How To Work In Australia 2025: Salaries, Terms, And Complete Guidelines For Indonesian Workers

Australia (Rawpixel)

YOGYAKARTA - How it works in Australia is a topic that is increasingly attracting the attention of many Indonesians. With high salaries, legal protection for workers, and the opportunity to obtain permanent residence permits, Australia is one of the favorite destinations to build a career.

Australia offers great opportunities for foreign workers from various fields of expertise. With a minimum wage of up to AUD23.23 per hour or around Rp244,900, workers can enjoy much higher income than in many other countries. The following will be discussed about the work system in Australia, the type of visa that can be submitted, to practical tips to be able to work there successfully.

Australia has a variety of work sectors with competitive salaries. For example, work as a cleaning service has a salary of around AUD915 per week, while construction workers can earn up to AUD1,800 per week. However, it is also important to consider the average cost of living around AUD3,100 per month or around Rp32 million, including rental, eating, and transportation.

To be able to work legally, Indonesian citizens must have one type of work visa that is appropriate. Several popular choices include Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482), Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485), and Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 462). Each visa has a duration, requirements, and opportunities for a different extension according to the objectives and employment sectors.

For university graduates in Australia, the Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485) is an attractive choice because it allows them to work up to four years after graduation. While the Working Holiday Visa is popular among young people aged 18-30 who want to work while on vacation in Australia for one year and can be extended to three years.

In addition to visas, prospective workers are also required to meet several basic requirements. First, English language skills are the main things as evidenced by the IELTS score, at least 4.5 for Working Holiday Visa. Second, several professions such as barista or technicians require official certification, for example the SITHFAB005 certificate - Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee.

Third, workers must open an Australian bank account because the salary payment system is carried out via transfer. Fourth, prospective workers are required to have a Tax File Number (TFN), which is a personal tax number that can be submitted through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. Without TFN, tax deductions can reach 46% of income.

Once all administrative requirements are met, the next step is to find work. One of the easiest ways is through online platforms such as Seek, Indeed, or JobSearch.gov.au which contains thousands of job vacancies across Australia. Make sure to check the suitability between the description of work and the type of visa you have.

In addition to applying online, many workers also get jobs by directly meeting employers, especially in the hospitality sector such as restaurants, cafes and hotels. Australian entrepreneurs often appreciate the initiative of applicants who come directly to bring CV and speak politely. In fact, some vacancies are not published and can only be obtained this way.

Another option is to register with recruitment institutions that can help find jobs according to expertise, such as the IT, health, or construction sector. Institutions like this often have a wide network with large companies, so that job acceptance opportunities also increase.

Finally, networking or building connections is also very important in the world of Australian work. Attending a job exhibition, joining a professional community, and being active on LinkedIn can open up great opportunities. Many job vacancies are not officially published but circulate through recommendations between workers.

In conclusion, how it works in Australia requires careful preparation, ranging from visa management, increasing English language skills, to understanding the work and tax systems there. As long as you meet the requirements and are diligent in looking for opportunities, it is not impossible that the dream of working in the Kangaroo Country will come true.