Down Under to the Dotted Line: How to Hire the Best Talent from Australia

We’ve still only scratched the surface of reasons to hire in Australia. Here are three  takeaways you need to understand about the Australian workforce.

• Innovation Station: As we mentioned when discussing universities, Australia is a seriously innovative place. Indeed, Australia ranks 1st in the world for having the skills needed to use, adopt, and adapt frontier technologies. Bear that in mind when looking for a country to source your next hire!
• English Speakers: There’s no getting away from the fact that English is the lingua franca of global business. Australians have an advantage in the workplace simply by virtue of having English as their mother tongue. And besides, who can resist an Australian accent?
• Unique Timezone: Hiring a worker based in Australia means taking a great step towards being a company on which the sun never sets. With the country’s working hours placed between the closing hours of the United States and the opening hours of Europe, clever management can result in continuous operation–invaluable for customer service, to name just one benefit.

How does that sound? We know this is a lot of information to take into consideration. That’s why at Multiplier we pride ourselves on offering dedicated, 24/5 support tailored to specific countries–so you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that the professionals have things under control.

Now you’re speaking their language

Picture this scenario: you’ve hired and onboarded talent from Australia, and now you’re wondering what makes them tick. Consider these tips for effective communication with your Australian colleagues, starting with the stuff that helps no matter where they’re based:

1. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job expectations, company culture, and goals to ensure alignment. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help keep everyone on the same page.
2. Leverage Technology: Use technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Trello can help manage projects effectively.
3. Integration: Make efforts to integrate remote workers into the company culture. Virtual team-building activities or occasional in-person meetings (if possible) can foster a sense of belonging.
4. Legal Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts and practices comply with Australian labor laws, even when hiring remotely. Luckily, with Multiplier, our easy-to-use platform ensures compliance is guaranteed, with automatic contract generation that dots the Is and crosses the Ts.

That’s all well and good, but it’s important to connect on a human-level too. One area of conversation to broach is sport. Rugby league, rugby union, association football, cricket and tennis are played and watched widely, but it’s a uniquely Australian game that tops the list: Australian Rules Football. Considered the most popular spectator sport in Australia, the game draws large crowds throughout the winter.

Not everyone is a sports-lover, of course. Good thing, then, that Australia is known for its culture as well, with a thriving scene in music, theater, and visual arts. Indeed, the Sydney Opera House has become a globally recognised icon of not just opera, but the arts full stop! Makes perfect sense, then, that Australia has produced world-renowned performing talents such as Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth… (tell us when to stop). So whether your Australian colleague is an adrenaline junkie who loves the footie or a culture-vulture passionate about theater, there’s always something to talk about.

Speaking the truth

Of course, if you really want to impress your new hire, you could try picking up some Australian terminology. For our previous location guides, we’ve picked out some phrases in the local language–but that’s not going to work this time, Australians speaking English and all. Luckily, we’ve come prepared, having already sounded out the Australians in the Multiplier team for some local lingo.

Thinking outside the square

• Meaning: To think differently or from a new perspective.
• Example: “The boss wants some new ideas by the end of the day—it’s time to think outside the square.”
• Etymology: A two-dimensional variation of “thinking outside the box.”

Under the pump

• Meaning: Under pressure to perform.
• Example: “We’re all feeling a bit under the pump with this new boss that’s come in.”
• Etymology: Unclear, perhaps from a sailing term referring to the need to bail out a damaged boat to prevent it from sinking.

Arvo

• Meaning: The afternoon.
• Example: “Do you think you could have this ready by this arvo?”
• Etymology: A contraction of “afternoon” with the diminutive suffix “o”.

Did you know?

Now that we’ve got the serious business out of the way, let’s have a quick look at some Australian fun facts.

Australia has a rich and diverse history that dates back long before the arrival of European explorers in the 16th century, with human habitation by Aboriginal peoples having begun as long as 65,000 years ago.

When it comes to famous people, Australia has its pick in various fields, but it’s probably Australian actors that have the most global fame. Picking out one would be folly; In sports, however, Australia has produced one truly outstanding individual: Cricketer Donald Bradman. His career batting average is so far ahead of anyone else’s that some have proclaimed him statistically the greatest sportsman of all time.

Finally, smashed avocado, barbecue–both quintessentially Australian. However, no discussion of Australian food would be complete without mentioning Vegemite, the iconic yeast extract spread that Aussies love on their toast.

Hungry for more Australia info?

We’ve got you covered! So far we’ve talked about the big picture, but our talent wiki page contains all the nitty gritty information you need to make your Australian hiring plans an astronomical success. Click the link for details on statutory leave, public holidays, talent sourcing locations, and much, much more!

Taxes:

• Employers must contribute 15.85%, consisting of ​the Superannuation Guarantee Percentage at 11% for 2023/24 plus payroll tax rate for individual states

Employee benefits:

• Healthcare
• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
• Stock options (Common for listed companies)
• Superannuation

Visa requirements:

• Foreign nationals looking to work in Australia need to apply for a visa.  Application is taken in through the various immigration programs administered by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of Australia.