Employment and business

Overseas skills recognition

The first thing you should do is get your overseas skills and qualifications recognised. Contact Queensland Government for more information.

Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

You need a TFN before you can work in Australia, receive government allowances or money from investments.  

Passport holders, permanent migrants or temporary visitors can apply for a TFN online. All you need is your passport and an Australian address.

Workforce Australia

Workforce Australia can help you search and apply for jobs, understand support payments and link you to training options and work experience.  To find out if you are eligible, visit Services Australia or phone 131 202.

Finding a job

An employment services provider (provider) can give you support and advice to help you with your job search. 

Find out which provider is best to help you using the online directory.

Jobs advertised online

There are a number of websites where you can look for jobs:

• Seek
• CareerOne
• Smart Jobs
• WorkPac
• Jooble

Hire agencies

• Human Resource Management Corporation
• AWX Labour Hire
• Dove Recruitment
• HAYS
• CT Labour Hire Sunshine Coast

Tips to find work

• Your cultural diversity adds value to the Sunshine Coast workforce / and employers will be lucky to have you in their business.  
• Meeting people and telling them you are looking for work is important. 70% of jobs are not advertised.
• Volunteering can help you get real life work experience and develop new skills.
• Persist - you have nothing to lose. The worst they can say is 'no' and every 'no' is one step closer to a 'YES!'
• Get a good mentor to help you with your job seeking.
• Update your résumé or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Get assistance with your job application.
• Practice your interview skills.
• Create a LinkedIn profile

Workplace rights and pay conditions

Migrant workers and some visa holders have the same workplace rights as all other workers in Australia.

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides information and advice about your work rights and obligations.

Information is translated into 30 different languages and includes the following tools:

• Pay and Conditions Tool helps you calculate pay rates, leave and entitlements.
• Keep track of the number of hours you’ve worked with the Record My Hours app.

Business and self-employment

Council provides a range of services and programs to enable local business to thrive. Read the latest edition of Business News and subscribe for updates.

Become a council supplier

Council perfers to support local businesses.  If you are a local trade or maintenance business please subscribe to council's tender alert service, you will also receive notification of council events for businesses.

New Business Assistance with New Enterprise Incentive Scheme

New Business Assistance with NEIS provides support to people interested in starting their own business or who need help to refocus an existing micro-business.