Sales Workers promote, sell and process transactions for customers. Some Sales Workers may be eligible to apply for a skilled migration visa to enter Australia.

Who are Sales Workers?

Sales Workers are people who sell goods and services to customers. Sales Workers are essential employees across many industries, not just in the retail environment. Sales Workers can be found in wholesale, manufacturing and service-based businesses. The roles of sales workers will vary based on their industry and the specific products or services they are selling. Some common roles and responsibilities of sales workers include engaging with customers, processing sales transactions, resolving issues and complaints and setting up product displays. 

What tasks can Sales Workers do?

Sales Workers are responsible for a range of tasks to facilitate the sale of good and services. Specific tasks and activities for Sales Workers can include:

• Meeting with customers, businesses and organisations to promote and sell goods or services
• Assessing the needs and requirements of potential customers by meeting with customers, or visiting them at home to assess installation specifications
• Handling and processing payments for goods and services
• Resolving complaints or issuing refunds

What are the Sales Workers ANZSCO categories?

There are different types of Sales Workers roles outlined in the ANZSCO. These include:

• Sales Representatives and Agents (61) including Insurance Agents and Sales Representatives (611) and Real Estate Sales Agents (612) who carry out more specialised sales activities
• Sales Assistants and Salespersons (62) who sell a range of goods and services directly to the public on behalf of retail and wholesale establishments
• Sales Support Workers (63) who provide assistance to retailers, wholesalers and sales staff by undertaking support activities such as operating cash registers, and modelling, demonstrating, selecting, buying, promoting and displaying goods

Related professions on the Australian skilled occupation list include: Sales Representative (Industrial Products), Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products), ICT Sales Representative and Technical Sales Representatives. These people have specialist knowledge about how technical or medicinal products should be used or operated.

What visas can Sales Workers apply for?

Dependent on areas of specialisation, Australian visa categories for Sales Workers can include: 

• 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 – Training visa (subclass 407)
• 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) – Short Term Stream
• 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – State or Territory nominated
• 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) – Employer sponsored stream

What qualifications do Sales Workers need?

Sales Workers may possess a range of qualifications related to areas of speciality, or more generalised qualifications including:

• AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 2); or
• AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3); or
• AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4); or
• AQF Certificate I, or compulsory secondary education (ANZSCO Skill Level 5)

Sales Worker case study

Patrick, an ITC sales representative from the UK is seeking to relocate to move to Australia for better career opportunities. Patrick specialises in selling niche IT solutions and has a successful track record in meeting sales targets and delivering exceptional customer service. Before beginning the migration application process, Patrick seeks guidance about his best visa options, in relation to his qualifications and work experience. 

As ICT Sales Representative is on the Australian skilled occupation list, one option for Patrick may be to apply for a 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) – Short Term Stream visa. Patrick will have to demonstrate his English proficiency and points accumulated through his application. Patrick decides to seek the advice of a migration advisor at Jameson Law before lodging any paperwork.

Migration advice for Sales Workers

Because there are frequent changes to immigration law in Australia, migration is not only one of the most complex areas of law. If you are considering applying for an Australian visa as a Sales Worker, it pays to get expert advice. The team at Jameson Law have the expertise to handle all immigration matters, from a simple visa application to Australia to complex cases requiring persuasive submissions at the AAT and Federal Court.