If you are contemplating living and working in Australia and have recruitment consulting experience we may be able to assist you in finding employment, either directly through Ashworth or through our affiliate organisation which is situated in Central London, UK.

In the first instance we suggest you send a resume with a brief outline of your situation and expectations to: careers@ashworth.com.au

Bondi Beach, Sydney

FAQs

What Salary Can I expect to Earn?
Obviously this is determined by the level of position that is offered. However, a base salary of A$ 40,000 – A$60,000 may be taken as a guide for a consultant, A$50,000 – A$80,000 for a senior consultant and A$80,000 and upwards for a Manager depending on the size of the organisation, bonus, profit share, etc.
Commission/bonus comes in many guises but an average of 30% – 33% still seems to be the yardstick. Organisations with large PSA’s in place may pay less with some organisations paying considerably more through accelerator commissions of 35%, 40% and 45% on reaching targets.

Will I require a visa to work in Australia?
In short, yes, unless you are from New Zealand. We would suggest you do your own research for specific information.

Will I be able to obtain a similar role to my current one or will I have to take a few steps back in order to go forward?
If you are currently a Manager you may have to take step backwards to get to know the local market. As the population in Australia is approximately 20 million, there will be fewer consultancies and therefore fewer management opportunities. When you have just arrived from another country you are naturally at a disadvantage. Flexibility and the willingness to “cold-call” and business develop will make you a much more attractive proposition.

How do Australian Recruitment Companies feel generally towards foreign recruiters? To be truthful, there will always be a leaning towards a local person for obvious reasons. However, experienced consultants are always in demand and often have worked in perceived tougher markets so lack of experience is counter-balanced by a strong sales ethic which is highly regarded.

How essential is local market knowledge?
The industry is keen to find people with experience and local market knowledge. However, as stated above, a strong sales ethic and determination will hold you in good stead.

Which recruitment markets are more receptive to overseas recruiters?
All markets are receptive to good experienced recruiters, with consultants having specialised industry knowledge being keenly sought. Examples of these specialised areas are accounting, legal, IT, tech & ops, sales and marketing.

What are the fundamental differences between the Australian recruitment market and the London market, for example?
There is not a fundamental difference in working in the two countries. However, recruiters who have been working in the London market and then have moved to Sydney often feel that clients are more receptive and easier to approach. With the market much smaller than the UK it is important not to ‘burn’ clients but to build strong relationships for on-going business. The Melbourne market has a reputation for long-lasting relationships and client loyalty is often mentioned.

Is permanent sponsorship available to recruiters through their employer?
Often, particularly the larger companies will be happy to assist you in obtaining your PR or Permanent Residency. This, of course, would be after a qualifying term.

Is there contract work available for experienced recruiters travelling on a 417 visa?
Occasionally companies will utilise your experiences, particularly if the market place is short of experienced consultants. On a 417 visa you may only work for six months with any one employer and, as recruiting is very much a sales/relationship building occupation, companies can be reluctant to expose you to their clients knowing that it will only be for a short period.

Can I get work in Australia while still in the UK?
Most probably not, unless you are particularly sought after, or you gain employment through a large multi-national company which has an office in the UK. We strongly recommend, though, that you make the effort to visit Australia for your own sake. We have heard of people arriving to take up positions ‘sight unseen’ only to find a very different situation to the one that was described. In addition, there are many other factors to consider, such as where you will live, schools for children, accessibility to the office and a host of factors which may seem inconsequential, but can determine the success or failure of the whole venture.

OTHER FAQs

The questions below about Australia are from potential visitors. They were posted on an Australian Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a sense of humour.

Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK).
We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)
Depends how much you’ve been drinking.

I want to walk from Perth to Sydney – can I follow the railroad tracks? (Sweden)
Sure, it’s only three thousand miles, take lots of water.

Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)
So it’s true what they say about Swedes.

Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, and Townsville! and Hervey Bay? (USA)
What did your last slave die of?

Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Australia? (USA)
A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe.
Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific which does not…
oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Kings Cross. Come naked.

Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)
Face south and then turn 90 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we’ll send the rest of the directions.

Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)
Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Can you send me the Vienna Boys’ Choir schedule? (USA)
Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is…
oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Can I wear high heels in Australia? (! UK)
You are a British politician, right?

Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)
Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets.

I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I forget its name. It’s a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)
It’s called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.