The Australian Federal Government allows skilled professionals to migrate to Australia, in accordance with the demand of the economy, the labour market and demographic needs. However, upon arrival in Australia, many skilled migrants are struggling to find work that matches their qualifications and experience.  

“I knew it would be a challenge to find work in Australia but didn’t know how much of a challenge it would be. I really struggled for a year or so before finding work that’s right for me,” states a skilled migrant that is currently residing in Australia (AMES Australia Survey, 2019). 

New research shows that migrants do not feel supported by the Australian government within their first year of settlement in Australia.  

In a 2019 study, which surveyed more than 150 skilled migrants that are currently living in Australia, it was found that skilled migrants do not believe there are enough orientation programs for those that come to Australia (AMES Australia Survey, 2019). 

“Knowledge, orientation and available support comes primarily from word of mouth and personal social media networks.” – AMES Survey Participant 

According to the AMES study, skilled migrants are struggling due to a lack of understanding of Australia workplace culture and limited knowledge in relation to navigating a large and complex system of information about finding employment.  

On a positive note, programs that do exist, like the Skilled Professional Migrant Program (SPMP), give skilled migrants valuable support in finding work opportunities.  

The Australia Talks National Survey showed that more than 80% of new migrants believe companies will always exploit workers if they can and 68% stated that they would be happier if they had a better job.  

Mohammad Al-Khafaji, the CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia stated that, “If we continue on the path that we are continuing on now, we will miss out on a huge percentage of very qualified, very innovative people that we should be welcoming. It’s making some of our doctors and engineers end up driving taxis or Ubers.”  

What is the SPMP Program?  

The SPMP program helps migrants to close the cultural divide that often takes place upon relocation into a different country. This program gives skilled migrants the opportunity to experience the Australian workplace culture and provides them with job searching techniques.  

Recently, a SPMP class saw 13 of 15 graduates obtain professional jobs within 3 months.  

Many skilled migrants that participated in the AMES Australia survey believed that the federal government should become more involved in transitioning new migrants, by creating a program which enables migrants to obtain local work experience as well as advice on what to expect as a skilled migrant in Australia.  

How hard is it to get a job on a Temporary Visa?  

Temporary visa holders are more often than not, given very restrictive visa conditions that limit their job opportunities. For example, international students can only work for 40 hours a fortnight, which means that they may struggle to find an employer that is willing to hire them for such limited work hours.  

According to Joanne Howe, from law faculty at the University of Adelaide, employers are much less likely to hire migrant workers that are on temporary visas. These temporary work conditions also set migrant workers up for job insecurity and vulnerability.  

The 2019 Migrant Workers’ Taskforce report revealed that half of almost 880,000 migrant workers in Australia may potentially be underpaid.  

What are the best ways to find a job in Australia?  

  • CV (Resume) Preparation  

Make sure you adjust your resume so that it is relatable to your Australian employer. You should also ensure that you change and adapt every resume that you send through, so that it is applicable to the specific role that you are applying for. It is also important to include a cover letter for every job that you apply for. 

  • Digital Job Search  

Using Networking Sites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook is a great way to secure a digital advantage in the workforce. Creating an attractive and compelling LinkedIn profile is a great way to ensure success.  

  • Networking  

Do not solely rely on internet job searches websites. Getting physically involved in networking opportunities is a great way to show your professional character, experience and expertise to potential employers. There are a variety of Facebook events, groups and online meet-up sites specifically designed for professional migrants. Often jobs are not advertised, so networking is one of the most powerful strategies to find work in Australia.  

  • Be Patient  

Job search is a journey, make sure you plan wisely, keep your expectations in check and choose carefully. It is important to understand that some job types only recruit at specific times of the year, so make sure you stay on top of the latest information and are up-to-date with those cycles.  

If you need assistance or advice with your visa application, Results Migration are the best in the field, with a team of experienced migration lawyers and registered migration agents that are available to guide you through this complex area of law. Call Results Migration on 1800 808 717 or email us on [email protected] and book your free consultation today!