How can I work in Australia

Working in Australia has never been so easy, with a huge number of travellers doing just that!!! Both, to experience working in a different country and also to get some cash to travel around Australia. So how is it done? To work legally in Australia you must have a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa. For this, you can apply online to http://www.immi.gov.au. Most travellers apply before they leave home for Australia. Although if you would like to make enquiries about visas whilst in Australia, you can call the Australian Department of Immigration on 13 18 81. The WHM visa which you need to legally work will have certain requirements which must be adhered to: Travellers from Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden ,the UK and most recently France, can apply for WHM visas.

The WHM visa usually allows a 12 month stay and is for people between the ages of 18 and 30. However from November 1 2005, WHM can apply for a second WHM visa if they can prove that they have undertaken 3 months seasonal harvest work in regional Australia. This means that successful applicants can stay in Australia for up to 2 years instead of just 1. Once working in Australia, with a WHM visa you cannot work for the same employer for more than 90 days. Travel outside Australia is permitted, but before leaving check with the DIMIA as you may need another visa to re-enter Australia.

What next? Getting to work in Australia means that you will need to do the following: Acquire Tax File Number (TFN). To do this, take your passport to a local Australian Taxation Office to get the forms and apply. A TFN can be obtained online at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website http://www.ato.gov.au under 'For Individuals,' then 'Apply tax file number'. You need a valid passport and an Australian mailing address to apply. You must provide a TFN to your employer along with details of your 'residency status' for taxation purposes. Failure to do so will mean you run the risk of paying too much tax.

Bank Account Wanting to get paid? To get paid you may need a bank account. To open an Australian bank account, it is reccommended that you take with you 2 forms of identification, plus your pasport and Australian address where statements can be sent to you. If you don't have a bank account, your employer may have to write a cheque and may deduct as much as 10 dollars for the service.

A CV otherwise known as a Resume
Have a resume ready to go so you can attract potential employers straight away. Keep the resume simple and only include what you think would be relevant to employers you want to attract whilst in OZ. For example. an address, a phone number and an email address (which is not likesnottowork@mail.com)!!! Aim to keep your resume between 1 and 2 pages long. Make sure it is typed, appear professional. Public libraries, travel centres and internet cafes usually have word processors available at reasonable rates. For safe keeping of your resume, email it to yourself, then you don't have to keep a hard copy in your backpack that I'm sure would get crumpled.

Appear Professional
You need to look good! A smart top and trousers or skirt for the office maybe? Or sensible shoes, which are closed-toed shoes to work in a restaurant? Think about what impression you want to give in an interview too. A nose ring might not give the right impression, but then again it might? Finding Work - Training & Courses For some jobs, you may be required to have a certificate of training in the relevant field before being allowed to work. This is often for a fee, so shop around to find the best deal and also the best accredited course by an approved body. To give you an idea of some courses, find a few listed below: - RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) - RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) - Green Card (Work Cover Occupational Health and Safety Construction Induction) - RTA Traffic Control - The list is endless…

Finding Work - Approaching Recruitment Agencies
Most cities have a huge number of recruitment agencies that will assist travellers in finding work. However to find a job, you will need to arrange a time to be registered. To find work straight away, pre arrange a time in advance for your registration. And remember, being registered at an agency is just like having an interview, so dress smart, be ready to have your skills assessed too. Be out to impress! Once you've registered at an agency, your search should not stop there. The recruitment agencies that you register with will want you to keep in touch. Tell them that you're still available on a regular basis, if you still haven't found work.

Finding Work - Look in Hostels and Information Centres.
There are often noticeboards advertising local jobs closer to home than you think. Be sure to ask hostel staff especially whether they know of any information contact points which advertise training, courses and most importantly, jobs. Or even whether they know of anybody who may be looking for staff (you never know!)

What Type of Work Are You Looking For? Many travellers work in Australia doing a range of different jobs from fruitpicking to hospitality. So think about what you are prepared to do when you travel around Australia. There may not be as many farms to harvest in Sydney as maybe in Queensland. For many it is not about finding the job of your dreams but finding a job to pay the accommodation bills and to save to travel Australia, but you never know. There are many nursing jobs and sales and marketing jobs aimed at travellers. The best hint is to keep you updated on jobs and work in Australia by keeping your ears open and looking out for information sources, such as travellers magazines and guides which offer updates on jobs and further precise information on finding work in Australia.