How to find a job in Australia

Australia is a great place to work but before you consider travelling, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date with the latest travel advice. Finding a job in Australia is similar to finding a job anywhere but there are a few important job-seeking tips you need to know before you start.

How to find a job in Australia

1. Check out travel and visa requirements

At the time of writing, Australia has certain coronavirus travel restrictions in place so make sure you check these, and any quarantine requirements, before applying for a job or making your travel plans.

Australian visa requirements vary depending on which country you are coming from, as well as a few other factors including your age, your qualifications, and your skills and experience. You can find out more information on the Department for Home Affairs visa website.

2. Research Australia’s job market

Before you look for a job in Australia, you should make sure you understand which jobs are currently in high demand. You will find that employers offer more jobs for job seekers in growth industries, and that your success in finding work may vary from region to region.

If you have skills and experience in certain industries, you may find your occupation in one of Australia’s skilled occupations lists. This can have a positive impact on your visa application. For example if you were an advertising manager or a chief executive officer, you might find yourself with access to certain types of visa that you might not otherwise have. It’s worth noting that shortage skills lists are subject to change so you need to keep a regular eye on them.

3. Gain skills through online study

Once you have established which industry you would like to give you the best chance to find a job vacancy, you need to consider your current skill set. There are two key reasons that doing a search for jobs online is a really good way to do this. Firstly, it will give you the chance to see which specific job roles are advertised the most often. Secondly, the search will allow you to compare your own skills against current employer requirements.

Don’t forget that improving your skillset can greatly improve your chances of finding an Australian company willing to employ from overseas. It could also mean the difference between a successful visa application and a denied one.

If your skillset doesn’t meet the mark, you could consider online training.  Online courses that offer nationally-recognised training can really make the difference when it comes to job and visa applications.

4. Search for jobs online

If you are coming from overseas, many visas require you to establish your employment before you enter Australia. The good news is that the task of finding jobs online can be undertaken from wherever you are.

Where can you find job listings?

Whether you’re looking for high-paying jobs in Australia or something easy going that will give you time to explore, one of the best ways to find a new job is to search through Australia’s job directories. Some of these operate in more than one country so make sure you check this before making any enquiries.

Australia’s most popular career sites include:

Seek Australia – professional, popular and longstanding

Glassdoor – great for employee reviews and salary reports

LinkedIn Australia – popular for management and senior roles

Indeed Australia – huge volume of jobs and a favourite with employers

Backpacker jobs – great for short term, travel-friendly jobs

Each of these job sites offer slightly different types of job searching help. By signing up to more than one, you can get a good variety of career help and advice. You can also make sure you don’t miss that perfect job opportunity.

What skills do you need to get a job?

Transferable skills are the ones you take with you from job to job. Some skills are very job specific but others are valuable in any workplace. Employers understand this and will be looking for your transferable skills in your application. We’ve listed four really important examples below:

1. Communication skills

Even the smallest of business successes depends on communication skills. Good communicators have the ability to explain, teach and enthuse about ideas in ways that impact positively on the workforce around them.

2. Team working skills

People who are good team workers can really connect with those around them. They are also great assets for their organisations. As a great team player, you can be efficient, innovative, and happy to share your skills.

3. Self-confidence

Working in another country can be daunting but a good dose of self-confidence goes a long way. Feeling confident can help you walk into new situations with your head held high. It can also help you to cope if things seem unexpected or difficult.

Hoping to improve your job seeking chances?

Working in a new country can be really rewarding. It can give you the opportunity to experience new ideas and cultures, as well as building your career prospects. Successful overseas job hunting can take time and you won’t necessarily find a job today but this is a goal worth working towards.

By getting the right careers advice, upskilling and improving your resume and interview skills, you can put yourself in a really positive place when it comes to job and visa applications. Choose from Upskilled’s wide range of online courses today and see the benefit when you’re ready to make that move overseas.