"Australia is a great place to live because the quality of life is so good. The climate is temperate, it is oriented towards families, it's multi-ethnic and multicultural, there are great outdoor places and the norm is a four-week holiday." -Sam, Brooklyn resident turned Aussie

Friendly people, sophisticated cities, beautiful beaches, the tropical rainforest and The Great Barrier Reef: Why wouldn't you want to work in Australia? More and more people are interested in spending time in the land of Oz, but how do you get started? Conducting any job search is difficult, but doing one from halfway around the world is particularly challenging. Here are some tips to make it easier.

Where Are the Jobs?

Find Out More Advice from Expats 1. Get a copy of a major Australian newspaper and check out the Sunday job listings. 2. Try to establish a few real contacts in your city of interest, either through friends or the Internet. 3. Roll with the punches. Australian culture can sometimes feel similar to what you're used to in the States, but there really are differences. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs According to Mary Heath, a registered Australian migration agent, "Australian migration is strongly focused on people with good skill qualifications, fluent English and individuals under 45 years of age. These global citizens will find it easy to come here." "The Australian economy is very strong," according to Charles Blunt, national director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. "IT, communications, finance and banking are booming." Global Gateway Ready to think about looking for work in Australia? Let Monster's Global Gateway guide the way with a targeted job search and relocation information. You can even ask Migration Agent, Mary Heath your questions!

Australia, with a current population of approximately 19 million people, has a highly qualified workforce. Most foreign professionals may find themselves shut out of the job market, but there are some exceptions.

It will probably come as no surprise that information technology is a hot spot. According to Mary Heath, a registered Australian migration agent, there are currently 30,000 openings for Internet specialists. So, much like you'll find all over the world, techies have a head start on job openings.

There is also a need for nurses, midwives, electrical engineers and accounting professionals. If you're lucky enough to be one of the professionals in demand, you'll find there's a willingness to recruit overseas talent. This may make it possible for those with the right credentials and a dose of initiative to land a job.

Getting a Visa/Work Permit

Australia publishes a list of professions that are in current demand on its Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). If your profession is on the MODL, it is much easier to obtain a work visa. The MODL Web site provides further information about other needed skills, as well as the necessary forms for application and other relevant information.

MODL is administered by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA). DIMA's site also has articles about opportunities for short- and long-term business trips, and information for business people thinking of relocating or opening businesses in Australia.

While most international business activity happens in the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne, expats currently in Australia noted that the greatest growth is probably found in cities like Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Obstacles to Employment

The expatriates who seem to have the most difficulty finding employment are those without contacts in Australia. Having someone who can help you network in the job market or explain Australian work codes and regulations can be a huge asset.

Another obstacle, this one surmountable, exists for individuals without formal academic backgrounds. Because Australian immigration tends to favor traditional academic qualifications and many individuals with strong technical and Internet skills are often self-taught, it can be difficult to translate your work background to the Australian government. But, Heath explained, if you have at least four years of relevant experience, the government will often overlook the absence of an academic degree.

Good News for Students

"Students are big business down here, and we have many Asian students, " says Heath, noting that Australia has eased its restrictions on international students. The country realizes they are an "obvious source of skilled, English-speaking professionals with a known track record of health and proven good character in our country."

Australia permits students to work for pay during their studies, especially during break between semesters. For more information on studying in Australia, check out the Australian Course and Education Institution Search. You can research universities and specific courses of study on this site.

Working Holidays, Anyone?

Australia has reciprocal working holiday agreements with several countries in Europe and Asia, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Ireland, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Malta and Germany. This allows young students and professionals under age 30 to spend up to one year in Australia, working part-time to cover their costs. These arrangements allow young people to holiday in Australia and possibly supplement their funds through incidental work. Unfortunately, there is no working holiday agreement with the United States.

The Cultural Aspects of Doing Business in Australia

Americans tend to find Australians to be friendly, fairly informal and outgoing with a good sense of humor. However, Australian humor may be a bit more British in origin than what Americans are accustomed to. Sarcasm may surface frequently, particularly to ease tension in a new relationship. Americans living and working there would do well to roll with the punches a bit.

Perhaps most importantly, in terms of cultural challenges is the "Aussies' abhorrence of arrogance, or self promotion in any form," says Gina Teague, cross-cultural counselor and career channel editor of Expatspouse.com. As Teague says "This has been institutionalized into the 'Tall Poppy' syndrome according to which, anyone with an over-inflated ego will soon be cut down to size." Modesty, something Americans are not generally known for, will serve you well when doing business or job searching in Australia.