How to find a job in Australia as a foreigner
Australia is a popular destination for foreigners seeking employment opportunities, with its diverse economy and multicultural society. However, finding a job in Australia as a foreigner can be a daunting task, particularly if you are not familiar with the local job market and cultural norms. In this blog post, we will provide some tips and strategies for how to find a job in Australia as a foreigner, including advice on visa requirements, resume preparation, networking, job search engines, and interview preparation. Whether you are a recent graduate, a skilled professional, or someone looking for a career change, we hope that this guide will help you navigate the Australian job market and find the right opportunity for you.
What do I need in order to work in Australia?
Before you start looking for a job, it's important to ensure that you have the right visa to work in Australia. There are several types of visas that allow you to work in Australia, including the Working Holiday Visa, Skilled Work Visa, and Sponsored Work Visa. Make sure to research which visa is right for you and apply for it before you start your job search. Some of the most popular work visas include the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482), and Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417). Here we list a few types of visa which could fit a broad variety of circumstances.
This is the most popular visa application pathway for skilled workers. It is a points-based system where you need to hold certain qualifications, work experience and language ability requirements. Under this visa there are no restrictions on the number of hours that can be worked.
Benefits: It can be permanent, but it is quite hard to get this visa. Higher salary.
Requirements: There are many different types of skilled visas, but generally:
under 45 years
have the right skills to do the job
meet the relevant English language requirements
This visa type allows Australian employers to sponsor specific skilled labour to serve their business needs. Under this visa there are no restrictions on the number of hours that can be worked.
Benefits: provides a pathway to a permanent residence visa
Requirements: Be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor, have the right skills to do the job, and meet the relevant English language requirements.
This visa gives temporary permission for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to 12 months. There is no limit on the number of hours you can work. To apply, you will need to have a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction.
Benefits: Online application. Stay in Australia for up to 12 months. Leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like in that 12 months
Requirements: Must be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive). Must have a passport from an eligible country. Cannot be accompanied by dependent children.
This visa allows you to work in Australia for up to 20 hours per week whilst studying a full-time course. There are no limits on working hours during study holiday periods.
Benefits: Easiest visa to get, suitable for students older than 6, you can bring a family member
Requirements: Providing a Confirmation of Enrollemnt (CoE).
Graduate visa
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations Australia needs. It lets you live, study and work in Australia temporarily.
Benefits: It allows you to work full time for at least 18 months. You can bring your family with you.
Requirements: Be under 50 years of age. You must have held a student visa in the last 6 months.
The PALM scheme is Australia's key program to address unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled labour shortages across rural and regional Australia.
Benefits: Work in Australia for:
up to 9 months if you are employed under a short term contract for seasonal work
up to 4 years if you are employed under a contract for long term (non-seasonal) work
Requirements: You must be a citizen and resident of a specified Pacific Island country. Be sponsored by a Temporary Activities Sponsor, and approved by DFAT to participate in the program.
Do I need a sponsor to work in australia?
It’s not always necessary to have a sponsor, but sometimes having a sponsor can help your chances of getting a visa. We see a lot of candidates coming to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, working their first six months with an employer and then getting sponsored by that employer.
If you are not eligible for the working holiday visa, and you wish to come to Australia to work, then you should consider a temporary employer-sponsored work visa. With a temporary visa, you have up to four years to prove to your Australian employer that you are worth investing in and thus they will be more likely to continue your sponsorship to a permanent sponsorship visa such as Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186).
If you do not have enough work experience to apply for a skills-based sponsored visa, you should consider studying in Australia, and thus gaining valuable skills and qualifications that will be beneficial in the long term. At the end of your studies, you may be eligible to apply for sponsorship jobs in Australia.
How do I get my first job in Australia?
If you're planning to move to Australia and start your career here, you may be wondering how to land your first job. Finding a job in a new country can be challenging, but it's not impossible.
Before you start looking for specific Australian jobs, it’s a good idea to take a step back and learn about the country’s most in-demand positions. The most in demand jobs the country has currently are positions within healthcare, retail trade, construction, technical services, and education. If you have highly sought after skills such as digital and eCommerce abilities, it may be relatively easy. Or, if you’re willing to work somewhere remote you may have less competition.
Networking is key to finding a job in Australia. Make sure to connect with people in your industry through professional associations, networking events, and social media. You can also reach out to alumni from your university or college who are working in Australia. Building a strong network can help you learn about job opportunities, get referrals, and gain valuable insights into the Australian job market.
There are plenty of job boards and recruitment agencies in Australia that can help you find job opportunities. Here are some of the most popular job boards:
AgCareers - AgCareers is an Australian job board that specializes in agriculture and farming jobs. You can search for jobs by keyword, location, or job type.
Seek - Seek is a popular job board in Australia that has a dedicated agriculture and farming section. You can search for jobs by keyword, location, and job type.
Indeed - Indeed is a global job board that has a large number of job listings for various industries, including agriculture and farming. You can search for jobs by keyword, location, and job type.
LinkedIn - LinkedIn is a social networking site that also offers job postings and career resources. You can search for jobs based on location, industry, and keywords.
Australian Government JobSearch - The Australian Government JobSearch website lists a range of farm jobs across Australia. You can search for jobs by location, occupation, or keyword.
Rural Enterprises Australia - Rural Enterprises Australia is a recruitment agency that specializes in agricultural jobs. They have a range of farm jobs listed on their website, including farm hands, station hands, and farm managers.
Remember, finding your first job in Australia can take time and effort, but don't give up. Keep applying for jobs, building your network, and improving your skills and experience. With hard work and persistence, you'll increase your chances of finding your dream job in Australia. Good luck!
