Finding a job in Australia

Migrating to a new country is an exciting time. With new food, sights and culture to explore, it can be an overwhelming first few months.

However, if you don’t have a way to support yourself, all of the joy of these new experiences may quickly be replaced by fear and doubt if you can’t find a job.

That’s why making sure you are ready to find a job in Australia and knowing how this process may differ from back home is so important.

If you have recently moved to Australia and you are looking for a job read on to find out how to find the right job for your circumstance and navigate the application and interview process.

Do your research

The job market is quite competitive in Australia so it’s worthwhile doing your research before you arrive to avoid any disappointments.

Every country is different, being prepared for culture shock isn’t just about language and food and weather. Making sure you have investigated the job market and how your skills fit in is just as important.

Australia may have very different regulations that relate to the career path you had back home.

In this situation, you will need to be prepared for the costs and time involved with re-certifying or studying to be able to work in that field.

A 2021 survey of culturally and linguistically diverse MAX customers found that only 20% of migrant job seekers could be sure their overseas qualifications were recognised by Australian employers.

This is despite 51% of respondents admitting that they had undertaken up-skilling/industry relevant training since arriving in Australia.

You may also find that your skill sets are not in demand at all.

In this case, you may have to take a step back or sideways in your career or even do something completely different if you are committed to finding a job in Australia

You can find the current jobs that the Australian government identifies as in a shortage on the Home Affairs website.

It is also important to understand your visa class and how that can affect the jobs and hours that you work. Knowing your Australian visa rules will help you narrow down where and in what fields you can work.

Being ok with the possibility of working in a very different field or way than you may have been used to is crucial to not just surviving but thriving here in your new life in Australia.

Where to start looking?

Once you have worked out which kinds of jobs fit your circumstance it’s time to start looking. How you look will depend on the type of role you are trying to find.

If you are looking for something locally, you can look for local jobs in your area through social media sites and community groups in your new home.

Using the support network of other migrants in your community or going to the local migrant resource centre are great ways to speed up your job search.

Your employment consultant also has the strong local knowledge to help out here so be sure to rely on their assistance.

If you are looking further afield or with a bigger company, two of the best places to start looking are SEEK or the Australian governments Job search.

Both cover all of Australia and are used by the bulk of employers in the country and are key to finding a job in Australia.

The application process

Most jobs with large or corporate companies will require uploading of cover letters, resumes and other documentation online.

You may also have to provide supporting documentation of your qualifications and visa status to ensure you are legally able to work in the role.

Depending on the circumstances you have come from this process may be harder for some than others and can take some time.

Your consultant may be able to suggest where to find assistance with this so you should speak to them if you have concerns.

The key to succeeding in this part of your job search is to make sure you are ticking all the boxes the company wants. Particularly as most of the beginning stages of the application are likely to be automated.

That means you need to do the following:

• Read the position description carefully.

• Research the role and what the expected skill set is.

• Make sure to use the keywords in your application and highlight the most relevant skill sets in your application.

• Ensure the formatting is consistent and in line with any requests of the job advert.

You can also find further tips in our article on how to make your cover letter stand out.

Succeeding in an interview

Interviews can be tough no matter where you are from. It can be even more nerve-wracking if your interviewers are using phrases or terminology that may be new to new. Especially if English isn’t your first language.

Stressful as it may be the key is to relax. It is ok to ask people to repeat the question or explain what they mean.

As people have different communication styles and preferences, a supportive employer or manager will have the patience to make sure their employees understand what they are saying.

There are supports available to help you improve your English skills if you do require it however.

To find out whether these programs fit your situation and may help your job search you can discuss this with you consultant:

Remaining calm and appearing confident in your interview comes down to one thing, practice! Grab a friend or the mirror and roleplay the interview as many times as you need.

It is also important to be yourself. Doing or saying things you think will play well in an interview that aren’t true isn’t a good way to get a job. You got this far by being you, don’t stop now!

Have your offer checked before you accept

So you passed the application, aced the interview and you have a contract and an offer in your inbox. Before you sign on the dotted line make sure what you have been offered is both consistent with the job advert and is legal.

Most cities will have community legal centres that can help you with this. It is important to get qualified advice and not just rely on your well-meaning but unqualified support networks.

If you have recently migrated and need help securing employment or additional training to get you ready for employment our consultants can help.