Australia WORKINGRBROAD
VISAS
When it comes to living, working, holidaying or studying in Australia, unless you are an Australian Citizen or already hold an approproate visa, you will need to apply for a visa before travelling down under. The first port of call is the Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship Website (DIAC) as this outlines in full detail all the visa types available as well as the requirements for each.
The most commonly used visa by professionals and skilled is the standard business sponsorship visa, subclass 457, affectionally known as the ‘457'. This visa is for employees who can fill nominated skilled positions with Australian Employers. The General Skilled Migration Program (GSM) is for professionals and other skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is available on the DIAC Website. It might also be worth checking out when the next Working Abroad Expo is taking place as the Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship regularly present seminars at this exhibition. 4. Holiday Working Visa.
If you are aged 18 – 30 it might be worth considering an Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) which allows you to work in Australia for up to 12 months (you can only work for up to 6 months with one employer). It might also be worth noting that if you have completed three months specified work in regional Australia on your first Working Holiday visa, you may be eligible to apply for a Second Working Holiday Visa.
JOBS
Unemployment in Australia is only 4.9% one of the lowest in world and follows a surge in full time employment growth in June 2011. With unemployment levels expected to remain low, there are significant employment opportunities for overseas nationals but finding a job in Australia isn't as easy as you might think.
If you're under 30 years of age and planning to travel to Australia on an Australian Working Holiday Visa, it is strongly recommended that you try and secure employment before arriving in Australia. The most widely used recruitment website in Australia is called SEEK. However many employers will be slow to offer you a gauranteed job until you arrive in Australia so it's best to line up at least 10 interviews for when you arrive. Make sure you bring an updated Australian CV or Australian Resume, as they are structured slightly differently than in the UK & Ireland.
Find out if you're eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa?
Employment Training Courses
In Australia, health and safety laws require that workers in certain professions (including Hospitality & Construction) undergo compulsory basic training and become certified to be eligible for employment. You'd be forgiven for thinking that one course covers every State and/or Territory in Australia but unfortunately there isn't always Australia wide co-operation with courses. For example Green, Red & Blue Cards are required for anyone wishing to work on a construction site – the different colours represent different States so you don't need them all, just the one relevant to the State or Territory you plan to work in. For example, Blue is valid in Queensland, the Green & Red Cards are valid for Victoria & New South Wales.
All hospitality staff must hold certification known as an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) before being eligible for employment on licensed premises. You will also need RGS (Responsible Gambling Services) certification to work in premises with gambling facilities. To work on a building site in Australia it is a requirement that everyone holds a current General Induction Card, also known as a 'White Card'. The White Card is valid for use on all construction sites in Australia.
Professional & Trades (Skilled Migration)
At the professional, skilled and trades level securing a job is far more important. The most commonly used business sponsorship visa, subclass 457 will require you to have a job offer from an Australian Employer. As a starting point you will need to see if your profession or trade is an occupation in demand on the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL). If you're on the SOL, then you need to decide what state or territory you want to work in. This is very important, as it will help you define your job search. For example some of the greatest job opportunities currently exist in Perth, Western Australia however Melbourne and Sydney tend to be more popular places to live. In addition, each Australian State & Territory Government operates a sponsorship program such as the Western Australian Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS). Another tip is to contact your local branch of global recruitment agencies such as Manpower, Adecco or Hays as each of them have offices throughout Australia and would be able to assit you. The Working Abroad Job Board is regularly being updated with jobs from employers and recruiters while the Working Abroad Expo always has plenty of employers, recruiters and state governments who can advise you on sponsorship and employment opportunities.
MOVING
Moving house or apartment is difficult at the best of times without the added complication of being in another country. Renting before buying is always recommended as you will obviousy need to find your feet before making such a substantial financial commitment.
Accommodation:
Where you end up living will ultimately depend on the proximity to your place of work and obviously what you can afford. Properties come furnished and unfurnished with websites such as the Furnished Property Group and Stayz (one of Australia's biggest rental websites) able to give you a guide to price and availability. You might also want to check out various real estate websites such as realestate.com.au and domain.com.au
Most properties in Australia are let through agents. Letting agents generally charge tenants a fee of two weeks' rent for a one-year lease and one week's rent for a six-month lease, which are the legal maximum fees. Usually, you're expected to pay one month's rent in advance, depending on the type of property and the rental agreement as well as a bond, which is held against damages. Tenants must also pay a fee for the lease document, plus a deposit for electricity and gas
Shipping
If you've decided to bring your household goods with you to Australia you'll need to arrange for international shipping. Household goods are transported around the world by various means, depending on the quantity of goods for shipment, urgency of delivery, topography en route and cost considerations. Depending on the quantity and your deadlines, the most cost effective means is by Sea however is does take significantly longer than Air Freight. There are advantages for both and you will need to decide which best suits you based on cost, how much stuff you have, when you would like your household items to arrive etc. Air Freight can be a cost effective way of transporting goods. It has the advantage of speed of delivery, which may be a good option if you have already arranged permanent accommodation. It may be the best option if you are moving to a land locked country or inland areas. Sea Freight usually involves either a full container, if you have a lot of items or Groupage if you don't have enough to fill a full container.
Using a full container usually involves the shipping company coming to your home and loading the container there and then as long as there is sufficient access. There is also the option of your container being customs checked in front of you, giving the assurance that what is in your container after it leaves your sight is only what you will receive at the other end.
However, if you don't have a lot of items to ship but still a considerable amount then you may choose a Groupage Option where the container is shared with other company clients that are shipping to the same destination.
Settlement Services:
- Apply for an Australian Tax File Number
- Register with Medicare
- Open an Australian Bank Account
- Find a job, have your skills assessed and recognised, register with Centrelink
- Enrol your child in school
- Apply for your Australian Driver's Licence
MONEY
Between finding a job and securing your visa, transfering your money to Australia is probably the last thing on your mind.
Foreign Exchange
If you have large sums of money that you need to transfer to Australian dollars, from the sale of a house for instance, you will need to get the best exchange rate. Getting this right could be the difference between buying a new car or swimming pool without needing additional finance, such are the savings that could be made. Buying Foreign Exchange (FX) is one of the least considered aspects of moving overseas and is often left till the last minute. You can exchange your money for Australian Dollars in one of two ways – by using a high street bank or through a specialist foreign exchange broker. Specialist brokers trade in foreign currency everyday and are able to advise you on trends and buy/sell patterns. Companies who offer this service include CBA Bank, Halo Financial, Moneycorp & HiFX.
Australian Bank Account
One of the biggest banks in Australia is the Commonwealth Bank of Australia who have branches in the UK as well as Australia. They can set up your Australian Bank Account before you leave, transfer your funds at a very cost effective rate and have your money ready for you in your new account when you arrive in Australia.
Income Tax
Australian federal income tax is levied under a two-tier system: firstly self-employed and companies, and secondly Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) for employees. The self-employed pay their tax in arrears, whereas your employer deducts employee income tax at source. There's no state income tax in Australia at present, although it has been under consideration. The income tax year in Australia runs from 1st July to 30th June of the following year and for more information visit the Australian Tax Office.
NEWS
The 1st July generally brings with it changes to the Australian Immigration Program. This year a new points test for skilled migrants has come into effect and the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has also been updated with 13 new occupations added and 4 occupations have been removed. Some of the occupations added include Solicitors, Fitters (General), Environmental Health Officers, Hospital and Retail Pharmacists. The occupations that have been removed include Optometrist, Orthoptist, Panel Beater and Vehicle Painter.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen MP has also announced a new Skill Migrant Selection Model called SkillSelect, which the Minister says will be rolled out in 2012. It is proposed that SkillSelect will be a two stage process whereby potential applicants first register their claims for skilled migration through an online Expression of Interest (EOI), and subsequently may be invited to make an application for a visa. This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state/territory sponsored migration will require an invitation to lodge a visa application. More details on the new SkillSelect model will be published here over the coming months. Make sure you register for our newsletter and keep up to date with developments.
