No Local Experience? How to Get a Job in Australia For Migrants & International Students

You’ve polished your resume, sent out dozens of applications, maybe even hundreds — but the silence is deafening. The feedback you do get often includes one frustrating phrase:

“We’re looking for candidates with local experience.”

For international students, graduates, and skilled migrants, this is one of the biggest barriers to getting started in the Australian job market.

But here’s the truth: you can absolutely get a job in Australia without local experience. Many of my clients have done it — some within weeks of changing their approach.

This guide will show you exactly how to get a job in Australia, even if you’re new to the country, with practical strategies you can start using today.

1. Why Employers Value “Local Experience”

When employers say they want “local experience,” they don’t always mean it literally. What they’re really asking is:

Can you adapt to Australian workplace culture?
Do you understand local regulations or processes?
Can you communicate clearly with clients, managers, and teams here?
Will you fit in socially with the workplace?

Sometimes “local experience” is also just a filter employers use when they’re overwhelmed with applicants. It’s easier to default to candidates who’ve worked in Australia before.

👉 Takeaway: Lack of local experience is not a permanent block. Employers want evidence you can adapt — and you can show that in other ways.

2. Highlight Transferable Skills

Your overseas work matters — but you need to frame it in a way Australian employers recognise.

Instead of:
“Worked on finance projects in India.”

Reframe as:
“Prepared monthly financial reports for a $5M company, ensuring compliance with international accounting standards (similar to Australian frameworks).”

How to highlight transferable skills:

Translate achievements into metrics AUD ($, %, time saved).
Use the same language as job ads.
Emphasise universal skills: leadership, problem-solving, project delivery, customer service.
Avoid assuming employers understand your overseas job titles — clarify scope.

👉 Employers care about value, not geography.

3. Build “Local” Credibility Without a Job

You don’t need to be in a full-time role to create “Australian experience.”

Options:

Volunteering → Nonprofits, community organisations.
Internships or placements → University programs, short contracts.
Freelance/consulting → Short projects that count as local work.
Professional associations → Join industry groups (CPA, Engineers Australia).

Label this on your resume as “Professional Experience in Australia.”

Example:
“Marketing Intern, Sydney NGO — Developed digital campaigns that increased event attendance by 30%.”

👉 Even short stints add credibility and show you’ve adapted locally.

4. Network Strategically

Up to 80% of jobs in Australia are filled through referrals or networks — not job boards. That means if you only apply online, you’re competing with hundreds of others.

Networking strategies:

Optimise your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo + headline (“IT Graduate | Full Work Rights in Australia”).
Connect with alumni from your university.
Request “coffee chats” or informational interviews.
Join local meetups or industry events.

Client story: An IT graduate applied online for 6 months, zero results. One LinkedIn coffee chat led to a referral — and his first $72K job.

👉 Networking isn’t about begging for jobs — it’s about building trust and visibility.

5. Optimise Your Resume for ATS

Another reason migrants don’t get interviews: resumes never pass the ATS filter.

ATS-friendly tips:

Use a single-column Word (.docx) file.
No graphics, tables, or icons.
Standard headings (Work Experience, Skills, Education).
Mirror keywords from job ads (e.g., “SQL,” “stakeholder management”).
Focus on achievements, not duties.

Example (before/after):
❌ “Worked on data projects.”
✅ “Performed SQL data analysis, improving sales forecast accuracy by 20%.”

👉 ATS is your first hurdle — clear formatting + keywords get you through.

6. Master Interviews (Show Local Context)

Even with a great resume, many migrants stumble at interviews.

Common issues:

Overly formal answers.
Not providing enough detail.
Struggling with “Tell me about yourself.”

Fix:

Use STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Practise common Australian interview questions.
Show awareness of local workplace norms (team collaboration, small talk).

Example:
Instead of just saying “I managed projects,” say:
“I led a 5-person team delivering a $1M IT project in Melbourne, completing it 2 weeks early — we used Agile methodology, which I know is common here.”

👉 The more local context you bring in, the more confident employers feel.

7. Understand Australian Workplace Culture

Employers often use “local experience” as shorthand for “cultural fit.”

Key aspects of Australian workplaces:

Flat hierarchies — managers are approachable.
Direct communication — polite but clear.
Small talk matters — relationships are built over coffee chats.
Work-life balance — overtime is less common.

👉 Showing you understand culture reduces employer hesitation.

8. Persistence and Mindset

Finding your first job can take weeks or months. Rejection is normal — it’s redirection, not failure.

Tips:

Track applications in a spreadsheet.
Refine your resume after 10–15 rejections.
Celebrate small wins (a recruiter reply, a coffee chat).
Stay consistent — success often comes after persistence.

Case story: A graduate accountant applied for 100+ roles. After refining her resume and using LinkedIn, she landed a $67K role in 4 months.

👉 The right strategy + patience = results.

FAQs

Q1: How to get a job in Australia without local experience?
By reframing overseas achievements, adding volunteer/internship roles, and proving adaptability in interviews.

Q2: Should I apply if the ad says “local experience required”?
Yes. Many of my clients landed jobs despite that line. Employers often shortlist strong resumes anyway.

Q3: How long does it take to find a job in Australia?
It varies — average is 3–6 months. With strong resumes, networking, and interview prep, some succeed in weeks.

Q4: Does volunteering really help?
Yes. It gives you references, resume entries, and confidence. Employers count it as local experience.

Q5: Is LinkedIn important in Australia?
Critical. Recruiters often check LinkedIn before calling. Optimised profiles can get you approached directly.

Q6: Do I need PR to get a good job?
No. Many employers hire migrants at full salaries if they have full work rights.

Q7: How many jobs should I apply for weekly?
5–10 targeted, tailored applications are better than 50 generic ones.

Quick Checklist

If you’re struggling to get a job in Australia, ask yourself:

Is my resume ATS-friendly?
Am I tailoring it to each job?
Did I translate overseas achievements into local context?
Have I added volunteering/internships to show “local experience”?
Is my LinkedIn profile professional?
Am I networking weekly?
Do I show cultural awareness in interviews?

👉 If you answered “no” to more than 3, that’s why employers aren’t calling.

Final Thoughts

Getting a job in Australia without local experience is challenging — but far from impossible.

Employers don’t just want “local experience” — they want confidence you can succeed in their environment. By reframing overseas achievements, building local credibility through volunteering or internships, optimising resumes, and networking strategically, you can bridge the gap.

Many of my clients — international students, graduates, and skilled migrants — landed skilled roles within months. With the right strategy, you can too.

Start Your Job Search Strong

🎁 Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit — the free resource designed for international students and migrants.

Inside, you’ll get:

An ATS-friendly resume template.
A LinkedIn checklist to attract recruiters.
Interview strategies that land offers.

👉 Get Your Free Skilled Job Starter Kit