Finding a Job in Australia

Introduction

Australia has a strong job market with low unemployment (~3.5 — 4.5%). However, finding a job as a newcomer requires understanding Australian recruitment practices, resume expectations, and where to look. This guide covers everything you need to land your first Australian job.

Working Rights in Australia

Your visa determines your working rights:

• Permanent residents (189, 190, 820, 143, etc.): Full work rights: no restrictions.
• Provisional visa holders (491, 494): Full work rights, must work in regional area for 491.
• Student visa (500): Up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, unlimited during holidays.
• Working holiday (417/462): Maximum 6 months with one employer, unless specified.
• Temporary Skill Shortage (482): Work only for the sponsoring employer.

Australian Resume/CV Format

Australian employers expect a specific resume format. Key differences from the US or UK:

• No photo: never include a photo of yourself
• No date of birth, marital status, or nationality: anti-discrimination laws make these irrelevant
• Keep it to 2 — 3 pages: no longer
• Professional summary at top: 2 — 3 sentence summary of who you are
• Reverse chronological order: most recent roles first
• Quantify achievements: use numbers (e.g., "Managed $500K budget", "Led team of 12")
• Include visa status: e.g., "Australian Permanent Resident" or "Full working rights"
• Australian mobile number: include country code if you're applying from overseas

Top Job Websites

• Seek.com.au: the largest job board in Australia. Most widely used.
• LinkedIn Jobs: strong for professional and corporate roles.
• Indeed Australia: aggregates from many sources.
• Jora: good for entry-level and casual work.
• EthicalJobs: for non-profit, government, and community roles.
• CareerOne: smaller but useful.
• State government websites: e.g., jobs.wa.gov.au, jobs.nsw.gov.au.

Recruitment Agencies

Recruitment agencies are widely used in Australia, especially in professional fields. Registering with two or three can speed up your search.

• General agencies: Hays, Robert Half, Randstad, Michael Page, Robert Walters
• IT/Technology: Hays Technology, Clicks IT Recruitment, Finite IT
• Engineering: Brunel, Titan Recruitment, Airswift
• Finance/Accounting: Sharp & Carter, AccountAbility, Robert Half Finance
• Healthcare: Healthcare Australia, Redstone Recruitment, MediRecruit
• Construction: Fetch Recruitment, Frontline Construction, ACRWORLD
• Temporary/Labour hire: Chandler Macleod, Manpower, Adecco, Programmed

Industries with High Demand (2025 — 26)

• Healthcare and Aged Care: Registered nurses, aged care workers, GPs, allied health professionals
• Technology: Software engineers, cybersecurity, data analysts, cloud architects
• Construction and Trades: Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, project managers, estimators
• Education: Early childhood teachers, secondary teachers (especially STEM), special education
• Hospitality: Chefs, cooks, restaurant managers
• Mining and Resources: Engineers, geologists, heavy diesel mechanics, drillers
• Logistics and Supply Chain: Truck drivers, warehouse managers, supply chain analysts

Interview Tips

• Behavioural questions: Australian interviewers love the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare 5 — 6 stories.
• Be punctual: Being late to an interview is a major red flag. Arrive 10 minutes early.
• Dress code: Smart casual is usually fine for most roles. Suit up for corporate or banking.
• Cultural fit: Australians value authenticity, humility, and a sense of humour. Over-selling can backfire.
• Ask questions: Prepare 3 — 4 thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company culture.

Salary Expectations

Salaries are typically quoted per year, including superannuation (11.5% employer contribution as of 2025 — 26). Average salaries by field (AUD):

• Software Engineer: $110k — $170k
• Registered Nurse: $80k — $110k
• Civil Engineer: $90k — $140k
• Electrician: $90k — $130k
• Teacher: $85k–$120k
• Accountant: $80k — $120k
• Hospitality worker (full-time): $55k — $75k
• Retail worker: $50k — $65k

The national minimum wage (2025 — 26) is approximately AUD $24.10 per hour (or $915.90 per 38-hour week).

Tips for International Applicants

• If applying from overseas, note "Available to start [date]" and "Full working rights" clearly on your resume.
• Get an Australian mobile number (e.g., Skype number or eSIM) before you arrive so employers can reach you.
• Some employers may discount overseas experience: focus on transferable skills and Australian-style achievements.
• Consider temporary or contract roles to build Australian experience. Even 3 months of local work makes a difference.
• Volunteering is a legitimate way to build Australian references. Try Seek Volunteer or Go Volunteer.
• Network on LinkedIn and at industry events: many jobs are filled through referrals.

Employment Contract Essentials

• Check your leave entitlements: minimum 4 weeks annual leave, 10 days personal/sick leave, 12 months unpaid parental leave.
• Understand your employment typeermanent (ongoing), fixed-term (contract), or casual (higher hourly rate, no leave).
• Superannuation is mandatory: your employer must contribute 11.5% of your salary to your super fund.
• You can choose which super fund your contributions go toon't just accept the default option.