Why now is a great time to consider moving interstate for work

Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes

After a turbulent and unpredictable period, the Australian economy is finally gaining momentum again.

With recent economic woes making way for rising business confidence all around the country, it’s probably no surprise that Australia’s job market is also making a dramatic comeback.

As of October 2021, job advertisements across every state and capital city rose by an average of 53% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

While every major capital city is experiencing elevated activity in the local job market, Victoria and NSW have seen some of the strongest increases in available job listings with huge rises of 94% and 60%, respectively, between 2020 and 2021.

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Against the backdrop of a buoyant job market and with so many Australian companies preparing for growth, especially in booming pandemic-resilient sectors like tech and finance, now is a great time to consider moving interstate for work. With new opportunities emerging all around the country, relocating for work has never been easier and more accessible, promising talented candidates the chance to change their scene, enjoy an all-new lifestyle, and benefit from the exciting career pathways they’ve always dreamed of.

Moving interstate for work is quickly becoming a hot topic of discussion as more Australians feel free to re-imagine their life and career goals after prolonged uncertainty. But even though hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane are awash with job opportunities, relocating should never be done on a whim. Here are some of the things you should consider when moving interstate for work to guarantee you make the right decision for you, and possibly your family.

1. Assess the opportunity

Regardless of the location of the role, it remains vital to get a clear idea about what’s important to you in a job opportunity, whether it’s to do with working flexibility, career progression and development, remuneration, the stability of the company, or workplace culture. What’s important to you can depend on a variety of motivations which are different for everyone including your outside family commitments, financial security, and your career aspirations.

By knowing exactly what you value in a job and employer, you’ll be well-equipped to ask prospective employers the right questions and thoroughly assess role requirements to see how closely the reality of working in a company is aligned with your needs and goals.

2. Consider the family implications

Most people moving interstate for work will intend to relocate with their immediate families, so it’s important to think about and discuss the impact a move will have on the people closest to you. For example, if you have small children, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll be able to find a suitable school in the local area while your partner may also need to think about whether their own career aspirations can be met in the destination you’re moving to.

On a more personal level, think about whether life outside work will be the right match for you and your family, whether it’s to do with the climate or activities on offer, or how you’re going to go about maintaining connections with family and friends in other states.

3. Research and seek advice

Moving to a new city can be disorientating for a variety of reasons. While you might not know how much things cost, from renting and buying real estate to eating and drinking out, it usually takes time to get to grips with the character of different areas before you can decide where is right for you.

Related: How to find the right job

Desktop research, including job platforms and government websites are a great place to start to learn more about what it might be like to live and work in an area. Online, you’ll find destination reviews and plenty of information and resources around the local job market, schools, amenities, and property market. To add more authenticity to your research, you should also consider reaching out to people who live in your chosen location to gain first-hand insights and advice. If you don’t already know someone in the area, joining community groups on social media platforms could be an effective way to gather localised insights from people’s lived experiences.

4. Visit your chosen location

If everything appears to stack up well after researching, you should try to confirm your findings by visiting and exploring the area you hope to move to. Spending some time in your chosen location will give you the truest idea of what it will be like to live in the area before you commit to moving interstate for work, from experiencing the weather and transport to local culture, activities, and entertainment.

Fortunately, it’s easy today to find out what it’s like to live in specific parts of Australian cities with accommodation platforms offering easy access to short-term rentals and homestays. The trend towards remote working might even enable you to spend some extended time in another city while continuing with your existing job.

Related: Finding the right cultural fit

5. Work with a recruitment agency

Unless you already have a job lined up, connecting with a local recruitment agency might make moving interstate for work a much more seamless experience. A recruitment agency could be one of your best sources of information and insights around the local job market, particularly in relation to specific industry sectors or role types. While a recruiter can help you discover all the opportunities most suited to your individual skills, competencies, and experiences, their expertise might also help you negotiate more competitive remuneration and benefits packages with employers.

With so many opportunities emerging all around Australia, the timing probably couldn’t be better for moving interstate for work. If a change of scene and an exciting new career opportunity is something you’re keen to explore, check out our available jobs in Australia, from Perth and Sydney to Brisbane and Melbourne.

6. Working remotely

Since the pandemic and the collective move to remote or hybrid work for many workforces across Australia, an increasing number of employers are considering remote talent from other states without the need to physically move.

Speak with a Robert Half consultant to enquire about any roles that may fit this criterion. While more companies are open to hiring remote talent, with state and international borders opening up, an employer may eventually want that person to work in or closer to their office.

If you are considering moving interstate for work, find out more about what it’s like to be living and working in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.