Adjusting to life in Australia can be a truly exciting experience. However, if you aren’t crystal clear about how things work in relation to tax matters, you could end up feeling frustrated if you aren’t fully informed about money matters that apply to you while you are here.

If you have earned money while studying in Australia, the chances are, you will need to submit a tax return.

International students in Australia are often unclear about whether or not they need to submit a tax claim while they are here.

• What are the guidelines for student tax returns?
• What are the deadlines?
• What information do I need for a student tax return?
• Where can I get help with my student tax return?

In this guide to tax returns for students in Australia, we answer all your questions and cover off everything you need to know about international student tax returns.

Do I need to submit a tax return as a student in Australia?

If you have been a student in Australia for more than six months, then for the purposes of tax only, you are considered to be an Australian Resident, and you will need to submit a tax return if you earn any money while you are here.

Q. How do I know if I need to submit a tax return while studying in Australia?

A. You will need to submit a tax return as an international student in these circumstances:

• Your income is above the tax-free threshold of $18,200.
• If your income is below $18,200, but you paid tax; you will need to submit a return to claim a refund.

If you did not pay tax and your income was below the tax-free threshold, then you will not need to complete a tax return. However, you should still submit a non-lodgement advice note to the Australia Tax Office to inform them that you are not intended to lodge a return for the above-stated reasons. This will make sure that you are not marked down as not having submitted a tax return, and more importantly, it will ensure you are not liable for any penalties.

Here is a link to the 2019 non-lodgement advice form from the ATO.

Q. How do I submit an international student tax return?

A. Tax return forms are available from July 1^st. They form one element of the Taxpack.

• You can lodge a paper tax return with the ATO.
• You can submit a tax return online using a service called myTax
• You can lodge a tax return via a registered tax agent

Even if you return to your home country, you can still complete your student tax return online.

Q. What information is needed to complete a tax return?

A. Here’s a quick checklist of items you will need in order to complete a tax return:

• Tax File Number
• Bank Statements Showing any Interest Payments
• PAYG from employer/s
• Payment summaries for termination/s from previous employers
• Receipts for any donations, gifts and/or work-related expenses
• Banking details – Account number and BSB

If you have a partner, then you will also need to have details about their income and their expenses. You will also need to complete an income test to ensure your tax return entitlements are correct.

Q. What is the tax-free threshold in Australia for international students?

A. The tax-free threshold for the current tax year is $18,200. If you reside in Australia for less than a year, this figure will be adjusted proportionately. So, if you only study in Australia for 6 months, then your tax-free threshold will be reduced to $9,100.

Please note: You must be studying here for more than 6 months to receive the tax-free allowance. If your course is for 6 months or less, then you will need to pay on any income you receive.

Q. When do I need to submit my tax return by?

A. The tax year in Australia runs from Just 1^st to June 30^th. Tax returns should be submitted before 31^st October to avoid any fines. The only exception to this rule is if you have appointed a tax agent to act on your behalf prior to the cut-off.

Foreign Income for International Students in Australia

If you are studying on a student visa in Australia, then you will need to fully declare any money you earn while you are studying in this country. You will only be required to declare this foreign income you earn from overseas employment for the period you are only temporarily resident in Australia.

You will only need to declare any money you have earned since you arrived here to study. 

Please note: If you worked overseas during the school holiday period prior to arriving in Australia to study, then you will not need to declare this income.

Getting Extra Help with International Student Tax Returns

While we have covered some of the most common questions asked about international student tax returns in this post, you might find you need some additional help completing your student tax return.

If this is the case, don’t worry, you’re not alone! The Tax Help Program is a network of accredited community volunteers who have been trained by the Australian Taxation Office; and who offer a completely confidential and free advice and assistance service. This assistance is only available from July-October in most major cities, along with other regional areas throughout Australia.

Eligibility for Tax Help

There are certain criteria that need to be met in order to qualify for this free help:

• You must not be a sole trader, business owner, business partner or a contractor
• You must not own a rental property or any other type of investment property
• You must not own or sell shares or have capital gains tax
• You must not be in receipt of any foreign income, other than annuity or a pension
• You must not earn more than $60,000

If you meet the above criteria for the Tax Help Program, you should qualify for free assistance from ATO-trained volunteers who can help you submit a tax return or complete a non-lodgement advice form.

Whether you already have a resume or not, this article is going to give you practical tips to help you write a killer resume that will support your job applications and hopefully get you closer to landing your next job.

#1 Size Matters

If your current resume is more than 2-3 pages long, then it is too long. When a hiring manager gets a resume to review, and they usually receive lots, it is important to keep things concise. Nobody needs to see a full list of everything you did on a daily basis, and regardless of your seniority or amount of experience, you need to simply provide a high-level overview of the position you held and the types of responsibilities you had.

#2 Customization Counts

When you apply for a new job, you need to tailor the resume you submit to match with the requirements of the role. If you are applying for the right type of jobs, then you will already be confident that you have the experience, skills, and knowledge to be able to perform the required tasks. When you submit a resume, you need to make sure that the hiring manager can quickly and easily see that you are a good fit for the role.

Remove duties that aren’t relevant and always use the job description as a guide for what information you need to include in your resume. This tailored approach to writing a resume will ensure that yours quickly stands out as suitable for the post and will help you make it through to the acceptance pile much quicker.

#3 Pay Attention to the Details

This point is going to be short and sweet. Do not submit a resume that contains errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It will look like you are incapable of paying attention to the details, and it will give the impression that you have rushed your application and would do the same in any job you are applying for.

If spelling and proofreading isn’t your strongest point, hire a resume writer or a proofreading service to help you finalise your resume before you submit it for a job.

#4 Presentation

Presentation matters. While there are lots of fancy resume templates online, some of which are free, others which you can buy, you need to make sure that your overall presentation is consistent throughout.

• Use a font size of 10-12 for the writing, and a larger size for the headings.
• Keep all your dates in a consistent format throughout the document.
• Use the same font type throughout the whole document, and if you are using colours, keep to no more than two.
• Your most recent job should be at the top, dating backwards to your previous posts.

#5 Include all expected information

As a minimum, you need to include all of the below information in your resume.

• Contact Information
• Education
• Skills
• Qualifications
• Experience
• Achievements
• Personal Interests / Hobbies

#6 Always accompanied with a cover letter

Just as you will now be tailoring your resume to each and every job application you make, you will also need to write a cover letter to accompany your resume. Even if one isn’t requested, it is always good practice to summarise your suitability for the position in a brief, one-page cover letter.

As a final note, your resume is a working document, it will evolve with your experience, and it should be tailored to each and every job you apply for. This is usually the very first thing a recruiter or hiring manager will see, and it is how they decide whether or not to progress your application forward.

If you’re going to take the time to do things properly, you can start looking forward to receiving more positive responses to the job applications you make.

We wish you every success for your future!

Photo credits: Sebastian Herrmann

Automation is quickly becoming an even bigger part of our lives, but did you know that lots of job sites and companies are now using automated screening software for their initial stages of checks for job applications in Australia?

In this post, we share some tips and tricks to help you make sure that your resume stands the best chance of passing these checks and making through the screening process.

Automated Applicant Tracking

If you think it’s only the large corporates who are using automated CV screening, then you’re wrong. This type of software is far more affordable and accessible than ever before, as such, more and more companies are using it to help them sift through the hundreds of people who want to apply to work in Australia. It has been mainstream now for around 7 years, but adoption has increased dramatically in the past few years.

Have you ever wondered why more companies now ask you to fill in forms on their website as opposed to simply uploading your resume? This could be why.

Form Filling

If you are on your fifth form of the day and you are starting to feel a little tired, you must make sure that ALL of the skills which are listed as requirements in the job are listed in your skillset on your profile. Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts or you could face an auto-rejection by the system for a job that you are perfectly suited for.

Things to Avoid

If you use images, different fonts, graphics, headers, footers, special characters or industry acronyms, this could confuse the system. Bullet points are the only exception to this rule.

Avoid using file formats that are not DOC, DOCX, or PDF, unless otherwise stated on the system. If you are uploading a file, then make sure you include your full name as part of the file name too.

Tips for Getting your Resume Through the Initial Screening Process

#1 Timing

If you are thinking about applying for a job and the closing date is still a little while off, do not delay the process and apply as soon as you can. If you wait for the closing date, your resume will be at the back of the queue. The sooner your resume is in front of a hiring manager, the better.

#2 Write a Killer Cover Letter

Ok, it is not always requested that you have a cover letter, but we would always suggest you include one. A great cover letter is written in such a way that the person who is reviewing your job application can quickly and easily see that you are a good candidate and that you have the right skills and experience for the role. It can help you stand out and place your name at the top of the pile rather than somewhere in the middle.

#3 Spelling and Grammar

Does it really matter? Yes. Yes. Yes.

If you cannot take the time, care, and attention to get the little things right in your job application, what kind of impression does this give a prospective employer? If it isn’t your forte, hire a professional proofreader to give your application the once-over. Errors in spelling and grammar suggest the application is not important and that it was rushed. Both of these are not the kind of comments that most candidates would like to be associated with.

#4 Listing Skills

Listing yourself as having 50+ different skills might seem like a good idea, you’re covering all bases, right? Wrong. Hiring managers don’t have the time to carefully check if you have the right skills for the job from a huge list of skills. Adapt your resume for the job you are applying for and make it easy for the recruiter to see that you have the right skills for the job. The more time you spend doing this, the easier it will be for the hiring manager to approve your job application.

#5 Resume Length

Lots of candidates worry about not having enough information on their resume, and because of this, they write too much. Details are fine but try to keep in concise. Once again, tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for and make it easy for them to see you have the right experience for the role.

The ideal length of a resume should be no more than 2-3 standard A4 pages, with either a 10-12 font size throughout, with the exception of titles.

Make sure you include some personal information, such as your hobbies and/or achievements as this gives them a little glimpse into who you are as a person.

If you follow these simple yet effective guidelines, this will help your resume to sail through the initial process and hopefully help get you one step closer to landing your dream job in Australia.

Photo credits: William Iven

So, you have already spent what feels like weeks and months of hunting down jobs in the local area, you’ve spoken to countless agencies, updated your resume and written a killer cover letter. Finally, your job interview is imminent. What next?

Turn up, look smart, land the job.

Perhaps.

Interview Preparation Tips

Thus far, the company you have applied for a job to work in have only seen you on paper and perhaps spoken to you briefly over the phone. However, your interview is the all-important final piece of the puzzle, and most likely the only thing that is now standing between you and your next job offer.

“If you fail to prepare, then you should prepare to fail.”

Regardless of the position, you have applied for, the company or the salary, you must take time to prepare for your interview ahead of your meeting.

Going to an interview for a job is a nerve-wracking experience in itself. Regardless of how experienced you are, it doesn’t always get easier with practice as there is always an element of surprise. Whether that be in the form of the interview style, the questions, or the interviewer; you are going to be put on the spot and questioned.

Here are a few tips to help you nail your interview preparation skills.

#1 Research the Business

Take time to research the company that you are hoping to join. Take time to fully understand the position you are applying for and the organization as a whole. It will ease some of those pre-interview nerves, and it will also demonstrate to the employer that you care about the interview and that you understand the business.

Use their website, use LinkedIn, and use social media. Look at their community or social pages, understand the different services or products they offer, and try to come up with a couple of relevant questions to ask throughout or at the end of your interview.

A typical interview will always involve them asking you about the company and the role to check your understanding of what you are expected to do in your role, and that you understand the type of business that you are looking to join.

#2 Review the Role and Refresh Your Knowledge of your own Resume

Taking just an extra hour to refresh your knowledge of the position and making sure you can eloquently relay examples of your past experiences that are relevant to the job is another key interview preparation technique. Do not assume that they will have already done this for you. The person who is interviewing you might not always be the same person who screened your resume and shortlisted you for the post.

Make sure you are fully versed on the requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for.

#3 Arrive Early and Plan Your Route

While this might seem straightforward, taking a little extra time to plan ahead which route you will take and allowing yourself extra time for delays is crucial. The last thing you want to do is start on the backfoot by arriving late or flustered due to traffic or unexpected delays.

#4 Be Prepared and Look the Part

Always print out a couple of extra copies of your resume to take with you on the day. If there are more than one interviewer and only one resume on the table, providing an extra one or two for the other people will leave a lasting impression of someone who is prepared and organized.

Get your interview clothes ready the night before your interview as this will alleviate the things you need to do on the all-important day. The fewer things that can go wrong on the day, the better.

These four tips alone will help you arrive on the day feeling prepared and ready for action. Make sure you do them all, and you might be pleasantly surprised at just how relaxed you feel on the day if your next job interview.

Photo credits: Andrew Neel

It doesn’t matter whether you already have a job or not; when you take the time and effort to apply for a new job, you update your resume, you write a cover letter, and you think the job is perfect for you, then hear absolutely nothing in return, it’s tough.

If this process keeps happening, it can start to affect your morale, your motivation, and your self-esteem.

So, why does it happen, and what can you do about it?

In this post, we outline some of the key reasons that people fail to make it through the screening process and provide some useful tips to help you know what you can do to give yourself and your job application the best chance of success.

#1 Was the job right for you?

If you apply for the jobs you want, rather than the jobs your resume and experience suggest you are suited for, you might find that you are getting constantly rejected for the simple reason that you do not have the right background for the position.

Always check the requirements of the post in detail. If a job requires you must have a specific qualification or educational background as a fundamental requirement, and you do not possess the right qualifications, unless you directly address this point in a cover letter and explain why you do not feel it is required, then you’re probably going to be rejected for the post.

Some organizations will overlook formal qualifications when there is a compelling reason to do so. It could be that you have no Degree, but instead, you have 10 years of experience in the industry. In which case, this is a compelling reason for this requirement to be overlooked. However, unless you make it clear in your cover letter that you acknowledge this, you might not be making it through the initial screening process due to lack of qualifications.

#2 Your cover letter needs more work

If you’re the kind of person who submits the same cover letter for every position you apply for, then please stop doing this, now. Generic cover letters, in most cases, do more harm than good. You need to take the time to write a customized cover letter for each and every job you apply for.

A good cover letter makes it easy for the hiring manager to quickly match your skills and experience with the job you have applied for. It is very often the first thing a recruiter will read, and if done correctly, it can quickly get your resume placed on the acceptance pile or at least on the pile for applications that are to be considered or called.

#3 Your resume needs improving

In line with some of the things we have already alluded to in this post, just as your cover letter needs to be tailored to the exact needs of the position you are applying for, so does your resume. In any job, there are a multitude of responsibilities, tasks, and different duties that you will carry out; it is not possible to list to them all in a single resume if you did this, your resume could end being far longer than is deemed appropriate.

When you apply for a new job, you need to tailor what you include to match the job you wish to get. What you need to remember when you are applying to any job, is that you must make it easy for the hiring manager to see why you are suited to the role. If they cannot connect the experience you have with the requirements of the role, your resume could quite easily be disregarded as unsuitable. Take the time to ensure that only your relevant experience is included, and you could well find that you start to hear back about more of the job applications you submit.

The quality of your resume must be impeccable in terms of spelling and grammar. If this isn’t your area of expertise, you can hire a professional proofreading or editing service to help you polish this document off.

As a final note about writing the perfect resume, you should always try to ensure that it is between 2-3 pages long. If you need to expand further on some of the things you have done, you can do this during the interview stages when you are asked to provide examples of your experience.

#4 Use Social Media

Social media has evolved, and it is no longer something that is strictly for your personal life. If you think that recruiters and hiring managers aren’t interested in looking at your profile, then you are mistaken. If you do have personal accounts with pictures of your social life, then try to lock these down and enforce some privacy settings. If you don’t have any business-related profiles, such as LinkedIn, then it could pay you dividends to set one up and start building a network. You can then include a link to this in your resume or on any communications you send via email.

It is also a great place to build-up references, and you can ask people you have worked with and for to leave a recommendation, further cementing your value and appeal as a prospective candidate.

#5 Ask for Feedback

If you still aren’t hearing back about some of the jobs you are applying for, be direct, and call up any recruiters to ask them for some honest feedback. It is normal practice for applicants who don’t make it through to the interview stages to not receive any feedback on applications. Regardless of the effort, you have put into the application; you shouldn’t expect to get feedback from the vast majority of posts you apply for. At most, you can expect a generic response to let you know you have not been successful.

What you might find could be incredibly useful is to call up the agency or company and ask them directly for feedback yourself. You might not always get a positive response or any response of value, but you could get a few people that take the time to give you some honest feedback that could prove invaluable in helping you understand why you are not being shortlisted for the posts you are applying for.

The most important thing is to not lose hope, keep going, be honest with yourself about the jobs you are applying for and their suitability.

Your dream job in Australia is just around the corner!

Photo credits: RobinHiggins

You can’t get that job you are seeking without having a good Curriculum Vitae (CV). Below are some points which you should considered when writing your CV.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Include your full name and address, followed by your telephone number.
• List your work number or email address.

OBJECTIVE

• Make sure it relates directly to your experience, accomplishments and to the job for which you are applying.
• You may want to have a few versions of your CV on hand, with different objectives that support the type of position you’re seeking.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Don’t forget to include your title or position, the company name/location and dates of employment.
• Use strong action verbs that describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.

EDUCATION

• List your most recent educational experience first.
• Include the name of the institution you attended, the degree you earned, your major and date of graduation.
• Special commendations or awards should also be listed here.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Use this area if you want to include information that doesn’t fit into the categories above, such as professional certifications, special interests, skills or activities.

REFERENCES

• Mention on your CV that references are available upon request.
• Be sure to have a list of references to provide a prospective employer, and always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.

Points to consider when writing your CV?

• Write short paragraphs (no longer than six or seven lines) to ensure your CV gets viewed by hiring personnel.
• Make sure to use correct grammar and spelling. Do a computer spellcheck or have someone proof-read your CV before submitting.
• Make it simple and easy to read. CVs are often scanned into a database, so simple typefaces are best. Keep in mind that certain types of software can’t read special designs or bold typefaces, which means the CV won’t make it into the database.
• Information that is tailored to the job you’re seeking, highlighting your unique capabilities, awards, professional memberships and any other information that relates to the position.

What to avoid when writing your CV?

• Avoid unclear information. Use facts and measurable results wherever possible.
• Don’t use the words “I” and “me.” State the information as directly and clearly as possible (eg, “Received an Employee of the Month Award.”)
• Covering up gaps in employment history. These can be explained during the interview process.
• Avoid Information that does not apply to the job you are seeking and be more specific.
• Reasons for leaving a prior job.
• If you need help to write your resume let us know. We will send you a template.

Sources; kellyservices.com.au

So many people find it hard to find jobs in Australia. We have asked some advice from some industry experts for their tips about how to find work and pass through the interview process.

Below we will discuss about what makes a candidate stand out and how you should behave in an interview.

Here are the tips which will help you to pass through the interview process and get the job you want.

You should have courage and confidence.

It is one of the important factors to get the job you want. Courage will help you win the interview and taking the next step. For instance, when answering a question during the interview, you should never say I’m not sure, I don’t have or I’m not good because this is a thumb down. But, what you should say instead are I will do some more research on it, I will work hard to improve myself and get better at it. You should show confidence that you’re willing to learn and give your best to meet the company goals.

The truth is that some international students get nervous during the interview process because they are used to different cultural expectations and feel uncomfortable but, the recruiter wants to see you are confident in your abilities and able to fit in the team.

Know yourself

This sounds simple but, sometimes when the interviewer asks questions such as “What are you good at? What career do you want to take on in the future?” candidate starts talking out of subject and starts talking about a job not related. Think carefully and be sure of your real passion.

Writing a good CV

It is important to write on accomplishments about complicated tasks and how you manage to tackle them. Don’t just write “I’m hard working and a problem solver”. We have provided more information on how to write a good CV on a different blog.

Check out how to write a good CV.

Volunteering and networking.

Volunteering is a good way to get local experience. It will help you to connect with other people and open up more opportunities. For instance, probably one of the volunteers might know someone who is hiring and connect you to your next boss.

How you solve problems are more important than transcripts

You might have noticed, most of the employers won’t focus on many HD’s you have on your school report but, will focus more on problem solving. Providing solutions will make your boss love you more.

Sources: Business Matters 

Whether you are a student today or are soon to be commencing study, knowing which jobs are going to be in high demand over the next five years could be key for any decision you might need to make about a chosen career path or future aspirations.

A recent survey that was undertaken by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research established that by 2024, accountants, healthcare worker, and teachers would collectively make up most of the professional roles in Australia. This same report also details forecasts for the different jobs in Australia along with their associated sectors for those jobs for those who are new to the jobs market.

It is estimated that there is going to be approximately half a million new annual job openings between 2017-2024. Interestingly, more than half of these positions will result from a demand driven by replacement postings.

Overall, the results of this survey indicate a growing trend of job openings for higher-skilled positions. Figures suggest that the forecasts predict there to be approximately 120,000 annual job openings for professional occupations. Following closely behind in second place are management jobs, which are expected to make up around 70,000 new openings in Australia annually.

What Australian Jobs Will Be in Demand Over the Next Five Year?

Following much research and a deep analysis of the Australian job market, there are ten positions that are stated as being those which are due to be in highest demand between now and 2022.

1. Disabled Carers and Carers for the Elderly
2. Nurses (Registered)
3. Childcare Positions
4. Sales Assistants (General)
5. Clerks (General)
6. Educational Assistants
7. Truck and HGV Drivers
8. IT Programmers (Software and Apps)
9. PR, Sales Management, Marketing
10. Medical Officers (Residential) and GPs

Summary of The Types of Roles Producing the Most Jobs in Australia

Professional Jobs in Australia

The biggest volume of increase in the number of jobs in Australia over the next five years will be specifically amongst professionals. Company secretaries, auditors, and accountancy positions are set to rise by almost 3% annually. This is down to industry growth which is reportedly driving the demand for these roles.

Similarly, a robust growth figure of around 2.5% annually is expected for nursing professionals and midwives. For those nursing professionals who work in social assistance or residential care, jobs are also expected to be boosted due to the implementation of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). The ageing population in Australia, along with the NDIS is also driving job openings for support workers, personal assistants, personal carers, and childcare professionals.

Another key initiative that is driving job openings in a different sector is the National Broadband Network (NBN). As a result, jobs within the Telecoms and ICT sectors are set to grow by more than 2% annually.

Management Jobs in Australia

Manager jobs across a varied range of sectors are set to rise steadily over the next five years. This includes management job is distribution and construction, along with production managers, farm managers, retail managers, and business admin managers.

Other Jobs Available in Australia

It is forecast that more than 60,000 jobs in Australia per year are going to available for trades and technician workers. Hospitality is also another booming industry. Other jobs which are set to have a notable number of open positions are general sales assistants, cashiers, drivers, machinery operators, cleaners and laundry staff.

While these jobs represent a very diverse range of skillsets and cover a broad number of sectors, the good news for anyone looking for jobs in Australia is that there is forecast to be a positive growth over the next five years, with much of that growth being fuelled by various sector-specific initiatives and a genuine increase in demand for particular professional services.

Australia is a great place to be, and for those who might be looking for jobs in Australia over the next five years, the future is set to be very bright indeed.