Availability of casual work

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 00:47
ThreadID: 44437 Views:2371 Replies:5 FollowUps:5
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Hello all,
My wife and I are in our 40s and we are thinking off touring Aust. for two or three years. We are wondering about the availability of casual work. Not specificially, I mean the overall big picture. I have a background in sheep annd cattle farming, forestry work and factory work. My wife has a background in health services/cleaning.
Thanks, Shindog.
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Reply By: Member - Rotord - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:33

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:33
In the Pilbara anyone who gets out of bed in the morning can have a job . Lady arrived in town last week for a month . Next day arranged morning work at Woolworths , and afternoon work as a hotel/motel receptionist . Work is so plentiful that you can be picky if you wish . I presume other remote area towns with large scale mining are similar , eg North Queensland . A caravan for accommodation is essential . Aircon in the caravan very worthwhile . With your rural background , relieving on properties may also be the go . Work is so plentiful here that you could even arrange it in advance if you needed that for security . But that is with individual businesses , employment agencies will want you on the doorstep . House construction is booming and they need builders labourers . Concreters are desparate and will hire in advance . Barrowing concrete is not done .
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Follow Up By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:44

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:44
Gees Rotord,
Its 3:40 am, did you $h1+ the bed as well........lol

Lionel.
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon K (SA) - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:00

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:00
Hi
What sort of $ could you expect to get paid as a labourer or similar?. We are about to start travelling to, we are not adverse to hot weather or hard work if the $ are good. I'm just doing a welding course to give myself new skills and thinking of getting my truck licence. Also heard there is a 6 month course in Perth to train you in general mining skills,would this be worthwhile?
Thanks Lyndon & Bernadette
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:08

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:08
Lyndon

Probably around the $90K mark if you do a 20 week Mining Course.

Spoke to a bloke in Karratha last year who was earning $50ph doing a shift job. 18 year olds are earning $100K plus underground in Kalgoorlie

Wish I was much younger and I would go there...LOL

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Rotord - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 12:16

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 12:16
Hello Lionel A

No accidents . High tide was about mid-night so I worked with a couple of ships up to 1.30am and then was super bright eyed and bushy tailed . Visited the forum rather than just wasted my time in bed . Asleep at 4am so I missed your follow up .
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Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:38

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 05:38
Hi Shindog,
You shouldnt have any trouble finding work on your travels, especially in the regional towns and tourist areas. They seem to be screaming for people, even to the point of trying to import them.
Dont know about farming and forestry though, the big dry and greenies seem to be destroying these two "ways of life", but health, hospitality, manufacturing, mantainance services etc etc generally need more people.
One of the best places is the local pub. The number of times Ive been on a trip [WA only] stopped at the local for a coldie, got yakkin to a patron or two and the subject "what do you do" crops up. Nothing like local knowledge.
Actually been very tempted by a couple of offers myself but am happy where I am.

Good luck on your travels,

Regards..........Lionel.
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Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 07:34

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 07:34
There are plenty of jobs available throughout the country especially in the mining industry in South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. A stated there are jobs going begging in the housing industry. Virtually anywhere in the outback there are jobs going in the tourist industry. If you are prepared to work, you will find a job.

Go for it!!!
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Reply By: Anne from Drysdale River Station - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:04

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 08:04
Hi Shindog,

What everyone else has said is so true. Country areas & outcack especially are so short of staff. With your farm experience you can also add things like caretaking stations & farms while folks go on holidays.
Same applies with your combined experience for lookings after caravan / camping & a lot of tourism set ups. There are endless positions as yardies, maintaince men & clearners, plus any job in a roadhouse or tourism place.
The mines are good money but can be a tad harder to get into as in it takes a while for the application & intake & induction process. If they knew you were after short term only they will not be so keen because of the training process.
The comment about own van is very true while a lot of us have single person accom the married / couple stuff is often in short supply. If going to buy a van to do trip remember that the type you buy limits the area you can take it in to work at. Depends where you want to go, while a 30 ft road van will be more comfortable to live long term it's U/S if you wanted to say travel or work up places like the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley.
All in all if you don't care what you do you will be flooded with work ! Plan it a bit so you are in areas in their peak season not when they are closed for say the wet season, exception being if you want to caretake during their off season & that is really best arranged in advance. This can be done by a notice on a local board or sml advert in local paper.
Couple available to caretake. Farm experience. References available. Once you have worked somewhere in the tourism industry you could say farm / tourism experience. Doesn't have to be a big add if interested they will phone you to find out details like what you can do & when you are available.
cheers, Anne

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Reply By: Shindog - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 13:58

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 13:58
Thanks, your replies have been very helpful !
Shindog.
AnswerID: 234219

Follow Up By: Nick R - Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 19:34

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 at 19:34
South western vic unemployment has been very low for years, even youth unemployment is low. Has made it difficult for employers though when you try to pull people from a very small pool, most of whom you wouldn't want...

From an employer's point of view one would usually want a committment of a few months (in our case anyway).....
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