Canberra’s support system for employment: Landing your dream job

It’s not surprising to see Canberra, Australia’s capital, rising in popularity as a study destination among international students. Known as the knowledge capital of Australia, Canberra is home to some of Australia’s best ranked universities and is a nexus of innovation, research, education, and politics.

This creates an ecosystem that offers unique training and employment opportunities in a diverse range of growth sectors including health and sports science, communications, cyber security, renewable energy, innovation, space, and environmental science.

Right now these sectors, and many more, are hiring. People come from all over Australia and the world to build their future here. Canberra has the highest average income and highest employment rate in the country, coupled with the nation’s best performing local economy.

A career in Canberra is full of exciting possibilities, however, stepping out of the classroom into the work environment is a daunting prospect for any graduate. As an international student, the challenges of applying for and securing employment in an unfamiliar work culture can be difficult to navigate.

This is where Canberra’s universities and government come together to offer a range of initiatives and programs to support international students’ success.  These programs help students become more attractive to potential employers and be better equipped to face workplace challenges. Here’s a quick rundown on what students can access to help land their dream job..

Work Integrated Learning – Putting learning into practice

Experience in a professional setting is one of the best ways you can stand out to potential employers.  Work Integrated Learning, or WIL, is a great way to get some experience before graduation. WIL allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios through internships, projects, professional mentoring, simulations, and fieldwork.

WIL opportunities are integrated into all of Canberra’s major institutions so that students can gain first-hand knowledge of their selected industry. During WIL, students also develop soft skills, learn about working in teams, develop a network of contacts and learn the tricks of the trade. The University of Canberra, one of Canberra’s largest universities, offers one of Australia’s most extensive WIL programs for international students to benefit from.

Canberra’s local government is also directly supporting WIL opportunities for international students by funding the Study Australia Industry Experience Program (SAIEP).

The SAIEP, delivered through Study Canberra, provides another WIL option for international students who are enrolled in Canberra – regardless of whether they are on campus,  in their home country, or online. Students participate in a two-week virtual project directly with employers in Australia and oversees.

Integrated teams of international and Australian students come together virtually to work on each  project brief, allowing connections to be made across Australia and the globe.

Armed with real-world experience from WIL, students may consider utilising their Post Study Work Rights in Australia after graduation.

Post Study Work Rights: Start your career in Canberra

The Australian Government introduced the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in 2008 to allow international students to stay and work temporarily in Australia after graduating. The duration of the 485 visa is usually between 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualifications.

Because Canberra is classified as ‘regional’ for migration purposes, as an international graduate you can access an extra year of work if you meet the criteria set by Home Affairs. You’ll also find more pathways to permanent migration. This extra time gives graduates the flexibility to find their dream job and establishing a life and career in Canberra.

Employment Opportunities in Canberra

Whether you’re after a casual job while you study or something more permanent, you’ll find great job options in Canberra.  Organisations range from government departments, established multinational companies such as Deloitte and IBM, to innovative start-ups and micro-businesses.

A student aiming to make a career in Information Technology or Cyber Security need not look any further. More than 1000 ICT and Cyber Security companies do business here.

Thanks to Canberra’s proximity to the Australian government, Australia’s capital has a high proportion of public sector jobs. However, two in every three jobs in Canberra are in the private sector.

Canberra has a strong innovation and start-up culture. Budding entrepreneurs will find access to mentoring and support available for new businesses and great ideas. The Canberra Business Innovation Network (CBRIN) plays a big role in supporting the local business community. They host weekly networking events where people can pitch new ideas and mingle with a variety of different business owners.

Canberra is also big on sports and sports science. It’s home to a range of professional sports teams as well as the training ground for many of Australia’s Olympic athletes, the Australian Institute of Sport. Students specialising in this field have access to some of Australia best facilities, including an on-campus hospital, laboratories and health facilities at the University of Canberra.

Some other key growth industries include Healthcare, Communications, Space Science, Agricultural Technology, and Environment Science.

There is no shortage of job opportunities in Australia’s capital. With its robust support system for work experience and meaningful employment, Canberra can open doors to your dream job.

Find out more – https://canberra.com.au/study/