Australia : Job market

What are my chances of getting a job?

The prospects of graduate employment for non-Australian graduates are linked to the detailed visa requirements. The majority of UK graduates who work in Australia will do so on a temporary basis while travelling, under the Working Holiday maker scheme.

Visit the Australian Government: Department of Immigration and Citizenship for more details on the Working Holiday maker scheme.

For professional and permanent employment, you will need to apply through the competitive Skilled Migrant scheme. The global economic crisis has seen an increase in unemployment in Australia. In response to this, the Australian government has revised its migration program to ensure that new migrants have the best chance of securing employment in Australia, without disadvantaging Australian workers.

Priority is given to people who have skills, qualifications and experience in shortage occupations, as identified on the Critical Skills List. If you do not have an occupation on the Critical Skills List, you can check for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List. Depending on how in demand the job is, you will be awarded points as part of your General Skilled Migration application. Alternatively, you can be sponsored by an employer or nominated by a State or Territory government.

It may also be possible for a UK/EU graduate working for an international company to work at the Australian ‘branch’ for a period of time.

If you are able to secure permanent residency in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for graduate schemes. See the Graduate Careers Australia Australian Graduate Survey for more information on graduate destinations.

• Typical problems encountered: qualifying for a visa to work in Australia, restrictions on the type of work you can undertake on particular visas, rising unemployment due to the global economic crisis, which increases competition for jobs for Australians and overseas workers.
• How to improve your chances: consider undertaking a professional qualification or gaining a few years of work experience that would qualify you as a skilled migrant, be flexible with your location as there may be more vacancies and less competition in regional areas.
• Language requirements:  the main language spoken in Australia is English (78.5%) and you may find it difficult to secure skilled work unless you speak the language fluently. Other languages spoken (according to the 2006 census) are Chinese (2.5%), Italian (1.6%), Greek (1.3%), Arabic (1.2%), other (8.2%) and unspecified (5.7%).

Where can I work?

• Major industries: agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacture.
• Recent growth areas: tourism, telecommunications, mining, services.
• Industries in decline: construction and mining have seen a downturn due to the global economic crisis.
• Shortage occupations:  see the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Critical Skills List. This is for people seeking to migrate under the skilled migration program. Also look at the Skilled Occupation List.
• Major companies: Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Group, ANZ Banking, Telstra, Wesfarmers, Woolworths, QBE Insurance Group, AMP, Macquarie Group, Suncorp-Metway, Qantas Airways, Origin Energy, Woodside Petroleum, Westfield Group.
• Search for more companies: Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry , Forbes list of companies in Australia Forbes Companies in Australia , Kompass worldwide business directory searchable by country and product/service, Australian Yellow Pages.
• Major cities: Sydney (largest), Melbourne, Queensland, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra (Capital), Darwin.

What’s it like working in Australia?

• Average working hours: the average working week is 37 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday (depending on the occupation and your employer). As in the UK, hours worked above the standard working week are paid at overtime rates. 
• Holidays:  all permanent employers in Australia are entitled to four weeks paid annual leave per year and ten days paid personal leave (including sick leave and carer’s leave).
• Average graduate starting salary: $45,000 (approximately £22,500), for specific salary information, visit Gradsonline  and search by subject or occupation. 
• Tax rates: as a permanent Australian resident, you will be expected to make standard tax contributions. However, if you are a non-resident, you will pay a considerably higher amount. Non-residents during 2008 - 09 were taxed at a rate of 29c in every dollar you earn to $34,000, with increasing tax rates for earnings above $34,000. For more details on tax issues, visit the Australian Taxation Office website.
• Working practices and customs:  Australians are generally laid back and casual in social situations, however in business contexts they value punctuality, professionalism, directness and brevity. Professional business attire and handshake greetings are expected in most workplaces.