Information about how and where to find employment and average salaries in Australia.
One of the first things that you will be doing when you arrive in Australia, and maybe beforehand, is seeking a position that suits your skills and experience provided that your visa allows you to do so. The Australian labour market is very competitive and it is highly recommended that you research employment opportunities before relocating. How quickly you can find a job in Australia depends on economic factors, qualifications and skills, the type of work you are seeking, and particular circumstances which may affect the availability of certain types of work in different parts of the country. Australian work experience is invaluable and should be a priority if you are struggling to find work in your desired field.
Employment Qualifications and Recognition
Some occupations have special requirements. This could include registration or licensing with a government authority and/or membership of a professional or industry association Many careers will require some form of qualification for even entry level jobs. If you have a particular industry in mind, browse through ads for similar jobs or visit industry websites. The Education page of this website can give you some general ideas for what sorts of education is available and where to go for more information.
Unemployment support
If you do not have a source of income or a job, you still need to support you and your family while you look for work. If you have a sponsor, ask them about the support they are willing and able to provide. If you have an 'Assurance of Support', the assurer agreed to support you for your first two years in Australia.
Centrelink, through the Department of Human Services, is the agency that delivers social security payments and related services. You are not eligible for Centrelink benefits until you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for two years. Age and disability pensions are available to those who have lived here for more than ten years.
Centrelink have a Migrants, refugees and visitors page that contains translated materials and specific information for new arrivals. If you are a refugee or humanitarian entrant, you do not need to wait two years for social security payments.
If you suffer from severe hardship during the two-year waiting period, you may be eligible for a special benefit. Centrelink pays the benefit if the cause of the hardship is from a major change to your life beyond your control. Centrelink does not pay any special benefits if you are unable to find a job or you run out of money.
Additional help, through the tax system, may be available to families with children. For more information please go to Health and Social Security
Job Vacancy Websites
There are numerous job vacancy websites that offer job searches to assist you in finding a position in any chosen Australian state, city or town. Popular websites include;
How to apply for a position
You are selling a very important product - YOU! Since you will be marketing yourself to potential employers, you can view the resume as your "sales brochure." A good sales brochure will always describe both the features and benefits of the product. Therefore your resume should describe your features (your strengths, expertise, experience, education and achievements) and your benefits (the results you have produced for past employers.)
When you find a job vacancy that is suitable, the advertisement will tell you how to apply for the position and the name of a person to contact for more details. Your application will usually require:
- a cover letter stating the position you wish to apply for and why you should be considered for the position based on your skills, experience and qualifications
- a resume showing your personal details (name, address, phone numbers, email address etc), skills, previous jobs and experience, education and qualifications
- copies of references from previous employers, or their contact details
- copies of educational and trade certificates relevant to the job
Since resumes are typically skim read in 10-35 seconds, it is imperative that your features and benefits are presented in a way that captures the reader's attention quickly. Guidelines to keep in mind as you create your resume:
- Keep the look simple! (resumes get a 25-35 second scan.)
- Limit the length to 3 pages, as often as possible.
- Make your point quickly.
- Don't use personal pronouns (I, me, my…).
- Use the same font type throughout the whole document. (Arial, Tahoma, Verdana.)
- Express former position information in past tense.
- Check and re-check for spelling, punctuation, wording and accuracy.
- Be factual.
- Use powerful “Action Verbs” in the past tense.
- Avoid acronyms where possible.
- Use white spaces for effect.
- Your resume should be clear, direct, professional and easy to read.
There are many information about a specific job in the government website such as Job Outlook.
Minimum Wage in Australia
National minimum wage – of $719.20 per week, calculated on the basis of a week of 38 ordinary hours, or $18.93 per hour. For more information you have to visit Fair Work Australia.
To get more information about the work right in Australia, please click here.
Average salaries in Australia
There are many factors which can impact how much money you make in a particular job such as how long you have worked in the industry, your qualifications, your achievements, where you live, the demand for your skills, the size of the company hiring you and the industry trends.
The following average salaries are published on seek website.
|
Role type |
Average salary |
|
Strategy & Planning |
$128,373 |
|
Financial Managers & Controllers |
$126,906 |
|
Management |
$111,115 |
|
Company Secretaries |
$109,088 |
|
Compliance & Risk |
$108,850 |
|
Systems Accounting & IT Audit |
$108,297 |
|
Treasury |
$106,983 |
|
Audit - Internal |
$106,543 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$104,463 |
|
Forensic Accounting & Investigation |
$104,081 |
|
Management Accounting & Budgeting |
$101,668 |
|
Cost Accounting |
$99,282 |
|
Financial Accounting & Reporting |
$92,757 |
|
Inventory & Fixed Assets |
$89,006 |
|
Taxation |
$84,292 |
|
Audit - External |
$82,238 |
|
Business Services & Corporate Advisory |
$80,497 |
|
Insolvency & Corporate Recovery |
$75,000 |
|
Payroll |
$73,471 |
|
Bookkeeping & Small Practice Accounting |
$62,830 |
|
Accounts Receivable/Credit Control |
$62,622 |
|
Assistant Accountants |
$62,054 |
|
Accounts Officers/Clerks |
$61,660 |
|
Accounts Payable |
$60,000 |
|
Strategy & Planning |
$128,373 |
|
Financial Managers & Controllers |
$126,906 |
|
Management |
$111,115 |
|
Company Secretaries |
$109,088 |
|
Compliance & Risk |
$108,850 |
|
Systems Accounting & IT Audit |
$108,297 |
|
Treasury |
$106,983 |
|
Audit - Internal |
$106,543 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$104,463 |
|
Forensic Accounting & Investigation |
$104,081 |
|
Management Accounting & Budgeting |
$101,668 |
|
Cost Accounting |
$99,282 |
|
Financial Accounting & Reporting |
$92,757 |
|
Inventory & Fixed Assets |
$89,006 |
|
Taxation |
$84,292 |
|
Audit - External |
$82,238 |
|
Business Services & Corporate Advisory |
$80,497 |
|
Insolvency & Corporate Recovery |
$75,000 |
|
Payroll |
$73,471 |
|
Bookkeeping & Small Practice Accounting |
$62,830 |
|
Accounts Receivable/Credit Control |
$62,622 |
|
Assistant Accountants |
$62,054 |
|
Accounts Officers/Clerks |
$61,660 |
|
Accounts Payable |
$60,000 |
|
Management |
$103,374 |
|
Art Direction |
$85,783 |
|
Agency Account Management |
$80,436 |
|
Media Strategy, Planning & Buying |
$80,251 |
|
Programming & Production |
$75,442 |
|
Editing & Publishing |
$72,949 |
|
Event Management |
$70,094 |
|
Performing Arts |
$69,628 |
|
Journalism & Writing |
$69,133 |
|
Promotions |
$62,312 |
|
Photography |
$55,134 |
|
Corporate Finance & Investment Banking |
$115,621 |
|
Management |
$113,857 |
|
Compliance & Risk |
$113,669 |
|
Treasury |
$108,559 |
|
Banking - Corporate & Institutional |
$106,797 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$102,261 |
|
Banking - Business |
$101,329 |
|
Account & Relationship Management |
$98,268 |
|
Funds Management |
$98,214 |
|
Financial Planning |
$89,688 |
|
Credit |
$85,634 |
|
Stockbroking & Trading |
$83,810 |
|
Mortgages |
$78,769 |
|
Banking - Retail/Branch |
$72,400 |
|
Settlements |
$68,268 |
|
Client Services |
$64,318 |
|
Management & Support |
$86,129 |
|
Supervisors/Team Leaders |
$73,472 |
|
Sales - Outbound |
$59,174 |
|
Collections |
$57,477 |
|
Sales - Inbound |
$56,167 |
|
Customer Service - Customer Facing |
$55,055 |
|
Customer Service - Call Centre |
$54,013 |
|
Management |
$96,688 |
|
Fundraising |
$89,318 |
|
Indigenous & Multicultural Services |
$77,790 |
|
Child Welfare, Youth & Family Services |
$75,509 |
|
Community Development |
$75,044 |
|
Housing & Homelessness Services |
$71,441 |
|
Aged & Disability Support |
$68,835 |
|
Volunteer Coordination & Support |
$68,375 |
|
Employment Services |
$60,592 |
|
Management |
$126,122 |
|
Project Management |
$124,603 |
|
Foreperson/Supervisors |
$117,172 |
|
Health, Safety & Environment |
$109,531 |
|
Contracts Management |
$109,190 |
|
Quality Assurance & Control |
$106,694 |
|
Surveying |
$98,505 |
|
Estimating |
$96,722 |
|
Planning & Scheduling |
$96,535 |
|
Plant & Machinery Operators |
$68,538 |
|
Management & Change Consulting |
$121,232 |
|
Strategy & Planning |
$116,408 |
|
Corporate Development |
$115,935 |
|
Policy |
$106,702 |
|
Analysts |
$101,516 |
|
Environment & Sustainability Consulting |
$94,984 |
|
Web & Interaction Design |
$102,244 |
|
Urban Design & Planning |
$94,255 |
|
Architecture |
$88,518 |
|
Landscape Architecture |
$83,234 |
|
Interior Design |
$78,518 |
|
Industrial Design |
$76,313 |
|
Illustration & Animation |
$75,878 |
|
Architectural Drafting |
$74,464 |
|
Fashion & Textile Design |
$70,998 |
|
Graphic Design |
$66,337 |
|
Management - Schools |
$114,946 |
|
Teaching - Tertiary |
$111,019 |
|
Management - Universities |
$108,719 |
|
Management - Vocational |
$100,339 |
|
Research & Fellowships |
$90,116 |
|
Teaching - Secondary |
$86,165 |
|
Teaching - Vocational |
$82,989 |
|
Library Services & Information Management |
$81,345 |
|
Workplace Training & Assessment |
$79,907 |
|
Teaching - Primary |
$77,739 |
|
Student Services |
$71,994 |
|
Tutoring |
$71,698 |
|
Teaching Aides & Special Needs |
$65,736 |
|
Teaching - Early Childhood |
$63,557 |
|
Childcare & Outside School Hours Care |
$59,136 |
|
Management |
$133,927 |
|
Project Management |
$120,752 |
|
Systems Engineering |
$118,002 |
|
Project Engineering |
$117,176 |
|
Supervisors |
$113,900 |
|
Process Engineering |
$108,584 |
|
Civil/Structural Engineering |
$108,343 |
|
Building Services Engineering |
$107,599 |
|
Electrical/Electronic Engineering |
$104,496 |
|
Water & Waste Engineering |
$103,565 |
|
Environmental Engineering |
$101,768 |
|
Maintenance |
$98,631 |
|
Aerospace Engineering |
$97,795 |
|
Materials Handling Engineering |
$96,083 |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
$94,335 |
|
Chemical Engineering |
$92,310 |
|
Industrial Engineering |
$88,125 |
|
Field Engineering |
$87,422 |
|
Engineering Drafting |
$86,043 |
|
Automotive Engineering |
$77,714 |
|
Agronomy & Farm Services |
$85,407 |
|
Farm Management |
$83,800 |
|
Conservation, Parks & Wildlife |
$78,106 |
|
Veterinary Services & Animal Welfare |
$72,436 |
|
Fishing & Aquaculture |
$71,879 |
|
Winery & Viticulture |
$71,316 |
|
Horticulture |
$66,501 |
|
Farm Labour |
$58,299 |
|
Residents & Registrars |
$111,429 |
|
Management |
$108,824 |
|
Medical Specialists |
$107,289 |
|
Nursing - Management |
$106,604 |
|
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices |
$105,013 |
|
Sales |
$104,736 |
|
Medical Imaging |
$96,670 |
|
Nursing - Educators & Facilitators |
$94,152 |
|
Nursing - Aged Care |
$94,013 |
|
Clinical/Medical Research |
$91,106 |
|
Ambulance/Paramedics |
$91,102 |
|
Optical |
$87,642 |
|
Nursing - Community, Maternal & Child Health |
$86,961 |
|
Nursing - Psych, Forensic & Correctional Health |
$85,162 |
|
Psychology, Counselling & Social Work |
$83,260 |
|
Nursing - High Acuity |
$82,446 |
|
Nursing - Midwifery, Neo-Natal, SCN & NICU |
$82,169 |
|
Nursing - A&E, Critical Care & ICU |
$80,835 |
|
Nursing - Theatre & Recovery |
$79,292 |
|
Dieticians |
$78,541 |
|
Chiropractic & Osteopathic |
$78,366 |
|
Nursing - Paediatric & PICU |
$78,267 |
|
Environmental Services |
$77,500 |
|
Physiotherapy, OT & Rehabilitation |
$77,414 |
|
Nursing - General Medical & Surgical |
$77,410 |
|
Speech Therapy |
$76,940 |
|
Pathology |
$76,152 |
|
Dental |
$75,453 |
|
Pharmacy |
$74,584 |
|
Medical Administration |
$62,570 |
|
Natural Therapies & Alternative Medicine |
$61,842 |
|
Management |
$67,559 |
|
Gaming |
$64,396 |
|
Chefs/Cooks |
$61,204 |
|
Airlines |
$60,204 |
|
Tour Guides |
$56,604 |
|
Travel Agents/Consultants |
$56,562 |
|
Housekeeping |
$55,198 |
|
Bar & Beverage Staff |
$54,683 |
|
Front Office & Guest Services |
$54,123 |
|
Reservations |
$53,235 |
|
Waiting Staff |
$51,792 |
|
Kitchen & Sandwich Hands |
$51,777 |
|
Management - Internal |
$112,635 |
|
Organisational Development |
$111,323 |
|
Remuneration & Benefits |
$101,062 |
|
Industrial & Employee Relations |
$101,059 |
|
Management - Agency |
$99,849 |
|
Occupational Health & Safety |
$98,223 |
|
Training & Development |
$93,184 |
|
Consulting & Generalist HR |
$90,256 |
|
Recruitment - Internal |
$81,632 |
|
Recruitment - Agency |
$70,920 |
|
Architects |
$138,144 |
|
Management |
$132,307 |
|
Security |
$122,753 |
|
Product Management & Development |
$120,740 |
|
Programme & Project Management |
$120,554 |
|
Team Leaders |
$119,078 |
|
Consultants |
$115,556 |
|
Engineering - Software |
$111,870 |
|
Sales - Pre & Post |
$107,869 |
|
Developers/Programmers |
$106,167 |
|
Engineering - Network |
$105,716 |
|
Business/Systems Analysts |
$105,223 |
|
Database Development & Administration |
$100,339 |
|
Testing & Quality Assurance |
$98,604 |
|
Engineering - Hardware |
$96,604 |
|
Networks & Systems Administration |
$96,484 |
|
Technical Writing |
$93,610 |
|
Web Development & Production |
$92,900 |
|
Telecommunications |
$89,357 |
|
Computer Operators |
$69,669 |
|
Help Desk & IT Support |
$66,416 |
|
Management |
$124,432 |
|
Actuarial |
$108,593 |
|
Risk Consulting |
$104,360 |
|
Underwriting |
$95,284 |
|
Superannuation |
$93,891 |
|
Assessment |
$86,183 |
|
Workers' Compensation |
$82,818 |
|
Claims |
$80,628 |
|
Brokerage |
$76,518 |
|
Fund Administration |
$69,989 |
|
Generalists - In-house |
$128,988 |
|
Construction Law |
$124,041 |
|
Corporate & Commercial Law |
$118,558 |
|
Tax Law |
$118,212 |
|
Banking & Finance Law |
$117,441 |
|
Intellectual Property Law |
$115,845 |
|
Industrial Relations & Employment Law |
$115,766 |
|
Environment & Planning Law |
$111,424 |
|
Insurance & Superannuation Law |
$109,374 |
|
Litigation & Dispute Resolution |
$106,095 |
|
Property Law |
$101,386 |
|
Family Law |
$98,729 |
|
Legal Practice Management |
$96,145 |
|
Personal Injury Law |
$94,102 |
|
Criminal & Civil Law |
$89,946 |
|
Generalists - Law Firm |
$79,894 |
|
Law Clerks & Paralegals |
$67,225 |
|
Legal Secretaries |
$65,615 |
|
Management |
$106,357 |
|
Rail & Maritime Transport |
$96,142 |
|
Aviation Services |
$91,672 |
|
Purchasing, Procurement & Inventory |
$87,630 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$84,739 |
|
Quality Assurance & Control |
$80,434 |
|
Production, Planning & Scheduling |
$79,343 |
|
Fleet Management |
$76,034 |
|
Team Leaders/Supervisors |
$75,698 |
|
Road Transport |
$71,477 |
|
Public Transport & Taxi Services |
$70,031 |
|
Import/Export & Customs |
$67,028 |
|
Freight/Cargo Forwarding |
$66,036 |
|
Pattern Makers & Garment Technicians |
$65,134 |
|
Couriers, Drivers & Postal Services |
$55,689 |
|
Warehousing, Storage & Distribution |
$55,288 |
|
Machine Operators |
$54,456 |
|
Assembly & Process Work |
$48,845 |
|
Pickers & Packers |
$45,926 |
|
Management |
$113,258 |
|
Product Management & Development |
$105,304 |
|
Internal Communications |
$99,780 |
|
Brand Management |
$99,571 |
|
Trade Marketing |
$97,635 |
|
Public Relations & Corporate Affairs |
$96,560 |
|
Market Research & Analysis |
$95,739 |
|
Direct Marketing & CRM |
$91,897 |
|
Marketing Communications |
$85,741 |
|
Digital & Search Marketing |
$85,367 |
|
Event Management |
$71,787 |
|
Marketing Assistants/Coordinators |
$61,707 |
|
Management |
$131,462 |
|
Mining - Engineering & Maintenance |
$121,912 |
|
Oil & Gas - Engineering & Maintenance |
$117,908 |
|
Mining - Operations |
$117,010 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$115,571 |
|
Mining - Processing |
$115,011 |
|
Oil & Gas - Exploration & Geoscience |
$114,705 |
|
Health, Safety & Environment |
$114,273 |
|
Surveying |
$113,280 |
|
Mining - Drill & Blast |
$112,764 |
|
Power Generation & Distribution |
$111,517 |
|
Mining - Exploration & Geoscience |
$110,451 |
|
Oil & Gas - Production & Refinement |
$108,341 |
|
Oil & Gas - Operations |
$106,605 |
|
Oil & Gas - Drilling |
$100,843 |
|
Natural Resources & Water |
$97,512 |
|
Retail & Property Development |
$117,411 |
|
Valuation |
$100,224 |
|
Analysts |
$96,914 |
|
Commercial Sales, Leasing & Property Mgmt |
$89,686 |
|
Body Corporate & Facilities Management |
$88,414 |
|
Residential Sales |
$71,701 |
|
Residential Leasing & Property Management |
$63,646 |
|
Administration |
$58,010 |
|
Management - Area/Multi-site |
$91,612 |
|
Planning |
$88,980 |
|
Buying |
$87,326 |
|
Merchandisers |
$65,841 |
|
Management - Store |
$57,212 |
|
Management - Department/Assistant |
$54,852 |
|
Retail Assistants |
$50,141 |
|
Management |
$107,589 |
|
New Business Development |
$92,765 |
|
Account & Relationship Management |
$88,842 |
|
Analysis & Reporting |
$87,372 |
|
Sales Representatives/Consultants |
$71,191 |
|
Sales Coordinators |
$58,311 |
|
Mathematics, Statistics & Information Sciences |
$114,145 |
|
Modelling & Simulation |
$105,568 |
|
Materials Sciences |
$95,809 |
|
Environmental, Earth & Geosciences |
$93,380 |
|
Biotechnology & Genetics |
$90,018 |
|
Biological & Biomedical Sciences |
$89,086 |
|
Food Technology & Safety |
$87,410 |
|
Quality Assurance & Control |
$81,778 |
|
Chemistry & Physics |
$80,122 |
|
Laboratory & Technical Services |
$73,744 |
|
Management |
$71,347 |
|
Fitness & Personal Training |
$61,619 |
|
Coaching & Instruction |
$61,384 |
|
Electricians |
$78,391 |
|
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration |
$77,380 |
|
Fitters, Turners & Machinists |
$74,547 |
|
Security Services |
$73,767 |
|
Technicians |
$68,909 |
|
Plumbers |
$68,655 |
|
Carpentry & Cabinet Making |
$68,296 |
|
Building Trades |
$65,056 |
|
Automotive Trades |
$63,130 |
|
Maintenance & Handyperson Services |
$63,055 |
|
Butchers |
$61,913 |
|
Welders & Boilermakers |
$61,896 |
|
Cleaning Services |
$60,522 |
|
Printing & Publishing Services |
$59,518 |
|
Painters & Sign Writers |
$59,059 |
|
Gardening & Landscaping |
$56,083 |
|
Nannies & Babysitters |
$55,722 |
|
Tailors & Dressmakers |
$54,148 |
|
Labourers |
$53,770 |
|
Locksmiths |
$53,486 |
|
Bakers & Pastry Chefs |
$53,144 |
|
Floristry |
$50,635 |
|
Hair & Beauty Services |
$50,143 |
Source: SEEK Salary Report, July 2017 - June 2018 vs July 2016 - June 2017
Source: www.seek.com.au and www.joboutlook.gov.au