Hi can anyone help me and let me know what quals you need for HR work in Oz?? I have a recognised CIPD qual at the moment (though only a certificate not the full blown degree) but I have worked in all aspects of HR for over 6 years including training and am currently a HR pay and policy manager and am heavily involved in pay negotiations.......... just need some advice as to whether I will need to study something in HR when/if we ever get there or if experience goes a long way??? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

This is something I would also be very interested to know, as I also work in HR for the past 5 years but no CIPD but work for Blue Chip company and hoping that experience holds a bit of weight in Sydney especially as I move there in September.. woo hoo. So someone pleasssssssse comment!
Thanks S&S. XXX

Hi Both

I am CIPD fully chartered member and hold a Post grad and Masters in HRM. I have worked in the field for 10 years, 1 year at admin level, 1 year officer level, 2 years at manager level and now 6 years at a progressively strategic level. I am regarded as Senior professional in the UK.

I arrived in Australia 16 months ago and I found that it has taken me this long to navigate my way to a role that is of a more senior or strategic level.(HR in Australia in my view is prodominately of a operational nature), although it becoming more sophisticated). If you practice as an operational generalist or specialist role that translates easily to Australia ie training, payroll at officer level, you will find it easier to secure those first roles. If you specialise is something that has a strong UK context such as IR or compensation and benefits, you may need to bone up and work your way up a little.

Be aware that there are a lot of people practising in Australia who use all of the buzzwords but have little substance behind them as this is frustrating when they are your competition.

I have found that it is not uncommon to have to see God and his dog to be able to secure something worthwhile ie of a permanent nature. I underwent 7 interviews for my current role and 4 interviews plus 4 hours one on one psychological assessment with an occupational psychologist for the role that I am about to enter into (they love overkill here I find)

There is definitely work for both generalists and specialists, in government and corporate sectors. It will take time to secure the right role and you may find that you need to get some Australian experience under your belt before you really start to be in the running for the plum roles.

I hope this helps. Do feel free to PM with regards industry sectors, companies to avoid and likely payscales.

Thanks Busterboy - will PM you later this evening as there maybe a couple of questions I have - but this is fantastic info for me to go on at the mo!

No problems, I will be delighted to help.

I am a fellow of the CIPD, hold a MA in HRM; worked as a senior lecturer in HR in a UK university managing the CIPD Professional Development Scheme, and as an examiner in employment law for the national exams.

Whilst it is true that in order to further your career in HR in the UK you need to become CIPD qualified, there is in Australia no such national governing body.

I currently work as a lecturer in a TAFE and have just been given overall responsibility for the Diploma in HR. What is clear is that Australian industry like Diplomas. The Diploma in HR is less strategically based as the CIPD qualifications and what Busterboy states is true: in the whole HR in Oz is not as sophisticated as in the UK and lends itself towards operational as opposed to strategic alignment, but this situation is slowly changing.

Australian's like qualifications and unless you hold a higher qualification from the UK in HR I would strongly recommend doing the Diploma in HR.

Thanks Woodcutter - I have had a look on the AHRI website and they have a list of quals there - are they the same as what you lecture in??? I have a diploma in Business Admin which is a post grad qual and I was hoping that that would add some weight to my experience albeit it is not HR related?? It is mainly operational stuff that I have experience in only been the past 18 months that I have been employed in the Policy/Pay negotiation side of things - I am of course willing to start at the bottom and work my way back up - don't really have time now to do the grad CIPD course as it will take me 2-3 years ona part-time basis.

Spot on agree with all of this.

My degree of experience is just slightly less than Buster Boy and I agree with the comments made previously around the emphasis on qualifications and Australian experience and the operational focus. I've found my current role to be a significant step backwards rather than a sideways move as I had envisaged and unfortunately I'm stuck in it for the next 18mths until I'm sponsored for residency. I moved within the same company that I worked for in the UK. However, the two operations are like chalk and cheese and in some respects having no preconceptions might have been easier!

In my (very limited) experience so far, Australian HR practices and management thinking in general seem to be around 5-10 years behind the UK. It's reassuring to know that there are plum jobs out there when the time comes to look. However, I can't help feeling that I'm missing out as some really nice roles have come up in People Management since I left. Sods Law eh?

AHRI is not viewed in the same light as the CIPD. I've renewed my membership of the latter so that my colleagues can access the website and also to ensure that I retain my chartered status.

OP -Happy for your to PM me if I can be of any help.

Busterboy - as you're in Melbourne too, I'd be interested to hear more about your experiences. mind if I PM you?

Edna x

This is also spot on - thank God I am not alone!

(I have also heard from another person by email so we may have ourselves a little professional support group before too long).

Happy to be PM-ed by all, or meet other lovely Melburnians.

Hi
I'm an Area HR Manager here in the uk waiting for PR 175 visa's hopefully going to Brisbane.

I'm a HR Generalist and will be seeking work in the Brisbane area on landing. I know I'll probably have to take a big step back but thats fine might be quite refreshing

I contacted the AHRI and they said I could join as a chartered member straight away and suggested joining as soon as I get the magic ticket.

Could you let me know if this is worth doing if you say there not recoganised like the CIPD and if you think its better to renew with the CIPD for a while until I'm established over there?

Any tips or advice would be great.

Beccie

There is no need to take a big step back especially if you are in a generalist role that is operational in nature. Those in senior specialist roles or roles that have a very strong Uk context ie heavily involved in UK employment law or compensation and benefits, may take a little while getting up to speed on Australian practice but Australians love Australian experience anyway!

I am a member of AHRI and CIPD. I don't think AHRI currently has anything like the kudos of CIPD.

Thats really good to know I've been in HR for 15 years and always held generalist positions in manufacturing and healthcare sectors, working in the charity sector currently. Just hoping I'll be able to continue in the same profession once we get their.

My CIPD membership is due for renewal so I'll do that for another year and take it from there.

Thanks

Hi all,

I realise that its been a while since this thread was last updated but i'm hoping someone will be able to provide me with some advice?

I'm looking to migrate my family to Australia and I'm employed as a Training Manager within HR at a blue chip company. I've worked in HR since early 2007.

My qualifications are up to BTEC 3 level and from speaking with GoMatilda they intimated that there are no states willing to support Training Officers or similar currently.

Is this anybody elses experience? Can anybody advise what has worked for them?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Chris