Finding a job in Australia is not always as easy as you think. When you arrive in Australia, you will probably have many questions about how to get your first job. We have tried to answer these questions by providing you with all the information you need on finding a job in Australia. Read this article, put our advice into practice and we wish you the best of luck!
Table of Contents
Making yourself employable
It is important to have done all the necessary steps to get a job before you start looking. To find a job, there are some basics you will need:
- A complete and up-to-date CV
- A TFN (Tax File Number) or ABN depending on the type of job you are applying for
- A bank account and a Superannuation account if you do not wish to the account your future employer will provide
- Specific skills certificates to work in certain fields (e.g. RSA for hospitality or a White Card for construction)
As soon as you are hired you will have to provide your TFN to your new employer. The TFN is required to work in Australia and you may not be hired if you have not taken the necessary steps to obtain it. However, if you have applied but have not yet received the official document containing your TFN, you can simply explain your situation at your job interview. You can then give the number to your employer once you have received it. The same goes for your ABN (i.e. the ABN corresponds to people who are going to work as a freelancer, contractor).
1. Update your resume (CV)
An important aspect of getting a job in Australia is having an up-to-date resume. It would be such a waste if you are not even considered for a job because of your resume.
Specify your resume for the job
Do you have a standard resume from your home country listing all the great stuff you did? You may have to rewrite it. Consider what kind of work you will be going after and adapt your resume accordingly. Make sure you highlight any experience that may be relevant to the job you are applying for. For instance, if you are keen on working in hospitality, a detailed description of your 9-5 office job back home might not be as interesting to a potential employer. Instead, better focus on the bartending experience you picked up during your time in college!
Presentation
Presentation is your first foot in the door. If your resume is well-structured and easy to read you are helping the person hiring you to make that decision. Consider shop owners often get resumes from backpackers on a daily basis. If it requires a degree in advanced analytics to decipher your resume, it will probably end up in the bin…
- Read the adverts correctly and respond as stated in them (no emails or text messages when the ad ask for a call)
- Smile and be extra polite when you introduce yourself in person
- Prepare your interviews, do a bit of research. You’d do it at home, so why not in Australia?
- Finally, dress appropriately. You don’t apply for a future job in flip-flops and a swimming costume, even for a casual job – and even in Australia! It is still important to make a good impression.
Important skills
It is easy to forget to mention you have certain skills that may be very important to employers in Australia. For instance, make sure to highlight your English language skills! Or are you looking for a farm job and have experience riding a tractor? Mention it!
For tips on writing a resume appropriate for the Australian market make sure to check up our guide: Writing an Australian Resume – Guide & Template
2. Be Proactive: introduce yourself!
Get your name out there! Print a bunch of freshly updated resumes and go into bars & shops. Meeting a potential employer face-to-face works way better then sending an (impersonal) email. In Australia (and all over the world) potential employers will remember a candidate better if they have a face and personality to go with the resume. When you go by, don’t just walk in, dump your resume on the counter and walk out. Rather, see if the manager is working and ask for him/her and chat with the staff.
Depending on the type of job you are looking for, remember that the best approach might be different. For a job as a shop assistant, you can easily go in to the store in person and pas over your CV. Interested in a job as a nanny? You’ll more likely need to surf websites and Facebook groups. If you’re looking for a job in construction, it’s best to visit a temp agency or check out Gumtree, or Facebook groups in the city you’re in. Finally, if you are looking for fruit picking or farm work, you can call the farms first and organise a visit.
3. Where to look for a job?
You can do research online before arriving in Australia and secure a job beforehand. However, many employers will want you to be in already Australia before hiring you. So how do you find a job in Australia? Plenty of backpacker jobs are posted on websites such as Gumtree, Seek and Facebook groups. You can start you job search by checking out these websites.
Gumtree
Gumtree is the Australian version of Craigslist and a great platform for finding backpacker jobs. Don’t be afraid to post an ad on Gumtree stating you are looking for work in Australia. Write a short introduction about yourself and list your skills and experiences. Make sure that you tailor your advert to jobs you are looking for. Also, make sure to mention that you are in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa and how long it is still valid.
Feel free to copy past this template and amend it to reflect your own experience!
Facebook groups
Another great source of vacancies are backpacker specific Facebook groups. You have a lot of groups where you can find ads for jobs such as Jobs in Australia. You also have the country specific ones such as ‘Dutchies in Australia’ etc. Other backpackers often post job opportunities here. One of the added bonuses of finding a job through one of the Facebook groups is that you get to talk to someone who actually works there. It is especially nice to hear from a fellow backpacker what the working conditions are like if the job will require you to relocate.
Seek
Seek is geared more to professionals, so if you are looking for an administrative job or a more sector specific job it is a great starting point. They have plenty of entry-level office jobs advertised and are often keen on hiring backpackers for temporary functions or cover. Another useful website is Careerone.
Other ways
If you are staying at a hostel make sure to check out the messaging board in the lobby as local employers often hang ads there. Also talk to other backpackers, they may have some tips to share!
There are many agencies across Australia specialized in finding casual work for backpackers. Usually, you pay a fee and you get access to their network. They will then actively look for jobs for you. However, be careful if required to pay a fee when signing up, as there are a lot of scams out there. To be safe, read some reviews online or ask fellow travellers whether they have had experience with this agency.
4. Do you have any (specific) marketable skills?
Can you build websites? Are you a graphic designer? Are you an electrician? In Australia there is a high demand for skilled employees (e.g. carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc.). If you have such skills make sure to market them! The pay rate can be pretty decent – a lot higher then unskilled minimum wage work. If you are having difficulties to find a job relevant to your skills you might consider signing up to a branch specific agency or check out sector specific job websites.
5. Get your Certifications
For certain jobs you are required to get certifications. For instance, if you want to work in hospitality (pub, restaurant, bars etc) you are required to complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course in order to serve alcohol legally. Each state has its own RSA requirements so take this into account if you are travelling around and considering working in bars across state borders. If you want to carry out construction work, you will be required to get your White Card. Indeed, if you intend to work as labourers and tradespeople or access operational construction zones, you will need this certificate.
Make sure to check out our guide on work specific certifications: Certificate training in Australia
The situation post-Covid
During the Covid-19 pandemic, as you probably know, Australia simply closed its international borders. The country had to call on workers from the Pacific Islands to fill their labour shortage in the agricultural sector. As a result, Australia still has a shortage of labour in many areas (picking, packing, cafes, restaurants, cleaning, service, etc). This is especially true in more remote areas of the country.
From February 2022, international travellers can once again enter Australia without restriction. This includes people on a WHP, students, workers and tourists. You will no longer be subject to any quarantine when arriving in Australia.
The current labour shortage will make it easier for you to get a job. Do not hesitate to approach cafés, restaurants, bars or shops in the city and its suburbs.
