I have been a driver for 20 years and currently live in texas. the oil fields have slown down alot so i was thinking of finding work in ausstrailia. When I was younger I looked into it and I know I have to have a jod befor I could come. So is there work, avg pay is it more expensive there etc any advice would help thanks
Other - Australia - 5 Answers
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1 :
Yep, there is a shortage of truck drivers here, but I have no clue about VISA's and stuff. Try these sites also, make sure your license is transferable!
2 :
I'm afraid that you have zero chance of getting a visa to work in Australia as a truck driver. Even with a job offer and/or sponsorship, the occupation is simply ineligible as a skilled occupation and that's the only type of visa available. The only occupations for which visas can be obtained are listed on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL): http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf EDIT: On the 16th of May 2009 i.e. 4 days ago, eligibility for even regional 457 visas was removed from ASCO category 5 - 7 occupations. Heavy Truck driver at the mines was one of those. All other truck driver classifications were specifically removed about 12 months ago. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/asco5-7-faq.htm
3 :
There are plenty of job vacancies for drivers in Australia. However, one major thing you have to consider is that in US, you drive on the right side of the road while in Australia, it's on the left side...and the steering wheel is on the right side. It's pretty confusing if you're so used to driving on the right side of the road, so you need to adjust to that...and for this reason, you really have to start at the very beginning again when you get to Australia...and I don't think you would be able to get a driving job in oz before you arrive. In applying for a license, you need to get a learner's permit first...even if you already know how to drive...and this means, you need to have a full-licensed driver beside you while you drive for sometime. Then you take another test and get your P-plate...which still has some restrictions...for a while. Then take another test and get your full license. Have you checked other countries? Maybe you'll do better in those that drive on the right side. Good luck.
4 :
yep but you'd need a clean criminal record and be able to haul trailers. you can also go to New Zealand. Pay for a truckie is pretty good in Australia, especially in Western Australia at the mines. That's your best bet for a good gig. It is possible to get a job in WA online google: Driver Mining Western Australia
5 :
Oil fields and mining have slown down here heaps too. I am working with mining exploration and i see people going from the mines all the time, including truck drivers, since the regression started. Getting a truckie job related to mining would probably be hard at the moment, but there are a lot of other truckie jobs in Australia, like cattle trucks etc.. I think they are doing a bit better, mining is always one of the first industries hit by regressions.
