Australia’s thriving fashion and textile industry offers exciting opportunities for skilled tailors with a high demand for precision craftsmanship in custom clothing and alterations. Many employers are extending visa sponsorship to foreign tailors to address workforce gaps.
This guide provides insights into tailoring job eligibility in Australia, lists top textile firms with visa sponsorship opportunities, and includes application links to help you succeed.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements for Tailoring Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for tailor jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship:
- Professional Experience: A minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience in tailoring, garment construction, and fabric handling is often required.
- Educational Background: Formal training in tailoring or fashion design, such as a diploma or certification, is preferred but not always mandatory.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in sewing, pattern-making, alterations, and using specialized tailoring equipment is essential.
- Language Proficiency: A good command of English, proven through an IELTS or equivalent test score, is often required to ensure effective workplace communication.
- Work Authorization: A valid job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor a work visa under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) or similar programs is necessary.
- Health and Character Checks: Candidates must pass Australian health and police clearance requirements as part of the visa application process.
- Customer Service Skills: Tailors who interact with clients are expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a focus on customer satisfaction.
- Portfolio of Work: Providing a portfolio showcasing previous tailoring projects, including custom garments or alterations, is advantageous.
How to Find Tailoring Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship as a Foreigner
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Research Tailoring Job Opportunities
Start by researching tailoring job opportunities using online job portals such as Seek, Indeed, and Jora. Narrow your search by using filters like “visa sponsorship available” or “tailoring jobs in Australia” to find relevant listings.
Ensure to check company websites, especially those of textile companies, fashion boutiques, and large garment manufacturers. Popular cities with high demand for skilled tailors include Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Look for positions that align with your experience level, whether it’s bespoke tailoring, alterations, or mass garment production.
Step 2: Network with Australian Employers
Networking is key to finding tailored job opportunities. Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with hiring managers, fashion designers, and other professionals in the tailoring industry.
Join Australian fashion or garment manufacturing groups on social media platforms or participate in tailoring-related events such as trade shows or exhibitions. Employers often prefer to hire skilled workers through recommendations from people within the industry.
You can reach out directly to local businesses or established fashion houses to inquire about opportunities and express your interest in working with them.
Step 3: Update Your Resume and Portfolio
Make sure your resume is up-to-date, highlighting any relevant tailoring certifications, technical skills, and experience in the industry.
Include your proficiency in using industrial sewing machines, pattern-making, and garment alterations, as well as any specialized techniques you have mastered.
Create an online portfolio to showcase your tailoring skills, including images of completed projects. A portfolio that reflects your attention to detail, craftsmanship, and versatility in tailoring makes an impression on potential employers.
Step 4: Apply to Job Postings
After finding suitable positions, apply through the employer’s website or job portals. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your qualifications, experience, and your eagerness to work in Australia. Emphasize your willingness to relocate and your eligibility for visa sponsorship.
Include details about your expertise in tailoring, any experience working with Australian or international clients, and your ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Step 5: Contact Recruitment Agencies
Recruitment agencies can simplify the process of securing a tailoring job with visa sponsorship. Agencies like Hays, Randstad, and Adecco specialize in the fashion and textile industries and often have connections with companies offering sponsorship opportunities.
Reach out to these agencies to inquire about available positions and let them know about your visa sponsorship needs.
Recruitment agencies can help guide you through the process, ensuring your application reaches the right employers.
Step 6: Verify Visa Sponsorship Availability
Before applying, confirm that the employer offers visa sponsorship. Tailoring and textile-related occupations may be included on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for visa eligibility.
If a company is willing to sponsor you, they may offer a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or other work visas.
Ensure that the job you are applying for qualifies under the TSS visa program, designed to fill skill shortages in Australia by bringing in foreign talent.
Step 7: Prepare for Interviews
Once you have been shortlisted for an interview, be prepared to discuss your experience in greater detail. You may be asked to demonstrate your skills through practical tests such as sewing samples or discussing how you would approach specific tailoring challenges.
Employers may want to gauge your understanding of Australian workplace culture and your ability to work in a team or manage multiple tasks.
Be confident in showcasing your portfolio, and be ready to discuss your passion for tailoring and your long-term career goals in Australia.
Step 8: Complete Visa Application Requirements
After securing a job offer, your employer will guide you through the process of applying for a visa. Be sure to provide all necessary documents, such as proof of your tailoring experience, qualifications, and certifications.
You will likely need to undergo health checks and obtain police clearance certificates as part of the visa application.
Your employer will provide support with the necessary paperwork for your visa sponsorship application, making the process smoother.
Step 9: Relocate and Begin Work
Once your visa has been approved, make arrangements to move to Australia. Organize accommodation, travel, and other essential arrangements before your start date.
Ensure you are familiar with Australian working hours, labor laws, and workplace safety regulations. If required, participate in any onboarding or training sessions provided by your employer.
Settle in quickly and adapt to the local culture, so you can begin your new role as a tailor with confidence.
Top Textile Companies Offering Tailoring Jobs In Australia With Visa Sponsorship
Here are the top textile companies offering tailoring jobs in Australia as a foreigner:
David Jones
David Jones, one of Australia’s premier department stores, offers a variety of fashion and tailoring services, including custom-made suits and alterations.
Known for its high-quality service and luxury retail environment, David Jones frequently hires skilled tailors. The company has been known to offer visa sponsorship for skilled workers in fashion-related roles.
Foreign applicants with relevant tailoring qualifications and at least two years of experience in high-end garment production or alterations may be eligible for sponsorship.
More info: David Jones Careers.
SABA
SABA is a renowned Australian fashion retailer known for its contemporary and classic designs, including tailored suits and business attire. The company offers opportunities for skilled workers who can meet their high standards.
SABA offers visa sponsorship for qualified candidates with tailoring experience, particularly in bespoke suit design or alterations.
Foreign applicants must have a relevant qualification, such as a Certificate III in Clothing and Textile Production, and demonstrate proficiency in garment alteration and customization.
More info: MSABA Careers
Country Road Group
Country Road Group is an Australian fashion and lifestyle brand known for its casual and corporate clothing lines. The company offers opportunities for tailors in its in-house production and alterations services.
Country Road Group actively seeks skilled foreign workers, especially those with expertise in garment alterations, to join its team and often offers visa sponsorship.
Applicants should have recognized tailoring qualifications and relevant experience in custom tailoring and alterations.
More Info: Country Road Careers.
R.M. Williams
R.M. Williams, an iconic Australian brand specializing in quality clothing and leather goods, occasionally hires skilled tailors for their bespoke services and alterations.
With a reputation for craftsmanship, R.M. Williams offers visa sponsorship to foreign workers who have exceptional tailoring skills and experience working with high-quality materials, particularly leather and durable fabrics.
Applicants with relevant qualifications in tailoring or garment construction and several years of experience in the industry are encouraged to apply.
More Info: R.M. Williams Careers.
Cotton On
Cotton On is a popular Australian fashion retailer known for offering trendy and affordable clothing. While they focus on mass production, they offer alterations services and are keen on hiring skilled tailors for custom jobs.
Cotton On provides visa sponsorship for foreign workers with tailoring expertise, particularly those who can adapt quickly to mass-produced and custom-made garments. Applicants must have relevant experience in alterations and garment construction.
More info: Cotton On Careers.
The Average Salary for Tailoring Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Salaries for tailor jobs in Australia can vary widely depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Below are the national averages and salary breakdowns based on different factors:
National Average Salary (Hourly and Annually)
The national average salary for tailor jobs in Australia ranges between AUD 50,000 and AUD 65,000 annually, with hourly rates falling between AUD 25 and AUD 35.
Entry-level tailors typically earn salaries towards the lower end of this range, while more experienced professionals, especially those working in high-end fashion or bespoke tailoring, can command higher salaries at the top end.
These salaries can vary based on factors like location, expertise, and the type of tailoring work being performed.
Salaries Based on Experience
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): AUD 45,000 – AUD 55,000/year (AUD 23 – AUD 28/hour).
- Mid-Level (3-5 years): AUD 55,000 – AUD 60,000/year (AUD 28 – AUD 32/hour).
- Experienced (5+ years): AUD 60,000 – AUD 70,000+/year (AUD 32 – AUD 35+/hour).
Salaries by Location
- Sydney (NSW): AUD 55,000 – AUD 65,000/year (AUD 28 – AUD 35/hour). Sydney, Australia’s largest city, offers higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled tailors in retail and high-end fashion.
- Melbourne (VIC): AUD 50,000 – AUD 63,000/year (AUD 25 – AUD 33/hour). Melbourne is a hub for fashion and design, offering a range of opportunities in tailoring, from custom suits to alterations.
- Brisbane (QLD): AUD 50,000 – AUD 60,000/year (AUD 25 – AUD 30/hour). Brisbane offers moderate wages compared to Sydney and Melbourne, but the demand for tailors is growing, especially in specialized fields.
- Adelaide (SA): AUD 48,000 – AUD 58,000/year (AUD 24 – AUD 30/hour). Adelaide typically has lower living costs, but the demand for skilled tailors in smaller-scale fashion businesses and alterations services is steady.
- Perth (WA): AUD 52,000 – AUD 62,000/year (AUD 26 – AUD 32/hour). Perth offers higher wages in some tailoring sectors, especially for those working in high-demand industries like mining or corporate tailoring.
Salaries Based on Employment Types
- Full-time Tailors: Full-time positions offer steady salaries, typically in the range of AUD 50,000 to AUD 70,000 annually, depending on expertise and location.
- Part-time Tailors: Part-time employees tend to earn hourly rates between AUD 25 and AUD 35, depending on the employer and workload.
Salaries Based on Industry
- Fashion Retail Tailors: AUD 50,000 – AUD 60,000/year (AUD 25 – AUD 33/hour). Those working in fashion retail or large clothing stores usually earn slightly less than those in high-end or bespoke tailoring.
- Bespoke and Custom Tailoring: AUD 60,000 – AUD 75,000/year (AUD 30 – AUD 35+/hour). Tailors specializing in high-end custom suits or wedding dresses often earn higher wages due to the specialized nature of their work.
- Alterations Services: AUD 50,000 – AUD 55,000/year (AUD 25 – AUD 30/hour). Tailors working in alterations services, such as those offered at dry cleaners or tailoring shops, tend to earn lower salaries compared to bespoke tailoring.
Industry Divisions
- Textile Manufacturing: Tailors working in textile manufacturing companies may earn between AUD 45,000 and AUD 60,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from AUD 23 to AUD 30.
- Personalized Clothing Services: Tailors in this sector tend to have higher earnings, particularly if they work for high-end brands or offer bespoke services. They can earn between AUD 55,000 and AUD 70,000 annually, or AUD 28 to AUD 35 per hour.
Benefits of Tailoring Jobs In Australia With Visa Sponsorship
Here are the benefits:
Stable Employment Opportunities
Competitive Salaries
Work-Life Balance
Career Growth and Development
Cultural Diversity and International Exposure
Visa Sponsorship
Access to Health and Social Benefits
Vibrant Fashion Industry
Job Flexibility and Freelance Opportunities
Exposure to Advanced Technology and Equipment
