Jobs and work

Lifestyle is a big reason people move to Tasmania, but most still need an income. Researching work before you move, or arranging to keep your current job remotely, makes the transition much less stressful.

This is general information to help you research a move. It isn't legal, financial or migration advice, and we don't recommend particular suburbs, agents or businesses.

Research the market in your field

Search real job listings in your field and in the regions you're considering. Note how many roles appear, what employers ask for, and whether roles are full-time, part-time or casual. A small state means fewer employers in some specialties, so a role may take longer to find. Workforce Australia and private job boards are starting points; local networks and industry associations can also help.

Industries

Tasmania's economy includes health care and social assistance, education, public administration, retail, construction, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, mining, food and beverage manufacturing, and renewable energy. The mix differs by region: Hobart has many government and university roles, Launceston and the north-west have more manufacturing and agriculture, and tourism is significant on the east coast.

Remote work

Many people move while keeping a mainland job. If that's your plan:

• confirm the arrangement with your employer in writing;
• check internet technology and mobile coverage at the exact address;
• think about time zone (Tasmania uses the same time as Victoria and New South Wales);
• plan a dedicated, warm workspace for winter.

Occupational licences and registration

Some occupations need state registration or a licence, for example certain building and electrical trades. Others are covered by national registration schemes. Check with the relevant regulator whether your current licence is recognised in Tasmania and what you need to do before starting work.

Your rights at work

Most employees in Tasmania are covered by the national workplace relations system. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains pay rates, awards, leave and conditions. If you're unsure whether an offer meets minimum standards, check with the Ombudsman.

Starting a business

Some newcomers start a business, particularly in tourism, food or trades. Research demand carefully, especially in small towns where seasonal swings affect trade, and get advice on licences, permits and tax.

Questions to ask

• How many roles in your field were advertised in the region this year?
• Would you accept a different role while you look?
• How long could you manage before your income starts?

Internet and mobile coverage

Reliable internet matters for remote work, study, telehealth and staying in touch. Coverage varies a lot in Tasmania's hills and valleys, so check what's available at the exact address rather than the town in general. Ask the current occupants or neighbours how well their connection works, and test mobile reception inside the home. For rural properties, compare fixed wireless, satellite and other options before you commit. If good internet is essential to your income, make it a deal-breaker in your property search.

Budget for the whole move

Moving to an island adds costs that are easy to underestimate. Alongside removalists and Bass Strait shipping, allow for ferry or flight tickets, vehicle inspection and registration, licence conversion fees, rental bonds and rent in advance, utility connections, temporary accommodation if dates don't line up, and replacing items you can't bring, such as garden plants. Heating can be a larger winter cost than many mainlanders expect. Write down every expected cost, get written quotes where you can, and keep a buffer for surprises. A realistic budget reduces stress and helps you compare regions fairly.

Choosing a region

Tasmania is small on the map, but its regions feel different. The south centres on Hobart and its valleys and peninsulas; the north on Launceston, the Tamar Valley and farming country; the north-west on coastal towns from Devonport to Smithton; the West Coast on remote harbour and mining towns; and the east coast on beaches and holiday towns. Think about what matters most to you, such as work, schools, health care, climate, community or landscape, and rank the regions against those needs. Our region guides describe each area in more detail.

Visit before you commit

If you can, spend time in Tasmania before you sign a lease or buy. A week in winter will tell you more about everyday life than a summer holiday: how cold the mornings are, how early it gets dark, how quiet the towns become, and what the roads are like in rain and frost. Use the trip to inspect homes, drive the commutes you'd make, visit schools, and talk to locals at the shops, the library or a sports club. Keep notes and photos so you can compare places once you're home. If a visit isn't possible, ask someone you trust to look on your behalf, and use video calls to inspect homes.

Finding your community

Settling in is about people as much as places. Many newcomers find friends through work, schools, sporting clubs, volunteer groups, community gardens, churches, Men's Sheds, choirs, bushwalking clubs and local markets. Neighbourhood houses run activities and are a good place to ask about what's on. In small towns, turning up regularly and joining in tends to matter more than anything else. Give yourself time: it's normal for a move to feel lonely before it feels like home, and staying in touch with friends and family back home helps during the first year.

Update your details

Moving interstate means updating your address in many places. Common ones include Medicare and Centrelink through Services Australia, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Electoral Commission, your bank, super fund, insurers, employer, phone and internet providers, and any subscriptions. The Australian Electoral Commission lets you update your enrolment online. Redirect your mail for a few months to catch anything you miss. Keeping a simple checklist and ticking items off as you go makes this much easier.

Renting before buying

Renting for six to twelve months before buying gives you time to learn the area, experience the seasons and find out which suburbs or towns suit you. It costs more in moving and can be competitive, but it reduces the risk of buying in the wrong place. If you do rent first, read the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services rental guide, keep good records of the property's condition, and understand your notice obligations so you can move again when you're ready.

A quick checklist

Before you commit to a move:

• visit in winter if you can;
• compare regions against your work, school, health and lifestyle needs;
• budget for shipping, bonds, inspections and heating;
• check internet at the exact address;
• plan biosecurity steps for food, plants, gear and pets;
• diarise the three-month registration and six-month licence deadlines;
• update your address with key agencies.

Where our information comes from

We base the rules and deadlines in this guide on official sources, including Service Tasmania, Transport Services Tasmania, Biosecurity Tasmania, Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, the Department for Education, Children and Young People, the Bureau of Meteorology, Healthdirect and Services Australia, listed at the end of the page. Descriptions of places are general and written in our own words. Rules change, so we show the date we last checked the page; follow the source links before relying on any detail.

Taking it one step at a time

A move across Bass Strait involves many decisions, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Breaking the move into stages helps: first research and visit, then choose a region and housing, then book transport and removalists, then handle biosecurity and packing, and finally the paperwork after you arrive. Tackling one stage at a time, with a written list for each, keeps things manageable and makes it less likely that an important deadline slips through the cracks.

Key points

• Research real job listings in your field and region before moving.
• The economic mix differs between Hobart, the north and the north-west.
• Remote workers should check internet at the exact address.
• Some occupations need Tasmanian licences or registration.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman explains pay and conditions.