Is it hard for an American that is moving to Sydney, Australia to find a job that pays well?

idk, but its probably easyer than gettin a job in america

Hmmmm -- If I were smart, I would have a job lined up before I moved. But that is only me.
Leo, as a black man, I'd find living in Australia rough. Black people are few and far between there. The population is majority-wise, white, and nothing but. The next biggest population is Oriental, and even they don't number that much. While the people are nice, they have a superiority complex about their race. Eventually, people will assume you're aborigine, and that's when you'll really be treated like a second-class citizen. It's not like America where people will be ignorant against you, but you will not be treated like a regular Aussie.

So you have two things against you, being American and being black. Jobs in Australia are very hard to find, from what I hear too, but this depends on your field.

If you don't mind being the only black/colored person for miles in Australia, be my guest and move there. I believe I counted like 5 people I thought were black in my travels to Queensland, New South Wales, Australia, Brisbane and the Outback. Many of them were probably from the Pacific Islands too! If that doesn't bother you, go. Just be warned. The food sucks too.

**BTW, trust me, do not listen to the other politically-correct posters looking at the world through rose-colored glasses! Even Laurence Fishbourne the actor(sp?) commented on this! There are NOT plenty of blacks in the cities, I've been there, I know! Australia is known for having a racist past! It's a fact! Read about it! These other people must not be minorities, because it's hard to ignore!

Aussies were, on the whole, very nice to me. However, this is an aspect of their country you can't ignore. Be wary. Like I said...I saw very few blacks while I was there...
i dunno about the experiences of the person above me but i guess he just didnt like Australia...

Jobs in Australia are easy to find...if you want to work you will find a job. Do you have any skills? If you do it wouldnt be hard to get a working visa and a job before you even come over here.

I love Australia...and I can say that with the experience of also being a US citizen. I was born here...but I have since spent enough time in the US and also married to an American (a black American just so you know). I liked the US...we lived in Georgia...but I just wanted to get home. As far as my man...well he loves Australia as well. He never wanted to move back to the US in the first place cause he likes it so much here. No one thinks that he is aboriginal - believe me when I tell you that you look nothing like the other people of non-white heritage over here. We do have a number of African families in my city and I have become friends with one lady who's son attends the same school as my daughter and her family love it in Cairns also. I live in one of the biggest cities in my state...we have a population of about 150,000 in the wider Cairns-area. It is very mulitcultural where I live...and as far as I know that goes for much of the larger cities along the east coast. There are small minded people where ever you go in the world who are not accepting of you...no matter who you are, your skin color, your religion or whatever. I experienced my share in the US, not to say that I havent experienced it in Australia. If you havent been here before...may I suggest a short or long trip to check out if you like it here. Australia is diverse in lifestyle and culture...the north of Australia is isoloted and it can be along way between gas stations where as the southern of Australia is much more populated but you dont have to go far to feel like you are in the middle of no where. Feel free to email me if you would like more information. I can never say enough about how great I think Australia is...I hope that I have been of some help...

Good luck!
I dont agree with pistons56 at all. In the cities, there are plenty of black people, and Ive never seen discrimination against black Americans. People WILL NOT assume you are an aborigine! As for the food, it depends where you eat - as with anywhere(!) - but I don't see why anyone would say the food is bad here.

As for getting a job, depends on your industry, but its a lot easier than many other countries. If you are prepared to do anything, then you will have no trouble getting a job. If you're talking a particular industry, it depends. You can make enough to live off quite easily. If you want to earn a lot, go for sales!
As some of the other answerers said, it depends on whether or not you're looking at a specific industry or whether you're looking for just any job. If you're a qualified doctor, nurse, engineer, childcare worker, or teacher, then get over here quick because that's exactly where the shortages are. Also any trade like carpentry, plumbing, electrician, mechanic, etc. can make a lot of money in Sydney. If you're unqualified then you'll be up against quite a bit of competition. Overall there are heaps of jobs out there but you need to have some qualifications or particular skills.

As for all this racism talk, that's complete crap. The only person who will mistake you for an Aboriginal person is someone who's blind (or has never seen a black person before). Australians are extremely multicultural and very few are prejudiced against black people because, as was stated, we don't have that many black people here to stereotype! The ones who are stereotyped are asians and lebanese mainly, as those are the two big nationalities in Sydney. I've met plenty of African Americans in Sydney, especially from the Western suburbs. The only place you shouldn't live in is the Northern Beaches as they're mostly conservative people with complexes about anyone who isn't exactly like them, including white people with a public education and not enough money (i.e. me, lol).
I've lived in Sydney my entire life :)