Working In Sydney

Quality of life factors are important for attracting migrants to any country. Australia’s high quality of life and western culture make it a very attractive place for expatriates. Sydney benefits further from its high profile image overseas which is well deserved as it offers an incredibly high standard of life for most people.

Cost Of Living

It should come as no surprise that the cost of living is higher in Sydney than in any other city in Australia. As previously mentioned Sydney became the twentieth most expensive city in the world to live in as revealed by Mercer’s annual study (2004). The city jumped a staggering 47 places in one year – a fact that cannot be ignored when thinking of moving to Sydney.

Wages are generally higher than other State capitals but, despite this, Sydney and NSW can sometimes feel costly to live in on a daily basis. Property prices went through the roof after the 2000 Olympics and kept on rising, making it virtually impossible for first time buyers to gain a foot on the ladder. Rental prices also remain on the high side; however, there are still some good deals to be found especially if you are prepared to live in an up and coming suburb.

Entertainment is also on the pricey side with dining out costing more in Sydney than anywhere else in Australia. However, travel and groceries are comparable with the likes of Melbourne and Brisbane.

Current Economic Overview

For detailed and up to date information about living and working in Sydney refer to: www.business.nsw.gov.au

For a current overview of precisely what opportunities there are in the local workforce for people with your skills log on to the following site. It will also give you an overview of which industries are currently on the increase/or decline:

www.myfuture.edu.au and click through to facts which will provide you with current labour market information.

Employment

Leading Industries

New South Wales’ economy is highly diversified, with strengths in a broad range of sectors.

Sydney is home to many of the world’s leading financial institutions and blue chip companies including HSBC, Ernst & Young and AMP. It has a high percentage of skilled workers as it is a highly desirable city in which to work and the local economy is thriving. Finance, legal, media, IT, HR and marketing professionals are found here in plentiful numbers. Sydney is also the base for the majority of the country’s leading radio and television services. The central business district is dominated by office-based corporate and public sector employment. At the same time, NSW boasts significant strengths in agricultural and minerals production, as well as in manufacturing and processing.

Opportunities And Limitations For Skilled Migrants

Sydney continues to attract foreign workers to its shores in large numbers; however, employment opportunities may be restricted to those meeting stringent visa requirements. This is due to the fact that Sydney and NSW in general is not short of skilled workers who can fill the local job vacancies, unlike many other rural regions. There therefore tend not to be as many vacancies and opportunities for migrants as in other parts of the country and it is unlikely that you would be able to migrate to Sydney under the Regional Skilled Migration visa which tries to tempt workers into areas of the country where they are desperate for skilled migrants.

How To Find Out If Your Occupation Is In Demand

If you are thinking of moving to Sydney under the Skilled Migration stream be sure to research the current local jobs market and ensure that your position is on the Australian immigrations Skilled Occupation List ahead of applying for a working visa: www.immi.gov.au and, using the search tool, enter ‘skilled occupation list’.

Also refer to the Migration Occupation in Demand list in Sydney/NSW. Should the State currently have high demand for people with your experience your chances of securing the visa you need may be enhanced: www.immi.gov.au

If there is not a shortfall in skilled workers in your nominated occupation then immigration may not be able to grant you a visa. They will not risk you being unemployed or taking jobs away from Australians (remember they do have the legal right to prevent non-Australians or residents applying for any advertised post).

At the time of writing this book, occupations in demand in Sydney and NSW include engineers, medical/nursing staff, legal experts, teachers, marketing professionals and IT workers.