Australia · Jobs
Where to find jobs in Australia — major job boards, in-demand sectors, and how to apply.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Workforce Australia is the Australian Government's official employment service and job board, delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and it replaced jobactive in 2022 — so older references to jobactive are out of date. It is open to any job seeker. Skilled foreign workers usually need a work or skilled visa, and because many regions and occupations have skills shortages, the official skilled-occupation lists are the practical tool for targeting where you have the strongest case.
Workforce Australia is the Australian Government's official employment service and job board (which replaced jobactive in 2022), delivered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Skilled foreign workers usually need a work or skilled visa, and the Fair Work system sets pay and conditions.
- Workforce Australia (workforceaustralia.gov.au) is the official government job board, open to any job seeker.
- Skilled foreign workers usually need a work or skilled visa (e.g. subclass 482, 186, 189/190).
- The Fair Work system sets minimum pay, awards and conditions.
- Many regions and occupations have skills shortages — check official skilled-occupation lists.
- 1
Use Workforce Australia, not jobactive
Workforce Australia replaced jobactive in 2022. Guidance still pointing at jobactive is out of date, and its other details may be too.
- 2
Search it as any job seeker
The board is open to any job seeker, not only to people in a government programme. That makes it a general search tool rather than a service you have to qualify for.
- 3
Identify your visa subclass early
Skilled foreign workers usually need a work or skilled visa, and the subclasses differ in what they require. Establishing yours early shapes which roles are realistically open to you.
- 4
Target using the skilled-occupation lists
Many regions and occupations have skills shortages, and the official skilled-occupation lists show where. Targeting a listed occupation is usually a stronger position than applying broadly.
- 5
Check pay through the Fair Work system
The Fair Work system sets minimum pay, awards and conditions. Checking the award that covers a role tells you what the offer should clear before you negotiate.
- Workforce Australia used rather than outdated jobactive references
- Open-access nature of the board understood
- Visa subclass identified for your situation
- Skilled-occupation list checked for your occupation
- Regional shortage areas considered when targeting
- Applicable award identified for the role
- Offer checked against the award minimum
- Workforce Australia
Official Australian Government job board.
- Fair Work Ombudsman
Official pay, awards and workplace rights.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to jobactive in Australia?
Workforce Australia replaced it in 2022. Any guidance still pointing you at jobactive is out of date, which is also a signal that its other details may not be current either.
Do I have to be in a government programme to use Workforce Australia?
No — the board is open to any job seeker. That makes it a general search tool you can use straight away rather than a service you have to qualify for first.
How do skilled-occupation lists help a job search in Australia?
They show where skills shortages sit by region and occupation. Targeting a listed occupation usually puts you in a stronger position than applying broadly, because the shortage is what the visa system is responding to.
Government portals
- Australian Government — Australian Government's official entry point — quick access to all department services
- Dept of Home Affairs — Student/work visas, skilled migration (189/190/491 subclasses), and citizenship applications
- Australian Tax Office (ATO) — TFN application, tax refunds, GST, superannuation, and personal income tax lodgment