What Do I Need to Work in Australia?

Workers moving to Australia need work visas and tax file numbers.

People who dream of moving to Australia for work need to prepare carefully before taking the plunge. Every future immigrant needs a work visa, job offer and tax file number to making a living in Australia.

Skills Assessment

Before applying for work visas, future immigrants must obtain positive skills assessments from a relevant Australian government skills assessing body. This ensures they have the qualifications for work visas.

Work Visa

Immigrants who intend to make their living in Australia need work visas. Applications are available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website, with categories for employer-sponsored workers, business people, doctors and nurses, among others.

Job Offer

Australia looks favorably on visa applicants with prearranged jobs in Australia. Those without jobs can add their information to the Skill Matching Database, which allows Australian employers to contact them with job offers.

Tax File Number

Every Australian worker needs a tax file number to receive a paycheck. Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship lists this as the first thing for immigrants to apply for after arriving in Australia.

Centrelink

The Australian government recommends that working immigrants register with Centrelink, which helps workers find jobs and settle into Australian life.

References

• Australian Government: Background to Skills Recognition in Australia
• Australian Government: Visas, Immigration and Refugees: Workers
• Australian Government: Skill Matching Database
• Australian Government: Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
• Australian Government: Register with Centrelink