Planning Jobs in Australia?

[Lee Nellis]

Recently stumbled across the fact that there is a shortage of planners down under. Being in a transitional mood, Karen and I might easily be persuaded to help with that shortage, but our research suggests that we would need an employer to get a work visa. The jobs page for the Australian Institute seems to be dominated by recruiters and large consulting firms. Given our specialty in rural and environmental planning, it seems we might need to look elsewhere to find out what jobs are open. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[DA Monkey]

Contacting agencies & places directly may help, although the PIA website is quite good with many local councils advertising.

You could also look at www.job-directory.com.au - it specilaises in local government.

In queensland, I know of redcliffe city council, Gold coast city council and caboolture shire council and Ipswich looking for people immediately.

REM should be able to help a little with Sydney (NSW) based work

[johnog]

Recently stumbled across the fact that there is a shortage of planners down under. Being in a transitional mood, Karen and I might easily be persuaded to help with that shortage, but our research suggests that we would need an employer to get a work visa. The jobs page for the Australian Institute seems to be dominated by recruiters and large consulting firms. Given our specialty in rural and environmental planning, it seems we might need to look elsewhere to find out what jobs are open. Any suggestions would be welcome.

The big shortage is in development assessment planners, mainly in local and state government. Some private firms specialise in rural / natural resource planning. You could try ERM or Parsons Brinckerhoff - both large firms with a number of offices across Australia. Both have web sites with employment opportunity sections.

Good luck

[Henry]

Recently stumbled across the fact that there is a shortage of planners down under. Being in a transitional mood, Karen and I might easily be persuaded to help with that shortage, but our research suggests that we would need an employer to get a work visa. The jobs page for the Australian Institute seems to be dominated by recruiters and large consulting firms. Given our specialty in rural and environmental planning, it seems we might need to look elsewhere to find out what jobs are open. Any suggestions would be welcome.

There's a new (currently launching) Aussie based service which I received an email about just today. You might want to check it out www.jobsinplanning.com.au

[Trail Nazi]

I have been thinking to apply as well. However, what is the likelihood of an American being hired over an Australian?

[jresta]

From what i've read the reason an American would get hired over an Australian would be because there's a shortage of aussie planners.

They could do like here and hire any old schmuck to be a town planner but something tells me the rules are a bit more strict.

I've researched it extensively and it's a points based system similar to Canada. Being a native english speaker gets you points, having a degree gets you points, having a master's gets you even more, and being educated and trained in a field with a critical shortage (that would be planning) puts you over the top.

I'm thinking about going to Melbourne and taking up the grad school route.

[biscuit]

Are we all planning (no pun intended) to immigrate to Australia? Forget Canada; let’s make the Land Down Under the 51st state.

[Lee Nellis]

I don't need a political incentive to consider Australia (or other options), but having Bush in charge sure makes you want to find another place to be.

[Trail Nazi]

Yes, the state of Florida has not been the same since the brother has been in office.

[Henry]

I have been thinking to apply as well. However, what is the likelihood of an American being hired over an Australian?

The web site I mentioned previously ( www.jobsinplanning.com.au ) has some info for Planners migrating to Australia in the FAQ section. There's a couple of links (which aren't live for some reason) to useful official web resources on the topic.

[martini]

hmmm. Australia, eh? I think I could do that...no wait. I've got too mcuh on my plate as it is. Can't hurt to apply though. The worst they can say is no....

[JNL]

Are we all planning (no pun intended) to immigrate to Australia?

I plan to emigrate to Sydney in 2-3 years - but I'll be looking for a Criminology-related position. Maybe post-grad study. See y'all there!

[biscuit]

I plan to emigrate to Sydney in 2-3 years - but I'll be looking for a Criminology-related position. Maybe post-grad study. See y'all there!

Criminology you say? According to this BBC article Melbourne might have better job opportunities than Sydney for someone in your line of work.

[Maister]

just for fun I completed the online Australian immigration questionaire - told 'em the truth; that I was a native english speaking, married, degreed, 35 - 45 year old, employed urban planner, not willing to post a $100,000 bond, with no local sponsor or specific job offer. I got an email back telling me I did not qualify under the points system. Then I got a bunch of subsequent emails suggesting I should try to emigrate under a temporary work visa. I figure they weren't serious about wanting me, but then again I wasn't serious about immigrating....

[ABS]

I am a planning student from Brisbane, QLD, Australia and if you Americans want to turn Australia into the 51st American state I WILL kill you!!!

[Rumpy Tunanator]

I plan to emigrate to Sydney in 2-3 years - but I'll be looking for a Criminology-related position. Maybe post-grad study. See y'all there!

If I were to immigrate to, that's the city I'd probally go to. I've taken the test, but Australia no likey me

[ABS]

One of the problems with Australia is that most immigrants move into Sydney and the city continues to sprawl. Sydney has pretty massive congestion and urban sprawl that goes forever. I encourage those that want to move to Australia to spread out. Tru our other capital cities Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth.

[Rem]

There I was not slacking and what happens - a whole thread about working in Australia.

I would encourage anyone with an interest to consider looking for a job in Australia. Those of you that have not satisfied the 'test' for entrance should keep their ear to the ground. The Planning Institute of Australia is trying to have the points awarded to Planners in the eligibility test increased - it may be enough to get some of you over the line. Also in the last few days the Government has announced a 6,000 person increase in this year's migration quota.

The range of available positions cover the whole spectrum of specialisations (though GIS is probably not viewed as such a significant independant specialisation in Australia as it is in the US) and geographic areas. Lee there are many vacancies for rural/environmental specialists though the better paying jobs tend to be metroploitan based.

Originally posted by DA Monkey
REM should be able to help a little with Sydney (NSW) based work

Sydney and non-metropolitan NSW are equally short of qualified staff. I am in a City 2 hours north of Sydney and we have not had a full staff complement of planners for at least 4 years. Particularly development control planners with over 7 years experience.

Originally posted by Trail Nazi
I have been thinking to apply as well. However, what is the likelihood of an American being hired over an Australian?

The shortage is so critical here that the question of competing against Australians for jobs is not likely to arise. I suggest you start applying for positions, and if you are succesful, put it on your prospective employer to sponsor you. This should almost certainly confirm your succussful immigration.

Most of your questions seem to have been answered by some new Australian posters, but if there is anything specific not covered, please post a question.

[rossiters]

Lee

This web site is a directory of local government jobs in Australia. It is updated weekly and seems quite a good source http://www.job-directory.com.au/

I would also recommend checking the positions vacant sections of Australian newspapers on the web. The My Career section of the Sydney Morning Herald allows you to search nationally for jobs www.smh.com.au

There was a recent report published that looked into the shortage of planners in Australia. Stress was apparently a major concern, or at least poorly compensated stress.

I am from Australia and am returning there in June to live. Feel free to email me off line at rossiters@mail.utexas.edu if you would like to talk about this some more.

Best Wishes

Steve Rossiter

[Rem]

Rossiters - need a job?