Sorry I can’t help with Discoman’s original question. I am fortunate enough to be emigrating to Aus (fingers crossed) on my partner’s skilled visa. Truckers were on the skills list 2 years ago, but they slipped off and haven’t been seen since
I have another question though, if anyone can help: I’m a ‘lady’ trucker of 11 years driving exp on artix and most of my work is with tautliner or box trailers in and out of distribution centres with palleted goods. We’re planning to move to just north of Brisbane before the end of this year. Where is the best place to look for work and what sort of companies should I start hassling? I have found NYK on the north side of Brisbane, TNT just seem to do express multi drop work on rigids these days (too much like hard work!) and there are a lot of companies in the yellow pages that have no websites so it’s difficult to work out what their actual business is.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not against pulling totally different loads or learning new skills or whatever; I just think that as a ‘Sheila’ I will have an uphill struggle getting a chance to drive at all, never mind outside of my experience. Won’t stop me though - I’ll wear them down eventually!
I get it that Rockhampton seems to be the centre of the truckers universe as far as QLD is concerned, a bit like Crick/Northampton in the UK - but we would like to be a little further south towards Brisbane if there’s anything down there anyone knows of out of the city?
Dragonyou say north of Brisbane then you say Rockhampton.One problem is these towns are 550 kilometres apart,so i think you will need to be more specific.I live in Brisbane so if you need any more info please pm me anytime i am online most days so you should get quick reply.I have 27 yrs exp driving in OZ. Are you after local ,long distance work talk soon
I have read a lot of the topics about people in this forum wanting to drive in Australia. As a suggestion if you are serious then you need an Atlas like this one. This may help everyone understand what the regulations etc etc are.
Have a look here http://www.ozprodrivers.com.au/shop
Thanks for the tip about the truckies atlas. I sent for one and it is really good. The guy at ozprodrivers is one helpful and kind person - put in a property guide for me too.
Got the flights booked and everything now - arriving on October 11th in Brisbane and staying in Redcliffe. All I need now is a job!
Can anyone give me an idea of companies I can contact in the area who have local-ish work that would get me home every night? Got an HC (HGV class 1) license and have been dragging 44 foot tautliner or box trailers for 11 years.
(Can anyone give me an idea of companies I can contact in the area who have local-ish work that would get me home every night? Got an HC (HGV class 1) license and have been dragging 44 foot tautliner or box trailers for 11 years. )
My suggestion is wait till you get here as you can work with a lot of companies working ex Brissy. You can go West, North or South. You can’t go East as you will end up in the sea!!! Change overs will be the go for you mate. If you want to do local there is plenty of work too. Most job descriptions are Local, Intrastate (within Qld) & Interstate. I put my earnings in here see the post about my pay
You will need to go into Qld Transport to change your license, From Memory your HGV1 will swap over to an HC which is everything up to a semi trailer which is what you are use too. Also you can do truck and dog work as well 6x4 truck and towbar 3 or 4 axle trailer. I am trying to talk in easy to understand terms. Aim to get your bdouble/ road train license soon as you can as that is where the money is and most companies have them. Be selective and watch the BS talk.
The other thing is get use to wearing sunnies and drinking lots of fluid (water). sun screen will be needed if you are not use to the sunshine.
Great Stuff matey get over here and fit in You will love it.
PM me and I will post you over the local saturday paper if you want but go into here and you can see all the jobs seek.com.au/ careerone.com.au/
We can tell ya who are the good ones and the not so good ones
There is another way into Australia,takes a bit of $$ and time.
You apply for a “Student Visa”.
You enrol in a school for Hairdressing/cooking etc-yes I know its not ideal,BUT,once you have completed your Mickey Mouse Diploma you then apply for Permanant Residency whilst in Australia and 99 out of 100 Indian students get accepted.
There is a list of "Skill Shortage Occupations"pick one that suits you and you will be drinking Vic Bitter and driving real trucks
Very interesting post, thanks. I would suggest you check out the job market first, try this link australia.recruit.net/search-Truck+Driver-jobs
alternative (bit long winded I know) you could contact the Australian Embassy in your area and ask for a list of trucking companies and send an email to them. Well worth a go you never know what might happen…
interestingly , today I spotted a Scania (pulling a container) liveried in The Toll Group colours !!! Are they operating over here now ? If so has anyone got contact numbers pls? Had a look on the website but nothing there
boots:
There is another way into Australia,takes a bit of $$ and time.
You apply for a “Student Visa”.
You enrol in a school for Hairdressing/cooking etc-yes I know its not ideal,BUT,once you have completed your Mickey Mouse Diploma you then apply for Permanant Residency whilst in Australia and 99 out of 100 Indian students get accepted.
There is a list of "Skill Shortage Occupations"pick one that suits you and you will be drinking Vic Bitter and driving real trucks
Can you do part time trucking while you do your cooking school or whatever? What finances are needed to get on the student thing & is there any age limit?
