expat network

Laing O’Rourke launch international recruitment campaign

Laing O’Rourke, Australia’s largest privately owned construction and engineering company, has launched a major international recruitment campaign. With more than 25 major projects currently in delivery and an increasing pipeline of exciting and complex work ahead, Laing O’Rourke is committed to growing its pool of talented infrastructure specialists across the Australian operations. Hub Managing Director...

Whittens secures new contract for Ichthys project

Specialist infrastructure, construction and services company, Whittens, has continued its work on the Ichthys Project Onshore LNG Facilities in Darwin by securing a new contract from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The scope involves completing the closing of the Temporary Construction Opening (TCO), and insulation of the ceiling and walls across four cryogenic tanks – two LNG,...

AmecFW inks deal with Arrow Energy, Australia

A joint venture involving Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded a five-year Engineering Master Services Agreement (MSA) by Arrow Energy to support its Coal Seam Gas (CSG) development and production in Queensland, Australia. Arrow is a standalone company owned by a joint venture between Shell and PetroChina (a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, CNPC),...

Hochtief lands solar EPC Australian contracts

A Hochtief subsidiary has won a design and build contract worth AU$117m (£56.5m) for two solar farms in Australia. CIMIC Group company UGL has been awarded engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts to design and build two new solar farms. The two EPC contracts – for the Collinsville Solar Farm in Queensland and the White...

Monadelphous bags Ichthys maintenance contract

Monadelphous Group Limited  announced it has been awarded a major, long-term offshore maintenance services contract for INPEX Operations Australia associated with the Ichthys LNG Project. The contract is for an initial period of six years with a further two 2-year extension option and is located in the Browse Basin, approximately 450 kilometres from Broome, Western...

Moving to Australia, Part Six: Exploring and Discovering

An important part of settling in and felling at home is understanding the culture of your new home. This will take time to discover and learn, and it will possibly involve some ‘unlearning’ in the meantime. Adapting to your new environment is key, rather than expecting it to be like home and trying to change...

Moving to Australia, Part Five: Learning the Ropes

This step of your move mainly involves learning the practicalities and how to get things done with the minimum of fuss. At the same time you may develop a deeper insight into your new environment. You’ll be getting to know how things work and starting to settle into your new home and routine. Sharon Swift...

Moving to Australia, Part Four: Tackling the Necessities

This step is crucial because, once you have done everything in this phase, you are compliant and will have more of a sense of belonging. These are the registrations, tasks and paperwork that you will have had as long as you can remember back home and perhaps even have taken for granted. Sharon Swift continues...

Moving to Australia, Part Three: Taking Up Residence

You’ve arrived. The weeks and months of planning have passed and you’re living and breathing the checklist. The focus of getting things done will be a welcome distraction. There is a sense of excitement at wanting to explore your new surroundings, although you’re missing home and are feeling a little anxious and scared, having to...

Moving to Australia, Part Two: Embarking On The Move

Any substantial journey involves planning and paperwork. An international relocation is infinitely more complex than a domestic move. I would suggest treating the move like any large project. You will ultimately need a list of actions, each allocated to a responsible party, with an expected timeline for each task. Sharon Swift shares her experience of...

Moving to Australia, Part One: Sizing Up The Move

The prospect of moving to a new country can be exciting and daunting in equal measure. Australia has the benefit of being English speaking with a seemingly similar culture to the UK or USA, but the distance is a huge drawback. Will this hold you back from the opportunity of a lifetime? Sharon Swift shares...

Sparrows Group secures Ichthys LNG contract

Sparrows Group has secured a three year contract to deliver fixed crane maintenance and lifting and rigging services for the INPEX-operated Ichthys liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Australia. The agreement is the latest in a series of significant business wins for Sparrows and will see the company’s teams in Perth and Darwin, Australia, support...