WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
Finding
work in a new country can seem a very daunting experience.
However, Australia being a very multi racial country, fitting
in doesn’t seem to hold too many problems. Work agreements
are very different to those in Great Britain so it’s
best to be very clear about your particular work agreements
before you sign any contracts. You can find further information
regarding these agreements on the government website www.immi.gov.au.
You may be thinking that as you’ll
be starting afresh in a new country, now would be the perfect
time to change career paths. However, bear in mind that
it’s not always that easy as a lot of states require
you to hold a license in order to work in a particular field.
Obtaining a license can be a very lengthy and expensive
process, so bear this in mind when making your decision.
It’s always best to bring with you any
qualifications, certificates and references you may have
when you emigrate. This will assist you when looking for
employment. It’s also good to note that, if you are
emigrating as a skilled migrant, you may need to be reassessed
in Australia before you are given a license to work. This
can take up to three months to organise and may also incur
a fee. It is therefore in your best interest to bring extra
cash with you to tide you over for the first few months
after you arrive. That way you can enjoy your new surroundings
whilst waiting for the official paperwork to go through.
Tax File Number
All working Australians need a Tax File Number
(TFN) to work. It is simple to apply for and will take a
couple of weeks to obtain. It is vital you apply for a TFN
as soon as you arrive, otherwise your employer may have
to deduct emergency tax (approximately 48%) until you can
supply one. Your employer may also terminate employment
if a TFN is not supplied within a set period of time.
Australian Business Number (ABN)
Alternatively,
if you decide to set up your own business you will require
an Australian Business Number (ABN). You will then be required
to pay Goods & Service Tax (GST) if applicable and will
need to submit a tax return annually and also a quarterly
GST return.
You can pick up application forms for the
above in most newsagents. Alternatively, please refer to
the following link for further information regarding your
Tax File Number (TFN), Australian Business Number (ABN)
or any additional information regarding taxes in Australia:
Employment Agencies
Being
prepared is probably the best advice we could offer you
regarding looking for work. Finding out what jobs are out
there and the pay you could expect will help when making
the all important decision about whether or not to emigrate
and also where to live when you get to Australia.
Comparing pay, working conditions and job
security are all very important aspects of changing jobs.
However, as this will be a new environment you need to take
into consideration the climate and your new surroundings.
For instance, working outside could sound very appealing,
as you won’t necessarily be working in a cold and
rainy climate. However, you must realise that in some states
in Australia, the weather can be extremely hot and humid
which can have a definite impact on how your body reacts
to the changes. Keeping well covered (especially in the
midday sun) by wearing a shirt, hat and sunscreen may sound
strange to those who’ve only ever worked in Great
Britain, but it’s essential to those working in Australia.
If you can secure a job before leaving home,
that’s ideal. A good way to look for employment is
by using an agency that can assess your credentials and
point you in the right direction. Please click onto any
of the links below to assist you in looking for work in
Australia:
Banks
There are many banks to choose from in Australia
and each bank offers their own individual benefits. However,
you will find that most banks in Australia charge for the
use of ATM’s (Automatic Teller Machines), monthly
account fees, withdrawal fees, deposit fees and you are
quite often required to have a minimum amount in the account
and may be charged if you drop below this amount.
As with any of the decisions you will be making,
it’s always a personal choice regarding where you
wish to bank. If you have assets in Great Britain, you may
wish to bank with an organisation that partners your bank
in the UK as you may get a better rate when transferring
money.
Please see the link below to get an idea
of money matters and bank charges in Australia:
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