All right, so the Aussie job market… Ah, what a bit of a mixed bag it is! Unfortunately, for expats, it can be a fierce battleground, especially if you lack local experience (varies from industry to industry, according to this article). Good news? The low unemployment rate paints an optimistic picture for job hunters.

Still, it’s good not to be too delusional because not every skill can be your golden ticket, and you might not land a role right away unless, of course, you’re in the high-demand skill squad or have interviews prepped before the big move.

Here’s a tip: learn the ins and outs of your industry, chat with the pros, reach out to them to get the Aussie work culture vibe, and decode your industry jargon. This might help you fast-track your journey to landing the perfect gig. Reaching out to recruiters could be a good idea, too, considering they’re the real MVPs in this game!

Why Must You Register with Recruitment Agencies in Australia as an Expat?

a- First-hand access to job opportunities.

Recruitment agencies have professional ties with several companies across different industries. By registering with them, you gain access to a broader range of job opportunities that may not always be advertised anywhere else, increasing your chances of getting hired as the recruiters prioritize you over a large pool of candidates.

Which reminds me, I have had recruiters reach out to me many times before – all because I registered with them. Some recruiters send me an email whenever they find a role relevant to my experience and skills, asking if I might be interested in applying for the role.

Not to mention, some agencies also work with companies seeking professionals to work on a temporary or contractual basis, which helps expats like us step into the workforce, opening doors for better opportunities in the future.

b- They know your industry from the inside out.

As an expat, you might not get a hold of the Aussie work culture right away. Hell, you might even feel like you’re on some foreign land because of the difference in how things operate here. Seeking professional assistance points you in the right direction and saves you from the hassle of finding a job on your own.

From tailoring your resume per Australian standards to understanding industry jargon and writing the cover letter addressing skill criteria and qualifications for your ideal role, you might access insightful resources by registering with a recruitment agency specializing in your industry or sector. The best part? Most recruitment agencies, like Hays, offer these resources for free.

This is because these agencies deeply understand the job market, industry trends, and the skills required for your industry, which results in you landing a role that aligns with your qualifications and career goals.

c- You save your time.

Recruitment agencies streamline the job search process. They match candidates with suitable positions, handle initial screenings, and coordinate interviews, which you can struggle with if on your own as an expat.

d- Help you negotiate your salary per your skills.

Remember when you couldn’t negotiate your salary with your employer, fearing a negative response? Unfortunately, it happens to the best of us!

Linda Babcock conducted a study for her book, 'Women Don't Ask,' and discovered only 7% of women negotiate their first salary, compared to men. Another survey by 'salary.com' corroborates that 44% of respondents never demanded a raise during their performance reviews, and 18% said they never negotiated their salaries. You get the gist :(

In the corporate world, negotiating your salary is an art, and you must reason with your employer why you think you deserve your demanded compensation, which is where the recruiters and their knowledge of your industry come in handy.

They are skilled negotiators and can assist you in salary negotiations and other contractual terms. They have insights into industry standards and can help you secure a competitive compensation package in your first job.

e- Better chances of landing the right gig.

Registering with a recruitment agency increases your visibility in the job market, which you can initially struggle with as an expat since you start from scratch. Agencies actively promote qualified candidates to their client companies, increasing your likelihood of being considered for a relevant position.

Hot tip: It's important to note that while recruitment agencies can be a valuable resource, you must continue to explore other avenues. Optimizing your LinkedIn profile, sending connection requests to the recruiters, and introducing yourself and what you do maximize your chances of finding the right opportunity.

Let's look into top recruitment agencies in Australia to help you start your professional career after relocating.

 Top 10 Recruitment Agencies in Australia

1- Hays Recruitment

The best thing about Hays Recruitment is that they offer free consultations to expats coming to Australia. If you're a permanent resident holder, expat returning to your home country, or planning to work temporarily in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, you may register your interest for a suitable role here.

They cater to a range of industries, which is a plus because not all agencies offer consultations to everyone. Most agencies specialize in something, targeting a niche market - some catering to IT professionals and others to only the healthcare industry.

You will also find agencies catering to one particular State, like Drake International Agency and Frontline Recruitment Group only have a client base in Adelaide and South Australia, which, as much as it increases your chances of getting hired because of low competition, shuts the door to many opportunities you could find otherwise.

However, at Hays Recruitment, you can find roles in Digital Marketing, Construction, Engineering, Architecture, and Human Resources. If you are looking for a receptionist or Project Administrator role, Hays Recruitment awaits your application.

Their website also has resources to guide new professionals about the average salary range in Australia to help them make an informed decision about a particular role.

2- Paxus (for IT Professionals)

I vouch for Paxus and their fantastic team because of my positive experience connecting with their recruiters. I attended their Christmas party this year, networked with fellow professionals in my industry, and connected to the recruiters responsible for connecting Talent to businesses. Since then, I have had a couple of exchanges with the recruiters via email and I found their responses professional, prompt, and helpful.

If you want to start your career in the IT industry, connecting with Paxus may be a good idea. They are a leading IT recruitment agency in Australia, with experience spanning over 50 years.

Case Study: Danish Ali Khan, a fellow expat, also landed his first professional role in Adelaide after connecting with one of their recruiters this year.

3- Robert Walters

According to Robert Walters, recruitment is more than a job. They are here to make a difference in people’s lives, and connecting with them may help you speed up the process of connecting with your ideal employer.

When I started my job hunting, I uploaded my resume to a couple of different recruitment agencies’ websites, and Robert Walters is one of them. They reached out to me 30 minutes after I applied for a job and got my first interview scheduled after discussing the role via phone with one of their recruiters.

Robert Walters is prompt and quick at responding to queries, and chances are you may be a call away from finding your dream job.

4- Talent International

Talent International connects tech professionals with government agencies in Australia.

If you’re looking for a fresh start and have no previous experience, consider applying to entry-level or contractual roles – or writing an email to one of their recruiters. They have over 25 years of experience in introducing IT professionals to the government – from local to federal departments, and they take pride in being Australia's leading suppliers of ICT contractors to all levels of government.

5- Global Talent Agency

Global Talent Agency connects great Australian businesses to talented professionals worldwide. Scour their job board or write an email to their recruiters. You can also fill out their contact form – and share your resume with them to let them know you're open to work.

Scouring their 'job opportunities' page could also point you in the right direction, considering it caters to different industries.

Put the right keyword in the search bar to find your ideal role and review the job description. If you cannot find any open roles relevant to your job search, email their recruiters or call them on their (given) phone number to introduce yourself. This will help them save your details in their database to connect with you later when there is a suitable role available for you.

6- Titan Recruitment (For Perth and Brisbane)

Titan Recruitment specializes in dealing with IT professionals and Engineers in Western Australia.

If you're aspiring for a flourishing engineering or IT career and have recently graduated, their graduate recruitment resource may help you find a suitable role. Like any other recruitment agency, they have a separate page on their website, allowing you to upload your resume, which helps them update their database with your credentials.

Bonus tip: Introduce yourself to the recruiters on LinkedIn and let them know you're open to work. This helps recruiters remember you among the large candidate pool and increases your chances of landing the right role.

7- Randstad Australia

‘Find work that feels good’ is what Randstad stands for. Connecting with Talent and establishing a genuine relationship with them is what they regard to be a contributing factor to their client's success.

If reaching out to recruiters gives you shivers, Randstad Australia may be the right recruitment agency for you. They are highly professional and have established a strong clientele over the years, which makes us vouch for their work.

8- At Work Australia (Disability Employment Services)

At Work Australia makes the job hunt stress-free. If you are a disability support officer or eager to start a career in childcare, At Work Australia helps professionals like you land their dream role.

Bottom Line

Job hunting can be quite taxing, especially when you land in a new country and barely know anyone from your industry. Connecting with professionals and recruitment agencies and introducing yourself to them via phone calls, emails, or networking events help them remember you and update their database with your details to later reach out to you whenever there is a suitable role available for you per your skills and qualifications, maximizing your chances of landing the right opportunity.

Think I miss anything? Write back to me, and I would love to hear your insights on the subject!

Bye!