How to Get Your First Job in Australia

Almost everyone's first job is an entry-level, casual or part-time role, and employers in these jobs don't expect a long work history. What they're really looking for is someone reliable, friendly and willing to learn. This guide shows you how to show that — even if you've never had a paid job before.

What to sort out before you apply

A little preparation makes everything else easier. Before you start applying, it helps to have:

• A professional email address. Something based on your name is best — save the fun nicknames for elsewhere.
• A clear voicemail message. Employers may call, so a short, polite greeting helps.
• A resume. You can write one even with no experience (more on that below).
• Two referees. A teacher, coach, tutor or family friend who can vouch for you — always ask them first.
• A Tax File Number (TFN) and a bank account so you can be paid. A TFN is free from the Australian Taxation Office. If you're young, a parent or guardian can help you set both up.

None of this has to be perfect. Getting the basics in place just means you can apply with confidence when you find a role you like.

Good first jobs to look for

Some industries hire a lot of first-time workers and are well suited to fitting work around study. Common entry-level, casual and part-time jobs in Australia include:

• Retail — sales assistant, checkout operator, shelf stacker or online order packer at shops and supermarkets.
• Hospitality — barista, waitstaff, kitchen hand or counter staff at cafes, restaurants and fast-food venues.
• Warehouse and stores — storeperson or picker-packer, especially during busy periods like the Christmas rush.
• Customer service — helping customers in person or over the phone, a skill that carries into almost any job later.

These roles are a great place to start because they offer plenty of openings, on-the-job training and flexible, casual hours. Some, like working where alcohol is served, need a certificate such as an RSA — worth knowing if you're aiming at hospitality. We have tailored resume templates for hospitality, retail and warehouse roles to get you started.

Writing your first resume with no experience

No paid work yet? That's completely normal for a first resume, and there's still plenty to include. Focus on what shows you're reliable and capable:

• A short objective — a line or two on the kind of role you want and what you bring.
• School and education — your current or most recent study, and any subjects relevant to the job.
• Skills — things like teamwork, communication, being reliable and being a quick learner.
• Other experience — volunteering, work experience placements, sport, clubs, or group projects all count.
• Any certificates — First Aid, RSA, a driver's licence, and similar.

Our free no experience resume template is built for exactly this — for someone straight out of study with no paid work or volunteering. If you have done a placement or a little volunteering, the entry-level template is a good fit. For the finer points, see how to write a resume with no experience.

Writing a simple cover letter

A short cover letter helps a first-time applicant stand out. Three quick paragraphs is plenty: which role you're applying for, why you'd be a good fit (reliable, keen to learn, available when they need you), and a polite thank-you with an offer to come in for an interview. Keep it genuine rather than formal. Our entry-level cover letter template gives you a ready-made structure to make your own.

Where and how to look for a job

Cast a wide net and use a few different approaches:

• Online job boards — search terms like "no experience", "casual", "part time", "junior" or "student" to find entry-level roles near you.
• In person — drop a printed resume into local shops and cafes during quiet times, and ask politely if they're hiring.
• People you know — let family, friends and neighbours know you're looking; many first jobs come through a word-of-mouth tip.
• Your school — a careers advisor can point you to local openings and programs.

Apply for plenty of roles. It's normal to hear nothing from some, so keep going.

Applying the right way

A tidy, tailored application gets noticed. Before you send anything:

• Read the job ad closely and use some of the same words it uses (for example, if it asks for someone "reliable", show that you are).
• Follow the instructions — send exactly what they ask for, in the format they ask for.
• Name your files clearly, such as Firstname-Lastname-Resume, rather than "resume final".
• Proofread, and ask a parent or teacher to check it too. A second pair of eyes catches a lot.

Our free first job checklist walks through everything you need, and the resume checklist helps you do a final review.

Getting ready for the interview

If they like your application, the next step is usually a short interview or a trial shift. A little preparation goes a long way:

• Dress neatly and plan to arrive a few minutes early.
• Prepare a few answers — why you want the job, what you're good at, and when you're available.
• Have a question or two ready to ask them; it shows genuine interest.
• Be ready for a trial shift, which some venues use instead of, or as well as, an interview.
• Follow up afterwards with a short, polite thank-you message.

The phone interview checklist is handy if they call you, and our message tools can help you reply to an interview invitation or send a thank-you.

Know your rights and where to get help

Once you're working, it's important to be paid correctly and to feel safe. JobCall helps with the writing and the process, but for anything about pay, conditions, working age or tax, go to the official sources or ask a trusted adult:

• Fair Work Ombudsman — pay rates, conditions and information for young workers.
• Australian Taxation Office — getting a free Tax File Number.
• Workforce Australia and the Office for Youth — free help finding and preparing for work.

If something doesn't feel right at work, talk to a parent, teacher or another adult you trust.

Keep going

Almost nobody gets the first job they apply for, so don't be put off by a "no" or by not hearing back. Each application makes the next one easier, and every interview is good practice. Stay friendly, keep applying, and the right first job will come.