Gateway Recruitment world map with routes from America, Ireland, the UK and Europe to Australia
Relocate your career

Move your career to Australia or New Zealand

What we do

Your opportunity and relocation support, all in one place

Gateway Recruitment helps construction and engineering professionals find the right opportunity and prepare for the move with one connected, personal process.

Real opportunities

Direct connections to employers actively hiring across Gateway Recruitment's specialist construction and engineering sectors.

Trusted introductions

When specialist advice is needed, we can introduce you to independent licensed migration or immigration advisers.

Gateway Relocation Pack

Practical information covering the essentials of moving, getting set up and settling into life in Australia or New Zealand.

One connected process

From the first conversation to the first day in your new role, Gateway keeps the process clear, personal and moving forward.

Large data centre project under construction

Connecting experienced professionals with the projects shaping Australia and New Zealand.

Why now

Your experience is needed on major projects

Your experience is in demand

Design, project and construction management roles across mechanical, civil, electrical, infrastructure and data centre projects are consistently hard to fill.

Same role, bigger projects

Australian construction runs on the same core skills you already have, just bigger projects, hotter days, and often stronger packages.

Most people never make the call

The hard part is starting. Gateway Recruitment helps identify suitable employers and opportunities, shares general relocation information and can introduce you to independent specialists for visa or skills-assessment advice.

Register your interest

Ready for a new opportunity?

You don't need to have the whole move figured out. Tell us a little about your experience and what you're looking for, and our team will start a straightforward, confidential conversation.

  • 1Your current role, experience and location
  • 2Where you'd like to work and your ideal timing
  • 3Your visa status: “not sure yet” is completely fine
Take the first step
Prefer to talk it through?

Chat with Skipper first

Ask about moving, Gateway's industries or whether your experience may be relevant. The registration form may be your next step.

Gateway Relocation Pack

The opportunity and the move, brought together

We have brought the practical information candidates need into one clear relocation pack, so you can focus on the opportunity rather than searching across dozens of websites.

Everything needed to prepare with confidence

The Gateway Relocation Pack brings together the practical essentials of moving to Australia or New Zealand. It gives you a clear starting point without overwhelming you with information before you are ready.

Banking and getting set up
Housing and moving essentials
Schools and family
Healthcare
General visa information
Arrival checklist

Gateway Recruitment provides general relocation information only. Where personal migration advice is required, we can introduce you to an independent licensed adviser.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers on jobs, visas, salary, relocation and life in Australia. For anything visa or migration specific, we'll always point you to an independent licensed adviser rather than guess.

Gateway Recruitment is a recruitment business, not a migration or immigration adviser. Where a question needs personal visa or migration advice, we can introduce you to an independent licensed adviser.

Explore the full FAQ

Get straight answers on jobs, visas, salary, relocation and life in Australia.

View all FAQs →

Jobs & Career

What jobs are in demand in Australia?

There's a huge construction boom across Australia right now, with strong demand for roles across Data Centres, M&E, Civil and Major Projects.

Can I get a job in Australia before I move?

Yes, plenty of our placements are secured before the candidate lands. Employers regularly interview and make offers to candidates who are still overseas, particularly for roles that need a skills assessment or visa lead time anyway.

Is Australian construction experience required?

No, most employers hiring internationally are specifically looking for the experience you already have. What matters more is transferable project experience and, where relevant, familiarity with local contract types and standards.

What qualifications do I need to work in Australia?

It depends on your role and discipline. Many roles require a formal skills assessment, through Engineers Australia or VETASSESS, alongside your existing qualifications and chartership.

Do Australian employers recognise overseas experience?

Yes. UK, Irish and European infrastructure experience is highly regarded, particularly on major projects where methodology and standards overlap closely with Australian practice.

Visa & Sponsorship

Can an employer sponsor my visa?

Yes, many of our partnered employers sponsor overseas candidates directly. The right visa pathway depends on your occupation and circumstances, so once a role is on the table we'll introduce you to an independent licensed migration adviser — register your interest with us to get started.

Who pays for visa costs?

This varies by employer and role. Many of our partnered employers cover or contribute to visa costs for sponsored roles, and it's a detail we always confirm with the client before it reaches you.

Can I move with my family?

Many candidates we place do move with a partner and children. Family and dependent visa conditions vary case by case, so register your interest with us and we'll make sure this is covered when you speak with an independent licensed adviser.

Is permanent residency possible through sponsorship?

Several employer-sponsored pathways can lead to permanent residency over time, but eligibility depends on your occupation, visa subclass and circumstances. Register your interest with us and an independent licensed adviser can map out whether that applies to you.

What about a working holiday visa?

It's a different route to a sponsored role, no employer or job offer needed, but it's generally only open to applicants aged 18–30 (up to 35 for some nationalities). Processing has historically been fast, some decided within days, but timeframes vary by nationality and can change with government policy, so it's worth checking current times before relying on it as a plan. Register your interest with us if you want help weighing it up against a sponsored pathway.

Salary & Benefits

What salary should I expect?

It depends on role, seniority and sector, so we'll give you a realistic range once we know your background rather than a generic figure. As a general rule, candidates we place see a meaningful uplift once cost of living is factored in.

What is superannuation and is it included in my salary?

Superannuation ("super") is Australia's compulsory retirement savings system, roughly equivalent to a UK workplace pension. On top of your salary, your employer is required by law to pay 12% of your earnings into a super fund in your name, which then grows until retirement. Almost everyone working in Australia gets it, including temporary residents on a sponsored visa. The only thing to check is whether an offer is quoted inclusive of super or on top of it, since both are common and it changes what your take-home salary actually is. It's one of the first things worth clarifying when reviewing any offer, and we always flag it.

Are bonuses common?

Performance or project bonuses are common in construction and infrastructure roles, particularly at project manager level and above, though they vary significantly by employer and role.

Do employers offer relocation assistance?

Many of our partnered employers contribute toward flights, shipping or temporary accommodation, though it varies by employer and role level. We always clarify what's on the table before you accept an offer.

How much tax will I pay in Australia?

Australia runs a progressive income tax system, so the rate increases with income. Exact brackets and thresholds change periodically, so it's worth checking current rates or speaking to a tax adviser once you have an offer in hand.

Relocation & Lifestyle

What is the cost of living like in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane?

Sydney tends to be the most expensive, particularly for rent, followed by Melbourne and then Brisbane. Costs vary a lot by suburb and lifestyle, so it's worth comparing against the actual project location and commute, not just the city average.

What's it really like living in Australia?

Most candidates who move say the lifestyle, climate and outdoor access are a genuine step up, alongside a strong work culture in construction and infrastructure. The trade-off is usually distance from family and friends back home.

Which city is best for families vs young professionals?

Brisbane and Perth are popular with families for space and value, while Sydney and Melbourne draw younger professionals and offer more schools, healthcare and career options at a higher cost of living. It really depends on your priorities and where the work is.

Can my children attend public schools?

Yes, public schools are free and zoned by address. Where you rent or buy often determines which school you're entitled to, so it's worth researching before committing to a suburb.

What should I organise before flying to Australia?

Broadly: your skills assessment and visa in progress, a transitional bank account, suitable travel and health insurance, and a plan for temporary accommodation on arrival. We'll walk through a fuller checklist once your move is underway.

Recruitment Process

What does the recruitment process look like?

We start with a conversation to understand your background and goals, then match you against live briefs with our partnered employers before presenting you as a shortlisted candidate. From there it's interviews, offer, then relocation support.

Can interviews be completed remotely?

Yes, most first-stage interviews are done remotely by video call. Some employers want an in-person meeting at final stage, but that's usually arranged once there's a real offer on the table.

How long does recruitment usually take?

Candidates who are ready to move typically go from first conversation to offer in a few months, though it depends on your timeline and how quickly things like skills assessments progress.

Will you help with CV preparation?

Yes, we'll help position your CV for the Australian market, translating your experience, qualifications and contract types into terms local employers recognise.

How long does it take to get sponsored?

It varies quite a bit, and depends on your occupation, the employer, and how quickly things like a skills assessment come together, so there's no single timeframe we can promise upfront. If your experience and circumstances look like a good fit for sponsorship, register your interest with us and we'll introduce you to an independent licensed adviser who can talk you through a realistic timeline for your situation.

Wind turbines across a large renewable energy project

Specialist recruitment across the sectors building tomorrow.

The team

Built by people who've done the job

Stuart Perry

Stuart Perry

Co-founder

Stuart started his career on-site, not behind a desk, working as a Utilities Engineer on major UK infrastructure projects before moving into specialist recruitment. That hands-on background is what sets his approach apart: informed advice for employers, and credible career guidance for candidates, from someone who's actually done the job. Over 15 years across the UK and Australian infrastructure markets, he's partnered with Tier 1 contractors, consultancies and government organisations, most recently leading Unify Recruitment's Civil Infrastructure, Mechanical & Electrical division from Sydney. Stuart is based in London and leads candidate search across the UK, Ireland and Europe, servicing employers across Australia.

View LinkedIn profile →
15+years, UK & Australia
100+placed with one client
15+hires in 6 months, UK & Ireland
PSAMajor Infrastructure clients
Harry Beattie

Harry Beattie

Co-founder

Harry has worked in recruitment for over 10 years, focusing on the mechanical and electrical contracting, building services and data centre markets. During that time, he has built long-standing relationships with many of Australia's leading Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, supporting them with key hires across engineering, estimating, project delivery and senior management. Data centres have become a major part of Harry's market in recent years. He works closely with contractors delivering some of Australia's largest mission critical projects across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Harry is based in Sydney and focuses on the Australia and New Zealand market. By staying close to his market, Harry has a strong understanding of who is hiring, the projects coming through, salary expectations and where the best long-term opportunities are. His approach is straightforward and personal. He takes the time to understand what someone is looking for, gives honest advice and only introduces opportunities that genuinely make sense for their career and circumstances.

View LinkedIn profile →
10+years in recruitment
PSASupplier agreement across M&E
Australia & New Zealandestablished contractor and consultancy network
Recommend a professional

Know someone ready for their next chapter?

Introduce an experienced construction or engineering professional to Gateway Recruitment. We will speak with them confidentially, explain the opportunities available and support them through every stage of the move.

Gateway Referral Programme A professional introduction, handled personally by Harry and Stuart. Make a referral