The family of courses dedicated to building deserves particular attention due to the significant differences between the Australian building industry and the European one. In fact, the Australian context is characterised by the building worker’s specialisation in a single field of application, compared with the European situation where the building worker usually has a general training background and performs various stages of the construction process. This will be doubly useful should you be interested in associated migration programs, given that these never address a general ‘builder’ figure, which is a supervisor role, but rather the specialised figure, such as Carpenter, Joiner, Roof Plumber, Tiler, Solid Plasterer etc.
Working in construction in Australia
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Skill Level: 3
Profession: 331212 Carpenter
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/CPC30211
Description: it’s no mystery that these days courses like carpentry are very popular amongst those who decide not only to study to learn a new profession, but also to gamble on the possibility of using the study qualification to remain in Australia long term. Whether you are qualifying from a starting point of zero skills, or you have made this choice to top off years of previous experience with an official qualification, the completion of the Certificate III in Carpentry gives the employer a guarantee that the candidate has learned in detail the building techniques included in the program. If the course (on its own or in association with another building course) goes for at least 92 weeks, you have the right to use a post-study visa (Subclass 485) designed to allow post qualification experience in order to apply for a permanent visa.
Qualification: Certificate III in Solid Plastering
Skill Level: 3
Profession: 333212 Solid Plasterer
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/CPC31011
Description: this course is also by nature very practical and this specific profession doesn’t exist in the Italian context, as these tasks are covered by the more general figure of the muratore. Solid Plasterer can be translated as ‘intonacatore’ or ‘stuccatore’. In reality this figure is quite complex, and requires a whole series of specific skills such as the prevention of water seepage, finishing internal or external walls as well as working with plasterboard.
Qualification: Certificate III in Bricklaying / Blocklaying
Skill Level: 3
Profession: 331111 Bricklayer
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/CPC30111
Description: the figure of the bricklayer can be translated in Italian as ‘muratore’. Actually, it is a different profile from the perception we have of the muratore in Italy, where it involves so many and diverse tasks. In Australia, however, each figure has a specialised profile of defined tasks, and so the bricklayer mainly works in building and maintaining works in brick and mortar.
Qualification: Certificate III in Wall & Floor Tiling
Skill Level: 3
Profession: 333411 Wall and Floor Tiler
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/cpc31311
Description: a course in tiling is a good investment, not only because the profession is well recognised in Australia, but also because it is a universal profession that does not need particular licences in different countries. In Australia, ‘tiler’ is found in the Medium-Long Term List of the Skilled Occupation List, allowing the applicant who can demonstrate both formal qualifications and relevant work experience, the possibility of attaining permanent residence. The course is purely practical. Although there are no particular prerequisites for entry, it is a course recommended for those with a strong predisposition for manual work.
Qualification: Certificate III in Painting & Decoration
Skill Level: 3
Profession: 332211 Painting Trade Workers
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/CPC30611
Description: upon completion of this course, the student will be totally confident with the equipment required for working as a decorator. Specifically, the course guides the student in techniques for finishing, painting and decorating residential or commercial buildings. Overall, the certificate holder is able to carry out the whole process of painting and decorating, from the preliminary stages to completion of the post-delivery reports, completely autonomously.
Qualification: Diploma of Building & Construction
Skill Level: 2
Profession: 133111 Construction Project Manager
Course program: https://training.gov.au/training/details/CPC50210
Description: this course of study confers a qualification which in time can lead to the role of ‘technical manager’ of a building project, better known in the Italian context as ‘capocantiere’. This figure coordinates the various specialists around the central project, selects the personnel necessary while keeping to the budget, ensures that activities are conducted in observance of workplace safety regulations. This figure is very well paid, in part because the formal qualification is amongst the prerequisites for issuing builders’ licences (it can be substituted by work experience). However, this type of course completed in isolation does not enable you to obtain visas after study. The advice, when your strategy is to obtain a Visa Subclass 485, is to link this course to another that includes a specialisation.
