How To Get A Job In Australia

Australia is a dream destination for many. Not only is it a popular holiday destination, but for many people, it is the perfect place to build a career or raise a family.

Applying for a job in Australia can be a difficult process. A study by AMES Australia found that migrants often struggle to find opportunities for work. Luckily, the study also found that if migrants get support early in the job hunting process, many achieve great success.

Here are some tips to help start your journey to working in Australia.

Find an Australian Employment Visa that suits your circumstances

As a first step, it is important to decide what Visa option fits your circumstances best. There are two key Visas’ for people wanting to find a job in Australia.

The most common is an employer-sponsored work Visa.  With this via, you need to already have a job with an employer who ‘sponsors’ your employment. With this Visa, you organise and receive approval before you arrive and start work in Australia.

If you are not able to get a job in Australia before you arrive, you could try applying for a Points tested Visa. To get this Visa, you will need to demonstrate you have skills and qualifications that are in demand in Australia. For more information on Visas, the Australian Department of Home Affairs provides a useful Visa Options Comparison Chart that offers a high level overview of skilled Visa options.

Once you have identified your Visa options, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Skills Select, the online system that processes skilled migration applications. After you have submitted your EOI, the Australian Government will invite you to apply for a skilled migration Visa.

Build your English language skills               

Australia is an English speaking country so it will definitely help to know some English language before you arrive. Most employment Visas also require you to have “competent English” language skills. Look for local or online classes to help you learn. To prove you have competent English you will need to meet one of the criteria from this list.

Check your qualifications are recognised in Australia

To help your jobsearch, it is good to have your professional skills and/or qualifications formally assessed and recognised in Australia.

Applying for skills recognition will help Australian employers better understand your qualifications and how they are a match for their job.  The process compares your level of education to the Australian system.

The Australian Skills Recognition Information service is part of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The site will help you find out how to have your overseas qualifications, skills or experience assessed for the Australian jobs market. You can also find state-specific licensing and registration requirements so that you can practise your occupation in Australia.

If you work in a job that is licensed including teaching, medicine or law, contact the regulatory body in the Australian state or territory before having your qualifications evaluated. They will be able to give you advice on what is required for a qualifications assessment.

Create CV or Resume for Australia

Resumes and CV’s can have small but noticeable differences depending on where in the world you come from. To improve your chances of getting a job in Australia, it is important that your resume reflects the local style, language and expected length.

In Australia, resumes are typically two – three pages long so they keep the attention of potential hirers. They include a summary of your professional skills and experience, a detailed job history, your education, qualifications or licenses and sometimes even your hobbies.

It is important that your resume demonstrates your skills with specific examples of how you have used your skills to achieve outcomes. Rather than just saying you have good communication skills. Perhaps include you have multilingual communication skills that you developed in a previous job writing reports for managers.

There is no need to include personal details like religion, age, marital status etc.

Use your networks and contacts to find a job in Australia

Don’t just rely on job advertisements to find a job. Lot’s of jobs in Australia, and even around the world, are not formally advertised.  Talk to your friends, family and wider networks to discover hidden job opportunities.

Successful Resumes supports migrants from across the globe by writing professional resumes tailored to the Australian jobs market. Contact us for a free, no obligation discussion to see how we can help you.