What are The Benefits of Australian Work Experience?

With excellent work opportunities and a thriving economy, Australia has become one of the best destinations for working and living. There is a constant demand for skilled foreign workers. 

International students who have studied and gained overseas work experience in Australia can also apply for a work visa. 

Australia ranks high on many things: jobs, income, work-life balance, housing, safety, and life satisfaction. So, consider Australia if you are looking for a job to gain work experience, enhance your skills, and earn money to pay for your daily expenses. 

This article will discuss everything you need to know about Australian work experience, including the advantages of work experience for students in Australia.

1. Advantages of Australian Work Experience

Whether it’s a long-term role or an internship, work experience has several benefits for employees in Australia. Gaining work experience in Australia will open excellent opportunities and take your career to the next level. 

Here are some of the advantages of work experience for students in Australia:

Improves Your English Language and Communication Skills

• If you are not a native English speaker, working in Australia will enable you to enhance your English language and communication skills, especially in the service industry. Besides, working with people from different backgrounds will expose you to other working methods. It allows you to move out of your comfort zone and develop strong English speaking and communication skills. 

• Even if you choose the best companies to work for in Australia, you will notice that teams are composed of many professionals. They are from different parts of the world, which might allow you to build your cross-cultural communication skills.

Additional Income

• One of the most significant benefits of working in Australia is finding paid work. It allows you to receive extra income to cover travel and other living expenses. Further, students who want to work while studying can quickly secure a job in the hospitality or retail industry. 

• Just remember, these industries are quite competitive. So before applying, visit the Fair Work website to get detailed information on jobs for international students.

• You can also visit your on-campus employment office or speak with your course coordinator to help you with course-related placements or internships.

Global Networking Opportunities

• Undertaking work experience in Australia will help you gain a network of valuable contacts by interacting with co-workers, clients, and customers in your chosen field. As you progress in your career, the network you’ve built will help you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your area. 

• You can establish a network through any career, including teaching, freelance writing, market research, and more. Another way to make new connections and present yourself best is to attend a professional networking event. It will enable you to meet like-minded people worldwide.

• If you cannot secure a job, chat with your tutors and lecturers and stay in touch with them even after graduating.

Improved Resume

• Whether you work for a law firm or in customer services, you will learn essential workplace skills. These include working with a team, chatting with customers, handling money, managing time, and more. 

• These are known as soft skills that you can mention in your resume. Many potential employers look for these skills, and they will help you be more productive in your workplace and succeed in your career. 

• Overall, getting overseas work experience in Australia will help you grow professionally and personally. Once you enter the international jobs market, you will have more options in choosing what you want to pursue. 

2. Types of Employment You Can Get in Australia

Internship Program 

• If you want to expose yourself to a professional environment, build your prospects, and get real industry experience, applying for an internship program is the way to go.

• Some employers pay interns in Australia, and some internships are unpaid. A few even offer a stipend (a small sum of money to cover extra expenses like lunch, transport, etc.). 

• You can find internship positions within a private firm or your institution. However, it is essential to note that as an international student, you must provide proof of English language proficiency and study for a relevant degree in Australia before applying for an internship. 

• Also, getting an internship can be challenging for domestic and international students because of the high level of competition involved. 

Part-Time or Casual Work 

• There is a range of industries in Australia that provide part-time or casual jobs for both international as well as domestic students. These jobs help students to earn extra money and meet their study expenses.

• You can quickly secure a role in hospitality, tourism, retail, telemarketing, sales, customer services, and more. However, to gain industry experience, you should focus on getting a role relevant to your studies.

• Furthermore, when looking for a job, you must apply for a TFN (Tax File Number). You should carefully understand the terms of your student visa. Also, remember employers in Australia need to comply with certain workplace conditions and laws, including the minimum wage rates. For more information, you can visit the Fair Work website. 

Course Placements

• Some universities and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes in Australia provide course placements to international students. It allows them to get work experience in a specific industry for a fixed period. 

• Course placements are most common in engineering, nursing, accounting, information technology, and communication. You should note that these placements are usually unpaid, and the length of it may vary between courses.

Volunteer Work

• If you look forward to working with an NGO (Non-Profit Organisation), you will find plenty of NGOs and charity groups in Australia where you can volunteer. Moreover, Australians motivate people of all ages, particularly international students, to volunteer to give back to their communities. 

• The best part about volunteering for the benefit of the community is that the working hours in Australia spent during volunteer work will not count towards the 40-hour work requirement under your student visa. Additionally, it is a great way to get hands-on experience and make friends.

Full-Time Employment

• There is a high demand for skilled graduates in Australia. So if you can boast different language skills and have gained industry-specific experience, you can easily apply for full-time employment in Australia. 

• You can apply for different visa options to work in Australia. However, if you are a former international student in Australia, the 485 Skilled Graduate visa is the right option for you to find the best places to work in Australia. 

• This visa is open for international students with at least two years of study experience in Australia. You can check out the Department of Home Affairs website for more detailed information on work visas. 

• Targeting an industry or economic sector before starting your job hunt is always recommended. Well-established industries in Australia include mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. So if you are interested in any of these areas, looking for job opportunities won’t be challenging.

3. Tips For Finding Work Experience 

Looking for work experience in Australia is pretty straightforward. Still, finding a role that suits your interests and abilities may take some time. Here are a few tips you can keep in mind before starting the job-hunting process:

• Make sure to apply for more than one job in Australia, as there is no guarantee that you will get the first job you will interview for. 

• Create a resume with detailed information about your skills and how you can contribute to the workplace. Also, you should write a cover letter that tells the employer you have thoroughly researched their organisation and you are the right candidate for the job.

• When applying for an internship program, search for organisations that offer a paid position once you complete your program. Many companies in Australia also provide PYP (Professional Year Program) — a one-year structured career development program specially designed to offer industry-specific work experience for Australian PR.

• Being a part of PYP is one of the best ways to apply for permanent residency in Australia under the Skilled–Independent visa (subclass 885). 

• Try to practice your interview skills as much as possible. This will help you prepare for the employer’s questions and answer them confidently. Make sure to use examples from your previous experience to demonstrate how well you can handle stressful situations in the workplace. You can also take advice from your university’s career staff or practice the interview with another student.

Undoubtedly, your work experience in Australia will be something you will never forget, primarily affecting your choices about your future. So make the best of it and do not forget to enjoy it!

Useful Links to Explore: 

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?