What You Need to Know About Working in Australia
Working in Australia
Finding work in Australia: Gaining employment Down Under
Relocating to Australia has never been more popular than it is right now. The sun-soaked country has become a top destination for expats thanks to a fertile job market.
Australia is currently welcoming skilled workers to the country to take positions that are underrepresented in the workforce. Working in Australia has a lot of great perks. Competitive salaries, benefits and more are all waiting for you Down Under.
It isn’t just working in Australia that attracts individuals. Australia provides expats with a great quality of life that is rarely equaled by other Western nations. The weather, atmosphere and available jobs attract expats from all over the world.
If you are a highly skilled expat, university graduate or qualified professional in an employment sector that needs individuals to fill vacant positions, then you will have a variety of opportunities waiting for you in Australia.
Working in Australia: Where to apply for a job
Like many Western nations, Australia’s economy is heavily influenced by the service sector. Other major employment sectors include the agriculture industry and manufacturing.
There are also a large number of jobs in the tourism sector thanks to the millions of tourists that visit Australia each year. All of these sectors have job vacancies that must be filled and highly skilled expats can fit in well.
The best places to find work in Australia are in the large cities that dot the country. Australia is a vast nation. Cities are spread all over the country of various sizes.
Each has its own job market. The best areas for working in Australia are major hubs such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, and other similarly sized locations.
There are jobs in smaller cities and towns, but the best bet for finding work is always in the larger destinations which have a diverse job market.
Individuals seeking to relocate Down Under have a good chance of landing employment if they have qualifications, skills, experience, and/or an education in specific field.
Australia’s job market is very kind to individuals with graduate degrees. Individuals with graduate degrees experience a low unemployment rate in most cases. In addition, graduates can expect better salaries than those individuals lacking a graduate degree or certificate.
If you plan on working in Australia, you may have success finding employment in the following sectors:
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Mining and energy
- Science and technology.
Working in Australia on a Working Holiday visa
Australia offers backpackers and travelers a great option for finding work while on holiday. A Working Holiday visa gives you the chance to travel around the country while working and earning money.
There are various sectors you can work in using a Working Holiday visa. However, individuals backpacking around the country on one of these visas are only able to remain in the country for a specific amount of time.
An initial Working Holiday visa only lasts 12 months. There are options for to extend the Working Holiday visa. Depending on the sector you work in, you can extend your visa for up to three years. However, in most cases, you will need to work in the farm and agriculture sector.
For those that score a permanent role there is the opportunity of a TSS visa which can convert into full Permanent Residency status.
Working in Australia: Which sectors are in short supply?
Australia has a deficiency in a variety of employment sectors. According to the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Businesses, the country needs skilled workers and graduates for the following sectors:
- Finance
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Healthcare
While those sectors need further employees to make up for the shortfall in individuals, there are specific jobs that need people as well. These jobs are:
- Accountants
- Diagnostic radiographers
- Civil engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Mechanics
- Nurses
- Optometrists
How to apply for a job in Australia
Australia works the same way that other Western nations do when it comes to applying for work. The country has job boards and online recruiters just like in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. You can apply for work through one of these websites using your CV or post it on a job board.
Interested employers will set up an interview that may be conducted over the phone or online. You may not need to complete an in-person interview. However, specific jobs and companies may require it. Individuals working for companies with offices located in Australia can find it easier to gain employment Down Under working for the same country. However, they will still need to meet all visa requirements.
Work in Australia as a Teacher
Due to the vast size of Australia and the number of schools around the country, there is always a shortage of teachers and professionals in education. In 2017, there were fewer than 282,000 teachers in Australia in both primary and secondary schools. These are the two mandatory parts of education that must be completed by every student.
In 2023, it was reported that over 10,500 schools exist in Australia. The high number of schools and size of the country means that there is often a shortage of teachers in certain regions.
If you have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), university degree, and have some form of teaching experience, then you have the opportunity to gain employment in education in Australia.
What is it like working in Australia?
Individuals typically work a 38-hour week. The traditional work week begins on Monday and runs until Friday. One aspect to keep in mind when living in and working in Australia, is that as a non-Australian resident, you will pay more tax than permanent Australian residents.
Individuals working in full-time employment receive four weeks of holiday per week including public holidays. Public holidays in Australia are dependent on the region in which you live and work. Public holidays in Australia are:
- New Year’s Day
- Australia Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Anzac Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Australia offers expats an incredible quality of life. With the job market open and welcoming to highly skilled and educated individuals, you can find a position of a lifetime Down Under.
Work in Australia, Income Tax
Australian Income Tax in 2024
| Income thresholds | Rate | Tax payable on this income |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% | 19c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $120,000 | 32.5% | $5,092 plus 32.5c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $120,001 – $180,000 | 37% | $29,467 plus 37c for each $1 over $120,000 |
| $180,001 and over | 45% | $51,667 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000 |
Jacqueline Chow is an international immigration and visa expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. With a background in law and a passion for helping people, Jacqueline has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable source of information and advice on all aspects of immigration and visas. She has worked with clients from all over the world, including high-net-worth individuals, professionals, skilled workers and families. As a sought-after speaker and commentator Jacqueline has been featured in various media outlets and has given talks on immigration and visas at conferences and events around the world.