Experince of working in australia

[Tom123]

Hi Guys,    

 

I'm 20 years of age, from the United Kingdom and planning heading out to Australia some time soon, possibly perth but could go elsewhere. I was just wondering weather id need any more experince in the industry or weather firms over their would accepet that I've had 3 years college experience including practical climbing, rigging etc..

Also gained a level 3 diploma in arboriculture an all the relevent NPTC certificates necessary. But at the moment am struggling to find work in the UK and was just looking into traveling and i have heard aboard in austrilia they need more experince people.  

Can some one give me some good information on wheres the best places to find tree work, an firms who would sponsor possibly help with visa and accomidation ?   

 

Thanks in advance 

Tom 

[timberjack]

I'm 21 and been out here for a year and a half now. You can find work quite easily and it's a great working with Aussies. Tough in the heat and they work you hard.

[Cuttup]

I did about 4 years arb in Oz. Mainly Melbourne. Found it easy to pick up work. I may have had a bit more experience than you by the sound  of things, but I was along side many who had greater years experience than me but were actually pretty poor performers.

 

If you're willing to work and to learn (you've obviously got training) it shouldn't be hard to get a job.

 

One word of caution - I'm not up to speed on visas anymore but I worked alongside a couple of English lads at one company and the boss (literally one of the worst people I've ever had the misfortune of working for) had them by the short and curlys on a 457 visa. He tried to butter me up and get me onto one, and I began the process but bailed as his true colours came out. It cost me hundreds of dollars to get out of it but I did so just in the nick of time before the application was lodged. 

 

At the time, you could get sponsored by a company which is all great but some bosses literally exploit you. On that visa you had, I think, 28 days to get another sponsor or you were done - not a good position to be in if you've got a lease or have a girlfriend or whatever. So you'd be wise to think twice about getting stuck with one company.

 

It used to be you could go in on a year holiday visa and work for one employer for 3 months (which they then increased to 6 months) and then you could extend you're holiday visa by another 12 months.

The visa situation may have all changed, so do your research.

 

To summarise I wouldn't think twice - get out there! Watch out for the widow makers  (eucalypts that drop tree sized limbs on beautiful calm days with no warning) and don't be tempted into long term visa arrangements unless you know who you're dealing with. Good luck.

[wood cutter]

Lucky bugger! Get out there and smash it!