Searching for Jobs in Australia
Cleared your OPRA and English proficiency exam? You need to begin a hunt for pharmacist job roles after the OPRA exam without wasting any time! You might want to start with intern positions if you have little or no experience. Also, an internship of one year is mandatory to be eligible to take the Intern Oral and Written Exams and get complete registration. So here are a few ways in which you can search for jobs in Australia.
Search on Online Job Platforms
Online job platforms are the best and easiest way to search for jobs. Portals like Seek, Indeed, Glassdoor, etc, come with a plethora of job postings, which are updated every now and then. The job listings have all the major details such as working days and hours, roles and responsibilities, salary, and other benefits, etc. Just click apply on all the jobs you consider worthy. Make sure you go for the jobs that are offering sponsorship, as you will need sponsorship to be eligible to work in Australia initially.
Reach Out to Major Pharmacies in Australia
There are several major pharmacies in Australia that often refrain from posting on online job platforms but post job listings on their own websites. Even if they don’t have an active job posting, there are good chances that they are actively hiring. Therefore, you must reach out to these pharmacies via Email or physically and approach them for sponsorship job opportunities, if any. Some of these pharmacies include Chemist Warehouse, Priceline Pharmacy, Terrywhite Pharmacy, Infinity Pharmacy Group, Alliance Pharmacy, etc.
Build community
If you are already living in Australia, the best way to stay updated on the latest job opportunities is through your community. Therefore, you must focus on building a community of relevant professionals, such as pharmacy professionals.
Search for Internship Opportunities
Several pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies in Australia are often on the lookout for interns to work at their places. Therefore, you must focus on finding internship opportunities, which will help you convert your provisional registration after the OPRA exam into permanent registration. At least one year of internship is required before you get unrestricted registration in Australia, for which you need a good internship opportunity.
Tips for Success
Your career pathway in Australia begins with the right direction. Here are some expert tips that will help you attain success in getting a good job and sponsorship in Australia.
- Search for jobs in Regional Areas
Almost all areas in Australia that fall outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane fall into the category of regional areas. These are not well-established cities, and thus, the demand for pharmacists in these areas is quite high. Employers in these areas offer candidates jobs along with relocation benefits and probably other benefits such as housing, etc. You can opt for a 489 visa, which allows you to work for an employer for 4 years, after which you can get a permanent residency.
- Apply for a 482 Visa
Your priority should be applying for a 482 visa, which is a short-term visa. An employer might lure you with a visa and sponsorship, but you will end up working for the same employer for a long time if you choose the wrong visa. Instead, opt for a 482 visa, which allows you to change your job and thus your employer at your convenience. Later, you can apply for a skill migration visa and work under the employer/organisation of your choice. You can also explore other visa options after the OPRA exam with the help of experts.
- Consider Visiting Websites of Large Pharmacies
As mentioned in the previous section, there are some huge pharmacies in Australia, and getting a job in these pharmacies is a dream. However, most of these pharmacies don’t advertise job postings on job portals. Instead, they list vacancies on their official website. Therefore, apart from looking for jobs in these job portals, you must also consider visiting the websites of big Australian pharmacies that are generally constantly hiring and must look out for opportunities.
- Ensure That Your Employer Falls Under the TSS Program
To get a sponsorship visa, you must ensure that the employer you are applying with falls under the category of Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), Skilled Migrant Visa, or any other relevant visa program. Only then will they be able to offer you visa sponsorship.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the job market and finding the best employer in Australia can be a tough task in some cases. Securing a job opportunity in Australia after passing the OPRA examination requires careful planning, persistence, and a proactive approach. In such cases, the expertise of professionals can prove to be game-changing. Get in touch with Academically to get a good idea of the job market in Australia and some insider tips on securing the best job.
