What You Need To Know About Working In Australia

With its thriving economy, a 5% unemployment rate, and one of the best minimum wages in the world, Australia has become a favorite destination for many travelers, looking for an opportunity to work and enjoy new experiences during their prolonged stay. 

As the number of overseas workers in Oz is on the constant rise, it is best to come well-informed and prepared, so that you can make the most of your time from the moment your plane lands.

Here are some tips on working in Australia to get you going.

You need a TFN 

Once you are in Australia, you will need to apply for your Tax File Number to be taxed properly and to be able to apply for your tax back, at the end of each fiscal year.

You can apply for a TFN online, but your documents will be sent to the address you provide, so make sure you check your mail often.

Open an Australian bank account

If you are planning to stay in Australia for a year or two, a wise thing to do is open an Australian bank account. This way, you won't lose any of your salaries because of exchange rates and transfer fees, which can make a significant amount during a prolonged period of time.

An Australian CV

For your job application, especially if you are aiming at a position which requires certain advanced skills, you will need to provide your CV, which is maybe somewhat different than the ones you are used to.  

An Australian CV for a specialized job can be even 5-6 pages long. This gives you just enough space to talk about your motivation for the job in question, as well as your previous work experience and personal qualities. Be sure to include references from your previous employers who would happily recommend you.

If you are looking for a short-term job, which you need no special qualifications for, it is possible you won't even need to provide a CV, or you can make one up to 2 pages long.

It’s worth noting that it is not recommended to put your photo, age, or marital status in your resume.

Job hunting

Your odds of getting a job will be higher once you are in Australia and provide potential employers with your Australian address, as it will be a clear sign you are hirable. 

The choice of the job will, of course, depend on your qualification and experience, and your job hunting strategies will vary accordingly. If you are looking for a skilled job, there are some very good employment sites you can explore, as well as some recruitment agencies you can contact. If you have a qualification which is recognized in Australia, you can get in touch with the national professional organization and ask for information regarding any vacant positions.

If you are looking for a job which does not require any special skills, typical jobs you can apply for are housekeeping, hospitality, retail, as well as factory jobs. 

If you are into hospitality jobs, which come with a salary from $15 to $20 an hour, you will need to get an RSA certificate to be able to serve alcohol. 

Fruit picking is yet another available option for those who would like their stay in Oz to be more like a road trip, as for this kind of job, you will need no special qualifications.

Know your rights

When deciding on a new job, be sure to have the job offer in writing and a contract. Having an official job will entitle you to protection from exploitation, unemployment benefits, redundancy payment as well as the state pension.

Also, it will entitle you to accident insurance which is of tremendous importance if you by any chance suffer personal injuries at work. In situations like this, it is always a much better option to get in touch with well-versed WorkCover lawyers than to handle the situation on your own. Some of them even have the “No win, no charge” policy so you wouldn't have to worry about the financial part of your claim. 

Superannuation

Since your employer has to pay a contribution to your retirement fund, called ‘superannuation’, you can claim it when you leave Australia. Even though this sum is subject to high taxes, you will still have a significant amount to look forward to spending while resettling. 

And if you happen to fall in love with Oz, as many visitors do, you can always look for ways to expand your stay, no matter whether it is on the basis of sponsorship from your employer, internship, or for academic purposes.