As of 2022, Australia ranked globally 2 in the Working Abroad Index; Denmark was ranked 1. This means that employment is not a problem in this country, that expats in Australia are satisfied with the outcome of their career prospects, and that more than fifty per cent of the expat population looks positively toward their career opportunities and development.
Indeed, Australia has it all—from its perfect balance of thriving and vibrant cities to raw and wild wilderness, strong economy, and competitive educational system, it is no surprise that many make it a goal to study, live, and work in Australia.
With this in mind, many expats consider their employment once they go to Australia. What is the job market like, and would there be job opportunities for expats? Find out more today!
The Employment Pool In Australia
Suppose you are an expat and want to grow your career in Australia. In that case, so long as you have the experience, qualifications, and skills, especially in the growing sectors of the country, you have a high chance of finding employment.
Today, the IT, health care, marketing, and engineering industries are open to citizens, residents, and expats joining their workforce.
Additionally, the mining industry is also worth looking into. Despite the decline of this sector, Australia remains one of the world’s top exporters of minerals like aluminium, copper, gold, and iron. Construction is also promising because of its constant growth.
As an overview, here are the top 10 most in-demand jobs for expats in Australia as of this year:
- Registered nurses
- Secondary school teachers
- Software and applications programmers
- Electricians
- Construction managers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Metal fitters and machinists
- Plumbers
- Motor mechanics
- University lecturers and tutors
It’s also smart to look into the industries currently experiencing critical workforce shortages because the need is urgent. Expats are also welcome to submit their applications.
As of this year, here are the sectors short on the workforce front.
- Construction managers
- Civil engineering professionals
- Early childhood teachers
- Registered nurses
- Information and communications technology
- Software and application programmers
- Electricians
- Chefs
- Child caregivers
- Age and disability caregivers
Getting Employed In Australia
Before expats go to Australia, they are recommended to find employment and secure one with a contract. The homeland immigration department is stringent, detail-oriented, and efficient regarding expats employed in Australia without work permits. There’s a big chance that these illegal workers will be deported.
The general direction for expats is to enter Australia on an employer-sponsored visa. As an expat, you can look for employers who can submit a nomination for them, and only then can you apply for a visa.
Your employer should be able to provide evidence that a job opening and an open position exist for you and that, unfortunately, no local applicant is available or qualified to fill the job order.
Note that Australian citizens are the priority for filling up the Australian workforce. Most Australians are expected to have tertiary qualifications, and most upper management positions require work experience from overseas. Job openings should be filled by citizens or residents as much as possible.
But the reality is that some job positions lack suitable candidates locally, and this is where Australia would be willing to hire expats to join their organizations.
Expat Guide: Applying For A Job In Australia
When applying for a job as an expat in Australia, you need to tick off all these steps to be confident that your employment and stay in Australia won’t pose any unwanted surprises.
1. Get Your Approved Visa
First and foremost, you must decide on the visa you need and the most suitable one. There are many kinds of work visas in Australia, and you need one to kick-start your employment.
Here are some common work visas that you can consider:
● Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
As the name suggests, this is an employer-sponsored, temporary visa valid for one year up to four years. This is for expats with the skills and experience to work in Australia to fill a position classified as experiencing labour shortages.
● Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
Another visa that can allow you to work, live, and even study in regional areas of the country is Subclass 494. This employee-sponsored visa can permit you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and work as an employee for employers outside the country’s major cities like Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. This also helps resolve labour shortages in these regions.
● Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
Expats who take pride in their relevant work experience and impressive qualifications can aim for this kind of visa—a permanent one.
The challenge here is that, as an expat, you need to be nominated in an eligible skilled occupation by your Australian employer, stating that you are the right fit for the job opening that a citizen can’t fill.
● Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
Make the most of your extended vacation by funding your travels with short-term employment in Australia. This working visa can allow you to live, travel, and work in the country for up to three years. This visa shares some common grounds with the Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462).
● Training Visa (Subclass 407)
This is a temporary visa for expats who want to join a professional development or occupational training program and can provide you two years to stay in Australia.
2. Prepare Your Resume
Constantly update your resume and tailor-fit it to an Australian audience. Highlight your relevant experiences and skills because these are the areas that employers will look into.
3. Secure Your TFN
Before beginning your Australian career, you must secure your Tax File Number or TFN. This is the same as the social security number in other countries.
4. Create A Bank Account With An Australian Bank
This is a mandatory requirement, and the good thing is you can get this done online even before heading to Australia.
5. Start Job Hunting
With the above requirements completed, it’s time for you to start looking for potential employers who would hire you (and sponsor your visa). There are many employment portals online that you can look to and submit your resume. There are instances when interviews and even assessments are done online.
Final Thoughts
The job market in Australia for expats is promising, with plenty of opportunities, especially for experienced and qualified individuals.
Like any employment process, this can take a while, especially for the visa application, but once you get hired and have your contract, you can look forward to a balanced and pleasant work culture in Australia. Good luck!