How to look for work in Western Australia
Not all jobs in Western Australia are advertised through the media. While you are still in your home country, maybe consider joining your industry association and use their network to contact and connect with people in Australia.
You can research Australian industry associations by occupation through Western Australia’s Career Centre. Select the job you’re qualified in and under ‘related items’ you will find industry associations and learning institutes. These occupation profiles will also help you get a feel for what sort of salary and working conditions you can expect with your skills, qualifications and experience.
Newspapers are still used as a traditional method of advertising for a vacant position. Nationally, employment opportunities are also advertised in The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers. The State’s main newspaper is The West Australian which has a large employment section each Saturday and a condensed version on a Wednesday. Employment opportunities are also regularly advertised within the classified sections of the local community newspapers in the regions.
Use Australian job websites to research job opportunities online and familiarise yourself with the Australian job market. Some websites are listed below.
Recruitment agencies are also a good place to start. By registering with a recruitment agency that specialises in your field of work, your details will be lodged in their database and be matched to jobs that come up. The best way to find a recruitment agency is to search the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association’s Member Index, which lists recruiters by industry area and location.
Research the kinds of networks that will be available in the area where you plan to live. Networks may include groups such as volunteer groups, sports clubs, professional bodies and community groups.
Important documents
There are some important documents that you may need to bring with you to help you get a job in Western Australia. Make copies and bring with you the following documents:
- school records, diplomas or degree certificates and transcripts;
- trade or professional certificates and licences – anything from school level onwards;
- driver’s licence, including an International Driver’s Permit; and
- all documents related to previous employers, including testimonials, written references, work records and network records.
Employment history
Prepare copies of job descriptions from your previous places of employment as this shows your responsibilities, notable achievements and your performance. Also prepare a copy of any career or aptitude tests.
Employment requirements
Depending on the type of job you are looking for there may be certain clearances or checks that need to be undertaken either at the time of applying or before starting a new job.
National Police Certificate
Used by employers as part of the screening process to check for criminal convictions. Find out more on the Western Australian Police website.
Working with Children Check
If you will be working with children in certain types of employment or volunteer work, the law requires that a national criminal record check is undertaken. Find out more at the Working with children check website.
Testimonials and references
Before you come to Western Australia, ask current and previous employers, clients or suppliers to provide you with a written testimonial. Australian employers value these testimonials and will contact your references. Make sure you have any testimonials translated into English if necessary.
When noting a previous employer, client or supplier on a job application as a reference, let them know in advance that they may receive phone calls regarding that job so that they can be prepared to answer any questions.
Local email
Create a personal Australian email address that ends with .com.au as a familiar reference point for potential employers. Base this email address on your name and not a nickname to avoid sounding unprofessional.
Skills and qualifications assessment
If you are planning to migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant, you will probably need to have your skills assessed as part of the application process. You can find out more about skills assessment on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship here.
Once you have arrived in Western Australia, you or your family may need to have your qualifications assessed in order to practise your trade or profession in Australia. You can find out more about the assessment of overseas qualifications in the OQU section of this site.
Further information
The following websites provide information about career planning, job preparation and the labour market.
Centrelink’s ‘Migrants and refugees looking for work’ links.
Tips for migration to Australia
Australian recruitment expert, Ian Little, provides a step-by-step guide to finding a job in Australia.
Tribus Lingua
resources to help migrants understand and adapt to life in Australia.
A guide for migrants who wish to enter the Western Australian workforce
Australian workplaces are different from workplaces in many other countries. This guide explains how we do things in Australian workplaces and is available in several languages including:
AMES
Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) is Australia's largest provider of specialist, multicultural language, employment and settlement services.
Job Guide
In-depth guide of Australian occupations, including education and training pathways.
Visa Wizard
Department of Immigration and Citizenship tool to find the right visa for you.
Finding work if you’re already in WA
There are a number of pathways to find jobs in Western Australia.
1 Job websites
Many employers willa dvertise on jobseeker websites. New job advertisements are published daily. You can set up a personal account (which is generally free) so that suitable job advertisements can be emailed to you.
There are many internet-based jobseekers websites in Australia. Some of the most popular include:
Many businesses advertise job opportunities on their own websites, so it is a good idea to regularly check the websites of companies that interest you.
2 Newspapers
The most popular State newspaper that jobseekers use to find employment is The West Australian. The West Australian newspaper is published from Monday-Saturday every week. The Saturday edition contains a comprehensive list of available jobs. The West Australian Wednesday edition also contains a list of jobs, although not as extensive as the Saturday paper.
Most local and community newspaper will have a section dedicated to employment. Find a range of Western Australia specific newspapers at newsagents, supermarkets, delis, petrol/service stations and cafes.
3 Professional and trade associations
Professional and trade associations represent the interests of their members. They provide networking opportunities, business advice and support, training and education and advocacy on behalf of the industry or profession they represent.
When you are looking for a job, being a member of a professional organisation can be useful. Trade specific and industry publications may also advertise jobs that may not be in the newspapers or on general jobseeker websites.
4 Recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies advertise specific positions in newspapers and on job websites on behalf on employers. If you notice that one recruiter is advertising a number of positions in your area of expertise, you may want to contact them to discuss what job opportunities you are seeking.
The best way to find a recruitment agency in your field is to search the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association’s Member Index, which lists recruiters by industry area and location.
5 Voluntary work and work experience
Voluntary work and work experience can include paid or unpaid work in the public or private sectors. This work can provide you with an insight into jobs you may be interested in as well as developing your skills in an industry. Voluntary work and work experience can also lead to gathering Australian referees which will help with your job search.
Ways to find suitable voluntary work or work experience include:
- directly approaching employers;
- letting family and friends know you’re looking for a voluntary and work experience position; and
- searching online for internships and volunteering opportunities.
When you are seeking work experience, approach it as if it were a real job as it not only shows an organisation your dedication and professionalism, it could also lead to paid work at that company.
For more information about volunteering and internships visit:
How to apply for a job
People usually apply for a job through a written application that has been tailored for the specific job. Job applications need to be of a high standard to ensure the best possible chance of being selected for interview or testing.
Your application will demonstrate:
- relevant skills, qualifications and/or experience;
- an understanding of what the advertisement is asking for; and
- whether you have the attributes that the company or employer wants in its staff.
Preparing a job application
1 Cover letter
Your cover letter should be no more than one page long, and clearly communicate:
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which job you are applying for (including where and when you saw the job advertised);
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why you are interested in the job and employer; and
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how your skills, qualifications and experience match the requirements of the job and make you a suitable candidate for the job.
2 Resume or curriculum vitae
Your resume should always be tailored to the specific job, up-to-date and with full details of your most recent jobs and experience.
Your resume should include:
- contact details including your name, address, phone number;
key skills or qualities - these should match the skills the employer asked for in the job advertisement;
- work experience - generally from the most recent job backwards, focussing on recent jobs and those that show that you are capable of doing the job;
- work achievements and duties;
- references - the names and contact details of recent employers, clients or suppliers that will provide a professional recommendation of you and your skills to the prospective employer.
Your resume should be clear, concise and easy for an employer to read. Employers in Australia want a picture of past experience and skills, not just a snapshot of qualifications and previous positions held. They generally prefer resumes to be two to four pages long.
The following provide further information on how to write and lay out a resume.
Take letters of commendation and other supporting documents to the interview rather than attaching them with the resume.