There are thousands of international students living in Brisbane, making it one of the best international student cities in Australia. The Queensland capital has a vibrant atmosphere, lots of booming industries and a strong economy, all of which make it a highly desirable place to live and work.
You’ll be glad to know that Brisbane offers great employment opportunities for graduates. After you finish your studies in Brisbane, you’ll likely find a number of employment opportunities waiting for you. If you’re considering living and working in Brisbane, we’ve gathered all the tips and tricks you’ll need to know.
Why work in Brisbane?
Being the third-largest city in Australia, Brisbane is a great place to live, study and work. Not only does it have lots of job opportunities, but it’s also very liveable. From here, you can get to the Gold Coast in an hour and the Sunshine Coast in 90 minutes (even their names sound like paradise!). Brisbane also has bustling arts, culture and food scenes, and has been selected to host the 2032 Summer Olympics.
Industries such as mining and tourism have long been big employers in Queensland, but other fields like healthcare, IT, education and construction are also gaining traction. The next five years are expected to see over 62 per cent of employment growth coming from these industries. And, as part of the Advance Queensland program, the Queensland Government is working to strengthen the state’s entrepreneurial culture by providing access to finance, new business opportunities and managerial support.
All in all, the city of Brisbane has a lot to offer: employment opportunities across a number of industries, affordable housing, a lovely climate, as well as a culturally diverse, friendly and educated population. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city with good public transport options and infrastructure. In other words, it ticks all the boxes.
Prepare for Brisbane
- Build your network
Despite living in a digital age, don’t forget how important interpersonal interactions can be. Actively expanding your network in the industry you want to work in can have a significant impact on your job success.
If you wish to learn more about your industry, you can talk to your lecturer, attend conferences and seminars or any networking events, and reach out to people in the industry to see if they’re happy to meet up and answer your questions. Doing these will enable you to interact with a range of people to gain industry insights and form valuable connections.
- Gain industry experience
Extracurricular activities and work experience that demonstrate your all-around ability are just as important as your academic performance. Luckily, students in Brisbane are often given opportunities for industry internships that they can complete alongside their coursework.
You’ll find internships, volunteer positions and part-time jobs in Brisbane for students. All of these will help you stand out and strengthen your skills. That means that when you’re looking for a job, you may have more experience than other candidates and be more qualified for the role.
Volunteering is a great option if you don’t have any work experience. It helps you grow as a person, enhances your employability and may help you to secure paid work if you’re interested in casual jobs in Brisbane. You can find lots of volunteering opportunities around Australia. Your educational institution might even list these opportunities on their website.
Study Queensland’s Launch U Trade Accelerator (LTA) is another program that equips you with the skills you need to succeed. Designed for students looking to gain international business experience, LTA is a virtual program where student teams are given real-life business projects to work on, each focusing on a different international market.
- Personal branding matters
Networking platforms such as LinkedIn allow you to build a personal brand and display your academic credentials, skills, experience and qualifications. In addition to making it easier for recruiters and potential employers to get in touch with you, LinkedIn lets you build your professional network and expand your opportunities for development.
Having a well-organised and unique LinkedIn page will make a good impression on potential employers. It will also help you to stand out against other candidates.
LinkedIn profiles should clearly describe who you are. If you’re a journalism student, for example, you might explain your area of expertise and include links to any work you’ve had published. Alternatively, if you’re an IT student, you can provide a list of programming languages you are proficient in and projects you’ve worked on. If you’re a design student, why not add a link to your personal portfolio?
- List your favourite company
Do you have a particular Brisbane company or multiple businesses you’d like to work for? Doing your research is key! If you’re interested in more than one company, make a list and gather information on each one, such as the company’s vision, goals, development direction, recruitment strategy and so on.
You can also look for company reports, as well as reviews from current and former employees. These can help you to think ahead and learn about what these employers are looking for.
Find your dream job
Curious about the types of jobs available in Brisbane? If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve outlined some of the most in-demand careers in Brisbane, including healthcare and medicine, aged care and social assistance, tourism, events and hospitality.
When it comes to looking for jobs in Brisbane, you can visit websites like SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn to find specific roles and learn more about various companies. Start researching today so you can get ahead and launch a successful career in Brisbane.
