A must-read for working in Australia: Popular industries with hourly wages exceeding $30 and a guide to avoiding pitfalls

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends have consulted me about **going to Australia to work**. Now I will summarize the relevant questions and hope it will be helpful to those friends who want to know more.

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### Why has Australia become a popular choice for workers around the world?
Australia is famous for its **legal minimum hourly wage of AUD 23.23 (2023 standard)**, multicultural environment and high quality of life. There are both working holiday visas (class 417/462) for backpackers and long-term job opportunities for skilled immigrants. According to statistics, Australia attracts more than 200,000 overseas young people through working holiday visas every year, among which the proportion of Chinese applicants has climbed to the top three year by year.

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### 3 legal ways to work in Australia
1. Working Holiday Visa
- Suitable for young people aged 18-30 (some countries relax the limit to 35 years old), who are allowed to work in Australia for 12 months and can work for the same employer for a maximum of 6 months.
- Hourly wage range: $25-$35 for farm workers, $27-$40 for catering (including weekend overtime pay).
- Application fee: AUD 495, subject to the Immigration Department's lottery system.

2. **Student Visa (Subclass 500)**
- 48 hours of work per fortnight and unlimited vacation time are allowed.
- Popular part-time jobs: Barista hourly wage $28+, supermarket stock clerk $26-$30, Chinese tutor $35-$50.

3. **Skilled Migrant Visa (Subclass 482/186)**
- Applicable to mid- to long-term in-demand occupations such as chefs, electricians, nurses, etc., who can obtain 4 years of work rights.
- Median annual salary: Construction project manager $1415k, registered nurse $1485k.

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### Australia's top five high-paying blue-collar jobs (with real cases)
#### ① Construction industry
- **Formworker/Carpenter**Hourly wage can reach $45-$55
- Case: Mr. Zhang, a Chinese in Sydney, holds a 482 visa and is engaged in residential decoration, with a weekly salary of $2,200 + bonus.

#### ② Medical care
- **Elderly Caregiver** Hourly wage $32-$40 (Certificate III required)
- Government subsidies: Starting from 2023, a resettlement subsidy of $5,000 will be provided to practitioners.

#### ③ Mining resources
- **Truck driver** annual salary $120,000-$180,000 (Western Australia mining area)
- Requirements: MR driver's license + white card (safety training certificate).

#### ④ Agricultural picking
- Cherry season weekly salary $1,500+ (Tasmania)
- Note: Choose a formal intermediary to avoid having your deposit withheld.

#### ⑤ Technical trades
- The hourly wage for air conditioning repairmen is $50+ and a Refrigeration License is required.

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### Three traps that you must beware of
1. **Illegal Worker Trap**
- Features: cash payment, hourly wage less than $20, no contract.
- Case: In 2022, a restaurant in Melbourne was fined $$315,000 for employing illegal workers.

2. Visa Violations
- If you work beyond the student visa period, your visa may be cancelled and you may not be allowed to enter the country for 3 years.

3. Fake recruitment
- How to identify: Any request for advance payment of "job referral fee" is a scam.

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### How to find a job efficiently?
1. **Offline channels**
- Visit CBD restaurants directly (Monday afternoon 3-4 is the best time to submit resumes)
- Participate in Job Fairs in various states (held monthly at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre)

2. Online Platforms
- Government website JobActive (provides free training)
- Commonly used by Chinese: Australia Today, Yeeyi.com

3. **Recommendations from your network**
- Join the WeChat mutual aid group (search "city name + job")
- Participate in church/fellowship activities to obtain resources

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### What you need to know about taxes and benefits
- **Tax File Number (TFN)** must be applied for, otherwise tax will be deducted according to 45%
- Annual income below $18,200 can apply for full tax refund
- WorkCover covers all legal workers

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### Summary
Working in Australia can not only earn you a good income, but also be a great opportunity to experience the diverse culture. However, you must abide by visa regulations, choose a formal employer, and obtain relevant qualifications to improve your competitiveness. It is recommended to learn basic English conversation before departure, and obtain RSA (Liquor Service Certificate), White Card (Building Safety Card) and other bonus certificates.

Thanks for reading this article. I hope this article can help you fully understand the latest policies and practical tips for working in Australia. If you are planning to work in Australia, please follow our official account to get real-time recruitment information in each state!