Your essential checklist for working in Australia

Do you have the right visa?

First things first. To work in Australia, you’ll need to have the right visa. The type of work visa you have will also impact the type of jobs you’re able to work in Australia. 

Deciding on the right visa to suit your needs can be confusing. Fortunately, the Department of Home Affairs has a handy Visa Finder tool on its website that can help you search for suitable visa programs. 

Common visa types include (but are not limited to):
 

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482): For skilled workers nominated by an approved business. 
  
  
• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): For points-tested skilled workers not sponsored by an employer or family member. 
  
  
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186): For skilled workers nominated by an employer. 

When applying for a visa, you’ll need to provide various documents (translated to English, if they're in a foreign language) including:
 

• Proof of identity 
  
  
• Proof of skills and qualifications (certificates, degrees) 
  
  
• English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL scores) 
  
  
• Health and character assessments 
  
  
• Employment history and references 
   

The skilled workers list

Australia maintains a Skilled Occupation List that outlines professions in high demand. This list is regularly updated and can impact your eligibility for certain visas. Common professions on the list include engineers, healthcare professionals, IT specialists, and tradespeople. 
 

Opportunities for holiday workers and permanent residents

There are opportunities for both holiday workers and those seeking permanent residency. Skilled workers can apply for permanent residency through a number of different pathways, including the Skilled Migration program. 

The First Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) allows young people (18-30 years old) from eligible countries to work and travel in Australia for up to one year. 
 

Lifestyle and employment opportunities in remote and regional locations

Australia’s remote and regional locations often have a high demand for skilled workers, offering incentives such as regional visas with potential pathways to permanent residency. 

Opportunities working in Australia's outback exist in industries such as mining, agriculture, and tourism. Jobs for teachers and others also abound within Australia’s remote Indigenous communities. Living in these areas can provide a different lifestyle, close-knit communities, and a lower cost of living compared to capital cities. 
 

Applying for a Tax File Number

Once you’re working in Australia, you’ll need a Tax File Number (TFN) to work legally. Applying for a TFN is a straightforward process and can be done through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. A TFN is essential for paying taxes and accessing government services. 
 

Understanding superannuation requirements

Superannuation, or ‘super’, is Australia’s retirement savings system. Employers are required to contribute a percentage of your earnings into a superannuation fund for you (and you can top it up with your own money). 

Superannuation is a long-term investment that is designed to support your retirement. You can either nominate your own superannuation fund or let your employer pay your  contributions into a fund of their choice.

Generally, money paid into your super fund can only be accessed once you reach retirement or when you leave the country permanently. That means if you’re only planning on working in Australia for a short time you may be able to claim your super back when you leave. 

You can find further information on claiming your superannuation back on the Australian Taxation Office website.
 

Opening a bank account in Australia

Chances are your employer will need your Australian bank account details to pay your salary or wages into. Opening a bank account in Australia can be surprisingly straightforward. Once you arrive in Australia, you can open a Westpac Choice everyday account online or in a local branch in just a few minutes. 

If you apply online, you may still be required to visit a branch to verify your ID.​ For a list of documents that we accept, refer to Identification Checklist. (PDF 657KB)

The Westpac Choice account has no account-keeping fee for your first year if you’ve arrived in Australia within the last 12 months. After that, the $5 monthly fee will continue to be waived if you meet certain criteria, such as minimum monthly deposits, if you’re under 30 or a full time tertiary student.
 

To sum up

Whether you’re planning a short-term working holiday job or starting a whole new life, by understanding these key points and taking the necessary steps, it may help you make your transition towards moving to Australia for work go smoothly. 

With our diverse economy, high standard of living, and beautiful landscapes, you’ll be joining a community of workers from all over the world who have chosen to call Australia home.