FINDING WORK / STARTING A BUSINESS

You may think that having undergone the process of qualifying for emigration and having your skills assessed and approved, you are on the straight and narrow and Australia will welcome you with open arms. Migrant skills, your skills, are in demand, right? Well, yes, whilst that is true and you have qualified to enter the country based on them, you may, nevertheless, not be able to walk straight into your dream job.

You see, whilst the skills that you possess have clearly been identified as being ‘in demand’, it does not necessarily follow that working for your employer with immediate effect can take place, especially at the income you might think you’ll be taking home in your wage packet. How ones job operates in the UK, is not necessarily indicative of how the same job can be carried out in the Antipodes. Just because we drive on the same side of the road, speak the same language and import/export TV documentaries, episodes of dodgy music and dance and sapping soaps with alarming frequency, it does not mean that 'like for like' jobs will be viewed equally. Here are two examples to show what we mean.

WORKING EXAMPLES

A retail or hospital pharmacist, a worthy example of a job skill in demand throughout Australia, who has a professional degree qualification obtained in the UK, has worked for a large number of years in the profession and who is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, will not be able to commence work in Australia without undergoing a one-year work under supervision (pre-registration) period and completing extra curricular study leading to passes in both verbal and written examination leading to state licensing. Pay will be at pre-registration level.

An ambitious, time-served air-conditioning engineer who wants to set up work on his own cannot without the necessary licence and for this he or she needs to undergo a lengthy period of work under supervision.

These two examples, which can be applied to so many trades and professions in the states and territories, may make you feel you’re no nearer your goal in achieving your dream life in Australia, but it’s not all that bad. Really, it’s not.

ARE YOU STARTING A BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA FROM AFAR?

Starting a business in Australia from a long way away can be really tough. There are a number of significant hurdles, including:

1. Sourcing quality, trustworthy suppliers - business registration, IT, web, design, insurance, finance etc. - who can deliver you great business start-up results

2. Avoiding being over-charged by people taking advantage of your lack of local knowledge

3. Ensuring work is done in a timely fashion

4. Managing the business start-up process from a distance

Thankfully, there is one company in Australia - yes, that's right, only one - that is solely devoted to starting people up in business. The company's name is Business Switch and they are often the first point of call for Australians serious about starting a business.

Business Switch have plenty in their favour. They:

Importantly, they are also friendly and easy to work with.

That's why Business Switch is usually the first choice for foreign nationals looking to start a business in Australia. In fact, they are a sponsor of the Migration Institute of Australia educational events and have partner relationships with many licensed migration agents. This year they have also been nominated for the City of Sydney's prestigious 2009 Business Awards.

So, if starting a business in Australia is on your agenda, simply fill in the form and contact Business Switch today.