Do you plan on finding a job and working in Australia? Immigrants looking for work in the country have the opportunity to find well paid jobs if they are skilled. However, the country is beautiful, has wonderful people, and a healthy economy which makes them a perfect place for those who are looking for new opportunities for work.
Nonetheless, before you plan on picking up your luggage and going and starting the job in Australia, there are conditions and processes you have to fulfill and go through first.
Now let us discuss in detail what it takes to work in Australia, including a new working visa, and how to find a home.
Working In Australia – Requirements and Procedures
Visa Requirements for Working in Australia
First and foremost, being able to live and work in Australia requires one to have the right visa. Australia has various kinds of visas based on the level of skill, type of job, and duration of stay.
Some of the most popular work visas are:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482): This visa permits the sponsoring of employment offers for workers in skilled vacancies which cannot be filled by natives. You are required to have a certain academic background, for example, you should have formal experience in your field of work of not less than two years.
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This visa is also for the skilled workers who do not have an employer and/or family member sponsor in Australia. It enables you to reside and earn an income and, therefore, reside forever in any area of Australia.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This one is a permanent visa for the skilled worker who had a nomination granted by the state or the territory.
- Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 and 462): There are working holiday maker visas for those who are planning to travel and find employment in Australia for a short period of time; these visas are available for persons in the age of 18-30 or 35 depending on the country of the applicant.
Every visa type comes with requirements that have to be fulfilled; ensure that you find out which visa is appropriate for your case.
Working in Australia: Procedures
If you have established the most appropriate visa for you, then it is now time to start with the application process. This is very crucial in an effort to ensure that no mistakes or delays occur in the whole process:
- Find a Job: The requirement of a job offer is mandatory in some visas such as the TSS visa. To find a job, you can use some of Australia’s resources which include the SEEK, Indeed, or LinkedIn.
- Get Your Documents Ready: You will need to submit such essentials as passports, certificates and testimonials from previous employers. They also may ask for proof of the English language proficiency in some visas through tests such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Health and Character Requirements: As a general rule almost all types of visas have certain requirements for your health and your character. This often entails having a medical check up done and taking a police clearances from the home country.
Working in Australia: Skill Assessments
Currently, there are different types of skilled visas but among them, you would require a skills assessment for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), and others. This is a process where an official Australian body checks your qualifications and work experience to determine whether they meet the set standards.
All occupations have their own assessing authorities. For instance, if you are an engineer then the assessment is usually made by Engineers Australia. There may be some test takers that fall under the IT expertise and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) could be the one who conducts the assessment. Some processes may differ according to the occupation but typically you will be required to present certified copies of your qualifications, employment references among others.
Working in Australia: Application Process
The process of applying for a job in Australia could sometimes take time but the right procedures have to be followed. After deciding on which visa to apply for and going through the necessary skills assessment (as may be needed) you are able to apply for your visa via the Australian Department of Home Affairs online portal.
I would advise you ensure that you complete all fields in the application form and attach all the relevant documents. After you submit your application, you may be requested to provide more information or appear for an interview. Once that’s done, the only thing you have to do is wait until a decision is made. The time it takes to process the visas depends on the type of visa and even the specific country of the applicant.
Settling in Australia
The next phase which follows after you have been granted a visa and arrive in Australia is the life transformation phase. Australia’s health care, education and other public service provisions are highly satisfactory hence the country is friendly to live in. You will require a Tax File Number (TFN) so that you can work and you might wish to open an Australian Bank Account.
Staying in a new country gives a lot of pleasure as well as makes life a little tricky sometimes. Moreover, it’s useful to become a member of the expat communities, engage in community activities and read more about the Australian people and legislation.
Final Thoughts
Australia is a good place to work and have a wonderful experience. However, that is achievable only after proper planning and preparation.
It may look like a complicated process, ranging from selecting the correct visa type to passing some skill tests, but with the proper direction, it is not difficult.
After you have gone through all these steps, you are assured of having a productive career, and life in one of the most culturally diverse, and hospitable nations in the world.
