Graduate Careers AustraliaGraduate Grapevine - Number 11, Winter 2008Employing International Students – Demystifying the ProcessMany international students enjoy their time in Australia so much that they seek to begin their career here. Alternatively, many international students, with sought after qualifications, know that the world is their oyster and they can choose to base themselves in Australia for a block of time or permanently. The global work force means that students, workers and employers can capitalise on expanded opportunities. Good economic times, great opportunities and an excellent quality of life often combine to form the decision to work or settle in Australia permanently. Often employers don’t actively seek to employ graduating international students or recruit internationally because either they don’t know the process involved or don’t fully understand the benefits such employees can bring. This article aims to demystify some of the processes, as well as detail some of the benefits. Given the skills and qualifications (often in areas of labour shortage) they have upon graduation, international students are well placed for the transition from a student visa to a visa that lets them take up full-time employment for a few years or, potentially, to take up permanent residency. In an era of skills shortages, this provides Australian employers with an expanded pool of labour to pick from and give their businesses an edge. Like most of Australia’s multicultural population, international students or migrating citizens are mostly bilingual. This aspect alone should be a most attractive feature for many graduate employers recruiting international students. Staff with a second language can provide that all important cultural and linguistic match when liaising with non-English speaking clients. International graduate recruits can help you understand your marketplace with both their professional, as well their as cultural knowledge. There are a range of visa options available to employers needing the services of international students in Australia (or other overseas workers). Briefly, the options for employers seeking to engage international students are as follows. 1. Casual/Part-Time Employment: Employers may seek to trial international students during their summer/winter breaks for internships or the like. Like other potential graduates, this is a good way to trial students before offering them permanent employment. Those on a student visa have limited work rights – allowing them 20 hours per week – however, they can work full-time during their holiday breaks. 2. Full-Time Employment: Any employer contemplating the full-time engagement of international students, and/or skilled migrants generally, have three options available: 2.1 Temporary Business (Long-Stay) Visa (commonly referred to as the 457 Visa): This is a four-year work visa. The employer needs to demonstrate that there is a need for the position and/or the position cannot be easily filled by available local residents. This must be demonstrated, except if the employer is on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) on the DIAC website. This can be done prior to the completion of their studies, subject to the student having an underpinning qualification and/or experience to do the job. Or, alternatively, post the completion of their studies, the student may be engaged and they become eligible for the relevant award salary. This category requires payment of minimum salary and sponsorship by the employer. Sponsorship basically involves the employer undertaking to the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) that it (the employer) is able to:
In summary, the fees/charges payable to DIAC, in addition to professional fees to handle the application, is $525.
2.2. Skilled-graduate (temporary) Visa (485):
2.3. Skilled- Regional Visa (487): A further employment option for international students comes under the following visa category:
2.4. Skilled Residence Visas (permanent 885, sponsored version 886): Summary of Options – Recruitment of International Students
* Bar the 457 Visa, where the payment is usually negotiated between the employer and employee, all other fees are paid for by the international student. For further information regarding visas and employment issues, the following weblinks may prove useful.
Given the huge investment that is often made by employers in recruitment generally, employers also need to focus on retention and international students and skilled migrants are no different. While they will have consolidated their English language skills through their education programs, new Australian friends and their part-time workplace experience, some international students may have difficulties adjusting to an Australian business culture. This can be addressed by workshops inducting groups of employees, or more intensive phone and/or face-to-face support could be provided by an ‘On the Job Coach’. Hutch Hussein is the Business Development Manager at Spectrum Immigration Services ( www.spectrumvic.org.au ). Spectrum has had over 20 years experience offering re-settlement services to migrants, which includes employment and immigration assistance. They have extensive experience in assisting, placing and supporting migrants to integrate and acculturate into the Australia workplace. Their team has specialist migrant acculturation knowledge and skills, tailor plans to assist both the employer and the employee to make the transition. Please contact them if you feel they can help you: Hutch Hussein on +61 3 9496 0200 or [email protected] . |
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