The first country in our work abroad series is the land done under. In this work abroad Australia guide, we tell you everything you need to know before moving to Australia for work. Whether you’re a student looking for summer jobs in Australia or you’re searching for graduate opportunities in Australia, we have you covered.
Australia is one of the most popular destinations for English-speaking ex-pats. With a booming economy, a low unemployment rate of 4.2%, and a laid-back beach lifestyle, Aussies know how to live well. While the country’s entry requirements are stricter for Brits than European countries, Australia is always eager to attract skilled workers. In particular, graduates and workers with specialised qualifications have plenty of career opportunities down under.
It’s not all work in Australia. In a recent list of the best cities to live in 2022, Melbourne and Sydney ranked number five and six respectively. The country boasts cosmopolitan cities, breathtaking nature, and some of the world’s most iconic beaches. What’s more, Australia is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. Whether you’re a beach lover, hiker, or a wildlife aficionado, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Australia during your days off.
Australia has a relatively small population of just 25 million for such a vast country. This means that there is an abundance of graduate jobs in Australia in various sectors.
Work Abroad Australia: How to Find a Graduate Job
Before you set off for the sunny shores of Australia, it’s important to research the job market there. To help you, we’ve broken down the most in-demand industries in the country. We’ve also made a list of some of the top companies in Australia for graduate jobs.
Let’s start by looking at the most in-demand sectors. The top three industries in Australia are services, industry, and agriculture. Having said that, recent research shows that the following four industries are growing rapidly:
- Healthcare
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Construction
- Education and training
Another booming industry is the tourism and hospitality sector. With over 9 million tourists visiting annually, this sector never slows down.
According to Statistica, University graduates from pharmacy, rehabilitation, and teacher education study programs had the highest employment rate compared to all other fields. In terms of salary, Dentistry graduates are reported to earn the highest of recent graduates in Australia.
So the big question is how to find a graduate job in Australia. The Australian government has a strict visa policy for all ex-pats planning to relocate (more on that later). Therefore, all overseas graduate job seekers must submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect website. Another option for graduate employment is obtaining sponsorship by an employer via the Employer Nomination Scheme.
Work Abroad Australia: In-Demand Skills
Like many other countries, the Australian Government compiles an annual list of the skills shortages the country faces. Graduate workers from overseas who possess these skills have a significantly higher chance of finding work in Australia.
You can find the full skills shortage list, broken down by occupation, here. Most of the skills shortages are currently in the finance, education, construction, and engineering sectors. Additionally, there are major shortages in the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Graduates with qualifications in accountancy, education, nursing, engineering, medicine, or pharmaceuticals are highly desirable in Australia.
If you don’t fit into any of these categories, don’t worry. There are many other highly sought-after graduate profiles in the country. Alternatively, you could consider applying for the government-funded training scheme that trains on the skills employers are looking for.
Top Graduate Job Sites In Australia
Are you considering working abroad in Australia? One of the best ways to plan ahead is to do some research on local job sites. This will give you valuable insight into what graduate opportunities are available. Not only that, but it will also demonstrate what required skills are listed in the job descriptions. By learning this information, you can learn any necessary new skills before you apply. Don’t forget to update your CV to reflect your new abilities!
We recommend focusing on specialised job boards for students and graduates or inclusive job websites.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of some useful job sites that offer graduate jobs in Australia.
Best Places to Find a Graduate Job in Australia
Finding a graduate job in Australia is relatively easy compared to other countries. Rural locations in Australia tend to have a high number of graduate job opportunities in the mining and energy and engineering industries. Having said that, you will find the majority of graduate opportunities in larger metropolitan cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or Brisbane. Melbourne currently holds the most graduate job opportunities in Australia
Work Abroad Australia: Top Graduate Employers in Australia
Now that you have spent some time getting to know the Australian job market, what’s next? We say the next item on your list is to get familiar with some of the best graduate employers in Australia. This will help you target your job search and land your dream graduate job down under.
GradAustralia recently announced its list of Australia’s Top 100 Graduate Employers. Here are the top ten companies that made the cut.
- Canva – Technology sector
- Coles – Retail, sales and consumer goods
- NAB – Banking & financial services
- Westpac Group – Banking & financial services
- Allens – Law
- Optiver Asia Pacific – Banking & financial services
- Google – Technology
- Xero Australia – Technology
- Amazon – Technology
- ANZ – Banking & financial services
Work Abroad Australia: Summer Jobs & Internships
Another fantastic way to work and live in Australia as a student is to find a summer job or internship. This not only looks great on your CV, but you get to enjoy the laid-back lifestyle of Australia while you build experience. In this section, we discuss the options available for summer jobs and internships in Australia.
Australia offers a Working Holiday visa for overseas tourists between the ages of 18 and 30. With this visa, you can apply for temporary work in Australia. If you are looking for a casual summer job while you backpack, your best bet is to look for tourism jobs in bars, restaurants, or hostels. There are also a wide array of seasonal farming jobs such as fruit picking that you are eligible to apply for with a working holiday visa.
If you plan to do an internship or work placement during your stay in Australia, there are lots of sites that can guide you through the full process. Some of the most popular internship sites include:
Another excellent way to gain work experience in Australia is by volunteering. There are tons of benefits to volunteering; personal development, new experiences, and networking. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities in Australia, we recommend Volunteering Australia. As well as volunteering opportunities, you’ll find useful information on your rights as a volunteer in Australia.
Graduate Jobs in Australia: What Visa Do I Need?
Australia has strict visa requirements for all overseas ex-pats who want to settle permanently. While a Working Holiday Visa is sufficient for temporary work (lasting no longer than 6 months), you’ll need a different visa to work long-term.
For graduate jobs, you will need a Skilled Migration visa. To obtain this, you are required to make an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. If your submission is granted, you are then invited to apply for the visa. A word of warning. You will have just 60 days to submit your application, so be prepared before making an EOI.
Final Thoughts
Graduating is a huge achievement. However, it can be tough to decide what comes next. Working abroad is a fantastic opportunity to build your CV and see the world. Graduates are highly sought-after in Australia, making it the perfect location to look for a graduate job. Developing a Student has a wealth of useful resources for graduate jobseekers, including CV writing tips and advice on writing an impactful cover letter. Contact us if you have specific questions or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter using the form below.
Looking for graduates jobs in the UK? Be sure to also check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
