I own a bricklaying company north of ther river, It is very hard for us to get workers to turn up and usually when they do they have a hang over. We have so much work and no workers, so my partner has to work 7 days a week to cover those who dont bother turning up for work. Hi, I'm just wondering what the situation is now with your husbands company? Where is most of your work based? The reason I ask is that my oh and i were initially planning a 190 visa but my sister and her husband are further along the process and my bro in law cant pass the ielts so we are now considering just going for the regional 489 visa, which would mean we need to stick to the designated postcodes. My main concern is that the jobs may not be in places where my oh will be allowed to work (qualified bricklayer with 17 years experience) If you could offer any advice that would be really helpful, Maggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Chris the brickie Posted October 10, 2013 Report Share Posted October 10, 2013 Hey Tania. I know this post is a bit old but I was just wondering if your husband had managed to find permanent work yet in Perth?? I did a year out there on a holiday visa and made some very good contacts and friends, this was june 2011 to june 2012. I mite be going back soon as it is booming for bricklayers. The key over there is once you have built a couple of houses working for other brickies and found your feet, is to get to know the supervisors of the company's building, get your own set up ie.. trailer, mixer, tolls etc.. get a couple of lads working for you and get a supervisor to give you a chance. if you do a good job you will never be out of work. I know you say that your husband is looking for a large scale company for work but you can make very good money building houses. I spoke to my friend out there the other day and he said it is crazy at the min, he had 5 new plans for houses to start after the one he was on and is geting 2000 dollar bonus every 4 he builds, you can easy make 5/ 600 dollar a day working for your self. as for the health and safety you talk about, its a good thing in my eyes, as you can just get on with your job with out all this red tape we have in england. on the houses you dont really need it anyway all single story and nothing really dangerous about the work. they have all the health and safety in the city on the big builds. Also there is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice cold bottle of beer in the sun after a hard day at work. Red ink homes, Summit homes, Scott park, affordable living homes, celebration, APG. There's a few company's to look for. Like i say I know a few english lads who have been out there a good few years now building houses for supervisors, working for them selfs and have never been out of work, its just geting started witch should not be a problem now as it is totaly booming. Hope you and your husband have got sorted out witch I'm sure that you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonleannejack Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 Hey Tania. I know this post is a bit old but I was just wondering if your husband had managed to find permanent work yet in Perth?? I did a year out there on a holiday visa and made some very good contacts and friends, this was june 2011 to june 2012. I mite be going back soon as it is booming for bricklayers. The key over there is once you have built a couple of houses working for other brickies and found your feet, is to get to know the supervisors of the company's building, get your own set up ie.. trailer, mixer, tolls etc.. get a couple of lads working for you and get a supervisor to give you a chance. if you do a good job you will never be out of work. I know you say that your husband is looking for a large scale company for work but you can make very good money building houses. I spoke to my friend out there the other day and he said it is crazy at the min, he had 5 new plans for houses to start after the one he was on and is geting 2000 dollar bonus every 4 he builds, you can easy make 5/ 600 dollar a day working for your self. as for the health and safety you talk about, its a good thing in my eyes, as you can just get on with your job with out all this red tape we have in england. on the houses you dont really need it anyway all single story and nothing really dangerous about the work. they have all the health and safety in the city on the big builds. Also there is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice cold bottle of beer in the sun after a hard day at work. Red ink homes, Summit homes, Scott park, affordable living homes, celebration, APG. There's a few company's to look for. Like i say I know a few english lads who have been out there a good few years now building houses for supervisors, working for them selfs and have never been out of work, its just geting started witch should not be a problem now as it is totaly booming. Hope you and your husband have got sorted out witch I'm sure that you have. Your right Chris it is definitely booming right now you only need to look at the number of ads in Saturdays paper. I am a supervisor for one of the major house builders so if anyone needs any advice give me a shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00mj81 Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 Your right Chris it is definitely booming right now you only need to look at the number of ads in Saturdays paper. I am a supervisor for one of the major house builders so if anyone needs any advice give me a shout. Hi jonleannejack, I've been on the tools here for about 5 years now, running my own little team, working for a few builders. I'm hoping to become a supervisor soon. Can I ask how you get in to it? Is your company looking to train up any new supervisor's? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 4 more day till I get to perth!! Anyone need a builder?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonleannejack Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Hi jonleannejack, I've been on the tools here for about 5 years now, running my own little team, working for a few builders. I'm hoping to become a supervisor soon. Can I ask how you get in to it? Is your company looking to train up any new supervisor's? Thanks Hi mate, there are 20 something supers at our place. Most have trade backgrounds, some have come from office background, ie schedulers. A lot have done diplomas or working towards registration. They have just taken on four new supervisors I think a couple are trainees, I can always ask and get a resume in for you, what are you doing for work now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gazb Posted January 10, 2014 Report Share Posted January 10, 2014 My partner and I own a bricklaying company north of ther river, It is very hard for us to get workers to turn up and usually when they do they have a hang over. We have so much work and no workers, so my partner has to work 7 days a week to cover those who dont bother turning up for work. hi claire just wondered how to go about getting a job as a bricklayer 25 years with city and guilds advanced craft . myself ,my wife and kids are looking to move to perth this year and what the hourly rate is please . hope you can help thanks gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-jobs/perth/bricklayers/k0c9302l3008303r50?ad=offering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylor77787 Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 My partner and I own a bricklaying company north of ther river, It is very hard for us to get workers to turn up and usually when they do they have a hang over. We have so much work and no workers, so my partner has to work 7 days a week to cover those who dont bother turning up for work. Hi there, Im Taylor and im moving out to austraila in september, im a self employed bricklayer with my nvq two and three, im 22 although im quite young im building houses comercaily now with no one telling me what to do i just get the plans and go, but i done my apprentership on a localy well know good small general building firm r.c.pillar and sons ltd, im coming out austraila not to party like most people my age, purly work and save up and to live a diffrent life style to england and see some nice parts of the work, im not sure on your cercomstances but if a posishion was there i would be there everyday and not with a hangover, i have the same problem here with my work partner i have some idea how he must feel, its not good. I would work hard, i would like to think i put 100% in to what i do and have a real passion for my job, eather way it would be really good to here back from you both. thanks for your time. Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Taylor - Clairedelune hasn't posted on the site for a couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylor77787 Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Taylor - Clairedelune hasn't posted on the site for a couple of years. hi ali, yeah i did see that but i thought they might get an email to say somone had sent them a message through the site, im just trying to secure a job before i get out there, either way i will be going over it would make things easyer for me if i could berfore i leave even though the chances are slim i know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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