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Working in Western Australia

Employment opportunities in Western Australia (WA) continue to grow and diversify, and WA is a great place to live. 

For continued prosperity, ​WA needs skilled and experienced workers to fill positions that are not able to be filled by the local workforce — this opens up a world of opportunities for skilled migrants. 

WA offers a unique set of strengths and capabilities, from a highly skilled workforce to abundant resources and outstanding research and education institutions. WA workplaces are like no other!

A team working happily in a meeting

Finding employment when you reside in WA

Once you have arrived in WA, there are many services available to help you connect with the WA workforce. We have put together the following handy information to help you start making connections.

Visit the Jobs and Skills WA website(opens in a new tab) for information on writing a resume and job applications, and preparing for interviews. Once you have arrived in WA, you can visit a Jobs and Skills Centre for free careers, training and employment advice and assistance. 

You can also search locations for Jobs and Skills Centres on the Jobs and Skills WA website(opens in a new tab).

The Skilled Migrant Employment Register is a free initiative supporting employers and skilled migrants to connect to build the WA workforce. 

To connect with the WA workforce, visit our Skilled Migrant Employment Register page

Once you have arrived in WA, the Overseas Qualifications Unit​ (OQU) can assess eligible qualifications you have gained overseas and advise on your level of education compared to the Australian Qualifications Framework. 

Find out more on our OQU page here(opens in a new tab)

The jobs.wa.gov.au website​(opens in a new tab) lists current vacancies within the WA Government.

To be permanently employed with the WA Government, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. 

If you are on a temporary visa, you may be eligible for a fixed term contract.

Depending on your visa, you may be eligible to register with Workforce Australia. This is a government funded service providing support and assistance to find employment — this may include access to services, training, skills development and work experience.

​To find out if you are eligible visit the Workforce Australia website(opens in a new tab) or call 13 62 68.

You can get local experience by doing volunteer work or taking on a work placement (often referred to as work experience) in your profession. This will help you build professional contacts and experience the Australian workplace for yourself. 

Visit the Volunteering WA website(opens in a new tab) to search for volunteering opportunities.

Local work related experience and work placements will help you to gain a job in WA. Local experience may also refer to your knowledge of Australian:

Multicultural Services Centre of WA Inc. (MSC) is an established provider of diverse community services and programs. MSC has been supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) Western Australians for over four decades and aims to address the unmet needs of migrants and refugees.

The Multicultural Services Centre of WA (MSC) provides services to people living anywhere in WA. Send an enquiry to the MSC through their website(opens in a new tab), or call 08 9328 2699.

MercyCare is an organisation committed to supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to settle successfully and live meaningful and valued lives, where they can contribute to and feel part of the fabric of WA. Services are offered through MercyCare Community Services and are available face to face, online or over the phone. 

MercyCare Mirrabooka 

4 Brewer Place, Mirrabooka
Phone: 08 6298 9888
Email: mirrabookareception@mercycare.com.au 

MercyCare Cannington

1/6 Cecil Avenue, Cannington 6107
Phone: 08 6298 9800
Email: canningtonreception@mercycare.com.au 

Other important information

The following information is provided as an overview only. For detailed information about Australian workplaces and your rights as an employee, please visit our Settlement Services page.