plumbing work/water work

**shaznsteve** · 08-02-2008, 02:54 PM

hi 2 all,does anybody know if there is much demand for plumbers in adelaide and what kind of wage can be expected,i am qualified to city and guilds and nvq levels.does this apply in oz.:jimlad:

**Tyke** · 08-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by shaznsteve

hi 2 all,does anybody know if there is much demand for plumbers in adelaide and what kind of wage can be expected,i am qualified to city and guilds and nvq levels.does this apply in oz.:jimlad:

Hiya

There seems to be plenty of work for plumbers as you can't seem to get a good one easy here.

See my reply in this thread.... http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/forum/...3124#post23124

Have you looked at the licensing here?
Even though you may be highly experienced and qualified you will need to look into this!
All plumbers have to have a licence,have a look at this site.........

http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/licensing/plumbers/index.html

HTH :)

**Perth Pom** · 09-02-2008, 10:36 AM

I am watching this thread with interest, as I am keen to know about the work situation in SA.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news mate, but your qualifications are worth nothing in OZ. They merely get you into the country. To work as a plumber in OZ, you need to be licensed. For this, you will need to study. It is quite easy to get a tradesmans license. This will allow you to work for a company, but if you want to go self employed, you will need a Contractor's license. This is not so easy to get, and can involve years of study.

So, come on, any Adelaide plumbers out there that can tell us about the state of play in SA. Wages, conditions, hours etc etc? We are VERY interested!!

**Perth Pom** · 15-02-2008, 07:02 AM

Thanks for that info Tyke. I didn't notice your post before I posted myself.

Surely there is a plumber on the forum who can give us some info on wages/conditions/hours etc???

**Tyke** · 15-02-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Perth Pom

Thanks for that info Tyke. I didn't notice your post before I posted myself.

Surely there is a plumber on the forum who can give us some info on wages/conditions/hours etc???

Told you they were scarce

**Kiki** · 15-02-2008, 07:55 AM

Hi Tyke

OH is a plumber, if you are working for a company as a plumber do you still need a licence? Or is it both Self employed and employed. Its not really clear from the link. Having said that Ive skimmed it I have 2 kids in the background doing the Mam Mam every 2 minutes.

Thanks

Kimberley

**Roo1** · 15-02-2008, 08:35 AM

I've recently had a guest staying in our rental who is a plumber and believe you and me, its not been the best of starts for him since arriving.

In the U.K he was fully qualified, all singing and dancing but here his qualifications mean zilch. From what he told me he has now needs to go back to college (TAFE) and get his Master Plumber Cert if he is to work without supervision.
They put alot of emphasis on sewers and drains here, so there's training on that, plus the plumbing here is different from the U.K and different ways of doing the job need to be learnt.

He's been advised to get a "Gas Certificate" as well, as the course is shorter and he's got more chance of getting a job quicker.

He's been in touch with "the main guy" who is supposed to be the one overviewing immigrants who have come over as plumbers.
Apparently this guy has been put forward as the one to contact by the Aus Gov but he is overwhelmed by the sheer lack of support for trades people by the Aus Gov. On a different forum, plumbers are very angry with him for the lack of support, but its really not his job to get people work. He's just an ordinary guy doing his job at TAFE and through lack of communication has found himself in a position beyond his control to help people.

My guests spent one day phoning 20 plumbers from the Yellow Pages to see if they needed an extra plumber, he got nowhere and 3 weeks in feels very depressed.

He's now considering working at Bunnings (like B&Q) just to tied him and his family over.

I shall let you know how he gets on (pity he doesn't have internet access at his new long term rental or he could tell you all this himself).

I'm sorry thats its not what you want to hear all plumbers out there but unless you've got a job to go, please realise there's going to be some hurdles to overcome when you get here.
The Aus Gov needs to sort their s*** out when it comes to tradesmen and give them the support that they need and deserve.

Judi

**richjop** · 15-02-2008, 09:17 AM

I have a lovely Australian plumber who is coming next week to install my bath (yippee), I can ask him what qualificatiosn are needed etc and what the work is like. As Tyke has already said, there does seem to be a shortage of good reliable tradespeople but if you live near the city like we do you wouldn't believe the number of people doing 'renovations' it seems to be a national pastime!

**richjop** · 15-02-2008, 09:22 AM

I have a lovely Australian plumber who is coming next week to install my bath (yippee), I can ask him what qualifications are needed etc and what the work is like. As Tyke has already said, there does seem to be a shortage of good reliable tradespeople but if you live near the city like we do you wouldn't believe the number of people doing 'renovations' it seems to be a national pastime!

**Kiki** · 15-02-2008, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by richjop

I have a lovely Australian plumber who is coming next week to install my bath (yippee), I can ask him what qualifications are needed etc and what the work is like. As Tyke has already said, there does seem to be a shortage of good reliable tradespeople but if you live near the city like we do you wouldn't believe the number of people doing 'renovations' it seems to be a national pastime!

Thanks Richard that would be useful.

Thanks Judy definetely keep us updated in his progress.

Kimberley x