Looking to make mates in OZ

[TileIT]

Hi guys.

My name is Dean and I just want to Introduce my self to all you Australian tilers.

I'm not yet a tiler per-say but I'm going to train hard and get as much exsperiance under my belt as I can to enable me to in 4 years time apply for a permanent visa.

I want to gain as much info on tiling especially the Australian methods and terminology. where better to do this than on an Australian tile forum. but I'd also like to learn more about Australia like what the tile industry is like as in work to be had and I'd like to get to know some tilers from oz so when time comes that I'm ready to move over I'll know people to put me in touch with employers and point me in the right direction for work.

[Mick the Tiler]

Hi dean,

Welcome to the tile forums m8

What area of Oz are you looking at?? I'm in Brisbane Queensland. And we can go from there.

[TileIT]

Hi Mick,

your gonna laugh but Were looking to move to Perth, not so funny I hear you say. thing is we've never even been there.

we saw a program on the telly about 3 years ago and I looked live heaven with sand. I was working for my Dad at the time window cleaning. the money was ok but I wasn't getting rich off it. we looked in to the visa application process and saw we would need to have a trade that is in demand in Australia. My wife is a qualified Veterinary nurse but you guys are not in need of vet nurses. and all i'm trained in is warfare. joined the army (infantry) from school did 4 years then started the window cleaning.

any way I heard that you can go over on a business visa so there was my in. start a business make it work in the uk and then after 2 years i could move over and do the same in oz.

how stupid was I!!! I didn't do my research properly and didn't know that if after 4 years your not making $200,000 a year and employing at least one Australian, and your not allowed to do 50% of the work yourself. if you dont meet this then they send ya packing.

almost two years i've been in business and although i've made a success of it in the uk there is no chance i'd do that in oz that quick.

so back to the drawing board. I've read almost every thing i can and found out our best bet is for me to retrain and get over on a skilled visa. I needed to pick something I enjoy doing and can realistically do while still window cleaning after all thats what pays the morgage. I've always loved tiling to the point that every place i've owned i've re tiled anything i could. lol so I chose tiling as my new career path.

now the hard work starts. I've got to turn my DIY standard tiling in to professional tiling and do it on a part time basics as i do earn a good wage cleaning windows and could not possible pack it in to tile full time. not yet anyway.

as I mentioned we want to move to perth but in all honesty we know little about Australia. the Australian Out door life stile is so us and were very sporty and want our little girl to be too. there are very few facilities to do sports here for young people and as far as the uk goes I think were in one of the best locations. south coast. were not city people so would ideally like to live in a suburb rather than in a city its self.

I've spoken to a few people about tiling in Australia and it looks very different to tiling here in the uk. tilers are not regarded as a necessary hear as most builders do it as part and parcel of there job normally to a poor standard. plumbers will fit a kitchen/bathroom and to make a few extra quid do the tiling too rather than get a pro tiler in. there is some awful tiling because of this and it brings the public opinion of tilers down. i spoke to a plumber the other day to ask if he could put and tiling work my way and he said 'tilers are normally guys that cant do anything else like plumbing, plastering or electrics'. I did think what a tit. I wash glass for a living and i'd bet my bottom $ i earn more a month than him!

I want to not be a tiler by uk standards but by oz standards because t some point I'll need to do pass an AQF III so its no good bumbling through the next 4 years with easy jobs. I need to get good.

well thats me, Hard working, Ambitious, driven, family oriented, good morals and I dont stop bloody talking! lol

I see we already have something in common apart from tiles. Music. I'm music nuts I kinda play guitar but haven't for 7 months, since my baby was born. I dont get time any more to practice so i bought a bass. Its easier. lol

[TileIT]

geeze didn't relised I'd writen that much sorry guys

[Dave]

Hello Dean..

[TileIT]

hay Dave. this sites having trouble picking up members. not got the buzz that the uk one has!

[guppy]

Hello i hope your preperations and training are going well.I moved over here a little while ago and as i am married to an australian and have a family i came via the family visa route.If you can come here then do so.Waterproofing is a licensed industry in most states and i find the tilers here to be multi skilled and very knowledgable.Although i live in melbourne if there are any questions i can help you with then send me an e mail

[Atlas36]

Hi Dean,
Just dropping you a line to say hello!!I am from down your ways mate Torbay,Devon but i now live in New Zealand and have done for 10 years but i will moving to Perth in October.I have my New Zealand Qualification in Floor & Wall Tiling and would be happy to help in anyway mate.
Any how mate just saying hello and hope it all goes well for you.
Cheers mate
Justin