One of the main reasons why hundreds of international students choose to study abroad in Australia is because this country offers the possibility of working and studying at the same time.
There are many possibilities for finding work in Australia; depending on your English level, you will find different options. At the same time, you can study and live the most exciting nomadic experience. Working in Australia will open doors to the job market and help you grow both personally and professionally.
In this guide, we’ve included the entire process you need to follow to work in Australia, the types of jobs you can get, the salary you can earn, and in which cases you can or cannot work.
Read Also: Australia Working Holiday Visa—Understand how to get this visa!
What is the process for working in Australia?
1. Choose the city where you want to live in Australia:
Depending on the city you choose, you can also find out about the types of work and opportunities available to you. The main cities in Australia are Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. If you want to know a little more about these cities and their quality of life…
2. Obtain a visa for Australia:
Obtain a form or use the service of a trusted travel agent who will help take care of everything so you can relax. They will help you fill out the forms and also request a series of documents to complete your registration. You only have to take care of the payment in Australian dollars.
3. Traveling to Australia:
Some people prefer to start applying for jobs before traveling to Australia, but in our experience, we recommend starting your search once you arrive in the country, as interviews can be complicated since most of them will be in person. Additionally, it’s always ideal to have at least two weeks to adapt, during which you can explore your new city, settle into your new place of residence, and so on.
4. Open a bank account in Australia:
It will likely work the same way as in your home country; opening a bank account in Australia will be a necessary step, as this is where your employer will pay your salary. It is highly recommended that you do this as soon as you arrive in Australia. It might be a little intimidating, but don’t worry, we’ll help you!
5. Obtain a TFN and/or ABN:
To work in Australia, you will need a Tax File Number (TFN) or an Australian Business Number (ABN). Upon your arrival, we will assist you in obtaining either of these documents. The TFN will help you work for a company, and the ABN is generally used when you are self-employed. Neither of these documents has a cost.
6. Create a resume that is tailored to the type of job you are seeking and the regulations of the country:
This is a very important step when it comes to working in Australia. You will notice that there are many differences in how you write your resume and, as you already know, this is always the best way to stand out and be considered for a position.
Here are some tips to help you create your resume:
- Avoid including your photo:Â Australia is a very inclusive and diverse country, having a photo on your resume will not affect the hiring decision.
- Less is more:Â Keep your resume simple and concise; ideally, it should be a single page highlighting your skills, contact information, work experience (maximum 3), availability, and education.
- Include some references:Â only those that allow your employer to verify your employment history (we recommend including a maximum of 2).
7. Looking for work in Australia:
Now let’s get down to business! Now that you’re ready to start looking for work in Australia, always keep your options open; this means that if possible, don’t focus on finding just one type of job.
Have two or three options so you can apply in more than one area, and your job search in Australia will be broader.
What are the requirements to work in Australia?
Before arriving in Australia, you should find out about all the requirements for working legally in the country.
The most important thing is to have a visa that allows you to work; we detail the different types of visas you can apply for below. It is also important that you read the restrictions of your country according to each visa type.
Having a work visa for Australia
Student visa Australia:
You can work up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time (40 hours) during holidays. Additionally, if you are accompanied by a partner (dependent), the same conditions as the visa holder apply.
Working Holiday visa Australia:
You can apply for this visa if you have passports from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, and Canada. It is valid for up to 1 year with the possibility of extension for another year.
To apply for this visa, you must also be between 18 and 31 years old and have sufficient funds (minimum AUD 5,000) to support your stay in the country. You must also have enough money to buy your return ticket. Similarly, you cannot have previously entered the country with a Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462).
Work and Holiday visa Australia:
The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is for those who wish to work, study and spend holidays in Australia, but only nationals of Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru and the United States are eligible for it.
The Work and Holiday Visa allows you to work for up to 6 months with the same employer and another 6 months with a second employer. Additionally, you can study for up to 4 months.
Temporary Graduate Visa for Australia:
With the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) you can stay in Australia for 3-5 years after completing your university studies in the country.
The cost of this visa can vary, but it’s generally around 1650 Australian dollars, and you can only apply after completing your university degree, postgraduate studies, master’s degree, etc.
Sponsored Visa for Australia:
It’s a visa you can obtain through your employer. The sponsored visa will allow you to stay in Australia for two years. Additionally, one of the benefits is that you can bring your family with you.
Obtain your TFN and/or ABN
Here you can apply the following:
Having a bank account
As we mentioned before, you will need to open a bank account upon your arrival in Australia to receive payments from your employer.
These are the main banks, and you can open an account online or in person.
- Commonwealth Bank
- ANZ bank
- ING bank
- NAB bank
Remember that to open your bank account you will be required to provide documents such as: passport, visa and identity document.
Licenses and permits
Depending on the type of work you will be doing, you should consider obtaining certain licenses; these are some of them:
- Restaurants and bars:Â A license called RSA will be required, which regulates the responsible handling of alcohol in an establishment.
- Construction: You will be required to obtain a White Card Permit.
- Work as a nanny or au pair: you will need a license to work with children.
Types of jobs in Australia with the highest demand
- Hospitality:Â restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.
- Construction
- Cleaning
- Babysitter/child caregiverÂ
- Logistics
- Nurse
Where to look for work in Australia
Open your mind to new job possibilities
This is our top recommendation for finding work in Australia. Finding work in your field isn’t impossible, but it will require a high level of English to be able to work in professional and business environments.
So, open your mind to new job opportunities in Australia; you’ll not only have a different experience, but it will also help you practice and improve your language skills.
Use these websites to find a job in Australia
These are the recommended websites for finding work in Australia:
These are other options that are a little more focused on specific areas or types of work:
- Mad Paws:Â Another alternative for finding work caring for or walking dogs and other animals.
- We need a Nanny:Â To find a job as a nanny or au pair.
- Upwork:Â Platform for freelancers
- Air Tasker:Â You can download the app and find thousands of hourly paid jobs.
What is the minimum wage in Australia?
The minimum hourly wage in Australia is one of the highest in the world, at $19.84 Australian dollars per hour.
Many employers pay between $20 and $25 AUD for unskilled jobs and an average of over $50 AUD for skilled jobs.
Read Also: How to Get an Australian Visa in 2026—Complete Guide
Can I work in Australia without speaking English?
Yes, it is possible to work in Australia without knowing English. The Latin American population in Australia has grown over the years, and many people are able to find jobs in companies that speak French, Spanish or Portuguese.Â
Working in Australia opens up many possibilities and opportunities for you on a professional level, so ideally, if you don’t have a good command of English, consider first doing an exchange program in Australia focused on studying English. Here you will find everything you need to know to study and work in Australia.
If, on the other hand, you have an intermediate level of English but still don’t feel comfortable speaking English in the workplace, you can look for jobs that allow you to interact a lot with people (for example, in a café) and thus improve your conversational skills.
