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What is it like to work in Australia?

Working in Australia is the dream of many people who are looking for better qualifications, personal experiences and living conditions. This is the destination of many who wish to exchange programs and pursue a career as it is a country with a prosperous economy and very receptive to foreigners.

Economically speaking, the Australian homes to rent in Sydney territory was on the list of the most stable and reliable, in addition to having the lowest unemployment rates in the world. In terms of technology and infrastructure, Australia also needs no introduction.

To improve, a considerable portion of the population is foreign, and this is a reflection of the culture welcoming, educated and always willing to help. To take advantage of all this and get a good placement in the Australian job market, it is necessary to look for a specialized agency that will help you throughout the process.

To assist you during your trek and looking for a good job in Australia, we have prepared this guide. In it, you will learn about the characteristics of the job market and what you need to get a job. Check out!

What does it take to work in Australia?

First of all, it is important that you have at least a basic level of English. Otherwise it will be very difficult to maintain communication, especially with the interviewers and in your work routine. Not to mention that its adaptation will take longer.

However, normally, the higher your level of knowledge, the better the opportunities you will be able to get, since, if you don’t have language skills, how can you have a professional performance serving the public, for example?

With this in mind, to work in Australia, you will need to get one of the types of visa with a work permit and gather the necessary documentation. We explain this in detail below.

Visa

Among the types of visas to Australia with a work permit, the most affordable and easiest to obtain are the student visa Australia and the Working Holiday Visa.

Student visas are allowed for students enrolled in courses that last for at least 14 weeks (three and a half months). However, you will not be able to work more than 40 hours a week, with the exception of vacation periods when it is possible to engage in full-time paid activities. In this modality, the work permit is already released automatically.

If you are applying for a visa to Australia as a student, before enrolling, make sure your institution is registered with the Australian government. For this it is necessary that the course has the code Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This record proves that the institution is authorized to receive foreign students.

The Working Holiday Visa is aimed at travelers who want to improve their knowledge and professional experiences during their time as a tourist. However, this type of visa does not automatically grant a work permit. For this, it is necessary to have specialized help, such as a good agency, to make your request. In addition, for students who complete the course and still have legal time in the country, they can opt for post-study work in Australia, which is very interesting professionally.

Documentation

The list of required documents will be needed not only to work in Australia, but also to apply for your visa and be able to board. Among the mandatory and most important documents we highlight the Confirmo of Enrolment, the COE (or Confirmation of Enrollment). This document proves that you are enrolled in a course of 14 weeks or more. Also, you need:

  • Tax file Number: is a number that has a similar function to our work portfolio and is also used to collect Income Tax;
  • Overseas student Health Cover (OSHC): mandatory health insurance;
  • Your or your family’s proof of financial condition (the last three paychecks, income tax declaration, bank or credit card statements);
  • Passport;
  • Current form 157th duly completed and with recent photo attached;
  • Proof of payment of required fees.

Be sure to provide copies and originals of these documents and pay attention to the lists sent by the Department of Immigration, as, depending on the situation, other proofs may be requested.

Work permit

In order for a student visa with a work permit or a license request for another type of visa to be accepted, certain requirements must be met. The first is to have your vaccination card up to date, protection against yellow fever being mandatory and required even for tourists.

Afterwards, it is necessary to present medical examination with X-ray and urine tests to buy that you are a healthy person. In addition, it is necessary to prove that you are financially able to stay in the country, or that your family members are able to do so. Keep an eye out, as this conference is made even before boarding.

What are the characteristics of working in Australia?

In Australia, government labor laws and regulatory guidelines are administered by a body called Fair Work. Unlike Brazil, the Australian people do not have a work card, as every relationship of paid activity is made through contracts, which can be short-term or long-term.

As the bond is contractual, various bureaucratic procedures and costs that would be necessary if there was a work portfolio are extinguished. As said, the economy of the country of kangaroos is quite stable. According to the Trading Economics website, the unemployment rate in Australia was only 5.2% in 2019.

However, there are cities where this index is even lower. In Sydney, for example, which is among the best cities to work in Australia, in 2019 the percentage of the population without work was 2.46%. That’s because the government supports students and adults who want to learn something new or improve skills, and provides government funded courses to make it affordable for anyone in need. Check more information on this website.

Next, find out what are the most suitable hours, salary and functions.

Types of work

To study abroad in Australia and still work, you can work part-time (part-time) or full-time (full-time). Understand each one.

Part-time

The part-time job is a fixed job, but it is normally restricted to 20 hours a week for students. In this modality, the same benefits of a full-time job are available, such as vacations and leaves. The salary deposit is made directly into the account, with the amounts already deducted referring to the Tax File number.

Full-time

Students with a work permit visa, as stated, can only work in Australia full-time during holiday periods. In this option, the conditions and rights are the same, the working time can be from 38 hours per week upwards. Remembering that the student’s work permit has the same expiry date as the visa.

Casual job

This option, as the name implies, is casual, as it usually has no set times or days. Often, it will depend on the work demand of the company or on scales defined by the employer. Casual is often done in restaurants, events and bars between two and three times a week, and usually takes place on weekends. It is possible to reach 20 hours, but if the demand in a single location does not meet this load, you can reconcile with some other paid activity.

Wage

The Australian government also determines a minimum wage, but the way it works is a little different from Brazil. In 2019, the base salary was approximately AU$2,963 per month (about R$8,680, which may vary depending on the rate). However, remuneration in the country is calculated in hours worked.

For example, per hour, the minimum wage is AU$19.49, being AU$740.80 per week, considering a workload of 38 hours per week, ie, full-time. To receive your salary, the company can choose to deposit or cash hand, which is when you receive cash after your work hours.

Best jobs

The jobs you will be able to work in Australia will depend on your education, levels of knowledge in each area and especially your level of English. For newcomers to the country, who are students and do not have much experience, odd jobs and manual jobs (waiter, attendants, etc.) are easier to get.

However, as we said, the Australian territory is very receptive and with a very favorable economy. Because of these aspects, there are sectors that open doors for Brazilians. This is the case in the areas of technology, health, teaching, accounting, engineering, architecture and veterinary.

For this, it is necessary to legalize your diploma, obtain a visa with a work permit and gather all the necessary documentation. In addition to all the required certificates and proofs for enrollment and visa application, you will need to present some certificates to be able to work in Australia depending on your role. Are they:

  • Responsible Certificate for Alcohol (RSA): mandatory for those who work in places that sell alcoholic beverages, such as supermarkets, bars and restaurants;
  • Responsible Service of Gambling (RSG): required for employees who work with gambling, such as in casinos;
  • White Card: certificate of qualification to work in the construction industry;
  • Blue card: permission card to work with children and teenagers.

What are the working conditions like in Australia?

Labor laws in Australia are quite stringent for both the worker and business side. The laws guarantee benefits for part-time and full-time employees who are legalized in the country. Discover the main rights of those working in Australia.

For starters, you will have Payslip. This is the document that records all your payments, just like it is on our payslip. It contains information about the paying company, net and gross values, benefits and taxes.

Annual vacation

Annual leave is calculated based on your hours worked. For those on a full-time basis, for example, they will normally have 2.91 hours of weekly vacation, and at the end of a year they will have 4 weeks.

In Brazil, the contractor must complete one year of work to be able to request a vacation, but this does not happen in Australia. As long as you have available hours and notify the company in advance, you can use them at any time.

In addition, weekends and holidays not accounted for on vacation days and in cases where they cannot be taken in one year, can be rolled over into the next, provided the employer agrees to this.

Retirement

The so-called superannuation, or private retirement, is a fund that companies are required to pay to all employees with a minimum amount of 9.5%, considering their salary and length of service at the company.

For receipt, this amount is given as an additional and is debited to the superannuation account. When you retire, you can receive this fund each week, as a salary, or all at once.

This is the private pension system, but there is also the pension provided by the government. However, it is only available to Australian citizens for permanent residents.

Sick leave

The sick leave (medical leave or leave) is valid both when you become ill or a family member. Under Australian law, full-time employees have 10 days off and 5 days off part-time.

If the leave is within this period, the absence from work is paid. If there are major problems or need to stay more days away, you are guaranteed a job for up to three months, but you will only have your salary for 10 or 5 days.

Maternity leave

Women who have children in Australia are entitled to 12 months of maternity leave and, if necessary, can extend for a further 12. In both cases there is a guarantee of employment, but this period is unpaid.

Precisely because it is not paid, the government provides Paid Parental Leave coverage of part of the leave to employees registered with the Australian Department of Human Services, which is similar to our INSS.

In this case, it is the government that remunerates the child’s mother for the period, as long as she has worked in the company for 13 months, receiving at least AU$150,000 annually.

Compassionate Removal

Called compassionate leave, removal for compassion happens when a family member dies or suffers a serious accident. By informing the reason for the leave, you can take up to two days, and these hours are not cumulative.

Public holidays

Public Holidays are paid for those who work in Australia. Furthermore, it is also possible to take a vacation on these days. Be sure to plan these dates as each Australian state has different public holidays.

Test work

To assess your experiences and skills a company may request a trial. This is nothing more than a test for those who are in the process of getting a place. For this, no more than three hours of work can be required.

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