Top Five Reasons to Take Up an AEC Sector Opportunity in a Remote Location

With the growth of AEC sector job opportunities in regional centres across Australia and New Zealand, we’re seeing more professionals taking the plunge and starting fresh in new locations and new working roles, immersing themselves in different local cultures and reinvigorating their work/life balance.

With positions opening up among employers in Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Cairns, Port Douglas, the Gold Coast, Darwin and the outlying regions of WA, as well as in idyllic locations across New Zealand’s North and South Islands, there’s plenty of scope for those seeking to relocate. And plenty of good arguments for doing so. Here are our top five:

1. It’s easier to amass savings when there’s less to spend your money on

Especially for younger professionals with young families who are at the early stages of their careers, entering the local housing market in our major urban centres like Sydney and Melbourne can be a major struggle. The need to get together that all-important deposit, the high cost of apartments and houses, and the high cost of living and transport all conspire to make the process harder – as does the sheer daily grind of a long commute to and from work. So it’s no surprise that young people in this position are considering the option of taking up a job in a more remote location for a period of two to three years. This gives them the opportunity to save money, because there’s typically not so much to spend it on – cost of housing and transport is typically lower away from the big cities, there’s less nightlife and socialising tends to be community-based rather than associated with dining out. After a few years, they’re able to return to the city and buy their first apartment, townhouse or home.

2. A lower-stress environment with a more relaxed pace is highly attractive for many people especially those bringing up children

There is something to be said for country living – it’s often easier to make friends in smaller communities as they are less distractions and competing influences taking up people’s time. This is particularly appealing for many professionals looking to expose their children to positive influences and a harmonious environment in which to grow and fulfil their potential. To give one example, currently AEC sector jobs can be found in idyllic locations across New Zealand such as in Queenstown and Palmerston North where the strong demand for holiday homes and weekend getaways has led to a shortage of architectural services. These can be very attractive places to live and provide a lifestyle for your kids that the big cities can’t match.

3. A remote location presents an opportunity for a seachange for older professionals

Often when your kids have grown up and left home, you may feel it’s time to reassess your lifestyle choices and make a change. If you’ve spent decades in the urban environment and put in the hard yards at work, you may now be looking for a less demanding working role, perhaps one with less management responsibility. You may not yet be ready for retirement, but you might be happy to migrate across to a less senior role and benefit from a lifestyle change such as shorter working hours and more time to enjoy your other interests. If so, a move to a remote location may be just what you need.

4. It can be easier to maintain a work/life balance when away from major urban centres

In making the decision to relocate from an urban centre to a regional one, there are lots of considerations to weigh up. You need to consider how it will impact your earning capacity. You need to ensure your family is genuinely happy to go along with the move. You need to be reasonably confident that you will find the new environment one in which everyone will thrive. All these are questions of work/life balance which need to be weighed up. But in doing so, many professionals find it’s easier to reach their desired equilibrium in a low-key, regional environment. Again, it’s the lack of extraneous factors and distractions – so prevalent in major cities – which make the process easier.

Yes, moving from a major city to a remote location may necessitate a drop in salary – though not always: current demand for architects in New Zealand regional centres is keeping wages high for Australian professionals moving across the pond. But even if you do have to take a paycut to relocate, this can often be offset by lower costs of housing and the ease of commuting. Spending less time travelling to and from work means you can spend more time with your partner and/or children and have more time for yourself. Finding that balance is the key.

5. The availability of solid professional support and advice means it’s possible to make a smooth transition to the new location, secure in the knowledge that you’ve made the right choice

The hardest part of making the decision to relocate is simply convincing yourself that you can do it. It can be a daunting prospect to imagine yourself living in a new environment away from friends, relatives and your familiar support network – having to meet new people and form new relationships, find a new home, schools for the kids and all the associated rigmarole of moving. If you’re moving to another country such as from Australia to NZ, it seems even more challenging.

The second hardest part is to ensure you have the support of your partner/spouse and family. Sometimes people won’t be upfront about their feelings and you may learn only at the last moment that there is a reluctance to commit to the move.

This is where the professional support services of a reputable recruitment firm can really help. From advice on the legal aspects of immigration to answering general questions which your partner may have, they can assist you in addressing the various familial concerns and ensuring everyone is on side with the move.

The logistics of the process also need to be considered: do you move first and make sure you’re happy with your new environment and job, and have your family join you later? Or do you all move together? Do you sell your existing home, or retain it for six months while you rent in your new location? Are there Visa requirements which need to be met not only for yourself but for your partner? All these questions need to be answered and having access to a solid professional support team can make the process far less daunting and more doable.

If you’re looking for your next permanent, part-time or contract role, Central Innovation’s Recruitment team can help. We’ve been a leader in the industry for over 25 years. So, we’re well connected with potential employers, large and small. Through CI connect, we assist clients looking to move remotely with services such as visa requirements and we provide CV evaluation and interviewing services.

To discuss your next career move, please contact us or apply to one of our industry opportunities.