Australia is a land of vast opportunities due to which many skilled workers migrate to the country to seek greener pastures for their careers. Among the many types of professionals who want to work and stay in Australia, plumbers are also there. Plumbers from many countries want to work in Australia due to the tremendous growth opportunities that the country offers. Apart from Visa requirements, there are certain other conditions that an overseas plumber must satisfy.
In the following sections, we look at them so that one can understand the requirements that one may have to complete for working independently within the country.
License is needed for different states
Plumbers require a license to work within the country. However, there is no one national centralized body that provides a license to plumbers. A plumber license is provided in the country by the state where the plumber plans to operate. Therefore, a Victoria license may not be valid in Queensland and vice versa. Also, applying for a license can be a time-consuming process, and that is why it is common among foreign plumbers to work as trade assistants under a qualified tradesman for a plumbing company.
Plumbers can anyway start working
Foreign-trained plumbers can immediately start working in Australia if they like the country and its environment. Even if a plumber is on a work holiday visa, the person can start working immediately after applying for a license in a state of choice. Most of these states require an applicant to procure an Australian qualification or apply for the Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR). Getting the details of procuring a license in each of the states can easily be completed by going through their requirements. Even an overseas plumber who is not in the country can apply for a license and clear the OTSR requirement.
It is important to understand OTSR
The work requirements for trade within Australia can vary significantly from a foreign plumber’s home country. The skill application in Australia can be different from a foreign nation, and that is known as the 'skills gap.' The skills gap happens due to different standards followed in each country due to varying workplace rules, safety codes, etc. The OTSR comes in here to help assess the skills that need to be worked upon in gap training so that they can be properly addressed.
On successfully completing an OTSR, a person can receive a provisional license that can help in working under a licensed plumber. The gap training can then be done at a training organization, and after completing the supervised work under a licensed plumber, the person can be eligible to receive a full license to work independently within a state.
Getting an Australian qualification
For receiving a full plumber’s license, a foreigner will have to approach the RTO after gap training and supervised employment. However, receiving a full license will be on par with an Australian education in the same profession or completing an apprenticeship. But having a full license still does not guarantee a work visa for a foreigner. A visa can only be applied either through the general skilled migration or by sponsorship from an employer. Hence, we can see that an Australian qualification is essential for working within the country.
Thus, a foreigner can easily work within the country by following these rules and requirements. If there is an interest in working in Australia, a foreign plumber must start working on these steps immediately so that plan can be put in place to arrive in the country and complete the requirements as soon as possible.