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Working in Australia
 Introduction
Labor
Market Trends
Working
Conditions
Looking
for Work
Introduction
Australia's strong economic performance over the last decade is clearly seen
through its economic growth, low inflation, low unemployment and low interest
rates. The Australian economy is open and competitive, aided by a dynamic
private sector and a skilled, flexible workforce.
The Australian labor market is very competitive. Your success in gaining a job
depends on prevailing economic conditions, which part of the country you live
or intend to live in, the type of work you are looking for, your skills and
recognition thereof, and the unique circumstances of particular industries.
Approval to migrate does not guarantee a job. It may take you some time to find
work in Australia 
Labor Market Trends
-
The Australian workforce has experienced
many structural improvements over the last decade, which has contributed to the
growth in job creation and productivity. In the last two years, employment has
grown by more than 2 per cent per annum.
-
In March 2001, the unemployment rate was
just 6.5 per cent - representing a 4.2 per cent drop from the previous decade's
peak unemployment level.
-
In 1999 - 2000, 24 per cent of the labor
force was comprised of employees born in countries other than Australia.
-
In recent years, there has been a remarkable
shift from manufacturing to service industries. About 36.5 per cent of
Australians now work in professional, technical, managerial or administrative
jobs.
-
In 2000, Australia was ranked 11th in the
world for overall productivity, as measured by GDP per person employed.
Working Conditions
Employment and working conditions are strictly legislated in Australia through
the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Under this Act, employees are guaranteed the
right of freedom of association i.e. they are free to join a trade union or any
other organization.
Working conditions, minimum rates of pay, allowances, and overtime, hours of
work, holiday/sick leave and so forth are either covered by federal or state
awards, collective agreements between an employer and a group of employees or
an individual workplace agreement.
Looking for Work
If you pass the points test and decide to purchase our Services, you will
receive detailed advice on finding work in Australia.
The Australian labor market is competitive and your success in finding a job
quickly will depend on the type of work you are looking for, which part of the
country you are living in and the general economic climate. However, job
opportunities in Australia are incredibly diverse and job vacancies are easy to
find.
Job Network services: There are a number of
services available through Job Network, including:
-
Job Matching to help unemployed people find
a job
-
Job Search Training to help eligible job
seekers improve their job search techniques
-
Intensive Assistance which provides help to
job seekers who are long-term unemployed or otherwise disadvantaged and who are
receiving a social security allowance
-
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme which is
a self-employment program which helps people put their business ideas into
practice
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Referral for overseas skills recognition
Migrants subject to the two-year waiting
period have access to free Job Matching services throughout the Job Network.
They do not, however, have access to Job Search Training or Intensive
Assistance.
Finding a job: When you find a job vacancy that is suitable, you will usually
have to write a job application for that position. In your application you
should include:
-
A description of the skills, experience, and
qualifications you have that could help you do the job
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Copies of references from previous employers
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Copies of educational and trade certificates
relevant to the job
The employer will usually receive a number of other applications to assess
before deciding which applicants to interview. To improve your chances of being
selected for interview, you should send a comprehensive application together
with documents that support your claim to the job.
Being selected for an interview also does
not mean that you were successful. A job interview is usually held at the
employer's premises. There may be a panel of two or three people present to
interview you. This is common practice in Australia. As soon as all the
applicants have been interviewed, you may find that some weeks pass by before
you are advised of the outcome of your interview.
Working conditions (employer/employee rights): Employment and working
conditions are strictly legislated in Australia through the law. It allows for
the following ways of determining working conditions:
-
Many jobs are covered by a federal or state
award, Awards are legally binding on the employer, and cover such working
conditions as minimum rates of pay, allowances, overtime, penalty rates, hours
of work, and leave for holidays, long service or sickness.
-
Some workplaces are covered by Certified
Agreements (CAs). These are collective agreements about wages and conditions of
employment that may be made directly between an employer and a group of
employees or unions representing them. This is used in place of an award.
-
An Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA) is
an individual agreement between an employer and an employee about the
employee's wages and conditions of employment. Like the CA, an AWA is used in
place of an award.
Under the Workplace Relations Act, employees
are guaranteed the right of freedom of association. They are free to join or
not to join a trade union or any other organization. For more information,
NASC will provide information about federal
and state wages, employment conditions and workplace relations systems
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