Employment

Having secure and stable employment can provide people with self worth, financial freedom and flexibility in spending. There are some simple things that you can do to give yourself a better chance of securing a job interview and outperforming others to land your dream job.

Support in finding a job

The Australian Government offer a free School Leavers Information Service if you need advice on future career ideas and planning. This may include advice on whether you need to undertake a specific tertiary degree (VET / university education) in order to work in a certain field.

There are many job service providers that can also assist you in finding a job if you are having difficulty. They may provide you with assistance in undertaking training or courses to upskill you and make you a more appealing candidate for a job. More information on upskilling and training is also available on the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.

Undertaking volunteer work or internships in a field that you want to work in is another way that you can get more experience and add your new found skills to your resume. You can also have a look at the business section of this website if you would prefer to work for yourself.

Before you start working

You will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) in order to work in Australia. You will also need to choose a superannuation company where you want your employer payments to go. The super guarantee rate is 10% from 1 July 2021, and it will continue to rise to 12% in 2025. The Australian Government has developed a YourSuper comparison tool to help you in selecting a superannuation company.

Resumes, selection criteria and cover letters

Your resume, also called a curriculum vitae (CV), is a document that lists your career objective, work experience, education, training and achievements. You may also have to submit answers to specific questions on how you meet the selection criteria when applying for a job. It is important that you answer all of these questions and describe how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience as this is often the minimum criteria in order for you to secure a job interview. It is also a good idea to attach a cover letter to your application to summarise your skills and experience and show why you are a suitable candidate for the advertised position. Also consider the information that you have online in case the employer does additional research on potential candidates, including what you have on LinkedIn and your social media accounts.

Job interviews

There are several ways that you can make a good impression when you attend a job interview. This includes:

Do your research on the company before your job interview, including looking at their website, understanding their values and what they might be looking for in a job candidate
Collate any information that your employer needs, such as a copy of your qualifications, vaccination records, ID and working with children check
Think about possible interview questions and how you might answer them
If you are undertaking an online interview, make sure you check that your technology works ahead of time
Make sure you are dressed appropriately
Arrive early to show your employer that you are reliable and organised
Make eye contact, smile and be friendly
Ask questions to show your initiative and interest in the job.

More information to support you in finding a job is available from the Australian Government Job Jumpstart website. This includes information on how to write a good cover letter and building a resume.

Support once you are working
The Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission are independent from government and provide information on Australia's workplace relations system and employee / employer rights and entitlements. The Ombudsman can enforce workplace laws and the Commission can deal with unfair dismissal claims, bullying and workplace disputes for people employed under national awards and agreements. There are also some state based Industrial Relations Commissions that resolve disputes for state government employees.

The websites for these organisations provide useful advice on minimum wages, awards and agreements, leave entitlements, workplace problems and ending employment.

Industrial Relations Commissions
• NSW
• ACT, N/A - see the Fair Work Commission
• QLD
• VIC
• SA
• NT, N/A - see the Fair Work Commission
• WA
• TAS

The type of employment you do will affect what you are entitled to, such as whether you are a full/part time employee, casual employee, fixed term employee, apprentice, hired through an employment agency or a contractor/subcontractor. Further information is available on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Employment

Support in finding a job

The Australian Government offer a free School Leavers Information Service if you need advice on future career ideas and planning. This may include advice on whether you need to undertake a specific tertiary degree (VET / university education) in order to work in a certain field.

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Undertaking volunteer work or internships in a field that you want to work in is another way that you can get more experience and add your new found skills to your resume. You can also have a look at the business section of this website if you would prefer to work for yourself.

Before you start working

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Resumes, selection criteria and cover letters

Job interviews

There are several ways that you can make a good impression when you attend a job interview. This includes:

Do your research on the company before your job interview, including looking at their website, understanding their values and what they might be looking for in a job candidate

Collate any information that your employer needs, such as a copy of your qualifications, vaccination records, ID and working with children check

Think about possible interview questions and how you might answer them

If you are undertaking an online interview, make sure you check that your technology works ahead of time

Make sure you are dressed appropriately

Arrive early to show your employer that you are reliable and organised

Make eye contact, smile and be friendly

Ask questions to show your initiative and interest in the job.

​

More information to support you in finding a job is available from the Australian Government Job Jumpstart website. This includes information on how to write a good cover letter and building a resume.

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