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Top Job Opportunities for People Moving to Perth
Searching for a job in Perth? Good choice! The city is known for its magnificent beaches, lovely locals, and the endless opportunities we’ve compiled right here.
What Jobs to Explore in Perth
The industries hiring the most people in Perth are health care, social services, construction, retail, and education. For your reference, the top-paying jobs are:
- Doctors
- Lawyers
- Bank Managers
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- College Professors
- Pilots
- Marketing Directors
Prepare yourself with all sorts of handy info below, so you’ll be fully equipped when applying for a job in Perth.
Does Perth have a lot of job opportunities?
Welcome to Australia, where the sun always shines and there are as many jobs as there are rabbits – okay, maybe we’re stretching a bit.
But if you want to know if Perth is a good place to find work, you’ve come to the right place. So grab something to drink (coffee, tea, or beer, anyone?), and let’s dive in!
Perth has a population of just over 2 million and is truly an incredible place to live. There are lots of jobs in the city because there’s a strong mining industry that has insulated the city from recent economic downturns.
In addition, those who reside in Western Australia also happen to be among the best-paid in the country. Those who work in mines fly in and out for weeks at a time and earn an average of 160,000 AUD per year.
And in Australia, the average salary is around 102,000 AUD per year. This is about 8,500 AUD per month, or 2,125 AUD per week.
That’s a pretty good amount to spend every week, if you ask us. You could buy new work clothes, go out to dinner at one of Perth’s fine dining restaurants, or save the money in case of an emergency!
Which jobs are in-demand in Perth?
If you’ve recently graduated or are looking for a career change, we believe it’s important to know which industries to go for in Perth.
Currently, there are a lot of jobs in healthcare and social support, construction, retail, and education. All of these industries are expected to grow over the next few years, so we think now is a good time to learn more about them.
These are some of the best jobs in Perth in 2023, according to Salary Explorer:
Job Position | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
Surgeons or Doctors | 175,000 AUD to 603,000 AUD |
Lawyers and Judges | 119,000 AUD to 507,000 AUD |
Bank Managers | 112,000 AUD to 386,000 AUD |
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) | 105,000 AUD to 362,000 AUD |
Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) | 97,700 AUD to 338,000 AUD |
College Professors | 83,800 AUD to 290,000 AUD |
Pilots | 69,800 AUD to 241,000 AUD |
Marketing Directors | 62,800 AUD to 217,000 AUD |
Of course, we know not everyone can be doctors or lawyers. There are other opportunities to explore, even in similar industries or departments.
Also, Perth is expected to have a shortage of people with trade skills in the next 10 years. This means that people looking for work have a lot of options in fields like truck driving, drilling, and welding.
How can I easily find a job in Perth?
LinkedIn is the biggest social media network for professionals in the world. This is why we think it’s a waste not to use it to your advantage and meet people who work in the same field.
Moreover, there are many sites, like Seek, Indeed, and Jora, for finding jobs in Perth. Just be sure to check these platforms regularly to get ahead of other candidates as early as possible.
You may also follow companies on other online platforms. We suggest sitting at a nice cafe and going through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out about new job openings.
Certainly, job fairs are a great way to meet possible employers and learn more about the field as well.
Lucky for us, there are many job fairs held in Perth every year, and most of them are free! You never know who you might meet, so don’t forget to bring your resume and dress accordingly.
In addition, try not to be afraid to talk to people in the field you want to work in and ask for help. In our opinion, being recommended through your network increases your chances of getting hired more often than not.
Finally, volunteering is a great way to get experience in the field you want to work in. Plus, this is where you meet other people and make professional connections that may come in handy (maybe not now, but one day).
How do I prepare for a job interview in Perth?
The job interview is probably the most important step in your job search – you’re like on Mt. Everest now, so try not to trip!
For us, this is your chance to show the hiring manager or recruitment company that you’re the best person for the role.
The first step in getting ready should be to read through the job description (yes, again) to ensure you didn’t miss anything. We noticed that most descriptions follow the same trend and can be broken down into these categories:
- Job title
- Duties and jobs
- Skills required
Companies try to hire people whose values are similar to those of the business. It seems like a no-brainer that doing research on the company before an interview will help you understand their goals and future plans.
In our opinion, being able to casually talk about these things will make you seem like a long-term investment to your future boss.
Another important thing to think about for a job interview is how you will get there. It may sound cliché to you, but – if you don’t plan, you plan to fail.
So if you plan to drive to the interview, make sure your car is full of gas the night before and everything else is good.
This is because maybe it isn’t best to stop to get gas while wearing your suit. This prevents any potential stains or sweat on a hot day that would make you look like you just got out of a Pilates class.
Make sure you get there on time, or even better, at least 15 minutes early! Do this by familiarising yourself with the address beforehand and, if you can, trying it out a few days ahead of time.
We feel there’s also no harm in checking the traffic report the morning of the interview and planning a backup route just in case.
If you’re taking a train or bus, check the weather report the night before and keep an eye on the websites of public transportation companies to see if there are any delays.
And of course, it would be best for you to sleep and wake up early so that you have enough time to relax.
How do I get a work visa for Perth?
So, what else do you need to move to Perth and start working in this great city?
First, you’ll need the right visa, which the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will give you. The best way to get one is to live and work in Perth or have a Perth-based company sponsor you.
The temporary work visa, which is also called the ‘skilled’ visa, lets a company sponsor an employee to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years.
Though this seems easy enough, the company has to show that it can’t find an Australian citizen to do the work. We believe this can make it hard to get this visa.
Before sending in the application, the business must also become a sponsor that has been approved.
And if the employee gets the job, he or she will be able to bring a partner and children with them to Australia.
Moreover, employers who are approved sponsors can also pay for an employee to live and work in Australia forever. This visa lets the person who has it and their family use Social Security and Medicare – it can even lead to citizenship!
You may also ask for a temporary employer-sponsored visa to be changed to a permanent one. For example, if your boss wants to make your job permanent after 2 years, they’ll just make you fill out several forms.
Temporary visas cost a little less. This goes from 175 AUD for short stays to 3,800 AUD for workers in the sports and entertainment industries.
If applicable, you may also consider applying through your partner, parent, or child if they live in Australia.
Is it expensive to live in Perth?
Let’s say you got the job. Congratulations! But now you have to plan your budget well so your earnings don’t just disappear into the wind.
Most people think that the cost of living in Perth (cost of living in Perth) is lower than in most other Australian towns. But when moving to Perth, there are still a lot of things to think about, like income, housing, utilities, education, transportation, food, and fun.
More often than not, we think the biggest expense of living in Perth will be the cost of where you live.
Prices go up gradually the closer a property is to the central business district of Perth City. So as you move away from the inner city, especially to the north, you can expect things to get more affordable.
The only exceptions are the coastal suburbs, which stay the same price. We believe their beautiful beaches, easygoing way of life, and the number of people who want to move there make the housing market very expensive.
For an 85-square-metre apartment, you can expect your electricity, water, and trash bills to add up to an average of about $299.84 per month.
Transportation fees are also something to keep in mind. If you’re new to the city, Transperth plans the trains, trams, boats, and buses that people can use to get around Perth.
You may also buy a SmartRider card that works for all forms of transportation and gives you a discount on your fare. All you have to do is remember to tap it when you get on or off any form of transportation.
For food, your palate could make or break your budget depending on how fancy it is. If you like to eat out a lot, you might need to change some habits to accommodate a limited budget.
There are plenty of places to eat out in Perth, so we think it will be fun for you to try out as many as you can.
Whether your favourite way to eat is a casual meal or a trip to the city in your best clothes, we feel Perth has something for every event. But if you prefer to cook, many fruit, vegetable, and produce markets are there to provide you with these basic needs.
Those who also love to explore Perth’s nightlife must note that there may be a cover charge (or flat fee) at some clubs in the city. However, it’s usually no more than $15 per person and usually includes live entertainment.
If you like the excitement of a live show, a well-known local act in a smaller setting will cost at least $45 to $60. Otherwise, for a bigger act, a performance, or a sporting event in a stadium, each ticket will usually cost more than $120.
Note that the best seats for other stage shows, such as theatre or dance events, cost about $170. Therefore, we advise saving up well so you can make the most of these opportunities every time.
Alternatively, going to a foreign release at a cinema in Perth will cost you an average of $22.00. Just look out for membership programmes from movie theatres that let you get bigger deals and offers now and then.
Moreover, keep in mind that independent theatres can be cheaper than the big chains. In our opinion, this could be a money-saver for your unwinding sessions from work!
And there you go! We hope you find the best job opportunities in Perth that suit your abilities and preferences. Have a happy working life!