Job Hunting in Australia for Newcomers: Complete 2025 Guide
Everything you need to know about finding work in Australia as a newcomer. From understanding your work rights to landing your first Australian job.
IntuitiveCalc Team
Financial Content Specialist
Before You Start: Essential Setup
Before applying for jobs in Australia, you need to complete some essential administrative tasks. These are requirements for legal employment in Australia.
Pre-Employment Checklist
Use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Free from the ATO - takes 28 days for new arrivals. Read our TFN guide
Required for salary payments. Major banks: CommBank, NAB, ANZ, Westpac
Essential for employer contact. Prepaid SIM cards available from $10
Different from other countries - no photo, no personal details. See our resume guide
Understanding Your Visa Work Rights
Your visa determines how much you can work in Australia. Working more than your visa allows can result in visa cancellation.
| Visa Type | Work Rights | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Student Visa (500) | 48 hours per fortnight | Unlimited during semester breaks |
| Working Holiday (417/462) | Full-time | 6 months per employer |
| Temporary Skill Shortage (482) | Full-time | Sponsored employer only |
| Graduate Visa (485) | Full-time | No restrictions |
| Permanent Resident (PR) | Full-time | No restrictions |
| Partner Visa (820/801) | Full-time | No restrictions |
Warning: Check VEVO Before You Work
Always verify your work rights at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions. Working beyond your visa conditions is a serious offence that can result in visa cancellation and future visa refusals.
Where to Find Jobs in Australia
Australia has many job search platforms. Using multiple sources increases your chances of finding suitable positions.
Major Job Websites
SEEK (seek.com.au)
Australia's largest job site with 100,000+ listings
- Professional & office jobs
- Salary ranges shown
- Company reviews available
Indeed (au.indeed.com)
Aggregates jobs from multiple sources
- Wide variety of roles
- Easy one-click apply
- Salary comparison tool
LinkedIn Jobs
Professional networking + job search
- Network with recruiters
- See who's hiring
- Premium features for job seekers
Jora (jora.com)
Good for entry-level and hospitality
- Casual & part-time jobs
- Simple interface
- Quick apply feature
Government Job Resources
Workforce Australia (workforceaustralia.gov.au)
Free government employment service offering:
- Job matching based on your skills
- Resume and cover letter assistance
- Interview coaching
- Skills assessment and training
- Connections to local employers
Industry-Specific Platforms
| Industry | Best Platforms |
|---|---|
| Hospitality & Retail | Scout, Sidekicker, Indeed |
| IT & Technology | SEEK, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Stack Overflow |
| Healthcare & Nursing | HealthcareLink, SEEK, Programmed Health |
| Construction & Trades | SEEK, WorkPac, Hays |
| Government Jobs | APS Jobs, state government portals |
| Farm Work (Visa Extension) | Harvest Trail, Backpacker Job Board |
Understanding Employment Types
Australian employment comes in different forms, each with different rights and benefits.
Full-Time
- 38 hours per week
- 4 weeks paid annual leave
- 10 days paid sick leave
- Redundancy entitlements
- Predictable income
Part-Time
- Less than 38 hours/week
- Pro-rata leave entitlements
- Guaranteed minimum hours
- Same protections as full-time
- Regular roster
Casual
- No guaranteed hours
- 25% loading on base rate
- No paid leave
- Flexible scheduling
- Can refuse shifts
Casual vs Full-Time: Which is Better?
For newcomers, casual work is often easier to get and offers flexibility for job searching or study. The 25% loading compensates for no leave. However, full-time/part-time provides job security and benefits like annual leave. Many people start casual and convert to permanent after proving themselves.
Minimum Wage and Fair Pay
Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world. All employees are entitled to at least the minimum wage.
National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2024)
Award Rates
Most industries have "Awards" which set higher minimum wages and conditions than the national minimum. Use the Fair Work Commission's Pay Calculator at calculate.fairwork.gov.au to find your correct pay rate.
| Industry | Common Award | Min Hourly (Level 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality | Hospitality Award | $24.73 |
| Retail | General Retail Industry Award | $25.00 |
| Fast Food | Fast Food Industry Award | $24.48 |
| Cleaning | Cleaning Services Award | $24.73 |
| Aged Care | Aged Care Award | $25.41 |
Superannuation: Your Retirement Savings
Employers must pay an additional 11% of your salary into a superannuation (retirement) fund. This is on top of your wages, not taken from them.
Super Requirements
- 11% of ordinary earnings (2024-25)
- Paid quarterly (minimum)
- You can choose your fund
- If you don't choose, employer uses a default fund
Leaving Australia? DASP
- Claim super when you leave permanently
- Apply via ATO after visa expires
- Tax applies (35-45%)
- Read our DASP guide
Job Hunting Tips for Newcomers
Adapt to Australian Culture
Do's
- Be friendly and personable
- Make eye contact during interviews
- Ask questions about the role
- Follow up after interviews
- Highlight transferable skills
- Network through community events
Don'ts
- Don't be overly formal
- Don't include photo on resume
- Don't list age, marital status, religion
- Don't apply for jobs you can't do
- Don't accept cash-in-hand work
- Don't pay for job placements
Building Local Experience
Many employers want "Australian experience." Here's how to get it:
- Volunteering: Shows commitment and builds local references
- Internships: Some are unpaid but must meet legal criteria
- Short courses: Australian certifications add credibility
- Networking: Industry meetups, LinkedIn connections
- Casual work: Even unrelated jobs show reliability
Avoiding Job Scams
Unfortunately, job scams target newcomers. Know the warning signs to protect yourself.
Red Flags - Avoid These!
- Paying for a job: Legitimate employers don't charge fees
- Cash-in-hand: Illegal and you lose protections
- Unpaid "trial shifts": Must be paid for all work
- Below minimum wage: Illegal regardless of visa status
- Requests for passport/visa copies upfront: Only needed after job offer
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: High pay, no experience needed
- Pressure to start immediately: Before proper contracts
Your Rights as a Worker
- Same workplace rights regardless of visa type
- Minimum wage protections apply to everyone
- Cannot be threatened with visa cancellation for reporting issues
- Anonymous tip line: Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94
- Report wage theft at fairwork.gov.au
Common Required Certifications
Some jobs require specific certifications. Getting these can make you more employable.
| Certification | Required For | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) | Bars, restaurants, clubs | $40-80 | 4-6 hours |
| RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) | Venues with pokies | $40-60 | 2-4 hours |
| Food Safety Supervisor | Cafes, restaurants, food prep | $100-200 | 1 day |
| White Card | Construction sites | $80-150 | 1 day |
| Barista Course | Cafes (not mandatory) | $50-200 | 3-8 hours |
| First Aid Certificate | Many industries | $80-150 | 1-2 days |
Job Search Checklist for Newcomers
Your Job Hunting Checklist
Before Applying
- Check visa work rights (VEVO)
- Apply for TFN
- Open Australian bank account
- Get Australian phone number
- Create Australian-format resume
- Set up LinkedIn profile
Job Search Actions
- Create profiles on SEEK, Indeed
- Register with Workforce Australia
- Get required certifications (RSA, etc.)
- Apply for 5-10 jobs per week
- Follow up on applications
- Prepare for interviews
Related Guides & Calculators
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about job hunting in Australia. Visa conditions and employment laws can change. Always verify your work rights at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and check current pay rates at fairwork.gov.au. Information current as of January 2025.