Can any one tell me if there is much work for a lifegaurd or a h.g.v.driver in australia?

Question

we are moving to australia from the uk next year my wife is a chef and has been offered a job. im a lifeguard, is there much work in that area,i also have a h,g,v licence is that any use in australia, if not could i go and get a labouring job. i dont no were i stand any advise would be a great help

Answer 1

Hi!  I don't wish to sound discouraging, but I thought I should let you know that accommodation is expensive and can be difficult to get.  Perhaps your wife's employer could help you out in that respect, as even if you both have jobs you still need somewhere to live, and the mining companies don't provide much accommodation any more, even though they're minting money. Here's a link to a real estate site: http://www.realestate.com.au/

Also "Rose" gave you good advice about how not to get called a "whinging Pom" by us Aussies.  Unfortunately many previous migrants from the UK have not found things to their liking in Oz and have annoyed Aussies by complaining about it.  Just be clear that it is very different from Blighty and you will have to be willing to make significant adjustments. That said, you can make a very good life for yourselves here if you keep at it.

Many  working-class migrants have become wealthy in Australia, such as musicians like Jimmy Barnes from Glasgow, and the Grollo family from Italy.  Others have managed to enjoy a good quality of life and raise their children well.

I wish you all the best .

Answer 2

Well yes there are jobs as lifeguards in Oz - but of course it just depends on whether you will be living near the coast !!  Not to mention of course you will be competing with the locals and I would think it is quite a difficult job (if not impossible job to get into - unless you have some good Oz lifeguard friends!) for a POM (as they call us)  to get into.   HGV jobs however another matter and are always needed.   No matter where you are in Australia I would think you would have no problem picking up a job doing this.   I hope you both do well - there really are many opportunities and a very good life out there - but only if you are willing to work hard - put your hand to anything - and MOST IMPORTENTLY - do not moan !!  GOOD LUCK - it is there for the taking.

Answer 3

HI YA HUD, there is plenty of work for h.g.v. my neighbours son/family moved there 18 moths ago, hes a h.g.v. driver,,there children are very young and they were worried because its a big step.they love it over there. i wish you and your wife all the best.hope you will still be on this page, and keep US all informed on your life down under.good luck.x*x

Answer 4

check out seek.com.au - it's australia's biggest employment site.

as far as lifeguards go, this would probably only be seasonal work, depedent on where you moved to.  

if i were you, i'd be more reliant on your heavy license and get work based on that.  you MAY need to resit your heavy license here - i'm not sure if it transfers straight over to aus licenses??  best to get in contact with the department of transport in the state you are moving to (just google it).

plenty of jobs in minesites for good dollars - if you have a heavy license and a clean record.

Answer 5

Most beach "livesavers" are volunteers, there are surf clubs with some of the members doing a few hours watching the beaches for people getting into problems.  You might pick up paid work with them Monday - Friday.

Your hgv licence could be used in long distance trucking - this can be 1000-3000 km distances (620 -1820 miles) or more, that means long periods away from home.  

Other work in that line could be shifting dirt away or to construction sites or in the mining industry, driving diesel-electric trucks on haul road.  Either of these mean home at night most or all nights.  

In the mining industry you might get work at an open cut mine while your wife gets work in mine catering or in associated towns.  Look for iron mining in Western Australia, ( Mt Newman) bauxite mining in Queensland (Weipa) or coal mining in central Queensland (Blackwater, Emerald, Dysart, Moranbah) or in New South Wales in the Hunter Valley (Maitland, Newcastle).

Edit - here's something I found while looking for something else -   there would be lots of other Australian employment sites too.

http://www.hogan-mining.com.au/

http://www.employment.com.au/

Answer 6

There is high demand for volunteer lifeguards but getting a paid position is very difficult.

As a lifeguard from the UK you would not be used to the high numbers of rescues performed everyday along the popular beaches in Australia. They would put you through very riguous testing before even considering you for a position.

Perhaps you can try and organise a transfer through you're work, doesnt hurt to ask. Obviously Australia is surrounded by golden beaches and there is loads of work as lifeguards its just getting the opportunity in the first place. Maybe you could get a position at a pool instead of the beach a bit easier.

Your HGV licence is of use in Australia though you would be required to take the test in order to recieve an Australian licence. As already mentioned, this job would involve long haul shifts away from you're family.

There is always plenty of labouring work available.

Without knowing where abouts you're moving to, I cant be more specific.

Best of luck and welcome to Australia.