An Overview of Australia’s Job Market and Opportunities

Over the last decade, the Australian economy continues to go from strength to strength and continues to enjoy its boom times. Its economy is one of the progressive countries to first leave the worldwide downfall and continues to attract overseas skilled workers to fill in new positions available on a regular basis. Likewise, the number of application for visa from Australia (i.e. working Australia visa or Australian work holiday visa) has become enormously increasing.

Australia, is the country that has been converted its economy from which was dependent on manufacturing sometimes ago to one which is now based upon the SERVICES SECTOR – which has been the engine room of the Australian economy just like many developing economies around the world. But Australia’s economy proves that there is more to jobs market than just services. For many years, this prosperous land down under has been one of the major mining centers around the globe with massive natural resources. And this continues to service a significant part of the employment market in Australia.

There are vast similarities between working conditions in Australia and working conditions in the UK. UK is somewhat similar also when it comes to processing of application for a work visa in Australia. The country’s average working week is around 37 hours which start from Monday to Friday. Skilled workers are also entitled for overtime payments for out of hours work, holidays and sick leaves. The working conditions in Australia have been improved and well-documented – and are a natural development for a country and developing economy.

With over 11 million people available for work in Australia, 75% of these people are employed by the services industry while 21.1% by industry. In 2008, the rate of unemployment in Australia rose from 4.2% and 5.7% in 2009. Although, these figures are set to return to lower levels as the economy picks up after the worldwide recession.

Overseas skilled workers have been a significant part of the Australian workforce. These are the people who moved to the country over the years. It is reported that the same number of overseas skilled workers are moving to Australia in the short to medium term. It is because Australia’s economy has now gone through the development stage and could be described as developed.

In Australia, there are many different areas that offer employment opportunities. However, vast majority of immigrants are likely to go for one of the major cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and Adelaide. Cost of living in these areas is the highest yet employment activity is focused.

There may be a lot of job opportunities in Australia but the government is beginning to clamp down on the number of skilled workers moving from overseas last year and the coming years. We will likely to see a further reduction in the number of skilled workers as the domestic workforce develops and adopts new skills coming from overseas. Immigrations have no doubt that played a major part in the progress of not only the entire Australia but particularly in its economy.

The Essentials of an Australian Working Visa

A visa is necessary for travel, work and residency and a working visa carries a great importance to both the host country and the migrants. Without it, most of the skilled workers would have never made it to their destination. Most nations, Australia in specific, will not allow a foreign skilled worker to cross its border without permission to enter.

It is imperative for any nation to monitor prospective migrants or tourists as this helps the country on avoiding concerns like terrorism, overpopulation and economics. With a working visa, this allows the government to control how many foreign visitors can enter and how long they are allowed to stay and the activities they are allowed to participate.

In some countries such as Australia, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship records detailed statistics on how many people enter, leave and live within the country. There have been over 500, 000 people emigrating from their home country to move to Australia for good in past five years alone. Averaging at just over 100, 000 people are reported making a permanent residency to Australia each year. This does not include yet those who applied for Australian work holiday visa and other visas to Australia such as tourist visas.

Anyone who visits the country has to apply for and have in place a valid visa before they land in the country. Take note that there is not simply one type of visa to cover every type of stay. A visa serves as a paramount to ensure that a trip is trouble free that a visitor has applied for and received the most suitable visa for their individual stay.

An applicant can choose from a Skilled, Business, Family or Spouse visa in applying for visa that allows permanent residency. Skilled Visa specifically can be granted to those who wish to make a permanent move to Australia and who can fulfill the needs of any of the occupations that are in high demand. These occupations can be found on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and varies considerably but expect for a lot of competition for the number of visas that are allocated for those who can fulfill a SOL listed occupation. It is the list that superseded the Critical Skills List which started in 2010. 

The applicant can also choose a Business Visa in which he or she is allowed to stay in the country on a permanent basis as long as they can contribute to or invest in the country. You will be able to apply to this type of work visa for Australia as long as you are running a business and transferring it to the country or are planning on setting a meaningful and well-planned business.

Travel visa and Working Holiday visa are both primarily for holiday purposes. These two cover the vast majority of tourists to the country and allows for someone to make Australia their temporary residence for a short period of time, assuming that they do not carry out any form of work or academic studies. Australian work holiday visa allows the applicant to spend up to 24 months in the country whilst working and studying. It is one of the most sought after due to the freedom that it allows the holder.

Living in Australia can be a great experience for anyone. No wonder, the number of foreign citizens who apply for visas to the country is enormously increasing each year. But to ensure that there are no any hassles during your stay, it is at most advised that you apply for and received the most suitable visa for your individual time in Australia.