A Comprehensive Guide to Earning Potential for International Students in Australia in 2024

I found my first job on Seek. This is after applying for over 60 places. Don’t be discoraged if you’re not able to find a job within the first few week in Australia. Keep applying. You are just one yes away from finding your first job.

Australia, a vibrant and multicultural nation, has long been a beacon for international students seeking a world-class education. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse cultural tapestry, and welcoming atmosphere, Australia offers a unique and enriching study abroad experience. However, for many international students, financial considerations play a significant role in their decision to pursue studies in Australia.

Understanding earning potential as an international student is crucial for planning and managing expenses effectively. Australia is by no means a cheap country to live in. However, having a job during your studies can significantly help your financial position.

How long will it take for me to find a job once I get to Australia?

I remember when I first came to Sydney it took me over 6 months to find a part-time job at a car wash. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure you have sufficient funds to survive until you find a job. The time it takes to find a job in Australia can vary depending on several factors, including your skills, experience, location, and the job market. However, in general, you can expect to spend a few weeks to a few months searching for a job. Here are some tips for finding a job in Australia quickly from my experience:

Initiate Your Job Search Early

Don’t wait until you arrive in Australia to start exploring employment opportunities. Commence your job search online, researching potential positions and applying for relevant roles before embarking on your Australian adventure. It will take a while to understand the job market but once you do you should find it easy to get especially a part-time role.

Targeted Job Search Approach

Focus your job search efforts on positions that align with your skills, experience, and qualifications. Avoid wasting time applying for jobs that don’t match your profile, maximizing the effectiveness of your search strategy. As a student, you will not have a great deal of skill but you can highlight your soft skills and previous experience on your resume. Having previous experience in any job is a big advantage.

Tailored Resume and Cover Letter

Avoid generic applications and invest time in tailoring your resume and cover letter to each specific job you apply for. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role. For example, it is much better to take time to apply for 10 places with customized resumes and cover letters rather than applying to 100 roles with a generic copy-paste resume.

Leverage Networking Opportunities:

Networking is a powerful tool for uncovering unadvertised job openings. Engage with your personal and professional network, attend industry events, and join relevant professional organisations to expand your connections and uncover potential opportunities. If you already have friends in Australia they can make the process of finding a job significantly easier by referring you to their current employer.

Where can I start looking for jobs?

• SEEK (https://seek.com.au)
• Indeed (https://au.indeed.com/)
• Gumtree (https://gumtree.com.au/)
• Facebook Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/)

These are all great places to find jobs online. You will be able to apply for jobs directly on each one of these platforms. I found my first job on Seek. This is after applying for over 60 places. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not able to find a job within the first few weeks in Australia. Keep applying. If none of these work your best bet is to walk up to businesses in your local area and hand out your resume in person.

What is the Minimum Wage and Hourly Rates

Australia’s Fair Work Commission sets the minimum wage for all workers, including international students. The current minimum wage is AUD 22.23 per hour. This means that international students can earn a maximum of AUD 882.80 per fortnight during the school term and more during school holidays. This is because the maximum number of hours an international student can work is 40 hours a fortnight when the university session is on. However, it’s important to note that this is the minimum wage, and actual earnings may vary depending on the type of work, location, experience, and skills.

Common Job Options and Earning Potential

Most international students apply for entry-level jobs such as cashier and cleaning roles as they do not require any prior experience. International students have a wide range of job options available to them, catering to their skills, interests, and experience levels. To provide a more concrete understanding of earning potential for international students in Australia, let’s delve into some data. The table below illustrates the average weekly earnings across different job categories:

Finally remember, success in the job search requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt to the unique circumstances of the Australian employment landscape. It will not be easy. But it’ll all be worth every penny once you do find your first job.