TravelWorks.co.uk » Work & Travel » Work & Travel in Australia » Work
Work and travel in Australia
Australia is an incredible mix of vast red deserts and white-sand beaches, tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef, sky-scraping modern cities and the great Outback - not to mention its assortment of exotic flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. The "Aussies" offer foreign backpackers a myriad of paid work opportunities, and have come to count on temporary workers from abroad. Work and travel for a year in "Oz", and have the ultimate Australian adventure!
WE MAKE THINGS EASY FOR YOU
With our knowledge of the Australian job market, we make sure that you can easily contact potential employers, such as hotel chains and temporary employment agencies, so you can work and travel in Australia more easily. Our partner office in Australia has a wide range of resources to assist you in finding work in Australia. Here you will find:
- A job agency.
- Computers.
- Information files.
- Notice boards with job offers.
You can, of course, see if your fellow backpackers have a tip for the job of your dreams as you work and travel in Australia. Asking around at various local businesses is another way many backpackers end up landing a job.
You can expect to earn approximately AUS$ 10-15 an hour. About 29% is deducted from this in taxes. Keep in mind that searching for work can take a few days, and the work you find will only be temporary. We will help you to find a job quickly so that you can work and travel in Australia with the support of the committed and qualified employees at our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
What jobs have previous travellers done?
- Cleaned offices
- Packed papayas
- Laid down toilet pipes
- Helped a political party during local elections
- Checked faulty television recorders
- Harvested and sorted bananas
- Cleaned sheepskins on a farm
- Temporary work in supermarkets
- Helped to landscape a golf course
- Served in a bar on a cruise boat
- Fundraising for the Australian Red Cross
- Worked as a hostess during trade fair events
- Drove hostel buses
- Helped at a U2 concert
- Washed mobile homes
- Unloaded ship containers
- Built a crocodile enclosure
The hotel and restaurant industry and tourism
If you already have some experience in the hotel and restaurant industry, a tremendous range of job offers will open up to you as you work and travel in Australia. Even if you're new in the hotel industry, it's possible to find a job. Especially the Australian east coast has a lot to offer in this area. Here are some examples:
- Kitchen hand on a cruise boat.
- Surfing instructor near the Great Barrier Reef.
- Ice cream seller.
- Receptionist in a hostel.
In larger cities and in the Australian winter sport regions it is relatively easy to find a job in the tourism sector.
TravelWorks Tip: We recommend that you bring references in English and formal work clothing for job interviews.
Big events
You will probably run across at least a few big events (concerts, festivals, etc.) as you work and travel in Australia, and these events always demand many helping hands. Don't be afraid to pitch in! Loads of temporary work possibilities can be found in food service, ticket sales, and security. Other job possibilities include distributing flyers, attending car parks, working as an information host or hostess, or as a souvenir or drink vendor.
Harvesting fruit and vegetables
For those who work and travel in Australia, the climate is perfectly-suited for year-round fruit and vegetable harvesting. You won't need previous experience for this sort of job.
Bananas, mangos, grapes, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers... the list of fruits and vegetables grown in Australia goes on and on. But for a potential fruit or vegetable-harvester, the seasons and locations of the harvests are the most vital pieces of information. That's why we'll send you a detailed harvest calendar, as well as the addresses of different temporary job agencies. You'll know where to find potential harvesting work year-round as you work and travel in Australia.
Aching muscles belong to this line of work, but harvesting is more than just picking fruit. Not only will you be enjoying the fresh air in the company of other backpackers, you will also earn decent money, and workers often receive free accommodation from their farm employers.
Jobs in Australia
There’s always enough work and travel in Australia. If you put some effort into looking and don't mind working hard, it isn't difficult to find a job. The Australians are completely used to hiring backpackers like you.
Other work
With the Working Holiday Visa, the sky's the limit when it comes to your job choice. You can take on basically any kind of job, from a furniture packer to a hair dresser, chauffeur to market researcher, car washer to cleaning personnel. All you need is a little creativity and luck. Keep your ears pricked up for valuable hints from your fellow backpackers as you work and travel in Australia.
If your English is fluent and you can type efficiently, you can find work in an office. In any case, take written references with you as you work and travel in Australia. References are necessary for any job you apply for. Aussies, just like the British, have a traditional view when it comes to office jobs. A formal work outfit is a must - especially during the job interview.
Farm work with WWOOF
Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a nationwide network of specialised ecological farms that pay workers with meals and accommodation instead of money. WWOOF farms are usually smaller than the average Australian farm, and the working hours are restricted to just over half a day.
With WWOOF, you have an excellent and inexpensive way to experience an Aussie farm as you work and travel in Australia. Membership in the WWOOF network is relatively inexpensive, comes with a list of all farms, and can be obtained from our local partners.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA)
If you consider yourself a nature-lover and would like to participate in preserving the untouched nature of the magnificent rainforests or the beautiful Outback during your work and travel in Australia, then Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) is right for you.
In a team of volunteers, you will help out in research projects focused on subjects such as fresh water crocodiles or mangrove forests. You can also help plant trees or construct observation posts. The CVA has offices throughout Australia and offers a varied programme, including accommodation, meals, and transportation. Visit www.conservationvolunteers.com.au for more detailed information.


