BE SURE – Moving to Australia can be extremely stressful, be as certain as you can be that it’s the right move for you before you go. If possible visit Australia before you make up your mind, don’t rely on other people’s impressions. Ask yourself if the Australian culture will really suit you (and your family).

BE PREPARED – …For anything and everything to go wrong. Don’t assume that you’ll be able to immediately find the perfect house or job in Australia. If possible make sure you’ve got enough money to see you through the first couple of months at the very least (preferably longer). And to do that you’ll need to…

BUDGET – As unglamorous as it sounds, good budgeting could be what makes the difference between a successful relocation to Australia and a total disaster. Before you go, work out what everything is going to cost during those crucial first months when you’re trying to find your feet in Australia.

DON’T DELAY – Start preparing as early as possible, just getting all the necessary paperwork in order can take a long time. Make a checklist of everything you need to do!

CHECK YOUR BENEFITS – If your company has initiated your move you may be eligible for relocation benefits. Make sure you ask if they haven’t told you already!

YOUR HOME – Think about what you want to do with your current home (e.g. sell it, lease it, leave it empty) and what kind of accommodation will be most suitable for you in Australia. If you don’t know anyone in Australia who can help find accommodation, consider the services of a relocation agent.

EMPLOYMENT – Will you be looking for work in Australia? If so, consider starting your job hunt before you go (use the Internet!) Will you be able to use your existing qualifications or will a period of retraining be necessary?

PAPERWORK – No matter how insignificant that old document at the back of the bottom drawer may seem now, take it with you, the chances are at some stage you’ll have to show it to someone. Moving to Australia can be a bureaucratic nightmare at the best of times but if you come prepared with the necessary paperwork you stand the best chance of a stress free relocation. Things to think about include birth certificates, wedding certificates, educational certificates, medical certificates (including those for your pets!), etc.

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• Woolworths Ltd., Australia’s biggest retailer, said on Aug. 25 it will hire “thousands” of extra workers as it expands into hardware stores.
• Retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd. and Germany-based supermarket chain Aldi are also hiring as they expand.
• Specsavers Optical Group Ltd. today opened a new head office and manufacturing facility in Melbourne and said it will create 1,000 jobs in its Australian retail network.
• The government is also stoking demand for workers as it spends A$22 billion on roads, ports, schools and hospitals. An index published Oct. 7 by the Australian Industry Group showed the nation’s building industry expanded in September for the first time in 18 months.
• The nation’s single biggest investment project, the A$43 billion Gorgon natural-gas venture in Western Australia, will create as many as 10,000 jobs when construction starts early next year, Chevron Corp. said on Sept. 14. Chevron and its partners say they will sell A$300 billion of gas to China, India and Japan in the project’s first 20 years.

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Below is a list of Professional Occupations in demand in Australia.

Accountant
Anaesthetist
Architect
Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Computing Professional [specialising in C++/C#/C]
Computing Professional [specialising in CISSP]
Computing Professional [specialising in Data Warehousing]
Computing Professional [specialising in Java]
Computing Professional [specialising in J2EE]
Computing Professional [specialising in Linux]
Computing Professional [specialising in .Net technologies]
Computing Professional [specialising in Network
Security/Firewall/Internet Security]
Computing Professional [specialising in Oracle]
Computing Professional [specialising in PeopleSoft]
Computing Professional [specialising in SAP]
Computing Professional [specialising in SIEBEL (especially Siebel Analytic)]
Computing Professional – Solaris
Computing Professional – Unix
Dental Specialist
Dentist
Dermatologist
Electrical Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Emergency Medicine Specialist
External Auditor
General Medical Practitioner
Hospital Pharmacist
Mechanical Engineer
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Occupational Therapist
Optometrist
Ophthalmologist
Pediatrician
Pathologist
Petroleum Engineer
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Psychiatrist
Quantity Surveyor
Radiologist
Registered Mental Health Nurse
Registered Midwife
Registered Nurse
Retail Pharmacist
Specialist Medical Practitioners(not elsewhere classified)
Specialist Physician
Speech Pathologist
Sonographer
Surgeon
Surveyor

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For more information: http://www.immi.gov.au/skillexpos/

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1)  Australian employers value local experience. Make an effort to get that first job anyway you can, even if it means taking a significant salary cut or even interning.

2)  Its hard to determine foreign work experience. Try and provide as much context as possible surrounding your old job and the skills it required.

3)  Poorly written resumes reflect badly on foreign applicants. Make sure you get your English is checked well before you sent it off.

4)  Australians appear casual often when they are not. Take everything seriously. For instance when they say they just want to “chat” with you it might mean a serious discussion.

5)  Non-verbal cultural cues such as a firm handshake and eye contact are important.

6)  While over 70 percent of Australian businesses are small to medium, big businesses are the most likely to hire foreigners. Small firms struggle to verify skills, have limited resources for training and less patience for the newcomer under pressure.

7)  Foreigners often look at the job relationship as master-servant. In Australia, as in most Western countries, an employment contract is a two-way thing. Understand you have as much to offer as they do and act accordingly. On the positive side new immigrants are less likely to move on than an Australian, they have a great work ethic and less baggage from their background. They also bring new skills not available in Australia, and support the international business.

Good luck!

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Improving your score

Some of the criteria for the point system, such as age, are set. But there many other categories where you can improve your score, with effort.

Language

You score points based on your English ability. It may be worth taking the International English Testing System exam even if you qualify under the English passport rules. You can increase the number of points you earn by achieving a high score (seven or more on all four competencies) on this test. Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages, together with proven qualifications in that language, could gain you extra points.

Training and study

You can score points for most professions where training is specific to that qualification and it is on the current skilled occupations list. If your career does not fall into this category, make sure you include relevant completed qualifications to increase your score. If you have obtained nomination by a state or territory, you can add points to your score. Some occupations and visa applications must even be supported by this nomination. You can also gain points if you have completed a two-year study period in one of Australia’s low population growth areas.

Work experience

If you have had a previous job in Australia that you can add to your application, you can add more points to your score. Additional relevant study may also help you reach your desired pass mark, particularly if the qualification is given by Australian universities or examining bodies. If, in addition to being on the skilled occupations list, your profession is also on the Migration Occupations in Demand List your points will further increase.

Partner’s skill

You can even qualify for points based on your partner’s skills, provided he/she is included on your visa application and is not already an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Age

Your age is the one factor relevant to the scoring process that is outside of your control. The younger you are, the higher the number of points you score.

Good luck!

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