How to work in Australia: Jobs for Filipinos, requirements and more

With a stable economy, reputation for fair labour practices, and high wages, the land Down Under has always been one of the top choices for skilled Filipino professionals looking to advance their careers and enjoy a high quality of life. From healthcare and engineering to hospitality and agriculture, there are numerous industries actively hiring skilled staff.

However, moving to Australia requires more than simply securing a job offer. In this blog post, we’ll look at Australia work visa requirements, the specific job sectors popular with Filipinos, and what else you need to do before your big move. We'll also introduce the Wise account, a handy companion to make your money go further with low, transparent fees.

Table of contents
Can Filipinos Work in Australia? Types of Australian Work Visas for Filipinos Requirements to Work in Australia for Filipinos Australia Jobs for Filipinos How to Apply for Jobs in Australia from the Philippines Planning to work abroad? Manage your salary and get more pesos from your conversions when you send money with Wise

Can Filipinos Work in Australia?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as of 2024, almost 400,000 Filipinos reside in Australia, making them the fifth largest community of overseas workers.¹

Many of them live in the major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which are home to vibrant Filipino communities. Areas in Sydney like Blacktown and Mount Druitt house one of the biggest populations of Filipinos, as well as Melbourne’s suburbs like Wyndham and Brimbank.

Types of Australian Work Visas for Filipinos

Australia has strict immigration rules, and to work legally, you’ll need a work visa.

Work and Holiday Visa

The most popular visa for those aged 18 to 30 is the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462), which grants a year-long stay. Launched in 2023, this type of visa is now available for young adult Filipinos who want to live and holiday in Australia and fund their travels by working.²

With this visa, you can do short-term work and study for up to four months, but you can only take up temporary jobs, typically not exceeding six months with the same employer.

To qualify for the work and holiday visa, you’ll need to be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of your application, and you cannot be accompanied by dependents or family. You also need a tertiary education and a functional command of the English language.

In addition, you need to show proof of AUD $5,000 (PHP 193,000) for your initial stay, meet Australian health requirements, and have a clear criminal record. The application fee is AUD 670 (PHP 24,852) for a stay of 12 months, after which you can also apply for a second work and holiday visa.

Note that there is a quota each year of how many Filipinos can apply for this visa, so plan ahead and make your application in early July to improve your chances of getting a slot.

Temporary Work Visa

If you do not meet the requirements for the work and holiday visa, you can also apply for a temporary work visa, which allows you to live and work in Australia for a limited time. There are several subclasses to this type of visa.

Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) - You need a sponsor for this visa, and it will allow you to stay from two to five years, depending on the type you get.

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) - This one is for recent graduates from Australian institutions, granting work rights without requiring sponsorship.

Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) – Aimed at engineering graduates from select institutions.

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – For regional skilled workers

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – For entrepreneurs and investors, requiring sponsorship or nomination.

Permanent Work Visas

If you apply and hold a permanent work visa, you are considered an Australian permanent resident. There are over 40 types of different visas, like regional visas, skilled migration, and business investment, so use the visa finder function on the Australian Department of Home Affairs to narrow down which visa is ideal for you.³

Requirements to Work in Australia for Filipinos

Each visa type has a different requirement, but they all have a few things in common. For example, you’ll need relevant health checks including a tuberculosis clearance, a clean criminal record, and proof of English proficiency like the IELTS or TOEFL.

For a skilled migration visa, you’ll often need a skills assessment, or formal job offer from an approved Australian company.

Australia Jobs for Filipinos

If you’re wondering about Australia job hiring for Filipinos, here is a list of popular job sectors that you can consider, and find the best fit:⁴

1. Healthcare Jobs

Healthcare professionals are in great demand, and Australia has a constant need for staff like registered nurses, general physicians, and physiotherapists. The healthcare industry pays extremely well, and average annual nurse salaries are about AUD 83,722 (PHP 3,081,803).

2. Information Technology Jobs

Jobs such as software engineers, cyber security specialists, web developers, and ICT business analysts are prioritized, reflecting Australia’s flourishing tech sector. Mid-level software engineers can earn about AUD 130,000 (PHP 4,827,513) annually.

3. Hospitality and Tourism Jobs

Australia’s tourism industry continues to grow steadily, and demand for skilled professionals in hotels, F&B, and other service industries remains high. With strong English language skills and professional work ethics, Filipinos are in high demand. According to Indeed, a major job platform, the average annual salary for a Hotel Manager in Australia is approximately AUD 94,604 (PHP 3,512,808).⁵

4. Tradesmen and Skilled Labor Jobs

Those providing essential trades like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and welders are in high demand, and salaries remain high. For example, electricians can earn more than AUD 90,000 (PHP 3,341,714) annually while plumbers can draw AUD 80,000 (PHP 2,970,412).

5. Agricultural Jobs

Seasonal jobs are also popular with Filipinos, as farm work pays well but doesn’t require much educational qualification. Roles like fruit-picking, harvesting, and overall farm maintenance can provide Filipinos with a modest wage, but they also often include food and accommodation, so the gross salary will be yours to take home.

For many Filipinos, an agricultural job is a gateway to earning a decent living in Australia and can also serve as a stepping stone towards other skilled work opportunities. Young adults on a working holiday visa also often acquire agricultural jobs to pay for their travels.

How to Apply for Jobs in Australia from the Philippines

If you are looking at making the exciting move to the land Down Under, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about it.

Most visas need to be applied for when you are out of the country, including the working holiday visa. First, you’ll need to visit the Department of Home Affairs site to be sure which visa you’ll need.

Then, with the help of your employer or a reputable agent, you’ll need to prepare the documents, like a criminal check, a health certificate, an English proficiency test, and an official job offer, to make the visa application.

Depending on the type of visa you are applying for, approval can vary greatly. For example, the working holiday visa typically takes one to two weeks, but approval for the Skilled Independent Visa can take up to 12 months!

Where to Apply for Jobs in Australia?

Wondering how to apply for a job in Australia from the Philippines? Here are some of the most popular job portals for Filipinos.

Seek - Seek is one of Australia’s largest job portals, containing thousands of listings from all kinds of industries such as healthcare, IT, and hospitality. You can filter jobs by location, salary, and target jobs that are ideal for overseas applicants.

Indeed Australia - Indeed compiles job listings from other company sites and recruitment agencies across Australia, providing salary estimates, company reviews, and an easy application process once you’ve signed up and stored your CV.

Job Outlook - This site is managed by the Australian Government, providing information on prospective vacancies, average salaries, and the demand for specific job roles.

Gumtree - Gumtree has a large database filled with full-time, part-time, or contract jobs, especially for hospitality, retail, and skilled labour positions. Popular with contract or temporary workers, Filipinos often use this site for short-term employment.

Jobstreet - Another popular site with Filipinos is Jobstreet, where professionals often go to find all levels of positions from entry to executive. The site also allows you to sign up and store your CV to quickly apply to positions of interest.

Planning to work abroad? Manage your salary and get more pesos from your conversions when you send money with Wise

Before you move abroad, you'll need an easy way to manage multiple currencies and send money home.

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Sources:

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics
2. Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
3. Department of Home Affairs - Permanent Work Visa
4. Office of Immigration Australia
5. Indeed.com - Hotel Manager in Australia