Hello all,
I am (shockingly) an American who will be graduating with a master's in archival science next spring from the University of Texas. For a class assignment I emailed an Australian archivists who informed me that jobs were plentiful in Australia and that getting a visa would be the most difficult part. I was also told that this website and the RIMPA listserv were the best resources to find work. Having had a great time living abroad earlier in my life, I'm looking forward to working in Australia.
However, I'm hoping the board can provide other opinions about how easy it will me to get a job in Australia. I'm also curious about the hoops I will need to jump through, specifically, should I apply for a visa on my own or should my employer handle that? What archival concepts should I learn to make myself an attractive candidate? I've read a couple of books on Australian history ("A Concise History of Australia," and "The Fatal Shore") but should I be diving headfirst into your country's history? Lastly, was my contact correct in where to look for jobs (here and the RIMPA listserv)? While this website has been helpful, I'm in no position to judge how complete its listings are.
Anyway, those are the questions that first struck me, I would be grateful for any information you all can provide though. Thank you all for your time. If I didn't provide enough information about myself please let me know.
Ryder Kouba
Replies
The post and replys told me I am not only one is seeking job at AU. I am international students from Hong Kong and just finished my studying at Curtin University. I am seeking any working opportunity at AU. I just update some visa's information. As I know, working holiday visa chnage the workging restriction period from 3 months to half year. That's mean you can work at one job for half year now. Immigration department also change the skilled professional immigration system. Record manager and archivist could not apply PR directly now, even you can get IELTS at score 9! This mean oversea people must have employer nominate them to get working permit at Australia. I am located at Perth and am still looking any job for me!
Good luck to all of us!
Hi Shan Shan Cheung, I think you have more chances to start work in Australia. I thought that you can get involved in some projects, although a fixed term, it is an option for extension of stay in Australia. Here the site of archivists might have such contracts that can serve you. Only I do not know whether it is necessary to be a member, or have paid dues and then to have this opportunity. I recently visit the site and I'm not very familiar with all of the site. But one thing I can say there are many people who are interested in archiving and look for new ways of archiving and preservation of information. Personally, I am impressed with the site! But overall your chances of employment are greater than mine. You can use some recommendations from local archives and where you worked temporarily. My opinion is not taken to find work and believe in success. I wish you success in your search! Yordanka
If you can obtain a working visa it will greatly improve you chances. In the government section (and a lot of archives work is in government) it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to sponsor an overseas applicant - especially if there is an equally qualified domestic applicant.
If you are willing and able to work in records management as well as archives, it will also improve your chances of finding work.
Thank you Rowenta Loo. You offer me to try to work and work visa, such as management of archival records and archives. In principle, the government site you can find a suitable job. I visited the site and I am aware how to apply for immigration visa, for working visa I think it's necessary job offer to apply for a work visa. But anyway I will continue to seek appropriate professional to ensure my work visa. Yordanka
Hello. And I'm like you outside Australia and seek appropriate position to start work. I work as an archivist for 8 years and I have very big experience in the field of archiving and have appropriate education. Unfortunately, vacancies are offered primarily for domestic demand. For applicants outside Australia the chance is small. But there is always hope and I wish you success in your search
Yordanka
Hi Ryder
Well here's my expereince as a 'pom' coming to Australia! After completing my MA in Archives & Records Management I came to Australia on a working holiday visa. This had pros and cons. I was restricted to only working 3 months for the one company (at the time - I have no idea whether such restrcitions still exist) which meant I find it easiest to sign up with a temp comany specialising in archives and records management jobs (I used Zenith and One Umbrella). This enabled me to meet lots of archivists and make useful contacts but, of course, meant lots of short term jobs. I later returned on a skilled permanant migration visa (as by then I had married an Australian!). The contacts I had made through the contract jobs were very supportive in bringing me into the archival community here and assisting me with references for job applications.
I don't know what the situation would be with getting sponsorship to work for an archival organisation - I suggest you contact some of the bigger institutions such as the National and State archives to enquire whether they would consider it. I was offered sponsorship as a records manager by a commercial business but I was keen to pursue the archival side of things.
Good luck! Australia is a great place to live.
Caroline