Am I allowed to work after graduating?
Currently, the Australian Government encourages international students to gain work experience in Australia after their graduation. You would need to apply for a change in your visa status as soon as you graduate. The visa status you would need to change to depends on individual circumstances.
A big advantage of studying in Australia is that you can apply for an 18 month or a 2 year visa after your graduation even if you don’t have a job offer in hand. If you manage to get the visa, you will get time to look for a job that suits your needs subject to certain conditions.
Do keep in mind though that governmental policies constantly change depending on local economic and employment realities and governmental policies on allowing international students to work after graduating may change by the time you graduate.
In recent times, various visa categories have been cancelled that were applicable to international students. On the other hand, there are many new categories that have come up which did not exist earlier.
What are the Job Prospects?
International students in Australia are likely to find jobs in sectors such as Hospitality, Healthcare and Education, the sectors that are booming in Australia, where employers are constantly on the lookout for suitable candidates.
Your chances of getting a job would depend on your personal traits and academic specializations. For example, a Bachelor’s in IT will generally get you more job offers than a Bachelor’s in Arts would.
Regardless of the main focus of your degree, you should always present yourself as a bright, confident and friendly individual. This will help you in developing relations with people related to your profession which might in turn help you in getting good job offers.
How will I get a job?
Getting a job in Australia would depend heavily on your own initiative and efforts. You will need to work hard to create a strong resume that will make a positive impact on the prospective employer.
Many Australian universities have career offices that help graduating students find employment. You can use their services to find jobs and contact employers.
However, this alone may not be enough. You will also need to be constantly on the lookout for jobs on other websites on the internet as well as in local newspapers etc.
Employers from all over the world, including Australia, look for candidates with exceptional communication skills. You should be able to communicate clearly and effectively. To do this, it is very important to focus on your English and work hard on your body language. Keep in mind that you will have to complete with local Australian graduates, who not only have a better idea about the customs and values that are followed in Australia but are well versed with local knowledge about the country and the industry.
Try to learn as much as you can about Australia and the industry you wish to join. It can be a major plus if you know about the Australian culture. You should also try to gain some work experience while you are studying as most employers look for candidates with local work experience.
Try to meet people who are related to your profession and send out your resumes to as many companies as possible. Do not hesitate if you do not manage to get your ideal job right away. It is a good idea to start out with entry – level jobs in your field and then move up the ladder.
