Regional Employment Opportunities – There are a range of occupations available in the regions for overseas workers. Whether individuals are working towards making Australia their home or just visiting, Australia’s regions offer many regional employment opportunities.
Eligible occupations (as outlined by ANZSCO) are listed on various occupation lists. The following occupation lists are currently active:
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupation List
Each of these lists applies to certain visa subclasses. An applicant’s occupation needs to be listed on the relevant occupation list to be eligible to apply for a skilled visa. The occupations listed can change over time. To view current occupation lists, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
In addition to the standard skilled migration program, applicants may be eligible to apply for a visa through a Labour Agreement or a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), but this requires the support of an Australian employer.
What Types of Jobs are Available for Skilled Migrants? – Regional Employment Opportunities
Skilled migrants will find there are opportunities in many industries including healthcare, engineering and trades, agribusiness and manufacturing and hospitality and tourism.
Healthcare
High in demand occupations include nurses, allied health professionals and general practitioners.
Engineering and Trades
Renewable energy projects (solar and wind farms) and construction driven by agriculture and mining have created a high demand for engineers and skilled trade workers.
Roles in softwood projects and mechanical apprenticeships as well as opportunities in agriculture exist for foreign workers.
Hospitality and Tourism
As regional areas develop and their populations grow, there is an increased demand for chefs and pastry chefs.
Working Holiday Makers
In addition to skilled occupations, regional areas are always in need of temporary workers. Backpackers and seasonal migrant workers have for a long time made valuable contributions to the regions, particularly in the agriculture industry.
Farmers are still screaming out for workers, and it drives up the cost of labour, and drives up the cost of produce. Seasonal migrant workers are essential to healthy economies of regional towns, contributing to the local workforce, local culture and contributing to the tourism industry for both leisure and employment. – [1] Dr Kaya Barry, Research Fellow, Griffin Centre for Social Cultural Research.
A variety of opportunities exist in the following industries for working holiday makers.
Agriculture
Working holiday visa holders have been an integral part of regional Australia’s agricultural landscape, filling roles such as fruit picking, crop harvesting, and farm work.
Hospitality
In addition to general staff in cafes, restaurants, bars and hotels, the hospitality industry is always on the lookout for:
- Waitstaff
- Bartenders
- Baristas
- Cooks
- Housekeepers
- Tourism
Opportunities exist in the tourism industry for tour guides, activity instructors, transport workers, and staff at tourist information centres, museums, and event venues.
Retail
Working holiday makers can work on a casual, part-time or full-time basis as sales assistants and in customer service roles.
Many opportunities also exist for working holiday makers wanting to work in roles in the mining and fishing/pearling industries or as au pairs and construction workers.
With a wide range of employment prospects and visa options available, Australia’s regions offer a variety of opportunities for both skilled and unskilled migrants.
To learn more about regional employment opportunities in Australia’s regions or any other aspect of migration, contact the team of experienced registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
Sources
[1] Why Backpackers and Seasonal Migrants Matter to Regional Australia – https://news.griffith.edu.au/2023/01/20/why-backpackers-and-seasonal-migrants-matter-to-regional-australia/
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