Australia????

[Rowan]

Hi
Does being a refrigeration mechanic in Aus offer you a better standard of living than being a refrigeration technician in the UK?
I live in Kent and work to support my misses (who doesn't work) and 2 sprogs (5 & 10 months). I work as much as possible and can afford a reasonable house in the country but having this means I cant spend too much time at home. I aim to work 6 days a week and a couple of earlie starts and late finishes are good (in a c*** kind of a way). How does this equate to Aus?
Cheers for reading
Rowan

[Magoo]

Hi Rowan,
obviously you and family are in a ' no win situation ' Talk to or email emigration sites. Australia , New Zealand. Both countries very family focused and supportive.

[Tesla]

Hi Rowan
My advice from experience is "don't go to NZ" come to Aus and enjoy the warmer weather and a more laid back lifestyle. All in all a fairer system in Aus. NZ there are too many tax bludgers and you don't get a good bang for your buck or hard work.

[Goober]

I live in NZ and have done since 91. I've immigrated from Ireland. Have to agree with the comments about NZ above. Aussie is better. Although Aussie are more unionised and there engineers are all properly licensed, they are more protective of there status. Which I agree with. Getting all the licensses and tickets required to work in Aussie will be your biggest challenge. Lot easier to get a job in NZ but pay not as good.

[FreezerGeezer]

In general: Stick to the capital cities for options. Melbourne & Sydney seem to have most of the large industry - so chiller guys will fond it easiest to get work there. No-one (in a/c anyway) pays travel time, but they don't normally expect you to travel more than an hour. In rural areas it's different of course.
You'll need to have all your licences or at the very least be awaiting them having passed the requirements to get a job offer. You have to pay for all your licences, renewals of same, etc.
Employer here are much better in some respects, but do seem to have the attitude 'I gave you a job, what more do you want matey? You know where the door is if you don't like it.' So far in my experience, bosses here are much more approachable day to day - ask for an early start early finish for e.g. and you'll likely not have a problem gettin it.
I don'tthink the quality of life is better than I had. Rather it is different. Much more outdoorsy, especially in the northern states. There's only 2 major supermarkets here, meaning less flexibility in employment if you're in that side. Less choice than you're used to. The good thing is that this means there's still room for the independants and specialists.
Electrical suppliers in my area are pretty hopeless. Then the nearest RS is about an hour's drive, and thier catalogue is still only one (admittedly thick) book. I haven't worked elsewhere so can't comment.

[lawrence1]

Rowan Hi,
Having a mortgage or paying rent anywhere either in UK or Aus is a pain in the ar,,,.We need to work to pay for what we want,,that's life,can't change that.
Here it's no different really except you can do it under better living conditions,,,sunny skies,(Queensland of course)cold beer,warm summers,warm winters,,,no snow(Queensland of course)Beautiful one day Perfect the next,
Why not travel down for a holiday and check it out.

[Tesla]

Hi Rowan
What are you waiting for? Grab the opportunity by the balls and do it. Best bets are Sydney or Brisbane, Melbournes ok but only if you have all your licenses first. Sydney there is a slight slum on employment at present and Brisbane is constantly advertising along with Perth but I don't know about perth - it's a little isolated from the eastern side. I know that there are a few companies in Sydney that will take you on and help you get those licenses. All in all best of luck.

[mad fridgie]

Hi Rowan, go for it. Remember that you have to work, life is not like you see in Home and Away. Working in the heat is not a pleasure, this is a big down side factor. Australia is generally more relaxed, than the UK and NZ, this can lead to fustration, if you are on a deadline.
In NZ due to its size and population you tend to see a much wider variety of work, so this leads to it own challenges, always being thrown in the deep end. Money is always a hard one, sure in Aus, you earn more, but I do know if you are any better off per hour worked. It does not matter where you are, if you work hard you will recieve the benefits.
I can say from experience, that I personally have not taken advantage of the best NZ has to offer, but my family has.

[Rowan]

Cheers for all the advice guys much appreciated. Sapose its much the same as anywhere where you get out what you put in. We are planning a holiday over christmas.....just to see if I can handle to heat! Misses is drawn to Perth at the moment.
Only done supermarkets over hear for the last 5+ years and dont really like A/C. Are the many fridge/chiller jobs over there or are they (the majority) fridge-A/C jobs?
Thanks again
Rowan

[FreezerGeezer]

Don't forget that outside of the Northern Territory, the MAXIMUM speed limit is 110kph, and not a lot of even that!!!! Additionally, they are MUCH hotter on speeding here, basically you assume zero tolerance.
You'd think they'd actually wan to be able to get from one side to the other in less than a year, eh?
And another thing: It's not really one country. It's a federation if almost independants states, each with it's own parliament. Many laws, licences and rules change from one state to another. For that matter, NSW has daylight saving, but Queensland doesn't, although it's the next state north! Can be a bit of a pain living on the border as I do, but you get used to all this.
Let's face it, it's like America. They speak a dialect of English, but it is still a properly foreign country. Don't come here expecting it to be like Benidorm, and you'll be fine. Probably even fall in love with it like most of us have.

Oh, and it is GREAT to take the pee out of them whenever we beat them at sport! :D

[PaulZ]

Hi Rowan
As advised come for a holiday and have a bit of a look around.
Melbourne and Sydney probably have the most jobs on offer but the price of housing is a lot more expensive then Perth and Adelaide, I think Brisbane is getting up there.
If you want to live in the outer suburbs the price is ok.
Get on the net and check out some house prices in each state, google real estate.com.au there are several sites that have photos and maps.
Sydney and Melbourne are big cities and spread out and it takes a long time to get from one side to the other.
If you do come over I don't think you will regret it.
Good luck
Paul

[Magoo]

Hi Rowan.
remember the heat, Perth can get really hot, 40+ degrees in Queensland. Hobart cooler. I would have to say that South Australia/ Adelaide would be my choice if I could get her from indoors to move.

[lawrence1]

Rowan,
City Facility Management (uk) are established here servicing Coles supermarkets in Vic/NSW and Qld and more states probably,,,,worth an email to them enquiring for work downunder.
LJ

[frozenatsea]

Hello ! I'm russian reefer engineer and have extensive experience in industrial system(food,fish etc.)Now I try to find a job in Aussie .Tell me truly is really for me or not ??

[scottmax]

Hello ! I'm russian reefer engineer and have extensive experience in industrial system(food,fish etc.)Now I try to find a job in Aussie .Tell me truly is really for me or not ??

The industrial industry is always looking for good ammonia mechanics. If you can rebuild screws you would be a lot closer to be able getting a job. I think the immigration dept looks favourably on refrigeration mechanics coming into our country, that would be the first point of call for all thinking of coming down under

[lowcool]

we have probably got the highest seperation rate in the world when it comes to fridgies.not to many make a life sentence

[750 Valve]

we have probably got the highest seperation rate in the world when it comes to fridgies.not to many make a life sentence

thats why most fridgies also own jetskis and boats :D

[lowcool]

thats why most fridgies also own jetskis and boats :D

and pay child support :D never did like those CSA mag rims :D
ya got that cobra working yet 750 valve?