Being one of the world’s most modern and diverse English-speaking countries, Australia has much to offer international students with its friendly social environment, leading educational system, and high living standards. With an almost 90% satisfaction score, Australia is one of the most preferred countries to study for international students.
One merit of studying in Australia is that it supports students in conducting scientific research, mainly because the country is a leading name in technology and innovation. Moreover, compared to other English-speaking countries like the USA or the UK, Australia demands lower tuition fees while offering higher living standards. Apart from scholarship opportunities, international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours a week to make a living. In this article, we will review and list various work opportunities in Australia for international students, considering the graduates’ qualifications, skills, growth potential, and salary range.
Do international students need a visa to work in Australia?
Yes, all students need to have a Student visa (Subclass 500) to take part in a course of study. With this visa, students can stay up to 5 years to complete their education. Additionally, although it is temporary, Student visa holders can work unlimited hours, allowing them to explore various employment opportunities in Australia as international students. Student visa holders can also invite their family members as visitors or residents.
To apply for the Student visa, applicants must first verify their enrollment by providing an official letter from their education provider. Then, they must document their previous study and work experience as well as official proof of English proficiency. The cost of the Student visa is currently stated as AUD 650.
When it comes to after graduation, however, graduates must hold either a temporary or permanent visa to work in Australia as full-timers. Temporary visa holders can work for a certain duration but need sponsorship. Successful employees can convert their temporary visa to a permanent one, if applicable.
See Also: How to Study in Australia for Free
Job Opportunities in Australia for International Students
Most international students choose to continue their stay by working in Australia after graduation due to the convenient lifestyle and work opportunities offered to them. The following is a list of the most popular and profitable career options international students can pursue after graduation in Australia.
1. Software Engineer
Like in many parts of the world, in Australia, informatics, and computer science have become popular career pathways for not only its residents but also international graduates. One significant factor is that Australia is among the leading countries in technology and innovation. This makes positions such as Software Engineer increasingly popular due to the demand from the companies and headquarters. One advantage of being a software engineer in Australia is that it offers a diverse working environment for international graduates so that they can feel comfortable.
The primary responsibilities of a software engineer are designing, developing, and maintaining software systems that meet customer needs, testing and approving software or hardware structures, or programming effective and efficient codes. The responsibilities of this position require professional knowledge and experience; thus, it is essential to have a relevant degree in engineering or IT departments.
One merit of this position is that it allows individuals to improve their performance and, therefore, their status, as people constantly gain experience in their profession and enhance their understanding of software technology. Gaining experience leads to more significant tasks, projects, and so on. The average annual salary starts from AUD 80,000 to AUD 90,000, depending on the company, position, or employee status.
2. Nurse
Australia is a perfect location for medicine students and graduates as the country is looking for employees to work in the healthcare industry, whether they are permanent residents or visa holders. There are usually both full-time and part-time working options with a sponsorship offer. Successful candidates can work in Health Centers or Aged care homes to perform various tasks such as medication management, delivering high-quality medical care, providing patient-centered therapeutic nursing, and more.
Candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in Nursing to be employed in this position. Other qualities can be having effective interpersonal and verbal skills, being passionate about caring for young children or older patients, and more. Depending on the requirements of the role, employees can be promoted to supervising positions following their experience. Candidates expect their average annual salary to be AUD 70,000 to AUD 80,000.
Check Also: Steps to Become a Nurse in Australia
3. Teacher
Education has always been a demanding field in many countries and is also one of the top providers of work opportunities in Australia for international students. The country is looking for trained teachers to perform in primary and secondary schools as well as educational management departments. In addition to professional education training, teacher positions require candidates to have effective communication, classroom management, patience, and more.
Teachers in Australia can expect an annual salary of AUD 60,000 to AUD 70,000, depending on their positions and responsibilities in the educational institution.
4. Civil Engineer
This on-demand position requires employees to manage infrastructure and construction tasks as well as design and build essential structures in urban or rural areas, such as bridges, roads, railways, etc. Successful candidates must obtain a related degree in engineering, which are available in Australian universities as it’s also one of the best countries to study Civil Engineering. It’s also imperative to have technical knowledge, time management skills, and essential computer skills to research and plan the workload.
An expected annual salary for civil engineers in Australia can center around AUD 80,000; however, the number can increase or decrease depending on the employee’s experience and skill level. With that in mind, becoming a civil engineer is one of the work opportunities in Australia that can be financially rewarding in the long run.
5. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is yet another popular career pathway for international graduates, as numerous companies worldwide, including Australia, are looking for global members to join their teams. Graphic designers are responsible for designing logos, illustrations, layouts, and other visual content for marketing purposes.
Qualifications of a successful graphic designer are having a strong sense of creativity as well as technical skills, a good command of design practices and principles, and excellent communication skills to deliver the expectations of their clients. The average annual salary for graphic designers is around AUD 80,000.
This country is ready for international students to form their career pathways with a range of industries and sectors available to them. In this article, we have listed only a few of the popular employment opportunities in Australia to pursue. Yet, there are plenty of options waiting for individuals to decide based on their unique talents, interests, and areas of study. If you’re also looking to achieve your qualifications in this country, check out our guide on applying to Australian universities.
We hope this article on work opportunities in Australia for international students was informative and helpful. You can also visit the Australia Scholarships Page for more articles about studying in Australia!
