Work in Australia
Many international students studying in Australia choose to apply for work opportunities in Australia following graduation. If you are considering extending your stay in Australia, we’ve put together a brief guide to help you find work in Australia.
Work permits in Australia
It is important to have obtained in advance the correct visa that gives you the right to work in Australia. In order to stay in Australia after finishing your course, you will need to apply for a new visa or seek to gain permanent residence. There are various categories of entry visa. For each category a different point system is used. To obtain a migration visa and work permit, applicants need to accumulate a certain number of points before they are considered. Points are awarded based on employability skills, age and language skills.
You can also apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa, which allows you to remain in Australia for a set period of time following your graduation. This visa has two streams:
- Graduate Work Stream: this is available to graduates who have complete qualifications relating to occupations on the Australian Government’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Visas in this stream are granted for 18 months.
- Post-Study Work Stream: this is available to recent graduates in any field of study. Visas in this stream are granted for up to four years.
The Job Search in Australia
Career Services
Your university will offer a range of career support services to students, including some for international students such as yourself. They will be able to help you with your job search, resume, and applications. You should also be able to attend workshops that focus on skills that will help you to improve your employability, such as interview and communication skills. Your university may also offer special career events, such as expos or lectures where you can hear from employers in your area of study.
Networking
Keeping in touch with your classmates and instructors may be vital in finding a job, especially if they have connections to a particular employer and can recommend you. This way you will be more likely to hear about employment opportunities and receive advice about working in your field. A good way to start networking is to join clubs and societies on campus that are related to your field; this will also help you to gain valuable skills such as effective communication, teamwork, and accountability.
The application procedure in Australia
Questions asked during the application process are usually very direct. For example, you might be asked "What makes you the best candidate for this job?" Additionally, panel interviews with approximately three people are very common in the Australian application procedure. This can be overwhelming, but try to make eye contact with the person asking the question while making sure that you are also giving each member of the panel your attention. Treat them all with equal respect and importance. During your interview, try to concentrate on your future rather than on your past achievements.
Writing a resume in Australia
The Australian CV is more commonly called a resume. The key focus of your resume should be to persuade the employer to invite you for an interview. Therefore your resume is a marketing tool, which should be adapted to the market in which you intend to use it. Your resume should be typed and be no more than two to three pages in length.
Photos are generally not required with a resume in Australia.
The application letter in Australia
When writing you Australian application letter, try to be precise, positive, and honest. Your goal should be to grab the employer’s interest with the first paragraph of your letter. Once you have their interest, emphasize what you have to offer to the employer by quoting examples. As a foreign candidate, you should stress how you can add value or contribute to the workplace in Australia.
Management culture in Australia
- Australian organisations have a flat structure characterised by words like "common sense" and "equality".
- Before reaching a decision, different specialists' opinions are usually heard.
- Australians are extremely positive people, negativity in any form is not accepted during negotiations.
- Meetings often start with some informal small talk.
- Australians take punctuality seriously.
- In business, personal relations are very important.
Learn about Working After Graduation in Australia.