Australian Jobs and Employment Information for Engineering, Construction, Trades, Architecture and Planning
There are great opportunities in Australia for professionals. However, due to the relatively small population (20 M) and large continent, opportunities are often found based on location. It is a very good idea to register with recruitment agencies that are specialists in your field and when they contact you be sure to find out which areas of the country they work within.
Regardless of how good your experience is (and you will need experience), in most cases you will need to organise a visa and get to Australia yourself. For more information about employability in Australia see our FAQs.
- Engineering Jobs
- Building and Construction/Labouring and Trades Jobs
- Architecture Jobs
- Planning Jobs
Coming Soon: Accounting, Education, Medical
Note on Timeframes for Professionals: Register with Agencies up to 2 years before you arrive. Apply to specific job postings no earlier than 1 month before you arrive.
Australia - Engineering Jobs
There is a shortage of experienced, qualified engineers in Australia, making it a highly accessible field for overseas professionals with experience in certain areas.
While shortages affect several engineering disciplines many of the opportunities are infrastructure and mining related due to the nature of the Australian economy.
In Australia, Civil Engineering jobs are usually available particularly if you have experience in Building Construction, Civil Construction (especially Road Construction and Maintenance), Tunnelling, Traffic and Transport, Water and Structures.
Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical engineering positions are also available particularly in areas associated with Infrastructure and Building such as building services or water treatment.
Critical shortages mean engineering professionals in Australia are being offered generous salaries and incentives.
To be fully recognised as a “Professional Engineer”, “Engineering technologist” or “Engineering Associate” in Australia you will have to get your engineering qualifications assessed by the industry's governing body. You can find full details of the assessment process and download the relevant application forms through Engineers Australia.
It generally takes between six to eight weeks to have your qualifications assessed.
Note: You do not have to have this assessment complete before registering with agencies or applying for positions. However, it is a good idea to ensure that you will be eligible for recognition before applying.
Building and Construction/Labouring and Trades Jobs - Australia
The construction industry (which includes carpenters and joiners, electricians, plumbers, builders, painters and decorators, concreters and bricklayers) employs over 845,000 people in Australia. There is however, a labour shortage of skilled trades people, making this a highly accessible industry for working holiday makers.
The flexible and often short-term nature of such work (i.e. contract and temporary work) is very convenient for those looking to make the most out of their six month work stints on their working holiday maker visa. Many trades are also listed on the Australian Government's Occupations in Demand list making skilled migration or employer-sponsored migration very possible.
This is a regionally diverse industry, with opportunities in both metropolitan and regional areas. Around 40% of construction jobs are outside state capital cities, with the majority of work being in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Architecture Jobs - Australia
Overseas trained architects with the relevant qualifications and experience are in a good position to find employment in Australia, but there are strict procedures that architects need to follow in order ensure they are able to work in the country.
In each state or territory of Australia it is a legal requirement that any person using the title 'architect' or offering services to the public as an architect, must be registered with the Architects' Board in that state or territory.
You must hold an approved qualification (this is at the discretion of the board in each state or territory) from a recognised school of architecture. The board will also look at how much on-the-job experience you have (it is likely you will be required to obtain practical experience in Australia) to determine if you are eligible to be registered and then you must pass the AACA (The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia) Architectural Practice Examination.
A provisional assessment of your overseas architecture qualification can be undertaken before you leave for Australia. For more information on qualifications and professional requirements visit the AACA website.
Note: You do not have to have this assessment complete before registering with agencies or applying for positions. However, it is a good idea to ensure that you will be eligible for recognition before applying.
Town Planning Jobs - Australia
There is a shortage of planners in Australia and there are very good opportunities for overseas trained planners to find employment in various sectors of the industry.
The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the body representing planning professions in Australia. PIA and the United Kingdom's Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have a scheme for mutual recognition of professional qualifications, making the job-hunting process even easier for qualified professionals. Contact PIA National Office for details of the procedure.
Note on Timeframes for Professionals: Register with Agencies up to 2 years before you arrive. Apply to specific job postings no earlier than 1 month before you arrive.
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