Welcome to Australia Blog

Job Focus: Engineers still in Demand.

Australia is still in need of Engineers.

According to Engineers Australia, the estimated local shortage is 28,000 engineering professionals. If there are skilled migration cuts in this area, there would be an impact on essential future infrastructure and industrial maintenance projects.

The association said governments are looking to fast-track major infrastructure programs to stimulate economic activity. Engineers are a key part of the equation.

Job Focus: Trades in Queensland

All Trades Queensland is the the place in the know, at least locally in Brisbane, when it comes to apprentices, trainees and qualified trade staff.

If you are a tradesman/woman, and have moved to Queensland, Australia -this is a good site to check out: http://www.atq.com.au/

They employ most kinds of trade staff (45 different ones) and lend them out to 9, 000 different employers. So whether you are well experienced, in need to up-grading your own skills, short of or swamped with work, you can go along and get to know this company.

What’s in it for the employer? It seems to work like a temp agency…
No need for long-term contracts – you may only need a hand for a day or a week or a variety of skills.
All trades Queensland can do any government paperwork, pay wages and benefits, provide apprentices with tools etc.

For Employees
They get to work in a variety of jobs, with a variety of people
They can study and work.
Their qualifications are recognised Australia wide.

What if as a New Migrant, I lose my Job?

There is a little of this uncertainty in the air isn’t there…. what with the credit crunch and all.

Here are the facts:
In the short term you are able to claim any unemployment benefits (for at least two years), that is until you are an Australian.

However, it is worth knowing what is available for the long term, for all members of your family even if hopefully you don’t ever need assistance.

There are two unemployment programmes here in Australia: ‘jobsearch’, ‘newstart’.

Steps to take:

• Upon loosing your job, you register with the Department of Social Security (DSS) and fill in forms.
• You will need proof of your identity and tax file number.
• You will also need your Employment Separation Certificate, which states the reason for unemployment and your wages.
• You receive your DSS allowance every two weeks.
• Rates of payment are means tested –income & assets…..your age, income, marital status and number of children.

Job Search:

• Under 18 or adults that have been registered with the DSS for less than a year are given the job search allowance and as the title suggests this is to assist you in seeking work (keep your application letters, job adverts etc).
• When possible, you need also to be attending training sessions or courses/educational classes.
• Payments are every 2 weeks conditional to you reporting to the DSS about your job searching activities.
• You can only claim whilst in Australia.
• Needless to say, the allowance can be stopped if you are not authentically active in job searching.

Newstart Allowance
If you do happen to stay unemployed for more than a year, the second scheme, newstart takes over from jobsearch and kicks in. This allowance is available for the over 21’s, permanent Australian residents, the unemployed and registered at the DSS for more than one year.

Once again it is for the ‘willing to work’ – evidence of job seeking is as important as ever and similarly, you report to the DSS every two weeks.
Further to this anyone aged 21 to 34 who is claiming this benefit for six to 12 months needs to do some work experience, locally or in community service. There is an extra payment per fortnight for doing so.

For amounts and further information: www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/index.htm

Searching For A Job in Australia?

Check out the following sites:

Overseas Doctors – Visa Brief

Job Focus: Nursing Down-Under

If you’re a nurse dreaming of moving to Australia, here is the criteria in brief:

1. Your Qualifications – You will need to be assessed by either the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council http://www.anmc.org.au/
(ANMC) or the nurse regulatory body in the State or Territory in which you wish to work.

2. You will need to pass a health check-up, including a chest x-ray.

3. If you’re not English native speaker, you will need to pass an English test that is specific to your profession.

Job Focus: Primary School Teaching

Here goes, a few facts I’ve found out and one or two helpful addresses.

• Primary School Teachers are a skill in demand.
• As in many occupations you must be registered with, or obtain a license from, a local authority in the state or territory where you wish to teach here in Australia.
• You may require additional training in Australia before you can get your skills recognised, licensed or registered.

The assessment authority for your occupation is:

Teaching Australia
The primary aims of this association are to raise the status, quality and professionalism of teachers and school leaders throughout Australia.

Teaching Australia is designated by the department as the assessing authority for the recognition of teaching qualifications for the purposes of General Skilled Migration.

For more information contact:
Teaching Australia, 5 Liversidge Street, ACTON ACT 0200, AUSTRALIA
Telephone: 61 2 6125 1643 or 1800 337 872 – Fax: 61 2 6125 1644
Email: info@teachingaustralia.edu.au Website: http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au/

What you can ask for:

• Statements of educational comparison for qualifications obtained overseas.
• Information on where and how to obtain specific occupational assessments and which occupations have licensing and/or regulatory requirements.
• Information about further training, including: English language training, bridging training and orientation programs if needed.
• They also provide employment related information and help to present information to assessors and assessing authorities.

Becoming a member of Australia Teaching association could help you with your employment prospects, networking, contact with industry and professional development and may provide you with important information and support.
www.immi.gov.au/asri/occupations/t/teacher-primary-school-teacher-2412-11.htm