Australia Job Search Guide
A practical guide for foreigners (working holiday, study, migration) looking for work in Australia. It covers writing an Australian-style resume and cover letter, using job sites like Seek and Indeed, interview etiquette, preparing your TFN and superannuation, references and industry tips. The job market, wages and rules change often by industry and time, so always check the latest information on the official sites below for specific figures or conditions.
Australian Job Market Overview
In Australia, the conditions under which you can work differ by visa type. The starting point is to first check your own visa's work conditions — working holiday (subclass 417/462), student visa, permanent and temporary work visas all have different rules (limits on weekly hours, on how long you can work for the same employer, etc.). Visa conditions can change, so check the latest details with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Combining several channels — online job sites, networking, local communities and dropping off resumes in person — increases your chances.
- Check your visa's work conditions (limits on hours and duration) first.
- Preparing an English resume and cover letter in advance speeds up your applications.
- Beyond online applications, also use networking, local communities and dropping by in person.
Australian-style Resume & Cover Letter
An Australian resume is usually called a 'Resume' or 'CV' in English. Unlike in some countries, it's standard not to include personal information like a photo, date of birth, marital status or ID number. This follows anti-discrimination practice, so you include only your name, contact details, a brief summary, work history, education, skills and references. A length of about 1–2 pages is fine.
Resume tips
- Leave out personal info like photo, age and gender; put only your name, contact details and email at the top.
- List experience in reverse-chronological order, describing what you did specifically as 'verb + outcome' (e.g. managed store sales, handled customer service).
Using Job Sites like Seek & Indeed
The most widely used job sites in Australia are Seek and Indeed. Search by role, area and employment type (full-time/part-time/casual), and set up a job alert to get new ads quickly. Each platform's features and policies can change, so check the detailed usage on the relevant site directly.
Australia's largest job site. Rich in listings by role and area, with alerts and profile features.
A global aggregated job platform. It gathers a wide range of listings and supports easy apply.
Profile-based networking and job search. Highly useful in office and professional roles and easy to connect with recruiters.
Interview Etiquette
Australian interviews are often relatively relaxed and conversational, but punctuality and a prepared attitude are taken seriously. Research the company in advance and be ready to explain your experience with concrete examples. Dressing neatly to suit the role is fine.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes before the appointment, and call ahead if you'll be late.
- Research the company and role in advance and prepare your answer to 'why this company'.
- When given the chance to ask questions at the end, have one or two ready to show initiative.
Preparing Your TFN & Superannuation (Super)
TFN (Tax File Number)
A TFN is your personal tax number, needed to work or lodge tax in Australia. You usually apply for it free through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO, ato.gov.au). You can start work without a TFN, but if you don't provide one, a higher rate of tax may be withheld, so apply early and give it to your employer. Application conditions and the process can change, so it's accurate to check the latest guidance with the ATO.
Superannuation (Super, retirement savings)
Super is Australia's retirement savings system, where employers contribute a legally set percentage for eligible workers. The contribution rate is set by law and adjusted over time, so check the current rate and whether it applies to you with the ATO. You usually choose your own Super account (fund) and tell your employer, and temporary visa holders leaving Australia permanently may in some cases be able to claim back their balance via the DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment).
Specific tax and super rates, requirements and refund conditions differ by personal situation and change often. Rather than assuming, check the official ATO guidance, and for complex cases, we recommend consulting a registered tax agent or a professional.
References
In Australia, a 'reference check' — asking a previous employer or colleague about the candidate — is common near the end of hiring. You usually prepare about two references with their name, title and contact details. If you only have overseas experience, line up a referee who can communicate in English, or secure a manager from somewhere you've worked in Australia, even briefly — that helps.
- Before listing someone as a reference, get their consent in advance and confirm their contact details are correct.
- Where possible, choose someone who can directly assess your work, such as a direct manager or supervisor.
- If you have no local Australian experience, building references through volunteering or short casual work helps.
Industry Job-search Tips
The fields where working holiday makers and students often work, and professional roles, each have slightly different job-search approaches. Check your visa conditions and whether your qualifications are recognised, and use the channels that suit the field. Qualification and licence requirements can differ by state and occupation, so it's accurate to check with the relevant official body.
Cafés, restaurants, bars and so on. In some states a qualification such as an RSA may be needed to serve alcohol, so it's good to check in advance. Dropping off your resume in person can also be effective.
Seek and LinkedIn are heavily used. English communication, relevant experience and whether your qualifications are recognised matter, and some roles may need an overseas qualification recognition process.
Electrical, plumbing, carpentry and so on often need a state licence or a skills assessment. Requirements differ by occupation and state, so check with the relevant authority.
These can be linked to working holiday visa extension requirements. Cases of mistreatment and unpaid wages have been reported, so confirm the conditions in writing and contact Fair Work if anything seems off.
Useful Links
- Seek(opens in a new window)
Australia's largest job site — search ads by role and area, with alerts
- Indeed Australia(opens in a new window)
Indeed Australia — aggregated job search and quick apply
- Australian Taxation Office (TFN)(opens in a new window)
Australian Taxation Office — TFN applications, and official tax and superannuation guidance
- (opens in a new window)
If you have not been paid the wages or entitlements you were promised, or suspect unfair dismissal, see the 'Workplace Problems & Wage Theft Reporting Guide' for how to report to Fair Work and how to access free interpreting.
Job Hunting In Depth — Workplace Rights, Skills Recognition, Contracts, Tax & Visa Strategy
Landing the job is only half the story. From your legal rights at work and how to resolve disputes, to getting overseas qualifications recognised, reading employment contracts, claiming tax refunds, planning your pathway beyond a temporary visa and strategies for changing jobs — this is the in-depth information every worker in Australia needs, whatever your visa status.
Legal Rights at Work & Dispute Resolution
Basic workplace rights apply regardless of visa (Fair Work Act & NES)
As a rule, anyone working in Australia is protected by the Fair Work Act 2009 and the National Employment Standards (NES), no matter what visa they hold. Core entitlements like minimum wage, breaks and paid leave (casuals excepted) apply to working holiday makers and student visa holders too. The line "you've breached your visa conditions, so reporting me will only hurt you" is a common intimidation tactic — the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au) helps regardless of your visa status and also runs an Anonymous Report channel.
Check your own pay rate (P.A.C.T. Pay Calculator)
You can look up the hourly rate, weekend and night penalty rates, and casual loading under the Award covering your occupation using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (calculate.fairwork.gov.au). The minimum wage is adjusted by a Fair Work Commission decision around 1 July each year, so check again once the new financial year ticks over. Offers of cash in hand in exchange for a lower hourly rate are a classic pattern that ends in wage theft and tax trouble.