I am hoping to move to Brisbane later this year, but am a bit concerned that I am self trained and will not get work when we move - how difficult is it to get work as a self trained tiler in Brisbane - I have very high standard of work and professionalism, have been working at this trade for the last 9 years as a sole trader, and am willing to undertake any course that may help me progress in the tiling trade. I would appreciate any advise that I might get from fellow tradespeople

hi fitzer,

i can tell you this for sure and johnnie clarke will back me up. the aussies are excellent tradesmen who serve 5 year apprenticeships and they dont suffer fools gladly. there apprenticeships are like the one we used to do here before the trades got spilt into sections (devalued!!) if you are good then i dont think you will have a problem but, alot of the aussie tilers can floor screed, float out swimming pools and can do alot of external work in sand and cement. i am sure you will be fine but a word of caution if you are doing a 4 week course etc. dont expect to get off the plane and think you can pull the wool over there eyes.
get well prepared before you go because before you know it, the word will get round quicker than a bush fire..with 9 yrs experience, iam sure you'll be fine. a pal of mine is in noosa and hes tiling and doing ok. hes a plasterer who's broken into tiling, so you should b fine ;0)
----
ps dont think i am trying to make out that the aussies are supermen, i'm not, i just dont want to see anyone of the lads and lasses from on this forum go over there and get caught out :0) be prepared and there'll be no issues. you may even teach those guys a few things ??

tiler burden
Thanks for your message - obviously I have'nt any experiences with swimming pools but did 3yrs floor screeding in London before going back to Ireland and tiling. Have worked with porcelain, ceramics and tumble marble - and my work to date is soley on recommendations from customers and from one tile shop for the last 7 yrs meeting their customer requiremants and touch wood have had no complaints to date - except being too particular!!!!!! I am willing to learn and progress in the trade, however there is a very big fear factor over our move and lack of self believe as it took me over a year to break into my home locality but haven't stopped since! Have plenty of photos of work really just need a boost in my confidence from others knowledge of Australia - don't know how to load photos onto computer - really appreciate your correspondence thanks

Hi fitzer

I'm a brizzy tiler worked doen here for 20 years, and 9 years experience is nothing to sneeeze at. It's true we are well versed on the trade front and don't suffer fools easily. You'll will be expected to have a high standard of work ethic and a solid knowledge of all tiling materials and techniques. We lay a large range of materials alot of porcelain, glass, mosaics, trav, quarry, sandstone, monos ,terra, slate, marble, granite just to name a few, but as of this time frame there is a skills shortage and there will be plenty of work for those willing to give it a go type people.

If you have any questions just give us a shout COBBER.

One more thing make sure you come down here with a strong back that's willing to bend, laying 300m2+ floors on your own in 600x600 polished full bodied porcelain is pretty much the norm in houses down here.

I would back up all the posts so far.

I am trying to get in touch with 3 Queenslander tilers who used to work for me
here, and are now back over there to get their input on whats happening now.

Only other thing to add is that if the surfs up you ll hardly see a tiler on site.

Youre definitely making the right move.

JOHNNY

Hi im planning on being out in brisbane by christmas am looking to work for some one any body gonna be wanting a hard gafter about then? sorry for hijacking thread

Mick
Thanks for getting back to me - just to say on my behalf - I have worked solely by myself for the last 9yrs - I have a very good work ethic in so far that I work hard with the aim to do a proper high quality job - I say things as I see and if I dont't know how to do something I will say it - I don't try to pull the wool over anyones eyes - I am willing to progress in the trade and learn from those with more experience. Mick, I would only have limited experience of some of those tiles you gave me, the reason being the |Irish domestic market,is done on a budget - people only buy what they can afford ie porcelein has only just started becoming affordable over the last 18 months. Also with big mortgages, people are less willing to use more expensive types of tiles. My hopes are to get a start with a experienced tiler to gain the knowledge of the Australian work standard of tiling. I class myself as a quick learner willing to learn, take orders, and work hard in exchange for experience. I am easy going and above all willing to learn because at the end of the day there is nothing better than to see a quality job finished and a happy customer that will do one thing and that is recommend your work to others. My reason to go to Australia is to provide for my 3 girls along with my wife. Thanks Mick for your advice
Fitzer
----
Johnny
thanks for getting back to me and for putting the effort in on my behalf. What i said in Micks reply also applies to yourself. I believe that everyone needs a helping hand every now and then and that is all I am looking for here in order to start afresh with my family. I will have some photos of my work posted on here by the end of the weekend and you will be able to see the standard of my work.
If someone is willing to give me a chance, even if it is as an assistant until they feel they can trust me, and they will get a hard worker with high standards in return. thanks for your help
Fitzer

Tilecorp would be a good place to start they are Queenslands largest tiling contractors that maily specialize in commercial tiling projects . They cover all aspects of materials and do alot of high rise work. Give them a call before you decide and if they are employing you can bet that there is plenty of work around.

Tilecorp Pty Ltd



113 Bukulla, Wacol, QLD 4076
p: (07) 3271 5655 f: (07) 3271 5678
http://www.tilecorp.com.au

Mick
Would that not be jumping in at the deep end as all my work over here has been in the domestic field? Do you think they would give me a start given my experience compared to the work field they are in? Will contact them and see what happens

Personally I think packing up and moving to a new country is deep end enough, I congratulate you for even contemplating such a move.

The reason Tilecorp might be a good starting point is that breaking into the domestic market down here won't come easy. Gaining an understanding of Australian standards and by-laws as well as insuranceing schemes will take some time to become familar with, Licensing will also be another hurdle to overcome. By starting with a larger firm you are sheilded from all of these issues as you will work under the companies guidelines. To gain full licensing you will have to work for companies like tilecorp or other larger tile contractors for a minimum of 2 years, this will give you the knowledge and experience so you can then apply for a sub-contractor license so you can work direct to the public.

Mick
Thaniks for getting back to me - didnt realise it was like that over there - mind you at least it means you don't get any cowboys thinking they can tile starting up businesses - I will contact them and see what comes back - do you think that they might be interested in taking on someone with my experience who is willing to work and learn from them. As for the undertaking of the move - thats why we are making sure we know everything before we make our final decission and why we are fact finding about anything we can think of before we go so hopefully we wont get too many shocks! Thanks again
Fitzer
----
Mick
thanks for all your help - have a far better understanding on the Australian system and standards now and feel more confident about approaching the company now - hope you have a good weekend chat again soon
Fitzer

Here's another link Fitzer With a mile of useful information about licensing and contractors hope it is helpful

http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/Home/Default.htm

hi fitzer

australia have a skills shortage that means they need skilled time served guys to fill the vacancies.. if you are not time served, then like any other company/country including ours you are going to either hope they will take you on as a kind of advanced apprentice/improver basis. it will take some pressure off you if you start lower then aim higher if you know what i mean :0)

i think that would be better for you so
1. you will learn what the aussies expect and cover.
2. you'll get the confidence/experience that you are lacking
3. learn about the aussie mentality towards marketing and the domestic marketing

doesnt matter what country you live in, good tradesman are hard working, experienced, professional and that in turn leads to their confidence!!

if you apply for a visa, then at some point, you are going to have to go infront of an aussie tile assessor who will ask you questions and give you tasks to complete, so keep reading and learning about natural stones etc, so at least your tech knowledge will be impressive. you will only work in a bay so they cant ask you to do anything elaborate. the asssesments are usually carries out at a local college etc.

if you are working in the business now, then if i were you, i would get in with a local experienced times served tiler and split the profits on the work you bring in. be bold, stick your neck out, advertise for the high end market and get the work in and get a time served guy to sub out and learn while you earn!!!

if australia is your dream then you have got to do what ever it takes to get it. seriously mate, i really hope you do it and i believe you will ;0) you have got a great attitude and thats what seperates the good from the bad. never let go of that mate. too many people get cocky when they get good and they always fall on their arse eventually.

anyway, if you watched sport relief last night and seen some of those kids who have no parents and who are born in poverty with hiv and they can make something of their lives then you can walk it mate ;0)

best regards
ed ps speak to laurence robertson at www.overseas-emigration.co.uk or mail him at laurence@my-oe.com and he'll tell you all the rules and what you need to get in to australia..

Have just posted some pictures of some of my work in the members gallery - will they be good enough for the Australian market? Would appreciate your comments on them - thanks
----
Mick
just a quick note, have been doing loads of research over the weekend and am just wondering if I will be able to get acceptance for the Certificate III in wall and floor tiling will my experience or would I be able to finance myself through the process once I have been assessed for prior experience? Am determined to better myself and improve my prospects in the trade, as even though I'm a late starter I'm a quick learner.
Just to say Mick on another note your help is proving invaluable and you are a credit to the trade. Thanks again
Fitzer (Frank)
----
Tiler Burden
Just wanted to say thanks for the advise so far re moving to Brisbane, it has been a great help - have been doing lots of research over the weekend and am now even more determined to get going - also realise now have used alot more types of material than i realised since going over my pictures again - have to learn not to sell myself short!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again
Fitzer

Hi Frank,

Just checked out your gallery and your work is of a high standard and would be welcomed down here.

So I guess we have to work out the next few steps. The first thing to do would be to contact:-

1. The Australian Embassy- For visa application and requirements on how to go about having your previous experience qualify for trade credentials. And to see what courses they recognize.

2. Put together a work portfolio with work experience references and recommendations, as well as photos and other comments about you and your buisness dealings.

3. Contact Tilecorp to see if they are hiring. If they are then work is abbundant. Other good news here too is that I'm pretty sure the owner of Tilecorp is an Irishman, so could give you a good break.

I would not worry too much about the certificate III course just yet as this is quite intense and involves more than 600hours of your time and money best to start with the other things I've mentioned above first so as not to do alot of running around at great expense only to realize that it might not be needed at this point in time.

All the best Mick.

Mick
thanks for your comments about my work its much appreciated - have contacted Tilecorp and have told me to contact them and they will see what is available then. Visa is not a problem wife is a nurse and we are just waiting to hear from the Royal Childrens about getting sponsorship so thats sorted too!!!! Would appreciate keeping in touch with you as it will be good to chat to someone over there before we go hope thats ok
Frank

I'll be here Frank Just shout or PM

That's great news about Tilecorp mate Means that work load should be OK for them I know they have not made any promises at the moment but they did not flat out refuse either so I'd be taking that as a big positive.

Cheers Mick.

Ed you talk some **** man!

give me a ring mate

paul

Hi Fitzer, just wondering how you got on? did you make the move to Brisbane and how have you found the work/qualifications etc..

seriously thinking of making the move myself and i'm pretty much in the same boat as you were

jesus i was in the same boat as u last year same experience,having spent the year in brisbane it was brillant,i started with a group of aussies who were i not joking were perfectionists jesus i couldnt believe it,we were doing porcelain and the boss would stand over me watching everything i.d did and i mean everything,so the first week was hell so next week i asked him was exactly he wanted hed said every cut has to be perfect ,every wall has to be totally plumb and flat,always have a clean bucket of water with u and clean as u lay as i always cleaned at end of day,i worked in germany for 10 years and they are nothing like the aussies for cleaniness,once u do this and cut perfect and i mean a cut has to be 1mill out tops and keep tiles flat ,no lips ull be grand u.ll have to do alot of sand and cement which i didnt at home, the aussies have ther own way of doing things,i mean different nacks so watch and ull pick it up,just do it the way they want ull be fine,also ull be doing alot of waterproofing but thats a piece of ****,over all work hard and dont be afraid to learn there ways, i worked for the same guy for 11 months and never enjoyed work so much and im a better tiler for it, the aussies are good bunch of people enjoy it,

The truth is we all work pretty hard & play pretty hard but like any other country in the world and more so than most - we are all individuals & extremely multicultural so there will be a position to suit any tiler or stone mason that is prepared to give things a chance.

Originally Posted by MICK the Tiler

Personally I think packing up and moving to a new country is deep end enough, I congratulate you for even contemplating such a move.

The reason Tilecorp might be a good starting point is that breaking into the domestic market down here won't come easy. Gaining an understanding of Australian standards and by-laws as well as insuranceing schemes will take some time to become familar with, Licensing will also be another hurdle to overcome. By starting with a larger firm you are sheilded from all of these issues as you will work under the companies guidelines. To gain full licensing you will have to work for companies like tilecorp or other larger tile contractors for a minimum of 2 years, this will give you the knowledge and experience so you can then apply for a sub-contractor license so you can work direct to the public.

Hey Mick, regarding licencing, is that just for QUEENSLAND?

I am looking to start up in PERTH. I'd prefer to work for somebody for a short time to get Aussie experience but would then like to give it a go myself. Start up my own company.

Hopefully I got this right but I think the licence is only needed in certain states.

yes you are correct licencing varies from state to state

tiler burden .
hope this reaches you.
where are you now.
hope all worked out in oz.
i got banned not long after we wre in touch from forum.
would love to know if youre in tiling.
i hope to go back for hols 2 years from now and will be doing a fairly sweeping tour through all states except N.T to catch up with old mates still living there.

Why all the states except NT?

Only because I don't have any friends there now. I arrived penniless in 1980 and stayed 2 years as illegal immigrant and got a 12 year ban on deportation.
when I actually did any work to was in Perth and Sydney.rest of time I was a Derro.
I was very interested in tiler burden as he was making a career trade change and was so focused on making it in oz.im sure hes ok but would love to hear from him.

Ahhh, thought you had a warrant out for you there or something. I was waiting for a much more interesting story. haha

Fair play. He might be in touch mate. Send him a PM too perhaps.

Well actually dan,I could tell a much better story than the s.africa trip 1996.
but this was a time I was a young man and adventure was more important than work. My story of that period would be more about how to survive without working.
I did this for 7 years .

tiler burden is not affilliated to this forum any more.

would love to get in touch with him if anyone has any contact details.
he was a man on a mission re making it in oz , and i would have a good wager even though im not a gambling man ,he has got himself sorted out in oz and would love to hear his story.