Lots of people want to move to Australia, but Australia doesn’t always want lots of people! However, do not despair. If you have a skilled occupation, you could be in luck. There are currently over two hundred jobs on the Skilled Occupation List, from healthcare professionals to designers, and the list is always changing.
Make sure you check the current list of occupations before applying for your work visa. To further complicate matters, the list of jobs can vary between states, and within states you may only be able to work in a specific area (e.g. metropolitan or rural regions). There are many visa options, and different visas will allow you to stay for different periods of time. In this article, we take a closer look at 15 skills that are currently in demand, and tell you more about how to find your dream job in the Land Down Under…
1. Accountant
Although Accountants are in good demand across Australia, NSW has a large number of employment opportunities. The weekly salary is around $1660 per week, but will change depending on how much experience you have. Most accountants work within Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. You must register with one of Australia’s three main accounting bodies: Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
2. Agriculture: Agricultural Consultant, Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Scientist
Agriculture is a thriving industry within Australia. The majority of agriculture industry employees live on the Eastern side of Australia, which include rural and regional areas across South Australia (SA), Victoria (VIC), New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD). As an Agricultural Engineer, Consultant or Scientist, you will need a bachelor degree within your related field.
If you’re moving over to Australia, or you’re sending money from working here back to the UK, make sure you protect your transfers. Find out how in The Currency Guide to Emigration, free to download.
3. Architect
The beautiful island of Tasmania (TAS) has a current shortage of architects. In order to become a registered architect, there are a number of steps to go through. Firstly, you need to complete the two stages of the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia’s (AACA) Overseas Qualifications Assessment Process. If you are successful in securing a visa and passing both stages, you will be required to sit the Architectural Practice Examination. Finally, you will be able to start your registration process within your chosen state/territory, which each have their own Architect Registration Board.
4. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are in high demand in Tasmania, Queensland and the Capital Territory.
As a rapidly developing country, Australia has huge numbers of construction projects. However, according to recent Occupation Reports, the states of NSW, SA, VIC and Western Australia (WA) have no current shortage of civil engineering jobs. Although you may still be able to find work in these states, have a look at TAS, QLD, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory (NT), where the demand is higher. You must have a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering, and different visas will require different number of years work experience.
5. Chef
Australia is a country full of fabulous restaurants offering a diverse range of different cuisines. In order to apply for a visa, you will require a Migration Skills Assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). Be aware, if you apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa or the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, caveats do apply. Both visa options will exclude ‘low skilled tasks’ such as working in a limited service restaurant, such as a fast food or takeaway food service.
6. Design: Graphic designer, Web Designer, Fashion Designer, Jewellery Designer, Interior Designer, Multi Media Designer, Industrial Designer, Illustrator
Australia has a wide variety of design jobs to offer. Metropolitan cities such as Melbourne and Sydney could be a good starting point for your job search. In general, employers will look for a bachelor degree or higher qualification. However, relevant and extensive experience may be accepted instead of a formal qualification. Please note that the majority of these design jobs are on the ‘Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) – Short Term Stream’ as opposed to the ‘Medium-Term Stream’.
7. Educational Professionals
Teachers are sought-after in almost all states and territories.
Australia’s education sector has a wide variety of different job opportunities. The current Skilled Occupation list includes early childhood (pre-primary) teachers, primary teachers, secondary teachers, special educational needs teachers, university lecturers and private tutors. Make sure you look at each individual state/territory to work out where you would like to apply, as they all have a different registration and recruitment process. Certain states/territories will be harder to find work within; for example, NSW has a competitive job market with no current shortage of primary or secondary school teachers. There are plenty of jobs out there, it just needs a little research to work out where!
8. Electrician (General)
As an Electrician (General) is classed as a licensed trade occupation, there are a number of stages to go through to obtain both a visa and licence to work. Top tip: you must go through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) which works as the skills assessment service for migration. Although applying for a visa and licence can be a long process, Electricians are in demand in Australia. A great starting point for your job search could be NSW or TAS, where there is a current shortage of Electricians due to high levels of construction work.
Email the resource team on [email protected] or call them on 020 7898 0549.
9. Hairdresser
Hairdressing is a great occupation as there is a job demand across the county. Based on recent reports, there are shortages in NSW and VIC, and many expats have been attracted to work within the inner-city hipster suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. Before applying for a work visa, you will need to go through a two-stage assessment process with the TRA’s VETASSESS system.
Based on recent reports, there are hairdressing shortages in NSW and VIC, and many expats have been attracted to work within the inner-city hipster suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney.
10. Nursing: Midwifes, Registered Nurses
Nursing and midwifery are in high demand across Australia. Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs) must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) in order to practice in Australia. Although the registration and visa process can seem time-consuming and arduous, it will be worth it in the long run as there are many great job opportunities once you are out in Oz! On average, a registered nurse will earn $1,909 per week and a midwife will earn $2, 204 per week.
11. Computing roles
The computing sector in Australia is rapidly growing.
In a world full of new and developing technology, it is no surprise that many in-demand jobs are centred around IT. If you look on the Skilled Occupation list, you will find a large variety of IT roles, from an IT Systems Test Engineer to an IT Project Manager. Before applying for a visa, you may need to do an online Migration Skills Assessment through the Australian Computer Society (ACS). The ACS will look at your qualifications and experience to assess whether you meet relevant standards needed for employment in Australia.
12. Motor Mechanics: General Motor, Diesel, Motorcycle, Small Engine
There is a great job market in Australia for Motor Mechanics: it is a large occupation, with unemployment rates below average.
On average, you will earn $1,436 for full time work (44 hours per week). You will need to have your skills, knowledge and experience assessed by VETASSESS before applying for a work visa. Every state/territory in Australia has a current shortage of Motor Mechanics.
13. Plumber (General)
According to latest Occupation reports, there has been a demand for plumbers over the past few years, due to high activity within the construction industry. The average weekly pay is $1,894 for a full time working week. Similarly to electrical work, plumbing is a licensed trade occupation so you will have to go through a series of assessments with VETASSESS to help you get both a visa and license to work.
14. Therapists (Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Psychotherapist, Medical Radiotherapist)
Hospitals and community clinics are in need of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and other therapist roles. NSW could be a great starting point for your job hunt, as it has a current shortage of therapist roles in both metropolitan and rural areas. Please note, you will need to register and licence with your respective professional boards where your skills will be assessed (e.g. Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and Australian Physiotherapy Association).
NSW could be a great starting point for your job hunt as a therapist, as it has a shortage in both metropolitan and rural areas
15. Doctors
Doctors are in high demand throughout Australia, particularly in rural areas. Although most doctors should have plenty of options, there may be limitations on where you can work depending on your specialty and experience. Most roles attract a generous salary compared to the UK. Registration with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is mandatory, and depending on your qualifications, exams may also be required to prove your skills.
The Australia Buying Guide takes you through each stage of the property buying process, with practical recommendations from our experts who have been through the process themselves. The guide will help you to:
