What are your chances of getting a job?
If you’re one of the many UK graduates backpacking round Australia and working under the Working Holiday visa scheme, you’re likely to find temporary, seasonal or casual work fairly easily, as tourism and agriculture are two of the country’s major industries.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to settle in Australia long term for professional and permanent employment, you’ll need to apply throughSkillSelect. As this scheme gives priority to people who have skills, qualifications and experience, your chances of success very much depend on having the desired skills, qualifications and experience.
Alternatively, you can be sponsored by an employer through the Employer Nomination Scheme. It may also be possible for a UK/EU graduate working for an international company to work in its Australian branch for a period of time.
Detailed information on all the visas available can be found at Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).
Where can you work?
- Major industries: agriculture, mining, tourism, chemicals, steel, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing.
- Recent growth areas: agribusiness, education, services sector and tourism.
- Shortage occupations: see the Australian government Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
- Major companies: Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), BP Australia, BHP Billiton, Caltex Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Glencore, Qantas, RioTinto, Suncorp, Telstra, Wesfarmers, Westpac Banking Group, Woolworths.
What’s it like working in Australia?
- Average working hours: 38 hours per week. Extra hours may be paid at overtime rates.
- Holidays: all permanent employees in Australia are entitled to four weeks’ paid annual leave per year. Public holidays vary depending on the State you are in.
- Tax rates: as a non-resident, you’ll pay considerably higher tax contributions than Australian residents. Non-residents are taxed at a rate of 32.5c in every dollar earned up to A$80,000, with increasing tax rates for earnings above A$80,000 (2015-16). Foreign residents don’t have to pay the Medicare levy. For more details on tax issues, visit the Australian Taxation Office website. Don’t forget to check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
