If you want to move to Sydney, you are not alone!  It’s a beautiful city with a vibrant agency landscape.  Plus Sydney currently has a talent shortage in the direct and digital marketing space, so if you have the skills, the experience and the references you could be in luck.

It’s not a cheap city (cost of living is comparable to London) but with the soaring dollar it means you can often get paid more than you are currently earning for the equivalent job!

Sydney agencies

As in most cities, there is a variety of agencies.  However Sydney does not have the scale of London or New York and as a result many of the multi-nationals are more integrated with one management team covering the Advertising, Direct and Digital areas.

In addition to this there are many smaller shops, including digital agencies that specialise in different areas.

The process

We will be able to advise you on opportunities once we’ve met with you and are happy to do an initial Skype interview.  This is best done on a computer with a camera, as Skype tends to cut out on apps.

Once you have arrived in Sydney, we like to meet you face to face as soon as possible.

Have questions prepared

What do you want to know about the market? What are the key things to do before you arrive and to bring with you?

Planning your move

We would recommend you have at least 18 months’ experience in the Direct Marketing industry before you come over to contract.  If you are looking for a permanent move than you will more likely need around four to five years’ experience (see sponsorship below).

Be clear on when you will arrive

You may get hired from overseas but you’ll be lucky! All of our clients are likely to want to meet you in person even if they are happy to do the first couple of interviews on Skype.

You need to have a firm arrival date.  Agencies will lose interest in interviewing you if this moves and you will miss out on opportunities.  It’s best to contact us about six weeks before your arrival date.

Get your resume ready

See our blog on ‘Ten tips on Writing your Resume’! It’s very important to think about your background and what you are trying to achieve.  If your experience is in local independent companies/agencies, a brief line on their positioning in the market is key.  If it’s in multi-nationals, not necessary.  The same goes for brands you’ve worked on.  A summary of industry experience is always useful.  Make yourself look adaptable to the Australian market.

References

Bring written references with you, on company letterhead if possible.  At least one from your last job, written by your manager plus one other. It can be from a previous company or even from your client or agency.  If this is not possible ensure you have approval for verbal references before you leave, and make sure you include all your referees’ contact details as this saves time!

Portfolio

Although standard for creative, this is not the norm for suits or client side marketers.  However it showcases campaigns worked on that are not seen in the Australian market.  It is also a really good reference point for you to expand on your involvement in campaigns and why you are proud of what they achieved.  It also helps you show relevant experience in industry sectors.

Your online presence

Update your LinkedIn profile and check your online presence. Google yourself and see what comes up. Clean up your Facebook presence and double-check what’s private and what’s public.

Contract/freelance work – working holiday visa

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday

There are two types of working holiday visas – 417 and 462  – and they are country dependent.  A working holiday visa is designed to allow you to work in and travel around Australia.  It is an annual visa available to citizens of many European countries, Canada, some Asian countries, Chile and the USA.  You need to be under 31 when you arrive and it allows you to work for six months for one company at a time.

Depending on the visa there is an option for a second year if you can prove that you have spent three months working in the country side – though this work is highly unlikely to be found in marketing!  In the second year you are able to go back to a previous company, so it can be a good way to spend three months.

A sixth month contract in an agency often leads to sponsorship, especially if you are Senior Account Manager level or above, so if you can get one do it.  It means you can try out a few agencies and they can ensure you will pass your probationary period before they invest in you by paying for your sponsorship.

Student & graduate visas

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/

If you have a few years work experience, agency or client side and are considering further education such as an MBA, studying in Australia could be a good option.  You can work 20 hours per week whilst your study and full time in the breaks.  If your course is for two years you can then get a graduate visa that enable you to work for 18 months. It’s worth noting that your partner can work full time and you could be eligible to apply for permanent residency whilst on your graduate visa.

Defacto

http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/family-visas-partner.htm

If you are in a relationship with an Aussie you may qualify for a defacto visa, this means you can work full time for any company.

Getting sponsored

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/

A lot of people will tell you it’s easy to get sponsored but this is not necessarily the case!  You can visit on a tourist visa to check out the market but you cannot work at all until you have the visa issued.

A lot of companies and agencies have internal rules about sponsorship, separate to those of the government.  Some agencies will only sponsor individuals who command a salary of over $75,000 and some $100,000.

Due to quotas that the government impose, some will only sponsor a certain job title as they keep the visas for senior staff.

Some will not sponsor at all because if they have to make you redundant, they then have to pay for your cost to fly home.

Living away from home allowance – ‘LAFHA’

**The government are changing this in July 2012 and holders of 457 visa’s will no longer be eligible.**

 http://www.lafha.com.au/Home.aspx

 The Australian government offers a tax break to those living away from home.  You can apply for this if you are Australian and move interstate.  Until July 2012 you are eligible if you relocate to Australia from another country, including New Zealand.

If the company you get an offer from is willing to do this (some are not!) Then the payroll dept can set it up for you once you start work.  It will mean you get a good tax break, sometimes equal to half your rent.  In order to get it you need to make sure the department are happy to do this for you as well as supply rental details.

What you need – as well as a visa

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.aspx?doc=/content/00229875.htm&page=3&H3

To work in Australia you will need a tax file number (TFN) and a bank account.  You can open a bank account once you are here and apply on line before you arrive.

Superannuation

‘Super’ is a compulsory contribution of 9% that must be paid to an investment fund of your choice.  It is important to clarify whether the salary is inclusive or exclusive of superannuation, as it makes a big difference.  In general, agency side roles are inclusive and client side are exclusive but this is not always the case.

You can claim your super fund back when you leave the country if you are not a permanent resident.  Once you are a resident you have access to it at retirement!