THE EMANATE TECHNOLOGYGUIDE TO MOVING TO CANBERRA

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 2

If you are a skilled IT professional looking for a career and lifestyle change, then consider working in Canberra as an option. The Federal Government is a major employer with a diverse range of opportunities available in Project Services across various departments and agencies.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN RELOCATING TO CANBERRA

From Project Services, Application Development, Testing, Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, Cyber Security and Data Analytics roles, there is something to suit everyone. Contractor rates are generally higher in Canberra than in Sydney and Melbourne, rentals and house prices are lower and daily commutes are generally shorter. More money and more time mean that work-life balance is achievable in Canberra and the attractive lifestyle has much to offer individuals, couples and families.

We know from experience that relocation is a major decision with many factors, both personal and professional, to consider. So, we’ve put together this guide with plenty of information to help you decide whether a move to Canberra is the right choice for you.

Canberra has a range of properties available for rent or purchase, from family homes to modern townhouses and apartments. Rentals, mainly unfurnished, are generally organised through real estate agencies. Prices vary according to size, quality and suburb – highly sought-after areas in the inner south, such as Yarralumla, Deakin and Red Hill command top prices. In our opinion, however, there are many other attractive places to live, including Garran and Curtin in the Woden Valley and parts of the inner north, such as Ainslie, Braddon and Dickson.

According to the Domain Rental Report for December 2019, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Canberra was just over $1,840 for city-centre locations and around $1,440 for apartments outside the centre. By contrast, Sydneysiders pay on average $2,530 per month to rent a one-bedder in the city centre and just under $1,840 per month in the suburbs. The difference in costs between Canberra and Sydney is even greater for larger rentals: in Sydney, it can cost over $4,000 more per month to rent a centrally located three-bedroom apartment.

HOUSING

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 3

Renting is a great way to experience a new area before committing to a purchase, but if you prefer to buy, there are plenty of options. You’ll find that house prices in Canberra are still significantly lower than in other major cities, such as Sydney or Melbourne. In December 2019, prospective homebuyers could expect to pay just under $5,760 per square metre in Canberra city centre and around $9,680 in Melbourne. Prices in Sydney were more than double those of Canberra at over $13,420 per square metre for a city centre purchase. You’ll notice a similar trend in prices for locations outside the city centre.

ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT RENTALCOST PER MONTH

THREE-BEDROOM APARTMENT RENTAL COST PER MONTH

HOUSE PRICEPER SQUARE METER

$1,843.42

$3,083.33

$5,758.57

$1,441.24

$2,151.79

$4,487.50

City Centre

City Centre

City Centre

Outside City Centre

Outside City Centre

Outside City Centre

$1,955.35

$4,049.76

$9,676.40

$1,303.57

$2,216.07

$7,732.47

Sydney

Sydney

Sydney

Canberra

Canberra

Canberra

Location

Location

Location

Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne

$2,537.57

$4,242.86

$13,424.07

$1,837.63

$2,899.00

$8,650.85

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 4

TRANSPORT

We find that most Canberran’s commute to work by car, although cycling on the city’s extensive network of paths is also popular. If you prefer to travel by public transport, regular buses operate in key regions and a new light rail system runs between the city Centre and Gungahlin. Public transport is considerably cheaper in Canberra than in Sydney and Melbourne. A monthly travel pass in Canberra costs just over $90 per month, while commuters in Melbourne pay $150 and Sydneysiders just over $215. In 2017, the mean daily commute to work in Canberra was around 51 minutes, significantly shorter than in other major Australian cities, such as Melbourne where commuters spend over an hour each day getting to and from work. Unsurprisingly, Sydney tops the list with a punishing 71-minute average daily commute!

MEAN DAILY COMMUTINGTIMES IN 2017

MONTHLY PUBLIC TRANSPORT COST

COMPARISON

Sydney Sydney

Canberra Canberra

Melbourne Melbourne

51.5 $93.48

$154.00

$216.70

65.4

71.1

Minutes

Minutes

Minutes

We know from personal experience: Canberran’s get more bang for their buck when it comes to the cost of living. Local purchasing power in Canberra is almost 14% higher than in Melbourne and around 23% higher than in Sydney. Not only are average net salaries higher in the nation’s capital than in other major Australian cities, rents are lower, and leisure is cheaper. Additionally, groceries are cheaper than in Sydney as are consumer prices.

COST OF LIVING

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 5

LIFESTYLE

Average net salaryper month

Local purchasing power

Monthly fitness pass (adult)

$5,115.61 $65.74

$4,515.90 $74.75

$4,845.97 $74.04

Sydney Sydney

Canberra Canberra

Melbourne Melbourne

Local purchasing power in Canberra is 13.67% higher than in Melbourne

Local purchasing power in Canberra is 23.21% higher than in Sydney

Canberra is only the ninth-largest city in Australia, but you will discover it has plenty to offer individuals, couples and families. The nation’s capital is home to beautiful parks, paths and playgrounds, and the Snowy Mountains and Murrumbidgee River Corridor are an easy drive away. The city has an enviable range of cultural attractions, such as the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery of Australia and the CSIRO Discovery Centre and bustles with festivals like Floriade, and the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. Historically, Canberra had a reputation for being a little sterile and dull, particularly when it came to the restaurant/entertainment scene. However, we have seen significant changein recent years with a range of new restaurants, bars and clubs popping up to join established venues. Our favourites include Mint Garden Bar in Braddon for summer cocktails under the trees, Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick for great craft beers, and Muse in Kingston for fine food and wine.

Nature on the doorstep

Family-friendly environment

National cultural attractions

Vibrant festivals and events

Growing restaurant/entertainment scene

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 6

SCHOOLS

If you are relocating your family to Canberra, then we know that childcare and education will be high on your priority list. Rest assured that there are many quality facilities available for children and young adults. Family daycare, independent play schools (unique to Canberra), centre-based care and preschools cater to the youngest age bracket, while a range of public and private schools ensure choice for school-aged children. Further education institutions include the University of Canberra, Australian National University and Canberra Institute of Technology.

Relocating is a time-consuming, expensive and tiring process, which is why it has to be the right decision for you. If you are serious about making the move, we recommend you take the time to experience the city in advance. This will give you the opportunity to explore different suburbs, look at potential accommodation, visit schools and make the necessary arrangements to smooth the transition. We also suggest that you allow yourself time to settle in your new role and set up a home before your family joins you.

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 7

SECURING AN IT JOB IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTThe Federal Government employed over 242,000 people in June 2019, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from June 2019. The opportunities we are seeing for IT professionals with desirable skill sets are mainly in its executive arm, which comprises all government departments, such as the Department of Industry, Innovation & Science, the Department of Finance, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, and agencies, including the ATO.

Here, we look at the security clearance requirements, the differences between the public and private sector, the skill sets in demand in government, advice for writing your CV and addressing the selection criteria for a specific role, and how the application process works.

and Melbourne.

There are similarities between both sectors, however. In government as in private organisations, accountability and efficiency are key considerations. Departments and agencies are increasingly aware of the need to harness technology to streamline processes, secure data and innovate to deliver quality outcomes to people and businesses.

Working in government can be very different from working in the private sector. IT roles are largely contract-based, with the typical government contract running for 12 months, although it is not uncommon to see rolling contracts.

Additionally, our experience is that the pay can be up to 20% higher for contractor roles in Canberra compared to similar roles in Sydney

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTORS

“Departments and agencies are increasingly aware of the need to harness technology to streamline processes, secure data and innovate to deliver quality outcomes to people and businesses.”

people

The Federal Government currently employs over

242,000

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 8

DIVERSITY OF OPPORTUNITIES

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Department and agency sizes vary: some smaller departments may only have around 100 contractors, while larger departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs, may have around 600. The diversity of IT roles available across departments and agencies makes contracting for the Federal Government an attractive option.

Before applying for potential roles, we recommend you think about your priorities and establish what would be the right fit for you. Multiple steps are involved in the application and selection process and clarity and commitment can provide candidates with a genuine advantage.

In most cases, contractors will require security clearance before they can start work in a government department or agency. There are four different levels of clearance: Baseline, Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1), Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2) and (in rare cases) Positive Vetting.

All vetting is organised through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA), which carries out a set of checks, including verification of identity and a national police check, to ensure that individuals have the appropriate level of integrity for working in government. In our experience, the process runs smoothly most of the time and approvals are granted in a reasonable time frame.

Do note the following, however:

Contractors must be sponsored through the security clearance process by a department or agency; you cannot apply to AGSVA independentlySecurity clearance is only available to Australian citizens or, in exceptional cases, Australian permanent residents, who possess skill sets in high demandProcessing time can vary from two weeks to three months, with most clearances being approved within two monthsOnce approved, your security clearance is valid for 7-15 years (duration varies according to level)

•

•

•

•

If you’ve got the skills, we can help you – we have lots of experience placing people with in-demand expertise in exciting government opportunities, so speak to us about your options and we can help you secure the necessary security clearance.

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 9

SKILL SETS IN DEMAND

CREATING A STAND-OUT CV

We are finding that Project Managers, Change Managers, PMO and Business Analysts are highly sought-after in government at present.

Change management is an area of crucial importance in departments and agencies as they implement new technology to transform the way they operate and deliver services. The right Change Manager plays an important role in digital transformation success; the wrong person can easily set a project back six months. Change Managers who are experienced at managing large projects in big organisations will find that departments and agencies are eager to sponsor their application.

If you are interested in potentially working and living in Canberra, we’d love to hear from you and can help you figure out if it’s right for you.

When you apply for a Federal Government role, there are certain standard requirements to bear in mind.

Your CV should be no longer than two pages in length and include your last 10 years of professional experience (not beyond that) in reverse chronological order. For each role, you should specify the organisation, contract/employment dates, your position, project name, and then insert bullet points outlining your responsibilities.

If you need to refresh your CV, we’ve put together a useful template for you here.

We also suggest you tailor your CV to specific roles to maximise your chances of success. At Emanate Technology, our specialist recruiters can provide you with individual advice on this.

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 10

ADDRESSING SELECTION CRITERIA

STAR MODELDescribe the situation

Describe the specific task

Demonstrate what you did and why

Describe what happened and whatyou learnt as a result

A key part of the application process involves providing a written response that addresses the selection criteria. This should be more than just a general cover letter – it’s a targeted response that demonstrates, with examples, how you meet the role requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills, knowledge and experience. We often recommend that applicants frame their responses using the STAR model.

S

T

A

R

Situation

Task

Action

Result

At Emanate Technology we recently helped Sandra,* an experienced Project Manager, to relocate from Sydney to a niche IT role with the Federal Government in Canberra. Here’s what that entailed:

Our team identifies Sandra as having the specific skills that the department requires and contacts her

1.SEARCH

6.SECURITYCLEARANCE

Sandra is interested in applying, so we help her to update her CV in line with the role and write targeted responses to the selection criteria

2.APPLICATION

Sandra is issued with a 12-month contract, pending successful completion of the security clearance process

5.CONTRACT

Sandra is one of the candidates shortlisted for the role

3.SHORTLIST

Sandra travels from Sydney to Canberra for a face-to-face interview with the department team. She gets a feel for the department and the people she will be working with

4.INTERVIEW

The government department applies for a security clearance for Sandra which is authorised two months later, and Sandra starts work

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 11

The hiring process for Federal Government roles and final decisions can be made quickly compared to the private sector, where candidates often go through multiple rounds of interviews. Do note, however, that start dates can be flexible. Where the skill set is hard to find, departments and agencies are often willing for the successful candidate to work out their notice period with their current employer and make the necessary arrangements to relocate to Canberra.

*candidate’s name has been changed for confidentiality reasons.

QUICK TIPS ON RELOCATING INTERSTATE FOR GOVERNMENT ROLES

Think about whether working for the government is what you really want

Visit Canberra for a short break and get a feel for all it has to offer

Always aim for a face-to-face interview with the relevant department or agency to see if it’s a good fit

Give yourself time to adjust to a new lifestyle and a new role

Organise accommodation, schooling and childcare before your family joins you in Canberra

T H E E M A N A T E T E C H N O L O G Y G U I D E T O M O V I N G T O C A N B E R R A G U I D E | 12

At Emanate Technology, we regularly place skilled IT professionals into Federal Government roles in Canberra. If you are interested in these opportunities, we would be delighted to assist you throughout the application, selection and relocation process. Get in touch with us today to discuss your options in more detail.

ACT +61 2 6109 0373

careers@emanatetechnology.com.au

EMANATETECHNOLOGY.COM.AU

Get in touch with us today to discuss your options in more detail.

SUMMARY