For many kiwis, making the hop down to Australia is a process filled with lots of uncertainty. But getting a foot into the Aussie job market isn’t as hard as you think!

Why work in Australia?

Australia with its larger population may have more jobs available in the field you are looking to enter, making it an attractive destination for many New Zealanders struggling to enter the job market in their home country.

Due to our close relationship, New Zealanders get a Special Category Visa (SCV) upon arrival in Australia. This allows you to live and work indefinitely in Australia, just like in New Zealand. The only thing you can’t do in Australia is join the army or take up a permanent role in public service. That’s reserved for Aussie citizens only.

If you’re looking to become an Australian citizen, you’d need to have a permanent residency first and live in Australia for at least five years. Although getting permanent residency in Australia is notoriously difficult, it’s a much faster process for New Zealanders with applications only taking 18-23 months to process.

What kind of jobs are available?

Australia is currently struggling to meet demand for personnel across many sectors, so there are lots of opportunities available for you to snap up. Employment in a sector of high demand may also fast-track your application for permanent residency.

The industries seeking the most workers are:

-      Hospitality

-      Aged Care

-      Early Childhood Education

-      Health Services

-      STEM

Depending on which state you intend to reside in, different jobs will be in higher demand. For example, if you’re looking for a job in the Mining industry, Perth will have more opportunities than Melbourne. Australia is a big country, so you should do your research first before you commit. 

What documentation do I need?

It’s best to have your documentation sorted out and organised before you leave for Australia. Make sure you have sufficient identification documents. Australia uses the 100 point ID system, and each item is worth a certain amount of points. The amount of points an item is worth varies depending on the situation, so make sure you have as many identification items with you as you can.

Identification items can include:

-      A passport

-      A birth certificate

-      Driver’s licence

-      Photo ID

-      A bank statement

-      A name change certificate

-      A marriage licence

It’s a good idea to have certified copies of the originals to give to future employers or accomodation managers. You should always keep the originals yourself.

If you are making the move with your children, you will also need to make sure that you have their:

-      Passport

-      Birth Certificate

-      Immunisation records (including COVID-19, depending on your child’s age)

-      Plunket baby book

-      One year’s worth of school reports

-      Baptismal certificate (if applicable)

-      Court orders (if applicable)

-      Proof of Australian Residency or Authority to enrol (if not a NZ passport holder)

Having all the documents will make it so much easier for you to enrol your children in schools within Australia.

You may also need rental references from a previous landlord to apply for a rental property. Getting a printout of this before you go saves a lot of hassle. Getting character references for any job that you might need to apply for is also a good idea.

Before you commence any work in Australia, you will need to have an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). It’s easy to get one, you just have to fill out an application form online. However, you cannot apply for a TFN while overseas.

Do I have to get an Australian qualification?

Most New Zealand qualifications are recognised in Australia. You can use your NCEA results to apply to Australian universities and training institutes if you intend to study in Australia.

Workers looking to go into fields like plumbing and electrical do not need to undergo further testing under the Trans-Tasman agreement held between Australia and New Zealand. However, you do need to contact the Australian Education International to get these qualifications recognised.

There is a lot to love about living in Australia, and many New Zealanders before you have fallen in love with the country. Trying to find a job on top of adjusting to a new place can be stressful though, so most people recommend finding a job before you go.

Most jobs in Australia are advertised through the internet, with many jobs advertised on Earn and Learn. You can join our community to be alerted of jobs which are relevant to you! No matter what, there is an opportunity out there waiting for you! Get prepared and you’ll be kicking off your life in Australia in no time!