Many people want to work in Australia. Some jobs need a degree, but many do not. This guide lists the main job types for foreign workers in Australia, what they pay and how the process really works. It helps you choose the right path and stay away from fake offers.
The main jobs for foreign workers in Australia
| Trades (electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder) | Can be sponsored. Need a skills check |
|---|---|
| Cook and chef | Can be sponsored. Read the guide |
| Aged care worker | Possible with training, through a labour agreement |
| Truck driver | Possible in some regional areas. Read the guide |
| Factory and warehouse | Hard to sponsor. Read the guide |
| Construction labourer | Hard to sponsor; trades are easier. Read the guide |
How much you can earn
Since 1 July 2026 the national minimum wage in Australia is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. Casual workers get at least $33.05 an hour. Most jobs are paid under an “award”, a legal pay table for the industry. Award pay rose by 4.75% in July 2026, and trade workers earn well above the minimum.
All amounts are in Australian dollars. For a sponsored visa in the main stream, the salary must be at least about $79,400 a year.
If you have a trade
Electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, carpenters and cooks usually earn more than general workers, and employers look for them first. But a trade is only useful abroad if you can prove it:
- Bring your training certificate and letters from past employers, with dates and the work you did.
- Some trades, such as electrician and plumber, are regulated. You may need a local licence or an exam before you can work alone.
- Photos or a short video of your work can help in an interview.
Which job is right for you?
- If you are strong and like clear tasks, look at factory, warehouse and construction work.
- If you have a clean licence and driving experience, driver jobs often pay more.
- If you like working with people, look at hotel, kitchen and care work.
- If you have a trade, apply in your trade first. It is the fastest way to better pay.
What you need before you can work in Australia
This is the most important part of this guide. Pay in Australia is high, but Australia does not have a simple work visa for jobs that need no training. Be careful with anyone who says it does.
The main work visa is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). For it you need:
- An employer in Australia who is an approved sponsor and offers you a job.
- A job that is on the government’s list of skilled jobs.
- Skills and at least one year of experience in that job, and enough English.
- A salary of at least about $79,400 a year in the main stream of this visa.
Some lower-paid jobs can still get this visa through a labour agreement. This is a special deal between one employer, or one region, and the government. It exists in fields such as aged care, meat processing and some regional areas. The employer must already have the agreement.
The visa can last up to four years. It has no upper age limit. The government fee for the visa is high, about $4,000 for the main applicant.
Costs to plan for
Australia is an expensive country. Rent is the biggest cost, mostly in Sydney and Melbourne. Smaller towns and regional areas are cheaper, and they are also where many employers cannot find workers. The visa fee, the English test, the skills check, the medical exam and the flight all cost money before you earn anything. An employer may pay part of it, but the law does not make them pay your visa fee. Plan your budget before you start, and do not borrow money for a job that is not confirmed in writing.
How to apply safely
- Search on Workforce Australia and SEEK, the main job websites. Add the word “sponsorship” to your search.
- Apply only to adverts that say the employer can sponsor a visa.
- Send a clear résumé in English with your skills, your trade papers and letters from past employers.
- If an employer answers, ask if they are an approved sponsor or have a labour agreement. Ask for this in writing.
- Apply for the visa only on the official Home Affairs website. If you want help, use a registered migration agent.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Applying for every job you see. Choose the two or three job types that fit your experience.
- Trusting adverts that promise “visa in 10 days” or “no interview”.
- Travelling on a visitor visa to “find work there”. In most countries you cannot work on a visitor visa.
- Paying anyone for a job offer.
Your rights as a worker in Australia
- You must be paid at least the legal minimum for your job, the same as an Australian worker.
- Your employer must give you a payslip and pay money into a retirement fund for you, on top of your wage.
- Nobody can ask you to pay for visa sponsorship. This is against the law.
- Your employer cannot cancel your visa. Only the government can.
- The Fair Work Ombudsman helps all workers for free, whatever visa they hold.
Protect yourself from fake job offers
- Never pay for a job or for sponsorship. In Australia this is illegal for the employer and for you.
- Be very careful with adverts for “unskilled jobs in Australia with free visa”. For most people outside the Pacific region, this visa does not exist.
- A real employer does not hire by WhatsApp only and does not ask for a “visa deposit”.
- If someone gives you visa advice for money, check that they are a registered migration agent. The public register is on the website of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Questions people ask
Which job is easiest to get in Australia without a degree?
Jobs with many open places and simple training: factory and warehouse work, cleaning, kitchen help and construction labour. Driver and trade jobs pay more but ask for a licence or proof of skill.
Is there an age limit?
You must be an adult. Employers decide who they hire. The visa rules are explained in this guide.
Can I get a work visa for Australia without a trade or training?
It is very hard. The main work visa is for skilled jobs. A few lower-paid jobs are possible through labour agreements, mainly in aged care, meat processing and some regional areas.
Is there an age limit for the 482 visa?
No. The temporary 482 visa has no upper age limit. Some permanent visas do have one.
More guides for Australia
- Factory jobs in Australia
- Driver jobs in Australia
- Hotel and cleaning jobs in Australia
- Construction jobs in Australia
- How to apply for jobs in Australia
- Australia work visa guide
Last checked: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and pay change, so always confirm on the official websites before you decide. We are not a recruiter and we never ask for money.
These are guides, not live vacancies. We are not an employer.