After the March 2018 changes to the employer sponsored visa schemes in Australia, many people all over the world have been asking the same question. How can I find a sponsored job in Australia?
For most people, the most challenging part of emigrating to Australia is finding an Australian employer willing to sponsor them.
This process is made even more difficult, as many sponsored jobs are not even posted on job search websites, newspaper advertisements. Here at Results Migration, we have discovered the eight most important steps in increasing your chances of finding a sponsored job in Australia.
- Do your research on sponsored visa opportunities
Australian employers that are looking to sponsor someone from overseas, often avoid using online job search engines, or print advertisements to advertise the job offering. This is because it is always much easier for the company to find and hire someone with the right skill-set here in Australia.
However, in many industries it is hard to find the right person in Australia, which pushes companies to explore the possibility of sponsoring someone from overseas.
There have been recent changes to the 457 visa scheme that impacts the way in which employers can sponsor workers from overseas. From 18 March 2018, the 457 visa scheme was abolished and replaced with the 482 visa, also known as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS).
This new visa allows you to work in Australia in a skilled position, from one to four years at a time, depending on your occupation, visa stream and your circumstances. To be eligible for any stream on this visa, you must have 2 years of work experience in the same occupation that you will be sponsored for, or in a related field. This is something that has changed with the new visa and might delay your plans to work in Australia until you can meet the work experience requirement.
There are also occupations lists for this visa that are updated periodically, with occupations being added and removed with no notice, depending on the needs of the Australian market.
To ensure your occupation is still available, we recommend checking the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSOL), Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). You can access the occupations lists on the Department of Home Affairs website when you search for the TSS visa.
Depending on your skill-set, you may also be eligible for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186 visa) or the Regional Migration Sponsorship Scheme (subclass 187 visa) which will allow you to stay in Australia permanently.
Although to be eligible for these visas, among many other requirements, you must have 3 years of relevant work experience, as well as possibly needing to undertake a skills assessment in the nominated occupation, to show that you possess the requisite skills for the job you are being sponsored for.
More information about the eligibility requirements for these visas can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website by searching for the visa type you are interested in.
Due to the recent changes, it is important you begin working in the field you wish to be sponsored in, as soon as possible, so that by the time you look to apply for a sponsorship, or start approaching companies in Australia, you will have already attained the relevant work experience.
It is also important to note that part of the sponsorship process for employers wishing to sponsor overseas workers, are required to show evidence of advertisement for roles locally, before they are able to apply to sponsor someone from overseas to fill the role.
This reduces the likelihood of the role being advertised, as a sponsored job in Australia, when you search on websites like Seek.com. Likewise, Australian employers are unlikely to go through a recruitment agency to find overseas workers. Unless the recruitment agency specifically states in their advertisement that the Australian employer will sponsor the right candidate, you will be wasting your time.
We recommend investigating large Australian companies for sponsorship opportunities, as the associated costs that go along with sponsorship can be difficult for smaller companies to meet. However, some small companies are still willing to sponsor the right person, so don’t completely rule them out.
You may also have luck in reaching out to the companies directly for sponsorship opportunities. Yahoo Companies Directory is a good tool to use to find Australian companies. Contact the companies that interest you and work in the areas that you have work experience in, then send them your resume/CV and enquire as to whether they have any sponsored job opportunities available.
Alternatively, many companies also have a ‘Careers’ section on their website where you can search for current vacancies and submit your resume into the company database.
If there are no current vacancies in the role you are interested in, often you can set up an alert that will update you if a position becomes available. Submitting your resume and cover letter to the database, will allow the company to search for candidates when a position does become available and contact you.
- Global companies
A good way to gain the required work experience in your home country and improve your chances of getting sponsored in Australia, is to seek out global companies that are based in both your home country and in Australia.
Often these large companies will offer transfer opportunities for their employees. Unfortunately, this may mean you need to spend extra time working in your home country before an opportunity arises in Australia.
However, it would be worthwhile in the long run if it means you can emigrate to Australia through that company. It will also look impressive on your resume/CV if you have worked for a global company.
- Keep a record
Keep yourself organised and make a list of all the Australian companies that interest you. We recommend you speak to the manager of the department you would like to work in, or alternatively the Human Resources department. Enquire about their ability to sponsor someone from another country with the right skill-set.
It is also helpful to find out how often they delete applications/resumes/CVs from their database system.
Many companies only keep these documents for 3 to 6 months, so you should make sure you follow up on your applications every 3 months. To make this process easy, keep track of the dates you apply for jobs and speak with the company so you stay on top of your Australian job applications.
- Travel to Australia
After you spend some time speaking with companies and applying for different positions, it would be a good idea to plan a trip to Australia so you can meet with each of the employers on your list.
Even if you are unable to make an appointment with every employer, you should still plan to visit the company and drop off your updated resume and try to speak with the manager of the department you would like to work for, or a Human Resources Manager.
Making these connections while you are in Australia will be vital for your sponsorship opportunity. By engaging with people on a personal level, they will be more likely to consider you for sponsorship than if they had never met you at all. If you require assistance applying for a tourist visa for Australia, at Results Migration we can help you from start to finish. Contact us today for more information!
- Volunteer/Work experience
If you are able to, we recommend that once in Australia, try to set up some volunteering work with Australian organisations. Charitable and not-for-profit organisations are most likely to accept volunteers. Try to approach them before you come to Australia, so you can ensure you have time while in Australia to engage in this work.
It is a good idea to make sure you volunteer in the area of your profession, because Australian companies will be likely to look favourably on your experience working in Australia if it relates to the roles you will be applying for.
This will be the case, even though the work is volunteer employment. “Pro Bono Australia” has a comprehensive list of not-for-profit and charitable organisations in Australia that can be easily searched by category of work, as well as by location in Australia. This is a great place to begin your search for companies to approach for volunteer work.
- Use your network wisely
Social media, networking sites, industry groups are all ways to make friends in the right places and put yourself out there. Use your own networks and other people’s networks to get in touch with people in Australia.
LinkedIn is a great professional networking platform and will assist Australian employers in finding you. Joining other industry, or Australia-focused groups, on sites such as Facebook will also be useful in building your own network.
The more you put yourself out there on these platforms, the greater success you will have at attracting an Australian employer willing to sponsor you. By using the people in your network, and then the people that they have in their networks, will increase your exposure to more employers and improve your chances of getting a sponsored job.
Make sure you let everyone you know that you are searching for sponsored employment in Australia and ask them to reach out to anyone that they may know that could help you. When building your networks, ensure you are connecting with the right people that will help ensure your success.
Make sure to connect with as many Australians on these platforms as you can, especially if they are working in the profession you are interested in.
- Study in Australia
Have you looked at any relevant courses, or further education you could enroll to study in Australia? If you are eligible to apply for a student visa to study in Australia, you are usually entitled to a certain amount of hours you can work each week.
This would be a great way to network and begin working in the occupation you are interested in. You may also be able to transfer your visa status after your study and stay in Australia longer to search for sponsored employment.
There is an advantage of you already being in the country, as you are available for job interviews and able to make personal connections with Australian employers.
If you would like to discuss your options for studying in Australia or assistance with your student visa application, call Results Migration today!
- Self-marketing for success
One of the most important steps for success is how you market yourself. Do your research and make sure that your marketing materials will be competitive in the Australian job market.
This means ensuring that your resume/CV is up-to-date and in the appropriate format for the position you are applying for. Also make sure your cover letter is high-impact and written in a way that will persuade the Australian employer to review your resume.
If finding a sponsor in Australia is something you are serious about, you need to allocate sufficient time to updating your marketing materials to increase your chances of finding an Australian sponsor and ensure your success.
Summary
Remember to begin this process as soon as you can, as recent changes to the Australian sponsored work visas requires longer periods of work experience in the occupation to be eligible. Do your research and tap into the hidden Australian job market, don’t just rely on job search engines and advertisements.
It is essential for your success that you keep track of your applications and ensure regular contact with employers, build your networks and ensure your self-marketing is high-impact and effective. Plan your trip to Australia and explore the possibility of furthering your study, or volunteering while you are there. Be consistent and keep working towards your long-term goal of working in Australia. By following these steps, you will be guaranteed to increase your likelihood of finding a sponsored job in Australia. If you have any questions or want to discuss your options for planning a trip to visit or study in Australia, call Results Migration today!
