Is my occupation in high demand in Australia?
So you want to apply for a Skilled Visa, but the lists are leaving you lost… maybe you’ve even had one of the following thoughts:
“I don’t know where to start!”
“There are so many occupations on the list, I’m confused!”
“My occupation isn’t on the list, I’ll never be able to get a Skilled Visa!”
If so, we’re here to tell you to relax and take a deep breath, because we’ve got your back. Read on to discover our top three tips for finding hidden occupations that can change your life.
Tip #1: Discover your occupation’s alternative titles
We learned from Romeo and Juliet that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and the same goes for your job title! Your occupation may be listed under a name that differs slightly from what you know, or it may be so far from tradition that you wonder how on earth they came up with it. If you’ve noticed the advertisements for “People and Culture” positions over the past few years, you know what we mean. Human Resources may have had a name change, but the job has stayed the same! At 4Migration, we often meet new clients who think their job as a “Food and Beverage Manager” contributes nothing to their migration strategy… you can only imagine their excitement when they discover that the position currently has potential visa pathways for 491 and 190 in several states under the title of “Café/Restaurant Manager”.
The trick is: How do you find out which alternative titles exist for your profession? Start by asking colleagues, bosses, classmates and teachers if they have heard of any alternatives. If you come up empty, use the acronym “ANZSCO” and search online. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations is what the government refers to when writing federal and state lists, making it the gold standard for skilled migrants. The ABS website lists a unique ANZSCO code, job description and qualification requirements for each occupation recognised in the country. When you search the name of your occupation together with “ANZSCO” you will be presented with the official names of the most closely related professions. For example, searching “ANZSCO Procurement Specialist” brings up results for “Other Information and Organisation Professionals”, “Electorate Officer”, “Liaison Officer”, “Migration Agent / Immigration Consultant”, “Patents Examiner” and “Information and Organisation Professionals NEC”. Bingo! You’ve found the alternative titles for “Procurement Specialist”. You can also search “ANZSCO” and the name of your degree, then read the job descriptions for each result to see if they are relevant to you.
Tip #2: Your experience is more important than your job title
Our second tip also requires you to read the job description… In fact, that’s almost the whole tip! You’ve probably realised by now that the most successful migrants are proactive and open-minded. If you arrive in Australia set on a specific occupation and you’re unwilling to explore around it, you could miss out on some huge opportunities. Open your mind and actively search for related occupations, and PR could be within arm’s length!
By reading ANZSCO job descriptions you can find out if you have the skills necessary to perform different roles. The examples are endless, but we’ll give you a few here: If you worked in an office in your home country, you may have the skills required for “Contract Administrator” even if you’ve never heard of the term! Experienced Designers are often capable of working as an “Architectural Draftsperson”, and for those who studied nutrition, “Food Technologist” could be a possibility.
Alternatively, you may find that having your qualification recognised in Australia is too complex and time-consuming to tackle at this point in time, and submitting a Skills Assessment for a lower rank is the best strategy to follow. It’s common to find overseas-qualified Dentists working as Dental Technicians, Architects providing Drafting services, and experienced Vets employed as Veterinary Nurses. Rather than being disheartened by taking what can feel like a step backwards, think of it as a shortcut to PR, after which your constraints on time and finances may lessen, opening up many more options for the future.
Tip #3: Consider moving to a regional area
If you’ve had no luck with the suggestions above, our third and final tip is to look on another list. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are hotspots for both Australian and international professionals, meaning there is a surplus of workers ready to fill popular roles. Occupations that are in low demand in some states can have high demand in others and it’s often the case that the lower a region’s population, the greater their needs are. If skilled migration is your priority, being willing to expand your boundaries and embrace that small-town feeling could be your fastest route there.
With each state comes a unique list… is your perfect opportunity hidden where you least expect it?
We’re skilled at recognising your skills
If all of this is still too overwhelming and you’re ready to give up, let us take the lead. The team at 4Migration has years of experience with skilled visas and we love the challenge of a complicated case. We know all about alternative titles and skill identification, as well as the nuances that exist from state to state. When you book a consultation with us, we will listen to your story and give you the information you need to make the decisions that are right for you.
Get the clarity you need and start the process today. Book a consultation.