| We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Wages in Engineering...; (or how much can I earn) | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: 28 Jan 2005, 05:42 AM (714 Views) | |
| ninijon | 28 Jan 2005, 05:42 AM Post #1 |
Member
|
Hi all, Bordy from the britishexpats site invited us over here so thought we'd come and say hello. Don't know how we've coped all this time without the forums... Just to give you all a brief potted history, we've now had our Police checks and our medicals (Sep/December 2004) so are just waiting to hear back on our 136 class visa. A total stresser, although reading the web sites it seems that most people don't even consider being rejected, I guess if you have got this far its a good thing???? :unsure: Have I got this wrong, or does everybody believe that they will be granted a visa? We're using an agent with a high success rate (or so they claim) to give us extra security. Anyway it's looking more and more likely that we'll be coming to Melbourne as it will be easier for me to get a job (that's our assumption anyway). Which leads me onto my question... I'm a Program Manager (Powertrain Engineering) in the Automotive Industry and wanted to know what sort of wage I could expect for an equivalent position in Geelong with someone like Ford. The grade is one above Senior Engineer if that helps. I have a Masters Degree and six years experience. Any help or guidline will be so much appreciated. We weren't that worried about money before dicovering the britishexpats, but my wife was up till all hours reading the $80,000 thread (if any of you have seen it) and is really worried about money. One of our biggest motivators to going to OZ is the prospect of being able to make ends meet every month finincailly, somthing we just dont seem to be able to do here in the UK, and belive me we dont go out very often, dinner once in the last 2 months. Anyway any help would be great. Well I'll leave it at that, we have a million questions to ask but I'm sure there is lots of time. We look forward to speaking to you all over the coming year. :med smiley: Cheers Jon and Janine |
 |
 
|
| rosscog | 28 Jan 2005, 06:52 AM Post #2 |
|
Member
|
hi, have you tried searching on seek.com.au. not many of the posts actually display wages but some do, i dont know if any of sort of jobs you will be after will display wages though as i suppose its very negotiable in that field. I dont think you will have too much trouble getting your $80000 though, i have been searching for fitting jobs within manufacturing companies and have found those are paying roughly $45000 to $50000 for a decent one (roughly what i am on in the uk) and you are miles further up the ladder than i am. A lot of people tend to moan about the wages in oz, especially over at expats but from what i can see, and this is from first hand experience as i have my father and uncle both involved in it in oz, the wages in engineering appear to be good. (as good as the uk, if not better in some jobs). obviously there will be alot of jobs advertised where the wages will be terrible but in my oppinion this is the same as the uk and i fully expect and am prepared to have to take one of these jobs first in order to progress onto better ones. The only example of a wage that i know is genuine is that of my father who moved to oz 2 years ago, who has been a publican all his life. He had to take some shitty jobs to begin with but after about 6 months he managed to land a job as a rigger in the shell oil refinery in geelong (never had any rigging experience whatsoever), he had on the job training and he showed me his earning for last year which where roughly $60000 which included a little bit of o/t, but never the less, a cracking wage for someone in his position, Sorry for going on a bit, hope some of it reassures you a little, ross... |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 28 Jan 2005, 07:25 AM Post #3 |
|
Member
|
Ross, thank you so much for your reply, the longer the better I thought. I really appreciate your honesty and taking the time to reassure me and my wife. Janine was rather shaken by the $80,000 thread as she doesn't see coming back to the UK an option for us, so is addamant that our new life will work and seeing all the threads about people saying it was in some cases more expensive to live shook her up a bit. It would appear that maybe we haven't done as much research as we should have, but better late than never. Once again thanks for the info :) Jon |
|
|
|
| Bordy | 28 Jan 2005, 11:44 AM Post #4 |
Administrator
|
Jon tell her not to worry to much about the $80,000 thread. A lot of people get by on less than that. Of course it helps if you both work but we have found a lot more free things to do out here in Melbourne. Theres the beaches, some fantastic walks through the country parks & the free BBQs around everywhere. You just rock up, press the button to start the BBQ & away you go. I think what I'm trying to say is we don't spend as much here as we did back home, it was always so wet or cold when you went out it was to the pub or cinema etc. Janine will love the life here I guarantee it. |
|
|
| ninijon | 29 Jan 2005, 01:38 AM Post #5 |
|
Member
|
Hi Bordy, Its Janine. Thanks so much for your reply to Jon. I know I am stressing over ever little detail (probably driving Jon mad), what can I say if I wasn't worried I would probably worry about not worrying.
:D When ever I visit my parents in South Africa (Port Elizabeth) the things I love most are the walking on the beach and the BBQ's, so this is good news for me. I just love a BBQ on Christmas day instead of the whole turkey thing. I have tried looking in a few books on Melbourne, however they very rarely mention the beaches or show pictures, are they good? Is it warm enough to swim in the sea or do most people stick to their swimming pools? and on that note are swimming pools the norm? I am guessing we will be living to the west of Melbourne as Jon will probably be working at Geelong, however I would like to be close to the city and the beaches. I know what you mean about the cinema and pub, my sister was over from the US (she lives in Florida) 2 weeks ago and we just couldn't think of anything to do here that didn't cost a small fortune and didn't involve the cinema or the pub. We ended up going bowling, which cost over £55, that of course didn't include the drinks and snacks for my sisters kids... and it was only for 2 hours, cant belive how expensive everything is here in the UK. Oh and we had to book a day in advance as it was so booked up. So I'm really looking forward to lots of free walks on the beach. Hopefully my parents will be joining us in OZ, they say if we get in they will try and follow. They have said there is no way in hell they will ever return to living in the UK, so fingers crossed we will get our visas, then I can be in the same country as my folkes, which would be brilliant. It must be great having your daughter so close, did i read she lives in Mornington, see I'm taking note of all the places people say they like. Anyway I'm sure thats enough questions for now, I had better do some work. Great talking to you Bordy :wave: Thanks Janine |
|
|
|
| rosscog | 29 Jan 2005, 02:10 AM Post #6 |
|
Member
|
geelong beach is great and you would also be on the doorstep of the great ocean road, also torquay beach, queenscliff beach, pt. llonsdale. there really are loads of nice beaches, i dont think it fair that melbourne and surrounding areas get such a bashing off some people, although you wont find that happening on this site, just at british expats. Bordy is right about things out and about being cheaper to do in oz than the uk, especially if you have kids. I'm fed up in britain of going out somewhere to an attraction and paying say £20 for an adult price to get in and then having to pay around £17 or so for my 5 year old daughter, At least in oz, kids prices are usually half of an adult fare which is the way it should be. And also like bordy said, the parks are lovely with their public bbq's and always seemed to be really clean. I'm telling you all this while only having been over twice, some others might have other opinions but two times visiting my father has been enough to make me decide that its where i want me and my family to live and we will be moving over in august. Just a note about the pools, you dont see alot of houses with pools in the melbourne area, i dont think most melbourne folk think there climate warrants having one and from what i have seen houses with them are on the expensive side. We would love a pool when we arrive but have decided that we will probably buy a really decent quality above ground pool (probably just a glorified paddling pool but deaper and more expensive). I have found some sites on the net that do them and they look as though you could have alot of fun with them at a fraction of the cost (although wont be much use in august). |
|
|
|
| Judes2308 | 29 Jan 2005, 02:24 AM Post #7 |
|
Member
|
We're having the same discussions re cost of living and how much we can expect to earn. But I agree with the previous comments and am hoping that the outdoor lifestyle we're looking forward to doesn't cost so much. Living in Aberdeen where the weather seems to be permanently crap (although we have seemingly been the sunniest place in Scotland for 2 years running...........must have been sleeping those days !) we know how much it costs to do things just to get out of the house. Meals, cinema, nights-out all add up. I'm looking forward to packing a picnic and heading to the beach which will cost next to nothing. Good to see people speaking about Geelong which is where we're heading in Sept/October. Hopefully we can all meet up at some point. Judy :P |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 29 Jan 2005, 02:44 AM Post #8 |
|
Member
|
Hi, Ooh, I think you win on the cold scale! It appears we will be arriving around the same time, Jon and I think we should be there by the end of the year, if all goes to plan. I think we will need to have our validation trip in September. So would love to meet up once we arrive. It appears from this web site we already know more people in OZ than we do here in the UK, isn't life great! And yes cant agree more about the picnic! What really swung me about going to OZ is the life children can lead, althoguh we dont have any as yet, however it is on the top of the list once we get there!!! :devil: What will you all be doing in Geelong Judy and Rosscog? Cheers Janine (and Jon, just got back from work and pearing over my shoulder, God this web site is addictive) :med smiley: |
|
|
|
| suemac | 29 Jan 2005, 06:19 AM Post #9 |
|
Member
|
Just to add a little more reassurance. Between us we earn significantly less than 80 000. :o I work part time as able as the kiddies are still small. Looking back at our calendar, we have accumulated only one lot of expenses in the last 5 or 6 weekends. And that was camping at the most magical spot an hour from us, virtually alone, us and the mountains, great facilities, for the princely sum of $11 a night! We walk in stunning forest 10 minutes from us, down to the beach, cycle along the local rail trail. It is a great life. However, we definitely had the pub, party, cab home thing out of our systems by the time we got here. Can't see us ever coming out financially if we were trying to maintain that kind of lifestyle. Janine if you like what you see of life in SA, you'll love it here. It offers all the same outdoors gems, but without all the other unsavoury stuff. I grew up in Cape Town, and feel right at home here, well maybe home alone without my maaarmie! |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 29 Jan 2005, 07:05 AM Post #10 |
|
Member
|
Hi Sue (hope i have your name correct), Thanks for your reply, just what we wanted to hear. :lmao: I was born in PE, my sister in Cape Town and I really want my children to have the same out doorsie life style I grew up with. Moved to the UK in 85 and it all went a little down hill after that. Anyway my husband and I love South Africa, and were hoping OZ would be similar, obviously with out the violence etc... Jon especially loved Cape Town and I keep saying I think Melbourne is similar, although didn't know if my mind had just made that up somewhere along the way of convincing myself OZ life is for us. Anyway I am so excited about it, I have bought a map of Mel and keep studying it and already it feels like home - and yes I am a little crazy but hey ho! :med smiley: All your posative comments have made me walk with a skip in my step today. |
|
|
|
| suemac | 29 Jan 2005, 12:49 PM Post #11 |
|
Member
|
Hi again Janine Melbourne feels a lot bigger than CT - very spread out like LA. we flew in after leaving CT and going via Wellington where hubby was raised - and as we landed we were both very mis - it just seemed so flat and vast and characterless! HOWEVER - on ground level, it is def not. As a family that cycle a lot, I can tell you it is not flat!!! And if you don't like the feel of a suburb , there's another just down the road that will be quite different. We were put off by the newer suburbs, with vast houses on small blocks of land. So we're further out in an older suburb, more what we like. There are quite a few differences here compared to SA, but hard to put a finger on. People are definitely less obsessed with appearances here, thank goodness! In most streets out our way you have 15 nice houses, one or two gorgeous ones and 2 total dives! No stress! The weather is a bit worse than CT. my folks start swimming before us and swim later into the autumn, but with the right attitude, it shouldn't stop you. the worst thing is the cost of flights to SA. Really hurts. Do all your visiting on yuor way over!Sue |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 30 Jan 2005, 08:47 AM Post #12 |
|
Member
|
Thanks Sue, It sounds perfect, we are really excited, although I think I'm driving Jon mad as all I can talk about is OZ at the moment, I'm blaming this web site for that. :D |
|
|
|
| Judes2308 | 31 Jan 2005, 11:15 PM Post #13 |
|
Member
|
Hi Janine and John Yes, this forum is definitely addictive but I'm finding it very reassuring and helpful. We're a bit in limbo at the moment, too early to really start organising things but anxious to start as we're aware of how much we have to do before September. My husband (Ronnie) is a Roof Slater by trade and it's because of his occupation that we've got the visa. He's hoping to get a slating job when we get there, although I note earlier on in this thread that there's a Shell refinery in Geelong. Ronnie works in the oil industry at the moment so maybe he could get something there, another option anyway. I'm just going to be a lady of leisure.............OK maybe not (Ronnie's just fainted). I'm a portfolio manager for an investment management company at the moment (stocks and shares etc) but I'm going to be quite happy to leave that sector. I've previously worked in Admin so hopefully I'll just pick up and office job or something, or maybe even temp for a while. The whole object of this move from our point of view is to try a different lifestyle and de-stress so would defeat the purpose by getting a job in the same industry that I don't like anyway. We've no kids either, which I think makes it easier to move. My parents are funny about it anyway, so if we were taking away their grandchildren it would be the end of the world ! Judy |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 1 Feb 2005, 05:29 AM Post #14 |
|
Member
|
Hi Judy, So you already have your visa’s, which is brilliant, what a weight off that must be. Congratulations! Keep your fingers crossed for us! :fingerscrossed: I know what you mean about helpful there are already so many things I have taken on board that I would have done differently had I not seen the site. For starters we were thinking of selling everything, but now I hear it is better and cheaper to taken kitchen stuff and linen etc with. I’m not sure what I will be doing in OZ, nothing if I can help it! :lmao: Totally understand what you are saying, its a great opportunity to start again. Why waste your life doing somthing you dislike or hate, lifes a little too short for all that! And that's precisely why I would like to be a lady that lunches, oh and shops for shoes!!! We would like to start a family I think soon after arriving, obviously it would be very nice to spend the first 6 months living it up painting the town red first. :devil: Some days I hate the fact that nothing is certain about all this, we don’t have our visa’s, don’t know so many things about what we will be doing, where we will be living and on other days I love the idea that we don’t know and anything is possible, this time next year we could be living in a fabulous flat in Mel meeting loads of fun people, ain't life great! I am lucky regarding my parents as they are going to be joining us in Mel at some point hopefully within a year of being there. My parents left the UK back in 1993, so it will be lovely living near them again. All the best Janine |
|
|
|
| Judes2308 | 1 Feb 2005, 11:34 PM Post #15 |
|
Member
|
Hi Janine We feel the same about the uncertainty, although at least we do have our visas. The SIR visa we've got didn't take that long to come through actually. My husband already had his Skills Assessment, so from sending away the application in September 04 we got the final approval at the beginning of January ! I think they are fast-tracking these new SIR visas. But the uncertainty still remains over house, jobs, money etc etc. Although in saying that I'm really excited and just want it to happen now ! Can't wait to hand in my notice at work. I'll keep everything crossed that you get your visa soon. Judy |
|
|
|
| marksala | 4 Feb 2005, 01:53 AM Post #16 |
|
Newbie
  ![]](http://209.85.122.87/static/1/pip_r.png)
|
Hello all let me introduce myself my name is Mark and I am married with two children and currently serving my last few months in the British Army with the intention of emmigrating to Melbourne. My wife has applied for a course in Holmes College as an accountancy course over 2 years so it is likely we will be coming over on her student visa. In the meantime I have an agent in Perth who just received my skilled assessment back from TRA so I now appear on the skilled list as a communications Line person. We have a dilemma do I wait about a year in limbo waiting for my skilled visa to come through or do we proceed with my wifes student visa then apply for my skilled when in Australia. Bearing in mind I will be limited to work on a student visa and her course will cost a small fortune. Do we have to pay school fees for our kids 11 and 12? I just need to be pointed in the right direction before I end up homeless doh! All comments will be very much appreciated. With Regards Mark |
|
|
|
| marksala | 4 Feb 2005, 01:55 AM Post #17 |
|
Newbie
|
Ninijon try the site skilled.com.au and register with them there are lots of jobs available there and such a variety. Cheers Mark |
|
|
|
| ninijon | 4 Feb 2005, 05:55 AM Post #18 |
|
Member
|
Hi Mark, Welcome to the forum (I feel that we can say that now even though we've only been registered 1 week ourselves ;) ). Can't help on the visa front as I don't know enough about all the different types, but someone on here is bound to know. Thanks for the lead on Skilled.com.au. Found it at the weekend and it certainly looks promising. Take care and good luck in whatever option you take Jon |
|
|
|
| « Previous Topic · Work · Next Topic » |
8:04 AM Sep 5
