Work in Australia and New Zealand

This page aims to provide the information you need to help you find a job abroad. It also outlines the resources held in the Career Development Centre Information Room for your perusal.

Working in Australia

Short term work
If you are aged 18 – 30 the Australia Working Holiday Visa allows Irish people (and certain other nationalities) to work in Australia for up to 12 months (you can only work for up to 6 months with one employer). If you have completed three months specified work in regional Australia on your first Working Holiday visa, you may be eligible to apply for a second working holiday visa.  

Longer term work
When it comes to living, working, holidaying or studying in Australia you will need to apply for a visa before travelling. The first port of call is the Australia Department of Immigration and Citizenship Website (DIAC),  http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/ lists the different types of visa available, including those for doctors, nurses, regional employment, skilled workers etc.

This site states that:

The most commonly used visa by professionals and skilled workers is the standard business sponsorship visa (the ’457'), for employees who can fill nominated skilled positions with Australian employers.

The General Skilled Migration Programme (GSM) is for professionals and other skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. Australia’s Skilled Occupation List is available on the DIAC website http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/sol/

Each Australian State & Territory Government operates a sponsorship program ( http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/regional-employment/) such as the Western Australian Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/

I need to get my qualifications recognised – where do I register?

Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) is part of the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. Search by occupation to see how to get your professional qualification recognised in Australia.
Applicants must contact a relevant assessing authority directly to obtain a skills assessment.

Finding a job in Australia:

• www.graduateopportunities.com/header/professional_associations has links to professional associations 
• www.ireland.embassy.gov.au/dubl/visiting_australia.html has more useful links.
• www.delicious.com/careersinfo/Australia Career Development Centre's links tagged Australia.

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Working in New Zealand

Short term work
The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (for those aged 18 – 30) allows Irish people (and certain other nationalities) to work in New Zealand for up to 12 months with the one employer. You can apply for the Irish scheme online and applications can be processed in 48 hours. There is no cap on the number of working holiday visas that can be issued to Irish citizens each year.

Temporary Work Visa: several different categories, which have different requirements including
o Essential work (where you have a job offer from an employer)
o Specific Purpose Work Visa (your job means you’ll be working in New Zealand for a while)
o Students and Trainee Category – for students or trainees who want to gain work experience in New Zealand to fulfil a course requirement – you need to show that your course requires you to do an internships and have an offer from a company, includes a sub category for dental or medical trainees.
o and others... check with Immigration New Zealand for a full listing of categories

Long term work
Immigration New Zealand outlines the criteria of all visas mentioned above and their Work Visa Guide details all the possibilities. The London branch is your first stop for applying for a visa: 

• Skilled Migrant Category visa: for people who have skills, qualifications and experience New Zealand needs. A points system is in use to determine eligibility.  Career areas where there is a skills shortage may be easier to obtain a work visa.
• Work to Resident visa: after which, if you have been working in New Zealand for at least two years after being granted a work visa under the Work to Residence Category, you can then apply for residence under the Residence from Work Category.
• Silver Fern Job Search visa: allows people to enter New Zealand for nine months to search for skilled employment. There is a limit of 300 places per year. Holders of Silver Fern Job Search visas who successfully find skilled employment in New Zealand may apply for a Silver Fern Practical Experience visa which allows them to work in that employment for up to two years. 
• Study to Work visa: for those studying in New Zealand who have a job offer pertaining to their qualification – allows you to work for 2 years (3 if working toward a professional qualification that requires more than 2 years experience e.g Chartered Accountant). Also a Graduate Job visa which allows you time for job search before applying for the Study to Work visa.

I need to get my qualifications recognised – where do I register?

CareersNZ gives a good overview of the types of skills and requirements needed as well as the relevant links and skills shortage lists. Immigrants who apply for residence in New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant Category may need to have their qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Finding a job in New Zealand:

To get you started http://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/temporary-jobs~217.html has useful links for temporary jobs and http://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/industry-and-employer-information~104.html has links for longer term posts.

See www.delicious.com/careersinfo/NewZealand for the Career Development Centre's links tagged Australia

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Reference material in the Career Development Centre:

Getting a Job in Australia
Getting a Job in New Zealand
The Australia & New Zealand Gap pack
Live and Work in Australia and New Zealand

Disclaimer:

This information is summarised mainly from Immigration New Zealand and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Government websites in January 2012. Please confirm details using the links given above before making any decisions. Eligibility and requirements may change in the future.

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