How to Get a Job in Australia 2025

Step 1 — Work rights in Australia

Before applying for roles, confirm your work rights. Many Australian employers ask at application stage — and some roles (government, defence, healthcare) require Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

VisaWhoKey details

Working Holiday (417/462)18–35, eligible nationalities12 months, extendable. Work in any role, change employers freely. Popular first step for Europeans, Brits, Canadians.

TSS 482 (Employer Sponsored)Sponsored by employerMost common skilled worker pathway. 2–4 years, renewable. Employer must pay market salary or above.

Skilled Independent 189Points-tested, no sponsorship neededPermanent residency pathway. Requires occupation on MLTSSL, at least 65 points, skills assessment.

Employer Nomination 186Direct nomination by employerPermanent residency from day one. Requires 3+ years relevant experience and an employer willing to sponsor.

Graduate Temporary 485Recent Australian graduatesPost-study work rights: 2–6 years depending on qualification. Strong pathway to permanent residency.

Citizen / PRUnrestricted work rightsFull access to all roles, including government, defence, and roles requiring citizenship.

Step 2 — Australian resume format

ElementAustraliaUS (comparison)

Length2–3 pages typical1 page for <10 years exp

PhotoOptional (some sectors include)Never include

ObjectiveNot standardOften used

ReferencesList 2 referees on resume or 'on request'References on separate document

Date of birthNever required by lawNever include

ToneDirect, factual, outcome-focusedMore branded, achievement-forward

Step 3 — Where to find jobs in Australia

SEEK

Dominant Australian job board. Most employers post exclusively here. Use SEEK's salary insights tool for benchmarking.

Strong for professional, tech, and senior roles. Many Australian recruiters headhunt directly on LinkedIn.

APSJobs

All Australian Public Service vacancies. Separate application process — requires selection criteria responses.

Indeed Australia

Good for volume and smaller employers. Less dominant than in the US.

CareerOne

Aggregates from multiple boards. Good for broad market view.

Industry-specific boards

HealthcareLink (nursing), HESTA (healthcare), TechSydney (tech), Ethical Jobs (NFP sector).

Australian salary benchmarks by city (AUD)

RoleSydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerth

Software Engineer$130–160k$120–150k$110–140k$115–145k

Product Manager$135–180k$125–165k$115–145k$110–140k

Data Analyst$90–120k$85–115k$80–105k$85–110k

Registered Nurse$75–95k$72–90k$70–88k$72–92k

Mining Engineer$110–150k$105–140k$110–145k$130–180k

FAQ

Do you need a job offer before applying for an Australian work visa?

It depends on the visa. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) does not require a job offer — it's points-tested and you can apply independently. The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) does require employer sponsorship. The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS/482) also requires a sponsoring employer. Most migrants without Australian work experience or qualifications start on the TSS 482 pathway, then transition to permanent residency.

How long does it take to find a job in Australia?

For migrants with in-demand skills (tech, nursing, engineering, trades): 2–8 weeks after arriving. For roles requiring Australian experience or industry recognition: 2–6 months. The biggest factor is whether your overseas qualifications and experience are directly recognised — healthcare, law, and teaching often require additional assessment steps.

Is the Australian resume format different from US/UK?

Yes. Australian CVs are typically 2–3 pages (not the 1-page US norm), include a photo and personal details in some sectors, don't use an 'objective statement', and often include referees directly on the resume or 'references available on request.' The tone is direct and factual — less branding-heavy than US resumes.

What are the best job boards for finding work in Australia?

SEEK is the dominant job board with the largest active listings. LinkedIn is strong for professional and mid-senior roles. Indeed Australia has broad coverage but lower employer engagement than SEEK. Jora and CareerOne aggregate listings. For government roles, APSJobs (Australian Public Service) and individual state government portals are the primary sources.