Case study: A career move from the UK to Australia

PageGroup consultant Justine Frost is part of our Financial Services team in Melbourne. She shares her experience moving to Australia via our Global Opportunities team.

1. What made you decide to seek a new life in another country? Why did you choose Australia?

I met my partner while working in the banking sector in London. He is from Melbourne and his UK work visa was going to expire soon. We tried the “long-distance” thing for a while. I then visited Melbourne, loved it and decided to apply for the Working Holiday Visa to enable me to be closer to him.

2. What challenges did you face?

The main issue was the difficulty in obtaining work on the Working Holiday Visa. I made sure I got in touch with some agencies and prospective employers about five months before my planned move date to get a head start. The other hard part was the logistics of the move – providing notice to my previous employer, arranging travel documents and insurance, shipping personal belongings and finding someone to rent my flat in London.

3. Why did you choose PageGroup to help you find a new role abroad?

I contacted PageGroup as it is a well-known international agency in the UK. I looked at the PageGroup website to see where their offices in Australia are located and also to make sure they advertised the types of roles I was interested in. I ended up emailing the consultant who was recruiting a role similar to what I was doing back in the UK. He then put me in touch with PageGroup Global Opportunities Consultant, Diana Seno, because of my visa situation and the fact that I had not yet arrived in Melbourne.

4. How did you find your experience with PageGroup Global Opportunities?

Very positive. Diana was quick to get in touch with me after my details were passed on to her. She asked me about my relocation plans, including what visa I was planning to arrive on, date of relocation, availability for interviews, salary expectations and where I want to work. She then sent me information on the job market in Melbourne and a City Guide with useful information to help me settle in. Once I was able to confirm my visa status and dates with her, she booked me in to meet a PageGroup consultant upon my arrival. It was very reassuring to know that I would be able to hit the ground running as soon as I landed, and furthermore had a contact to ask any questions I needed answered.

5. What has been the best part of your new role in Melbourne so far? How have you adjusted to your new job role and life in Melbourne?

I wasn’t expecting to land a job in recruitment, but PageGroup were offering consultant roles, so I accepted as I was looking for a career change! I now work as a Recruitment Consultant in the Banking and Financial Services team in Melbourne. The best part is being able to use my knowledge from my banking experience in the UK. The environment and culture at Page is very friendly and supportive. I really enjoy the social aspect as having no prior networks in Melbourne meant I had to get to know people quickly. I also started the role at a good time of year with the Melbourne summer providing lots of activities and events to experience such as Melbourne Cup, Australian Open and World Cup Cricket to name a few!

6. What would your advice be to someone looking for a new role in Australia?

 Do your research! This includes the type of visa to apply for, how long it takes to get the visa, what city you want to live in and what companies and industries that operate in that city. Make sure you adjust your salary expectations and check your qualifications are recognised. Once you have an idea of all this and a flight booked, get in touch with some local recruiters who know the market to introduce yourself.

To speak to us about the career opportunities that are awaiting you in Australia, New Zealand or the UK, get in touch with the global opportunities team.