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International Students
Working in Australia & New ZealandInternational students... Most graduate employment programs are only open to permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand. Below is some 'in-brief' information for international students who are interested in graduate opportunities in Australia or abroad. The Careers Service and international office at your university will be able to provide further information. What if...I don’t have permanent residency but I would like to pursue a career in Australia? As you are ineligible for most graduate programs it is worthwhile gaining advice about obtaining permanent residency. There are a range of pathways through which to apply for permanent residency, including Australia’s skilled migration program. Be aware that there are different categories of application depending upon where in Australia you wish to work, and whether you have a sponsoring family member. The Australian Government is currently working closely with state, territory and local governments, and regional authorities, to provide migration programs that support regional development and help meet the skill needs of regional employers. The programs aim to attract young, skilled, English speaking migrants to areas of Australia where they are most needed. Generally, skilled migrants are under 45 years of age, have functional English, diploma level qualifications or above and relevant work experience. Another option for you is a 'sponsorship' from an employer. There are four categories of employer-sponsored migration:
For more information on gaining a permanent residency options visit the following websites: What if...I don’t have permanent residency but I would like to pursue a career in New Zealand? There are three main visa options for students wishing to remain or reside in New Zealand: Skilled migrant category: Depending on your area of study you may qualify for this stream. More information: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/smcpromo . Temporary work visa: Covers working holidays and work experience. More information: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktemporarily . Work-to-residency visa: Temporary work in New Zealand can count towards a permanent residency application. More information: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/worktoresidence . What if...I want to work while I study? In Australia, once you have commenced your studies you can apply for a work permit through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which is also in charge of student visas. The process is the same for undergraduate and postgraduate students – once you obtain a work permit you can seek part-time employment. Further information: www.immi.gov.au/students/students/working_while_studying In New Zealand, students enrolled full-time in a recognised qualification can apply for changes to the conditions of their student permit to allow for part-time work. Further information: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/canistudyinnewzealand/allaboutvisasandpermits . Further information For full details on all aspects of visa requirements visit:
This article is taken from the 2007-08 edition of Graduate Careers Australia's employer directory Graduate Opportunities
. © 2007 Graduate Careers Australia Returning Home to Work – Information for International StudentsReturning home can be an anxious time for international students. This article answers the main questions overseas students ask. Australian universities have an outstanding reputation for teaching, learning and innovative research. Course content reflects the needs of students and employers and prepares students well for employment. Throughout your course you will have developed the personal skills and attributes that are attractive to employers. These include independence, oral and written communication, teamwork, cultural awareness and a high level of ability in English. How can I plan for my return home? During your penultimate year your should research the labour market and explore the career options available. Start thinking about your goals and assessing your strenghts. In your final year, focus on your job search. Some useful tips are to:
Returning home to look for a job Most employers will not employ someone 'sight unseen'. You might secure a position during an on campus interview, but for most students, the job search begins at home. Here are some planning tips.
The Asian labour market Transnational employers are looking for students with strong academic results, often citing second class honours as a minimum (equivalent to distinction average). This is a higher expectation than Australian offices have for local hires and is often difficult for students studying in a second language to attain. They also look for good English language skills, particularly spoken English, but often find that these are not as good as they would expect from students returning from English speaking countries. Extracurricular activities are important, as is a 'can do/will do' attitude. Interestingly, many accounting firms are happy to recruit non-accountants as long as they have the right generic and transferable skills. Unlike in Australia, most firms in South East Asia accept applications year round, rather than in cycles. Most firms do start graduates in 'batches', with the main intake being in July/August. This runs contra to the Australian graduate cycle. Most firms would prefer students to graduate and then apply for mid year commencement. Malaysia is the notable exception to this, actively promoting to final year students for commencement in January/February, interviewing in Australia and offering jobs at interview. And finally... Employers look for the right attitude and personal skills – workplace communication skills, 'can do' attitude, competitiveness and initiative. It is up to you how much effort you put into the application process. Give it your best shot
This article is taken from the 2006 edition of Graduate Careers Australia's employer directory Graduate Opportunities
. Working in Australia - Visa InfoAustralian citizenship or permanent residency (PR) status is required for many graduate programs in Australia. If you do not have your PR it is important to check on the eligibility requirements of individual employers. The good news is that employment prospects for graduating international students have improved recently with changes to the Australian Government's General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. In September 2007 the Government introduced a temporary Skilled – Graduate visa which allows eligible international students to pursue work options in Australia once they have completed their studies. Temporary Work Visa for Skilled Graduates The Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) allows overseas students who are unable to pass the point test for a permanent GSM visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English language skills. There are no restrictions on work or study with this visa, so you are free to do any of the following during your period of stay:
Holders of a 485 visa can apply for a permanent GSM visa (if they are able to pass the point test), or an employer-sponsored visa. Who is this visa for? This visa is for you if you are an overseas student who:
For further details of other eligibility requirements see www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/index.htm . Other GSM Visas Other visas which you can apply for if you are currently in Australia and hold an eligible visa include:
For more information about these visas and migration options and processes please see www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/visa-options.htm . For further information regarding visas and employment issues, the following weblinks may prove useful.
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