You can experience loads of opportunities when studying in Australia. Find some work experience following graduation to make the most of your stay in this beautiful island continent.

Here is some help and advice for international students in Australia. 

Ensure you have the correct visa.

Before you go job hunting, find out your visa restrictions and conditions. Most student visa holders in Australia can partake in working every 2 weeks while studying.

If you are graduating, you can consider applying for a post-study work visa in Australia. A Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), for instance, allows you to remain in Australia for a set time after graduating. In that case, use the Extending your stay section of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website for more up to date and accurate information. 

Suppose you want to continue to live and work in Australia. In that case, you can apply for permanent residency as a skilled migrant to obtain the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). To do this you need to apply here SkillSelect.

Explore Your Employment Options.

Your university is an excellent place to seek career services. All universities offer career support services to their international students (if not you may have chosen the wrong place to study). You can join special international student job networks like the International Alumni Job Network IA-JN that will help you develop a professional network and explore jobs globally. You can also participate in workshops, special career events to improve your English language and job interview communication skills. 

Build and maintain your networks.

Your networks are essential when seeking a job, from peers and classmates to tutors and professors. There is even a special network just for international students like Cturtle. Cturtle is a global employment network just for international graduates and alumni. There are more opportunities to hear about job vacancies. 

Suppose you’re not sure how to start networking. In that case, a good idea is to join clubs and societies on campus, particularly those relevant to your course. For example, you might compliment your arts degree by joining a campus political group. Social media can be beneficial too — particularly LinkedIn, career networking tool.

Take advantage of online resources.

Immigration websites are perfect starting points for international students. They can provide a list of links to credible job search websites in Australia. You can also search for vacancies in local newspapers, professional associations and international communities. 

Get professional work experience.

It is vital for your application to gain work experience while you are still studying. If you can complete work experience in your area of study, employers will know that you have a strong interest in your study field. Moreover, you will acquire important skills such as effective communication, teamwork and accountability in an Australian workplace.

Finally, be patient.

Finding a job you’re interested in can take months, and you may need to apply for several positions before you get hired. Do not lose hope! While waiting, you can practise answering interview questions with friends and other students, reading the latest industry trends, or studying some tips on ace job interviews.

Useful links:

Search global jobs for international graduates at https://job-plus.co/

Join the International Alumni Job Network at https://www.ia-jn.com/

Review Your University at https://www.uniadvisor.co/