Monthly Archives: August 2022

A place to stay is among the foremost worries of many migrants when they are about to move to Australia. In this article, we provide you with some helpful tips to navigate this subject. To the surprise of many migrants, the process is a lot more complex than what they may have experienced back home.

In Australia, many rental applications require a rental history. If you are new migrant you naturally have no such history. How can you build a rental history if you can’t rent a property? Here is the thing: every renter has been a first-time renter before and there are a number of documents you can use to strengthen the application. Having these on hand and organizing them before you even start the rental process means you can apply for properties a lot faster and you will look like a much stronger applicant in the property manager’s eyes. 

What you will need:

• Verification of employment and verification of income – these prove that you can cover the rental amount. 
• Reference from your employer or another staff member – this proves your employment and also acts as a character reference for your reliability and responsibility. 
• Reference from a neighbour or a friend.
• Personal references – these should not be from relatives and speak to how you are as a person. Why should the property manager choose you?
• Photo identification
• A recent utilities or phone bill if you have them.

Some real estate agents and property managers even request you to prepare some of these references from back home in your country before moving so that you can tick the boxes.

Key considerations for novice renters

Before you even start scouring the property websites to find a suitable home to rent, there are some things you need to consider.

The first thing is creating a must-have list and a nice-to-have list. On the must-have, include all of your necessities, taking inspiration from the following initial questions:

• How many bedrooms do you need?
• How many car spaces do you need?
• Do you have a specific preference for your new space (e.g. a large dining space, an outdoor area for kids)
• Are you looking for a pet-friendly property?
• What location/s are you willing to live in?
• How important is proximity to public transport and other amenities for you?
  

These are all essential considerations, and you really need to think about what is absolutely essential and where you are willing to be flexible. For example:

• Suppose you wanted spacious bedrooms and a proper study. Would you be willing to compromise if the property had your ideal bedroom size but only came with a small study nook?
• If you have two cars, are you open to signing a lease for a property with only one car space? Asking the right questions during the inspection can help, especially as off-street parking varies.
  

Once you are clear on the non-negotiables, start your list of nice-to-haves. Things to think about here include gas cooking, north-facing outlook, bedrooms on the same level, parking options for visitors, and other recreational extras such as a pool or a view. 

Once you have jotted all of this down, it is time to compile the documentation needed so you can be prepared for inspections. A good idea is to create digital and physical copies of documentation, so if you would like to fill out an application form on the day of inspection, you have everything ready. 

Next, the fun part: searching real estate websites for rentals properties. You can, of course, do this online, but it is also a good idea to pop into local real estate agents to ask in person. You never know; something that matches your exact specifications may be coming online within the next couple of days. Make a shortlist of all the properties you like and organise them into a list of inspection times. Remember, rental properties can be snapped up quickly, so it helps to be prepared to apply quickly. Many properties will be open at specific times, but remember there will be some that are by appointment. 

And then, of course, you will need to fill out the application. Be honest on your application and as thorough as possible.

Inspecting the rental property

While it may sound obvious to actually go and look at the property physically, many people out there simply look at a home online, rely on the images, fill out the application and sign the lease without even stepping foot inside the property. Guess what, looks can be deceiving.

It can be quite fun going on property inspections. As you wander through homes, it can be easy to picture yourself sitting in that exact spot, drinking your coffee in the morning. But don’t get too carried away. 

First and foremost, make sure there is no damage. If there is any, note it down, mention it to the property manager and take a photo. That way, you can’t be held responsible for it, and if it is something that needs to be fixed before moving in, it can be dealt with. Also make sure the garden is well-maintained, that all appliances are working and everything is as stated. Physically inspecting a rental also means getting some face-to-face time with the agent. Ask them any questions you have and you can even get their advice on how best to fill out your application form. 

Agreements, bonds and reports: knowing the nitty-gritty

Once you have decided on the property, filled out the forms and been approved, there are a number of documents that should be given to you. This includes a copy of the residential tenancy agreement, a copy of the bond lodgement form and the condition report. The latter will need to be checked, completed and signed, then returned to the office. You will also receive a copy for your records. 

On top of all of this, you should receive a receipt for the initial rent amount, lease fees and bond, a photocopy of the keys, remote controls (if any) and emergency contact details.

What is a residential tenancy agreement?

A legal, binding contract between the tenant and the landlord, the residential tenancy agreement sets out all the legal details. It is colloquially and more commonly known as a lease. Make sure this document is given to you and that you read it before you sign anything. Ask any questions you have to ensure you understand it fully.

The tenancy agreement will include:

• The name and address of the tenant, the owner and the property manager (if different)
• Dates for when the agreement starts and ends
• How much rent is to be paid, when it should be paid and how
• Standard terms – what the tenant and the owner or property manager can and can’t do
• Any special terms that must be agreed on in advance
• The length and type of tenancy
• The amount of bond required
• Any other conditions or rules
  

Keep an eye out for special terms such as those in relation to pets. An example might be that if they are allowed in the property, they must stay outside or carpets must be regularly cleaned.

What is a bond?

A bond is separate to your rental payment and acts as security for the landlord if you don’t meet the terms of your lease agreement. The bond will either be paid back to you at the end of your lease, or it may be used towards any cleaning or repairs required.

Importantly, the bond cannot be used as any part of your rent. This means, when you are moving out, you need to pay your rent in full until the agreed-upon date and the bond needs to be returned to you in full – it cannot go towards your final rent payment. 

What is a condition report?

The condition report goes into detail about the condition of the property prior to the tenant moving in. This includes any fittings and fixtures. It is your responsibility to check the condition report against the property itself to make sure it includes any damage or issues that you have noticed in the property.

Tenants are allowed a number of days to check the details in the condition report, to confirm or disagree with what is included. Remember, the condition report will most likely be used if there is a dispute about anything in the property, from cleaning through to repairs, big and small, so it is important that you read it thoroughly.

If there are any areas that you don’t agree with, this needs to be noted in the appropriate section of the document. An inspection report must be completed and returned to the property manager or owner, within the required timeframe. If not, the condition of the property, according to the condition report, is deemed accurate.

The most important thing is that the landlord and the tenant both agree on the condition report. It is also a good idea to take photos of the property before you move in. This records the property’s original condition if anything happens. 

As most job markets are online based, many companies now expect the candidates to upload a CV or resume together with a cover letter. The Australian style of CV could be a bit different to that of your country and it is worth spending time to properly research and address the key points.

Your resume serves to introduce the relevancy of your skills, experience, qualifications and achievements to a recruiter and potential employer. A recruiter or employer may not spend longer than a few minutes reviewing your resume, so it should convey your most relevant achievements in a quick-to-understand style.

If the reader thinks you are a suitable candidate for the role, your resume will have achieved its purpose – an offer to attend an interview. 

How long should my resume be?

Your resume should be approximately two to three pages long. If it is substantially longer, eliminate information that isn’t relevant to the role or industry. You can even leave out ten year old part time jobs, internships etc which does not add much value especially if you an experienced professional.

Similarly, if you have an advanced degree, few people are going to be concerned about the exams you took when you were 16 years old. Instead, only include training that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

What NOT to include in a resume

Most job market experts advise candidates to avoid listing their hobbies or interests. Focus instead on the experience and skills that make you suitable for the job you’re applying for. The exceptions occur when you have limited relevant experience or if the employer specifically asks applicants to list hobbies. In these cases, keep it brief.

Even if you are list hobbies consider listing a hobby that requires expertise relevant to the role, such as organisational or communication skills. 

What about colours and graphics?

You also do not need to design a creative resume, unless you work in a creative field. Some candidates attempt to produce a more creative resume to stand out, however it really is the relevancy of your skills and experience that will ensure you make a shortlist, not how you present your resume.

What is the best way to layout my resume?

Your resume must look clean, clear and well structured, with enough white space to enhance readability.  Use a simple font like Arial 10 or 12 point, and keep formatting, such as italics and underlining, to a minimum. Bullet points are extremely useful as they allow you to highlight key points succinctly and keep the document tidy. Start each one with an action verb if you can (‘created’, ‘managed’, ‘increased’, ‘improved’ etc.), rather than ‘I’.

Format to save for online upload

As for the document layout, most organisations will upload your resume into their database so make sure it is in a commonly accepted format that follows the below structure. We recommend a cleanly formatted Microsoft Word document or PDF with no graphics, images, no fancy formatting or fonts. While a creative CV may look good, graphics and special fonts can be difficult for an ATS to process.

What is good to include at the top?

Start with the basics such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure the email address you use sounds professional) and LinkedIn Profile.

How to do a good skills summary?

The reader of your resume may not have more than a minute to spend scanning each application, particularly if the volume of applications is very high, so including a skills section can capture their attention by making it immediately clear what you can offer. Compile a brief bulleted list of skills and competencies. Use keywords from the job description when creating this part.

Also be bold to list your key career achievements, supported by facts, statistics or links. For example, if you over-achieved on your sales targets, you need to say by what percentage and over what period.

Importance of clearly quantifying your achievements

It is important to quantify your accomplishments – the reader wants to see facts not fluff. Focus on the value you added in each role, rather than simply listing what your duties were. This section shouldn’t read like a job description. Rather, it should tell the story of your unique strengths and accomplishments. Think of your biggest achievements for each role and provide concrete, quantifiable evidence of each. One way to help you do this is to use action verbs such as “managed” or “oversaw”. Such verbs force you to focus on what you achieved and your results in each role, which proves the value of your experience.

It is also advisable not to leave gaps in your recent work history. If you took a year out, carried out an interim assignment, or travelled for six months, say so. Just make sure you illustrate whatever the experience was in a positive way, focusing on the fact that it gave you some great experience and knowledge.

And finally the referees….  

The details of references are rarely included on resumes. It’s common for candidates to simply write, “References are available upon request” in this section of your resume. Your recruiter will then reach out for the details of your referees at the appropriate point in the recruitment process. 

Remember though, the referees recruiters and employers value the most are those people you reported to directly who can speak about how you used your skills and experience to add value to their organisation. If you are unsure who to provide as a referee. 

One of the key things that come to mind when migrating is the employment aspect. Many migrants feel they can integrate and build stronger bonds in the country once they land a job.

Australia has strict rules and regulations on minimum pay and there are ‘industry awards’ spelling out the exact pay you are entitled to, based on the job and level of expertise. Whilst the industry award spells out the minimum, it does not reflect the market rate which could be higher.

We have pasted below a link to a very good web resource that can help you get an understanding of the wages for your profession. The salaries are based on self-reported industry median wages.

https://au.talent.com/salary

Here are some example of median annual wages for some professions we generated as of August 2022.

Accountant $ 91,834

Retail sales associate $ 42,000

Project Manager $ 124,370

Marketing Manager $ 110,000

Head Chef $ 80,000

Restaurant Manager $ 64,000

Tutor $ 78,464

Bricklayer $ 69,125

Software developer $ 110,000

Data analyst $ 104,308

Human Resource Manager $117,285

Mining Engineer $ 150,000

What is important to recognize is that in Australia, even starting jobs for new migrants pay well enough to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Once you have the initial Australian working experience it is possible to use the experience and references to move into a better job.

The National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Framework is a seven level qualification framework in Sri Lanka. A Qualification is generally a package of competency units to suit requirements in a particular position in the labour market. The following details will be valuable mainly for those who completed their course in Sri Lanka.

The criteria for giving levels to qualifications are based on three parameters.

1. a) Complexity of the process that a qualification holder will carry out
2. b) Learning demand (difficulty in learning of those processes)
3. c) Responsibility of the job holder when relevant processes are carried out

NVQ Level	Qualification Category	Description
Level  1	National Certificate	Recognizes the acquisition of a core of entry level competencies
Level  2 Level 3 Level  4	National Certificate	Recognizes increasing levels of competencies. Level 4 qualification provides for full national craftsmanship.
Level 5 Level  6	National DiplomaHigher National Diploma	Recognizes increasing level of competencies  ranging from technician level to management level
Level 7	Bachelor’s Degree  or equivalent	This level includes planning , re-sourcing & management process

For the purposes of Australian migration, the relevant trade should be recognized as an NVQ Level 5 or higher qualification. The NVQ courses and their levels can be accessed through the following link https://nvq.gov.lk/Insreg_Home/Insreg_Institute_Select_Search_NVQ_Course.php

Education and Research are one of the key categories under which Global Talent Visas are awarded.

The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) is a streamlined visa program for highly skilled professionals to move to Australia. There is no points testing and it grants immediate Permanent Residency. If you meet the criteria for this visa, please make an appointment to speak with us today. There are 2 pathways under the Global Talent visa:

1. the Global Talent visa pathway – an opportunity for highly skilled people in the target sectors; and
2. the Distinguished Talent pathway – a pathway for exceptional and outstanding individuals who do not fit into any Global Talent sector. Some examples are international cricketers, musicians.

If you are highly skilled in one of these areas, or you work in a senior role for a company that provides services in one of the following sectors, you may be eligible for the Global Talent visa under the Global Talent pathway.

Under the Education and Research category the following guidelines are provided to understand whether an applicant fits the bill.

Exceptional candidates

An executive with a track record in setting up university centres abroad, with expertise in establishing global collaborations and partnerships across government, academia and research.

Renowned level E academic and winner of prestigious prizes. 

Strong candidates

An ICT solutions expert for an eLearning solutions provider, with proven experience and success in leading, developing and implementing edtech solutions globally.

Research commercialisation executive with significant experience in education policy design and strengthening education systems.
 Not usually eligible

The following experience or professions would not usually meet the parameters of the program:

• Researchers and academics at Australian academic levels A to C or their international equivalents, in fields other than education or pedagogy
• School teachers 
• Specialist teachers
• School administration staff

More than 100 jobs will be added to WA’s priority occupation list as part of bid to try and entice foreign workers to fill a raft of gaping holes in the State.

Driving instructors, hairdressers, butchers, panel beaters, property managers and staff from just about every branch of the medical profession are in hot demand in WA as the State suffers from a dire skills shortage. Western Australia with its capital in Perth suffered from a grave shortage of skilled workers after going through a strict lockdown to protect the State from the COVID pandemic. Now that the lockdown is relaxed, Perth is ready to bounce back.

While the Federal Government sets the minimum visa requirements for overseas workers using a points-based system, each State is able to apply additional criteria.

WA will bin its current $200 application fee and halve the requirement for 12-month employment contract for workers coming to Perth.

Victoria’s 2022-23 Skilled Migration Program is now open.

The lists are now open to applicants living in Victoria and overseas, the program provides skilled migrants with a pathway to permanent residency in Victoria. The skills that successful applicants bring to Victoria benefit employers and the broader Victorian economy.

The program provides two visa pathways.

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled migrants to live and work anywhere in Victoria. The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is for skilled migrants to live and work in regional Victoria.

In order to proceed applicants will need to register their interests.

Speak to our migration agents today to find out your eligibility.