Canberra - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Telecommuting is hard because of the 14-16 hour time difference, though some people do it. We have a reciprocal work agreement with Australia so working on the local market is possible if you have specialized skills. Don't expect to get an EFM job at the embassy. The number of jobs is tiny compared to the number of spouses looking to work. - Apr 2025
The FAMER knows more than I. I telecommute to the US from our housing. The time zone is a lot, but mostly it works. My salary is a little better this way than working locally. - May 2023
We both worked for the Embassy, but lots of spouses worked on the local economy - especially teaching. Telecommuting is pretty hard given the time difference (ranging from 14 to 16 hours from the US East Coast depending on the time of year), but I know someone who did therapy telecommuting for their whole tour. - Aug 2020
Tons, and the pay is much better than in the USA or anywhere else. - May 2012
Yes. - May 2011
Yes, especially if you are a school teacher with credentials for America or a nurse or doctor. - Dec 2010
YES. People who work on the economy make much more than working at the embassy. Even high-schoolers working part-time at the grocery store after school make more money per hour than most EFMS at the embassy. - Nov 2010
It's a very good place to work on the local economy. Pay scales were better than at the embassy. - Apr 2010
Yes, there are. - Oct 2009
Yes. - Apr 2009
