Do you know that Australia is among the few countries regarded as mega-diverse in biodiversity? And what country should have the right to be considered such if humans don’t thrive?
While traditional biodiversity may just need nature in its basic; however, for people to thrive, there must be a viable society where business, employment, and vital amenities are abundant. This has been the case in Australia.
It is a place of opportunities for all, yet in this diversity, there is high competition which is why understanding requirements and responsibilities beforehand is critical to succeeding in the country’s workspace.
But before we head on to these survival tactics in Australia’s demanding work environment, let’s douse things down with the benefits of working in the country.
What does one stand to benefit from working in Australia?
- A robust economy that inspires excellent wages.
- Intentional approach to work ensuring a work-life balance.
- Steps towards attaining permanent resident status
- Work infusion with social and welfare programs
- The diversity is all yours to explore
- Worker-friendly provisions or laws
- Quality healthcare
- A lot to learn with the opportunities that make it possible
- Fairness in the Career Growth Process
- Access to a healthy society
- Taxation consideration
- Quality workplace relationships inspired by teamwork
- Superannuation benefits: This refers to funds saved against retirement for individuals working in Australia to access when they retire.
Common Requirements for Australian Jobs
The requirements for working in Australia vary between firms. It is also a lot different when one is a migrant. While we look at the common requirements, it is important for the applicant to understand that their working or business status in the country and even in the enterprise of employment may impact requirements. Below are the common requirements for work in Australia, this aspect is focused on migrants as in most cases, citizens are subject to the common Australian work provisions:
- Work Visa
- Job Screening Success
- Health Screening
- Police character clearance
- Effectiveness in Language (English)
- Qualifications and professional membership
- Obtain a Tax File Number
Popular industries with demand for migrants in Australia
- Care Sector (healthcare, dependent care): Wealthy nations want to see their citizens live longer. This usually results in citizens needing care exceeding home caregiver supply. Health and elderly care facilities are responsible for a huge percentage of professional migration.
- Tech: The tech space in Australia is one that is part of a global tech space. This means the movement of tech experts from country to country also impacts Australia. Sometimes, such tech firms may need to migrate their workers from other country branches or may desire to employ new individuals from other geographies.
- Engineering (Construction): Australia is a wonder in the making. Building such a magnificent country sure requires international standard brains. Sometimes part of this workforce has to be migrated.
- Agriculture: Agriculture is essential for home use in Australia and export. With several other booming sectors, constant worker shortage in the sector is usually the case.
- Leisure: With the beauty and diversity in Australia comes tourism and leisure boom. Often the local population is not able to sufficiently care for everything. Leisure is another sector that employs migrants.
- Trade, industries, and services: Trade and industry are significant to most countries not just Australia. The country needs even more investors and has several visa categories designed to make entrepreneurs’ migration easier.
- Education: Education is a global thing today. Countries want to share knowledge with other advanced countries. For this reason, Australia makes it easier for individuals capable of impacting the Australian academic system to be able to migrate into the country.
Understanding the Australian Work Visa
Perhaps you manage to secure a job in Australia while in your home country, then migration consideration must be in focus, and at this point, the visa question must be attended to. Individuals hoping to migrate to Australia must be informed of the visa classes available. This is given that work visas regarding Australian migration are designed to migrate a predetermined class of workforce.
With several work visa classes available, we would discuss a few of the most common. You may discuss with your employer, visa agent or other immigration experts if the listed visa category here may or may not apply in your case. The common work visa includes:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa: Individuals hoping to work in Australia for a relatively brief stay may find this visa effective. Migrants on this visa class may live and work in the country for up to 4 years.
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189): For individuals possessing the right combination of skills and other great qualities, this visa model is effective for migrating value. It is a pathway to permanent residency and individuals can migrate on this visa class by the effectiveness of their skills.
- Skilled Visas for Nominees (subclass 190): These are special-purpose visas for individuals nominated by the Australian or regional authorities. Visa classes may improve the chances of permanent residence.
Eligibility Criteria
This is a multiple Australian migration information page. Be informed that while the common eligibility criteria may apply to most employment categories, each unique firm or employment sector that you may be engaged with will have a different or additional eligibility focus. Below are some common eligibility criteria of focus for most Australian firms employing migrants:
- Excellent skill exhibition in your nominated occupation
- Effective communication especially in English. Excellent IELTS scores may be essential in some employment categories.
- Meeting the stated point average for your migration category. On average, the target is a minimum of 65 points.
- Teamwork: Jobs in Australia often require individuals who are effective in working as a team.
- Effective time management: Given that Australia has strong worker protection policies. Firms are on the lookout for individuals who are passionate about their endeavors. This in turn protects your employer by ensuring that allocated time is used effectively.
- Passion for your employment sector: Workers are more productive if they are passionate about their area of employment. Australian employers are aware of that and as such structure their interviews to reveal if workers are passionate about their jobs beforehand.
Application Process
Step 1: Verify occupation qualification on the Home Affairs portal
Step 2: Identify and submit your skills and qualification authentication requirements to the associated authority.
Step 3: Undergo mandatory screening like those of language proficiency
Step 4. Initiate and complete the visa process by creating an account at the Australian immigration portal and paying associated visa fees.
Step 5: Undergo other requirements like medical examination and security checks.
Step 6: Await response. While visa processing time may vary, you can follow up in real time via the immigration account created earlier.
Sectors on Regulation focus
While standard practice is important to all Australian endeavors, some fields are more sensitive. These critical fields usually require additional verification of competence by way of registration or other means. Individuals hoping to work in these sectors should anticipate registration into the associated authorities. For example, healthcare workers are expected to submit to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency. Health care is not the only sensitive sector as regulations and standard verification also apply to Education, Engineering, trade and service, etc.
Life in Australia
Even people born and raised in Australia, eventually experience the brutal reality of change. Living is a learning and relearning process. If change can impact survival even for natives, what would it make of potential migrants? Know the cost of living in different parts of Australia now.
- Sidney and Melbourne are among the costliest places in Australia: It is important to understand these costs so that you make accurate decisions through a clear picture of income and expenditure comparison. High salaries in those two cities may not be as viable as moderate-salary jobs in the regional areas. Rents are also more costly in these two and other affluent neighborhoods.
- You may need a private healthcare plan: While citizens and permanent residents are covered by the country’s medicare program, this benevolence may not apply to migrants. You may consider a private source for your healthcare needs.
Means of Entry into Australia via Visa Sponsorship
For foreigners, there must be a formal channel of entry into Australia. Sometimes this can be in the form of visa sponsorship. Regarding such sponsored migration, two means are most common. Family-sponsored migration to Australia and employer-sponsored migration.
Meanwhile, visa sponsorship regarding Australian migration is a model of relocation where foreigners are invited to Australia by individuals or firms in Australia. Such individuals can be family members or businesses.
- Family Visa: A family visa regarding Australia can be effective in migrating a spouse, parent, or child.
- Australian employment visa is used by Australian-domiciled firms to migrate new or existing employees or other members of such corporations.
Other Visa Classes Apart from Family and Employment
Earlier we discussed common employment visas, now let’s take a look at other common visas briefly.
- Business and Investor migration visas: Investors and entrepreneurs get a different visa consideration. This is because they are neither coming to meet a family or take up employment, they are coming to build an enterprise, create jobs, and build products and services. Visas in this class often require owning or aspiring to set up a business in Australia. Common visas in this category are:
- Visas for Business Innovation and Investment
- Business Talent visa
- Visas for Graduates and Post-Study Students: Graduates of Australian universities may be able to work in the country. This is to enable such graduates or students to acquire real-time skills in their areas of study and possibly refine skills into expertise which may pave the way for other opportunities including attaining a permanent residence status probably along the line via a skilled work visa.
- Other Visa classes: Apart from these common Australian visas, other Australian visa models that enable holders to take up employment in the country exist. Such other visas include Refugee and Humanitarian visas, and Regional Pathway visas. For former residents or individuals with special connections to Australia, Special eligibility visas may apply.
Note that each visa category requires unique eligibility criteria. You may want to research more after discovering the likely applicable visa for you or seek further guidance from an Australian immigration lawyer or other Australian travel experts.
Pathway to Permanent Residence
For some visa applicants, which visa makes it easier to attain permanent residence may be a consideration. If you have your eyes on attaining a permanent residence status in Australia, choosing the right visa is a good way to start.
In addition to the right visas, exhibiting a sense of responsibility and value will be instrumental. In this case, the applicant is expected to excel in their skills, provide all essential documents with associated accurate information, submit their expression of interest through the SkillSelect portal, and proceed with their online application in the home affairs department.
Note that approval time varies between visa categories so you may have to exercise some patience at this stage.
Australian Visa Application Success
The demand for Australian visas are getting higher as the economy and the general Australian society advance. Applicants hoping to make success in their visa application must endeavor to do the following:
- Initiate your visa process as soon as you secure a sponsor: Time is crucial in visa application. If you are on a sponsored visa, starting your visa process early will improve the effectiveness and validity of the visa which is considered based on your employment or your business objectives.
- Stay in touch with your sponsor in the case of employment visas and be guided by professionals in Australian immigration issues.
- Follow up with your application and submit other information as required. Always be accurate in the information you provide.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Australian Sponsorship and Other Business Visas
What are Australian employers looking for in an employee?
While qualifications are important, Australian employers are more concerned with impressive skills and experience.
Does Unskilled Job Qualify for Australian Visa Sponsorship?
Yes, Unskilled Jobs qualify for sponsorship in Australia. Top unskilled jobs enjoying massive sponsorships include:
- Farmworks
- Construction works assistance
- House Cleaning jobs
- Other menial jobs
Are there minimum requirements for working in Australia?
There is no direct answer to this question. So far you are able-bodied and can communicate in basic English, there could be a job for you in Australia; however, visa sponsorship is a different ball game as individuals who possess little skills are also found in Australia so for a job to be worth being sponsored, the applicant ought to at least be capable of effective communication in English and possess at least a basic skill in one of the on-demand unskilled or semi-skilled labor in the country.
Conclusion
Not just because of its abundance in nature, Australia is a sweet country filled with opportunities. It is a thriving economy with several sectors still in their developing stages. Whether migrating to start a business or secure employment, Australia holds a lot of potential for both locals and foreigners.