With its vibrant cities and diverse culture, Australia is a dream destination for many international students. However, studying here is an adventure, and finding a job in Australia after graduation is another challenge. For many, employment is not just about earning an income but also about gaining valuable experience, networking and carving out a future in this beautiful country. Navigating the job market as an international student can seem daunting, but with the right strategies and resources, you can turn challenges into opportunities. Whether you’re studying in Sydney, Melbourne or one of Australia’s other vibrant cities, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to enter the job market and find a job in Australia. Let’s explore how you can make your Australian job search a successful and rewarding experience.
How to Find A Job in Australia?
For international students, finding a job in Australia is never easy. Not only because the job market in Australia is saturated, but more importantly, the demand between employers and employees cannot be matched. Australia’s industry gaps are mainly in the hospitality, construction and education sectors. However, international students can still find ideal jobs in other industries if they meet the skills required.
Time to Find A Job in Australia
In Australia, Internship Program internships and Graduate Roll graduate jobs are often recruited at the following essential times:
- Internships for the December to January holidays usually open in July and August.
- Graduate positions and internships for July and August usually open at the end of February and continue until the end of April.
- Universities usually organize job fairs and employer conferences (EXPO) in March and April.
Knowing What You Can Work on
International students can explore a variety of fields throughout their studies. Popular industries that employ international students include healthcare, hospitality, retail, and administration. There are a variety of part-time and temporary jobs in these fields, which are ideal for international students who need to balance work and study.
- Spend a lot of time researching online job search portals. Look for jobs in high demand and in your area of specialization.
- Fluency in English. This is a strict requirement for most jobs, with most companies now requiring an IELTS score of 7.
Some of the most common and in-demand jobs available to students include:
- Elderly caregivers
- Baristas
- Bartenders
- Cashiers
- Cooks
- Customer service reps/waiters
- Food courier (e.g., a delivery driver for UberEats)
- Waiter
Remember that some of these roles may require special skills or certifications. For example, first aid training may be required to work in a healthcare facility, and a certificate in responsible alcohol service may be needed to work in various hospitality positions.
Types of Jobs in Australia
Australia has three types of jobs: full-time, part-time, and casual. Full-time jobs are official jobs, and as a full-time employee, you can get all the employee benefits and enjoy the rights and benefits of a full-time employee, that is, paid annual leave and superannuation. Full-time is suitable for those who plan to stay in Australia and are about to graduate or have already graduated.
- Full-time jobs average 38 hours per week, have a fixed contract, have access to paid annual leave and sick leave and, depending on the hours you work, you or your employer will need to give some notice or financial compensation to end your contract.
- Part-time workers work a fixed number of hours per week, but less than 38 hours, and are entitled to paid annual leave and sick leave. They are also required to give notice of the end of the contract.
- In the case of temporary work, no fixed working hours, paid annual leave, sick leave, or end-of-contract notice are required.
How to Apply for A Job in Australia?
Preparing for The Job Search
Before applying for a job, you need to prepare an up-to-date CV that lists all your skills and work experience up to this point. A personalized cover letter is critical when applying for a job. Be sure to write and correct it to ensure you make an excellent first impression on the employer and gain an advantage over other candidates likely to apply for the same position.
In addition to this, we should fully grasp and understand the questions:
- What kind of employees are employers looking for?
- Ability to recognize and present oneself.
- Finding and recognizing job opportunities.
- Applying for positions, including how to write a good resume.
- How do you get opportunities for yourself? Including how to prepare for an interview.
- The position and the individual’s rights and interests.
Job Search Recruitment Sites
- Indeed: Indeed is a global job board and social networking platform tailored to the working elite. Its user base spans many headhunters and job opportunities, especially for job seekers seeking white-collar and senior positions.
2. Gumtree: This online marketplace also has a job board with various job opportunities. Users can post and search job adverts on Gumtree and connect directly with employers.
3. Jora: Similar to Indeed, it is a comprehensive job board that aggregates job opportunities from all types of employment, including full-time, part-time, and temporary.
4. Career One: One of Australia’s leading job boards, CareerOne, allows users to subscribe to job alerts to receive the latest job postings.
5. Workpac: a website specialising in industrial, mining and construction jobs. A wide range of temporary and contract work positions are available.
6. Artshub is primarily for creative, arts, and cultural job seekers. Paid membership is required to apply.
7. APS Jobs: offers jobs in the public service sector and a career vacancies alert service to keep on top of vacancies.
8. JobServe: With over 800W job seekers on the JobServe platform, there are jobs in telecoms, computing, IT, engineering, sales, finance and more for people looking to move up the career ladder.
9. The uni jobs: In the higher education sector, they offer tutors and lecturers, teaching support roles, and senior administrator roles.
10. Jobs Victoria Online Hub: This is a free service launched by the Victoria Employment Services Platform; you can directly search for keywords and set up an email subscription. Key point: many job opportunities are included for student visa holders, so students worried about the card pr students can also boldly submit it.
11. YeeyiYiYi: This Australian Chinese website has most of the recruitment information from Chinese companies, more job opportunities, and is suitable for students who want to find part-time jobs.
12. Hatch: There are no PR requirements, only for students’ job search sites and the recruitment of major Australian companies, which is more convenient for students looking for internships.
13. Grad Connection: A treasure trove of job boards for college students and recent graduates, friendly to the youngest job seekers, with many positions aimed at recent graduates.
14. Tinker Academy: jobs in China and Australia, a full range of job types, online training courses, and full-time and internship positions.
15. Stack Overflow: Many IT companies post jobs here, and IT students should pay more attention to them.
16. Glassdoor: you can check the local industry or the situation inside the company and check the salary.
17. Diomand Pony: suitable for international students seeking a job without experience or PR. The company can only see your full CV after asking for your permission.
Pathways to Employment
- Consult your school’s internship resources: Many universities provide referrals for internships for their students. You can ask your school’s helpdesk or visit the school’s official website for internship information.
- University Facebook Groups: Most universities have Facebook groups where schools, businesses, and students sometimes share internship opportunities. These groups are also great places to find second-hand item transfer information.
- Participate in job fairs: Almost every university holds regular job fairs where partners from companies and organisations are invited to campus to recruit interns and full-time staff. You can prepare in advance by using your university’s official website to find out information about partners and when job fairs are held.
4. Contact your target company directly: if you have identified the company of your choice, you can visit its official website to see if any internships are open and contact the company’s HR department to submit your CV. This is a direct and precise method.
5. Seek recommendations through friends or mentors: When looking for an internship, it’s worth asking around and asking friends who are already doing internships or your mentor to see if they can recommend any internships. Recommendations through friends or mentors may lead you to quality internships unexpectedly.
6. Positions at all levels of government: When it comes to Australian government job boards, you have to mention State and Local Government. As long as there are no special rules or restrictions, you may want to try applying for them. Although applying for a full-time job without PR can be challenging, temporary, contract, and part-time positions are still good options to gain work experience and earn an income. You can attend relevant training to build up your network.
CV and Cover Letter
CV
Most international students choose Australian local companies. The resume should first be written to meet the company’s recruitment needs. It is best to modify the resume further based on research of the company’s primary business model to increase the chances of passing.
- Language should be simple and concise.
- Highlight personal strengths and core competencies.
- Use Australian English.
- Leave an accurate name and contact number; do not leave private information.
Cover Letter
Be sincere in your cover letter, and don’t boast about your work experience or studies.
Highlight your desire to find a job in Australia and explain what kind of energy and achievements you would bring to the company.
Understand Work Regulations for International Students in Australia
The first and most important requirement is to understand your right to work. You mustn’t breach your visa requirements! Generally, there are no special requirements for international students working in Australia. However, some English language requirements, educational qualifications or certificates may be necessary.
Another essential part of applying for work in Australia is the Tax File Number (TFN). You will need your passport and any visa with the right to work to apply for a TFN. This number is required when applying for a job to pay income tax and submit an annual tax return effectively. If you are a self-employed entrepreneur, you will need an Australian Business Number (ABN). Both can be applied online (Link to the official free tax ID application website: https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/).
Work Visas in Australia
- Student visas: International students in Australia require 40 work hours per week.
- Graduate Visa: International students with a diploma can apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows them to look for work within Australia for the duration of the visa.
- Skilled Visa: Suitable for skilled workers, desperately needed in Australia.
- Holiday and work Visas are ideal for people travelling to Australia for a short period and those coming to Australia temporarily for employment.
| Types of Work Visas in Australia | Application Requirements | Application Advantages |
|---|---|---|
Student Visa | 1. Confirmation of Enrollment 2. Medical certificate 3. Proof of deposit is required |
High success rate through |
Graduate Visa | 1. Holding a student visa for six months before application 2. Applicants must not be over 50 years of age in principle | 1.5 years of work experience in Australia is sufficient |
Skilled Visa | 1. Under 45 years of age 2. Possess the skills necessary 3. Meet relevant English language requirements | Difficult to apply |
Holiday and Work Visas | 1. Age requirement: 18-30 | Apply online Valid for 12 months (with unlimited entry and exit to Australia). |
Wage Levels in Australia
Wages in Australia are generally high, depending on the industry. Secondly, education and work experience also determine a good salary.
- Salary range in Australia. Average salaries range from A$23,000 to A$405,000 per year.
- Quartile: The median salary in Australia is A$89,000 per annum, which means that 50% of Australians are in the first and second quartiles and, therefore, earn less. At the same time, 50% of people earn more than A$89,000.
| High-paying careers in Australia | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Surgeon | AUD 338,000 |
| Judge | AUD 284,000 |
| Lawyer | AUD 230,000 |
| Bank Manager | AUD 216,000 |
| Chief Executive Officer | AUD 203,000 |
Top Cities to Work in Australia
Australia is the most economically advanced country in the southern hemisphere. It is a developed, modern, industrial nation. It is a land of opportunity, with vibrant cities, promising careers, a vibrant culture, and a superior standard of living. Australia offers a welcoming environment and countless opportunities for overseas students looking to start a job while studying. Here are the cities most considered for finding a job in Australia.
| City | Urban Positioning | Popularity |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | New York in the Southern Hemisphere (economic centre) | ★★★★★★ |
| Melbourne | Australia’s second-largest city (cultural centre) | ★★★★★ |
| Brisbane | Capital of Queensland Australia’s third-largest city | ★★★★ |
| Perth | Capital of Western Australia Australia’s fourth-largest city | ★★★ |
| Adelaide | Capital of South Australia Australia’s fifth-largest city | ★★★ |
Why Choose to Find a Job in Sydney, Australia?
- Economic hub: Sydney is Australia’s largest city and a significant financial centre, home to multinational corporations and tech start-ups.
- Cultural experience: With iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the city offers a rich cultural experience.
- Career opportunities: Thriving industries such as finance, IT, healthcare and tourism offer plenty of opportunities for students.
Why Choose to Find a Job in Melbourne, Australia?
- Cultural Capital: Melbourne is renowned for its art, music, and food, and it is a melting pot of cultures.
- Education and Research: Melbourne has renowned universities and research institutes ideal for academic development.
- Job Market: Melbourne offers many employment opportunities in education, finance, healthcare and creative industries.
Why Choose to Find a Job in Brisbane, Australia？
- Growing economy: Brisbane’s economy is rising, with significant technological, education and healthcare growth.
- Climate: Brisbane has a warm, year-round climate, making it a great place to live.
- Affordable living: Brisbane has a lower cost of living than Sydney and Melbourne.
Why Choose to Find a Job in Perth, Australia？
- Economic opportunities: Perth is a mining and resources hub, while the education and healthcare sectors are also growing.
- The advantage of isolation: Perth is geographically isolated from other major cities, so wages are generally higher.
- Natural beauty: Close to beautiful beaches and natural parks.
Why Choose to Find a Job in Adelaide, Australia?
- Affordable: Adelaide is known for being cheap, making it an ideal choice for students.
- Education: It is home to leading institutions such as the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
- Job opportunities: Emerging industries include defence, renewable energy and biosciences.
Conclusion
As an international student, finding a job in Australia may seem complicated, but it’s achievable with the right approach and mindset. Complete your resume and cover letter to Australian standards, emphasising your unique skills and experience. Utilise university resources, attend career fairs and engage with professional networks. Don’t underestimate the power of internships and volunteering – they can give you valuable local experience. Remember, persistence is vital. The Australian job market may be competitive, but your determination and adaptability will set you apart. Keep up to date with visa requirements to ensure you fulfil the requirements and are ready for the opportunities that come your way. By following these strategies, you’ll find a job in Australia and build a solid foundation for your future career.
FAQ
Is it difficult to find a job in Australia?
Yes. For international students, the difficulty of finding a job in Australia depends on the industry. Plenty of vacancies yearly exist in sectors with a high demand for jobs, such as nursing and kindergarten teachers. However, in sectors such as finance and law, it is more difficult for international students to find a job in Australia due to the high demand for vocational skills and English language proficiency, as well as the competition with local job seekers.
Which city in Australia is easy to get job?
Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s economic and cultural centres, are the cities most favoured by international students who want to find jobs in Australia. These cities offer more job opportunities and desirable salaries but a higher cost of living, especially rent. But don’t worry—if you plan to come and study in Sydney or Melbourne, uhomes.com will help you find your home overseas by providing affordable student accommodation.
What is the easiest way to work in Australia?
There is a high demand for skilled labour in Australia, and the restrictions on age and work experience for job seekers are relatively relaxed, making it one of the easiest ways to find a job in Australia.
