Working in Australia (from an Indonesian perspective)

In Indonesia, I got my job using my qualification in communication. This qualification, which I got through whole process of schooling from early learning education to college. But due to relocating to Australia, an English spoken country, the story is changing. In here my qualification is recognized by the Education Department. But in fact I can’t get a job with it. First that is because of language problem; secondly I live in Cairns a relatively small city compare to state capital city. Cairns is a lovely relaxing tourism town. Not as busy as Brisbane for example. In Indonesia this will be comparable between Yogyakarta and Jakarta.

Cairns unemployment number, once as high as 7.9 % when the national number is 5.5 %. City with a low unemployment number is a mining city for example. Mining provides a lot different job for everyone.

Almost every job in this country needs a qualification. This is including a lollipop lady. Well, for this one because of safety issue. There are a lot of varieties of qualifications in Australia. Some of it just needs 1 or 2 days course, some of it needs more than a year.

This regulation has certainly make some people in the difficult situation. A person like me, a migrant has to get one of the qualifications if I want the job in most of industries. Unfortunately most of the course available only for citizens or permanent resident. Event if there is a course available for foreigner, the price will be 10 x or more. But in the other side, these regulations are made to “educate” employee and help them to adjust with Australian working condition. This especially, is important for migrants. Things like health and safety, work ethics, and of course how to do the job itself are taught in the course and placement (practice). These courses also provide employment, for trainer, instructor, teacher and the rest of college employees.

Certain job e.g. in the school, childcare centre, building project etc. the employee has to hold a first aid certificate including CPR. This kind of certificate has to be renewed regularly which means we have to do the course again.

Reference and experience is the main thing considered in the recruitment. These two things make Australian able to get job without certificate. But for a migrant like me, I have proved it … I didn't get any good job without certificate. Imagine if we are Australian and need employees, then come an Asian girl, talk with an accent … we will curious what is her skill, what is her background, what is her occupation in her country, does she know how to communicate with customer or other employee? It will be different when an Australian white girl come to apply the job. She talk fluently, she seems know how to greet people, she has no difficulties to read manual instruction, easy to reach her reference, etc.

Jobs which doesn't require any certificates are gardener assistant, driver (need a driver license), cleaning service, pool man etc. Wait person sometimes doesn't need a certificate but if she or he work in the restaurant with alcohol license she/ he will need RSA (Responsible of Serving Alcohol). Trading jobs; carpenter, tiler, painter, electrician all of them able to do the real job after done an apprenticeship and at least got their certificate 2.

School or college who assist students to get their qualification after high school (Not a University), in Australia called TAFE. Outside TAFE, there are a lot of private schools. TAFE is supported by government, soon it will be independence. In this kind of school level of education student can get are Certificate 2 to Certificate 4, then Diploma. This is different with what Indonesian have, where Diploma are D1 – D4.