WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
STUDENT JOBS AUSTRALIA
One of the best things about being an international student in Australia is that you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight (every two weeks) and full time during holidays of your course. It typically takes students around two months to find their first job, so make sure you have enough money to cover this period.
GET ORGANISED
Applying for a Tax File Number (TFN). Every employer will ask you for this number and it will help at the end of the financial year to claim – or pay – your taxes. (Remember, you are an Australian resident for tax purposes). See the ATO website for information and how to apply.
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Preparing and printing your resume. Make sure it’s aimed at the position you’re applying for – and include relevant experience.
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Set up a bank account in Australia, and also a superannuation account. Employers will request both your bank account details and your super details after you get accepted for the job
You’ll need to organise a few things before you start looking for a student job in Australia. These include:
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FIND
THAT JOB
Know where to look, check out the best job search websites;
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Recruitment agencies can be a good avenue for finding work, especially if you are skilled or can work full time.
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Look where the others aren’t. The most common mistake we see international students make is dropping their CV where everyone else is doing it. Can you do something different, like go outside the CBD or do unusual tasks, like dog walking? Airtasker could be a good place to see what tasks are in demand in your area.
IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
Consider improving your skillset with an industry job course to get you that certificate to bag you the job.
RSA – If you want to work in Restaurants, pubs or nightclubs, you have to study the RSA – Responsible Service of Alcohol. This course will explain the regulations to serve alcohol in Australia.
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White card – If you want to work in construction environments, this short course will explain the workplace risks and safety laws in Australia.
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Blue card – If you want to work with children (such as being a nanny, childcare worker or a children’s entertainer), this course provides information on the regulations about working with kids in Australia.
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Police check – Sometimes your employer will ask you to provide a police check clearance to proof that you don’t have a criminal history.
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TALK TO THE PROS
Once you’ve done some casual work, you might want to find experience in the field you’re studying. Internships are a great way to start, and then it’s easier to find paid work. In some occupations (IT, Accounting and Engineering, for example), you can do a professional year after your studies to help you get experience and extra migration points before applying for a residency. (We highly recommend speaking to a registered Migration Agent for more info)