Overall, work is quite easy to find in Australia. There are a lot of different fields that are constantly hiring, and most of them have a reasonable, if not very well pay rate. The most challenging aspect of finding a job there would be to figure out what exactly you want to do. Weigh out your social life, expected pay, and relevant experience to determine what job will best suit you for your time travelling through Australia.

1. Bartending

Bartending is probably the best job for backpackers. It’s relatively easy, it can be really fun, and the pay is good. Plus, you’ll make solid tips at most bars, although tipping is not expected in Australia.

The best way to get a job at a bar is to simply walk in with your resume and ask the manager if they are looking for any help. But make sure you go at a reasonable time! Managers hate when people walk in while it is busy and try and hand in a resume. Check when their hours are, and go in whenever they open on a slower weekday. This way you can be sure you have their full attention, and they won’t be annoyed with talking to you while dealing with a busy bar.

Getting your RSA is super easy, so make sure you have that before applying somewhere, because you will need that to serve alcohol anywhere in Australia. Weighing out the pay rate, the hours, and the workload, I would say bartending is the best job to have as someone travelling through Australia, looking to earn money but still manage to have a fun time as well.

2. Tradework/Construction

The only thing keeping this line of work from being at the top of the list is the fact that the work is much more physically demanding. You are typically going to be waking up really early, 4-5 times a week, and physically working hard. However, if this doesn’t bother you, the pay is fantastic, and you’ll get much more hours than a hospitality job.

There are plenty of jobs available in this field, and as long as you can handle the physical workload, you will get hired. Solar panel installation, cement laying,roofing, window/gutter cleaning, and demolition are just a few examples of common trade work in just about every town and city in Australia. You can find companies looking for work on Gumtree or Facebook, or just keep an eye out for help wanted posters around shops and restaurants in town. The days are long, hot, and tiring, but it is well worth it once you get that fat paycheck every week.

3. Waiter/Server

Similar to bartending, but you can get a job as a server with less experience, and you won’t get the tips that a bartender would. If you have confidence, and a good personality, you can probably get a job as a server with no experience at all. Everyone in hospitality is super helpful, you will get the hang of it in just a few shifts.

The hours may not be great at first, but if you can prove that you know what you’re doing, most places will eventually give you the hours that you want. After Covid, there aren’t many restaurants that do full on table service anymore, so your job would basically consist of you running food, clearing tables, and making sure all the customers are happy.

If you’re outgoing, and willing to be on your feet for most of your shifts, this is definitely a job you should consider looking for.

4. Reception

Working as a receptionist is a great job to have as a backpacker in Australia. The pay is good, and the hours typically won’t go too late into the evening. This job may require some relevant experience, and speaking fluent English is an asset.

Receptionists usually get a range of perks as well. In a lot of areas, if you work reception at a resort, they will offer the local tours and day trips to you for free. Most places want their receptionists familiar with the area so they can help out guests looking for things to do during their stay. Things like wine tours, helicopter rides, boat trips, and bar crawls are often times offered to receptionists for free, or heavily discounted.

If you don’t mind being on the phone/computer for most of your shift, and dealing with the occasional upset customer, working reception would be a great job to look into!

5. Chef/Kitchen Hand

Kitchens are always looking for more employees. If you don’t have much work experience, most places will hire you as a dishwasher or a kitchen hand. It’s not a pretty job, but you can log a ton of hours, and you don’t really have to deal with people while you’re working.

If you’re a chef, it will be easy to find work as well. Just walk in with your resume, and ask to speak to the head chef about what they need help with in the kitchen. Most places will need help somewhere, so they’ll be happy you came in. Also, working in the kitchen comes with plenty of free meals, as the kitchen staff always takes care of each other.

Side note: take care of the bartenders and the bartenders will take care of you. The bar staff is always hungry, and the kitchen staff is always thirsty. But you didn’t hear that from me.

6. Housekeeping

Housekeeping is another job that is always in demand, and doesn’t require much experience. For the most part, it is a pretty straightforward job. Not too physically demanding, but you will certainly always be busy.

If English is not your first language, this job may be better for you, as there is minimal interaction with people. Also, if you like to have the evenings off, the hours are typically early in the morning to late afternoon. Just about any resort or hostel needs housekeepers, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding work in this field at all.

7. DJ

This one is pretty specific, but if you happen to be a DJ, there are plenty of places that will pay you to play at their venue. Australia loves DJ’s, some might say too much. But you won’t find any DJ’s complaining about this. Venues will pay anywhere from $100-$500 for just a few hours of work, on top of the fact that you’ll be doing something you enjoy doing anyway.

If you can get your foot in the door at a few venues around the town you’re in, word will quickly spread. The perks of a DJ are great too. Free drinks, you control the vibe of the venue you’re at, and you don’t have to pay any type of cover fee anywhere. You can also play at parties for your friends, who might pay you a little less, but it’s a good way to market yourself, and they will definitely give youall the free drinks you want!

As long as you don’t get sick of playing “Love Tonight” or “Do it To it” being a DJ can be one of the most fun and exciting jobs you can have as a backpacker in Australia.

8. Travel Companies

Unfortunately, the pandemic caused the travel industry to take a major hit. Many companies had to close down for good, and the ones that are still open are not doing anywhere near as well as they used to. However, tourism is one of the biggest industries in Australia, so it’s only a matter of time before it is back to business as usual.

This is another job where you will be expected to have some sort of experience in the travel industry. If you have that, it can be an amazing job to have. You’ll be able to go on a lot of trips for free, and a lot of companies are commission based, so you will be rewarded for higher performance.

Working for a travel company as a backpacker will kill two birds with one stone, as you’ll be able to work and travel at the same time. The unfortunate current state of the industry is the only thing holding this point back from being much higher on this list.

9. Work for accommodation

Just about every hostel in Australia will offer some form of work in exchange for free accommodation. Typically it would be housekeeping, reception, bar work, or basic maintenance. So, if you’re looking for work in these fields and don’t have any experience, working for accommodation at a hostel is a great place to getsome work on your resume.

Another benefit is the fact that they will typically only require a limited amount ofhours, so you can usually knock that out in 2-3 shifts a week, allowing you to have a different paid job. If you can balance working for accommodation andhaving another job, you’ll save yourself a ton of money. No rent, plus the fact thatyou’ll be working quite often, so you won’t be spending too much money.

I wouldn’t suggest working for accommodation as your only job, but its definitely a good place to start, and if you’re happy with working 2 jobs, a fantastic way to save money.

10. Farm Work

Ahh yes, how could I forget? Farm work. Working on a farm is certainly not the most glamorous occupation in Australia; in fact it’s probably the least. However, most backpackers are going to need to complete some amount of farm work to be eligible to renew their working holiday visa. To get the second year visa, three months of regional farm work are required, and you’ll need 6 months to get your third year.

Depending on the passport you have, you may qualify to do regional hospitality rather than farm work. But for most countries, farm work is what you’ll have todo. Before you decide which farm you are going to work for, I strongly encourage you to do your research. Try and contact people that have worked there before, and be aware of what the working conditions are. I’ve heard plenty of stories where the workers were being severely underpaid, and working/living in terrible conditions. A lot of the farm owners can be sketchy people as well, and you don’t want to be in a bad situation for three to six months worth of time. So make sure you are setting yourself up for the best situation possible, because it is really common for the conditions to be less than ideal.

I would suggest going with a friend, or a group of friends. This will make the entire experience much easier, as you’ll all be going through it together. At the end of the day, there are worse things you could be doing, so just try to stay positive through the duration of your farm work, it’ll be over soon!

Australia is a huge country, and it can be a bit overwhelming to think about how exactly you are going to tackle the task of moving there, and traveling through it. There are so many different things to think about when moving, whether it is your work, living situation, or what to do with your free time. 

Breaking down what exactly you want to do, and how to go about it will take loads of stress away from you, and make your overall experience much more simple and enjoyable. 

1.     Finding work is not difficult

When moving your entire life across the globe to Australia, the thought of doing so without a job lined up can be very stressful. This was 100% the main thing I was worried about when I made my move. I was extremely relieved to find out there are jobs everywhere, and most places are hiring year round! 

Hospitality is the main industry to look for jobs, as people are constantly coming and going, so bars and restaurants are always hiring. Just confidently walk in to any establishment with your resume and ask the manager if they are looking for help. Everyone is so nice, and will most likely give you a trial shift if they like you. I relocated to a different city 4 times, and did this with no issues every time. 

There is plenty of work in construction or trade work as well, and these jobs typically pay much more than hospitality will. They are more physically demanding, but you will get more consistent hours, and you will certainly make more money. For this type of work, I suggest searching on Facebook or Gumtree, and you will find something right away!

There really is no need to stress the thought of not having a job when you move to Australia. There are more than enough places looking for employees. As long as you are proactive, you will certainly find a job in no time!

2.     Cars are very useful, and easy to buy/sell

 Rental cars can be expensive, and if you plan on being in Australia long-term, you’re going to want a car eventually. It’s only a matter of time before day trips turn into weekend getaways, and weekend getaways turn to road trips. And for some, road trips turn into full on living out of your car. I started out Uber-ing everywhere, and by the time I left Australia, I had bought and sold two cars, and road tripped both the east and west coast. 

Good news though! It is super easy to buy and sell cars in Australia! Assuming you are on a tight budget, you can get solid vehicles from $2,000-$6,000 AUD. Whether you are looking for something to get you to and from work, or a 4×4 to do some off-roading in, you shouldn’t have a tough time finding what you need in that price range. 

Facebook marketplace is probably the best place to find used cars in Australia. The people are always willing to negotiate the price, and are friendly and understanding. However, I would definitely suggest having a professional take a look at the car before purchasing it. The last thing you want is to waste your hard earned money and have your car fall apart after 2 weeks. 

Lastly, if you are strategic about where you buy a car, you can potentially sell it for more than you got it for! Cars are going to be cheaper in the major cities like Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. If you are planning to move around with your car, you can probably sell it for more in the more remote areas where there are fewer options for cars. For example, it’s better to buy a car in Perth, and then sell it around Exmouth or Broome, as you will probably get more money or close to what you paid for it. Have a look at the market and plan out where and when to buy/sell, to get the most for your money! 

If you set a budget for yourself, do the research before buying, and know where you plan on traveling with your car, you’ll be all good to explore the roads of Australia!

3.     Basic knowledge of cars

Going off the last point, if you plan on getting a vehicle, or even being around people with cars, having a basic understanding of cars is going to be a huge asset for you. 

For starters, any car you buy is going to be used, and will definitely not be perfect. There’s always going to be some sort of bump or bruise, and if you can fix it without paying a mechanic, you’re going to save yourself a lot of money. It also helps when going to the mechanic to know what they’re talking about, to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off, as mechanics have a tendency to be shady with people they can tell don’t know a thing about cars. 

Also, many of the roads in Australia are remote, and not well kept. You do not want to be 3 hours from the nearest auto shop with a popped tire, and no idea how to how to fix it. Trust me, I’ve unfortunately been in that situation, and it is far from ideal. So being able to fix basic problems like this can be very useful in many situations. 

Lastly, if you have an above average knowledge of cars, you can make a bit of money on the side with your skills. People are willing to pay someone they know and trust to come with them during the sale of a car, and make sure the car is going to be good to buy. It’s better for them to pay $50 to a friend rather than a few hundred to a mechanic, and you can make some extra cash for your services helping out a friend. Being knowledgeable about cars is certainly a general life skill, but it will be especially helpful on the roads of Australia. 

4.     Prices of rent/where to live

Finding a place to live can be stressful, especially considering the sense of urgency that usually goes along with it. 

There are a few different ways to go about finding accommodation, but I would say hostels are going to be the best option. For starters, you can check in right away, so you wont be scrambling looking for housing when you first arrive. Even if you don’t want to stay there long term, they can at least provide you a grace period to look for something more permanent. Also, most hostels offer work for accommodation, so you can work a few shifts a week, and have your housing costs covered. It’s a great way to save money, and you will meet way more people using this option than any other. So many of the experiences I’ve had in Australia have stemmed from being in hostels, and I cannot recommend them more. 

Another good option for housing is finding a shared house. The best way to do this would be either Facebook or Gumtree, but there are a lot of areas where it may be tough to find shared houses. In smaller towns and cities it will be much harder to find places, but in the bigger cities you should have no problems finding a place for a reasonable price. Share houses aren’t everywhere, but if you’re in an area where you can find one, it’s a good, inexpensive option to have a place with your own bedroom. 

5.     The backpacker community

If you’re worried about meeting people and making friends, you’ll be pleased to find out how amazing the community of backpackers is in Australia. 

Everywhere you go, you will run into likeminded people that are on a similar journey as you. Everyone is so open minded, and willing to meet new people and experience each other’s cultures. Australia is so big but can also feel so small when you meet new people everywhere you go. I’ve gained life long friends from all over the world from my time in Australia, and I would encourage anyone traveling there to look for a similar experience. 

Hostels are probably the best place to connect with new people as a backpacker in Australia. Every hostel has it’s own unique vibe and community, and you will feel like the people there are your family by the time you leave. In most hostels, there are always events going on each day of the week that get everyone mingling with each other. 

Staying at a hostel is definitely the best way to meet new people, and open doors for new experiences and adventures during your time in Australia!

6. Weather

I know it’s a common thought that Australia is just hot as $%& all the time, but it gets cold there! 

Winters in the south are cold, rainy, gloomy, and long. In places like Melbourne and Perth, it is not warm out from about March-September. If you have a limited time in Australia, it would be much better to visit these places during summer, in December-February. There is much more going on in the summer, and you can save yourself from being miserable wondering why it’s so cold and wet outside all the time. 

In the northern parts, it’s warm year round, but the wet season (November-April) is not the most ideal time to be there. The humidity can be unbearable, even into the late hours of the night, and it rains just about every day. And when it rains, it rains hard. I swear the raindrops are heavier in Far North Queensland than any other rain I’ve ever experienced. 

The wet season up north does have some benefits though. It’s a great time to visit the waterfalls and gorges, as they will be at full force. Also, the lightning storms at night are an incredible spectacle, if you can find a dry spot to watch from. 

Australia’s weather is extreme, and you do not want to be caught in the middle of a bad storm, a heat wave, or a cold winter. Make sure you plan out when and where you will be traveling to have the best experience possible!

7. Luggage

Pack lightly! Whatever you think you need, pack a little less. You will not regret it. Having light luggage is going to help you so much when you’re trying to travel within Australia, and when you are going to and from the country. Baggage fees can get expensive, so if you can limit yourself to one checked bag, that would be ideal. Also, if you plan on doing any kind of road trip, minimizing the space you’re going to need in the car for you luggage is important. There’s plenty of other gear you will need, so you won’t want half the space being taken up by huge suitcases filled with clothes. 

It’s ok to repeat outfits; no one will know or care. Do yourself a favor and pack only the essentials, you will be happy you did it when you only have one bag to worry about while driving and flying around Australia!

8. Cameras/Technology

My only regret from my time in Australia is not having a drone or a nice camera. Australia is incredibly photogenic, and an iPhone camera does not always have the ability to capture the vast beauty of the landscapes it has to offer. There are countless locations that can truly only be captured by the viewpoint of a drone, and if this is something that interests you, it is worth it to save your money and get a nice one before coming to Australia. 

A solid camera is another good option depending on what you are trying to capture. If you’re going more for landscapes and larger scale stuff, a drone is the way to go. But if you are more of a subject photographer, focusing on animals, people, and objects, a camera would be better. The detail on some of the birds, reptiles, and marsupials is amazing, and having a good camera does justice to the uniqueness of some of the creatures in Australia. 

Drones and cameras are amazing, but can be really expensive, and hard to travel with at times. The best bang for your buck would be getting a GoPro. They’re extremely compact, so you can fit one in just about any bag you have. There’s a really wide range of what type of content you can capture with them, whether it be underwater footage, to time lapses of long drives. They are also super easy to use, so you wouldn’t need the camera knowledge and experience you may need with a drone or camera. 

Australia is breathtaking, and you are going to want to capture it in one way or another. Whether it’s a drone with a 2-mile range, or a $20 polaroid camera, be sure to bring something with you to capture your journey in some form. 

9. Cooking

The ability to cook will be a huge asset while traveling through Australia. First of all, it is going to be much cheaper to by groceries and cook your own meals. This is true in most places, but eating out is especially expensive in Australia pretty much anywhere you go. Learning how to cook cheap, quick, and easy meals is literally going to save you thousands of dollars in the long run. 

Also, I didn’t think the food was that great in Australia. Of course you can find nice restaurants, but I found that the average dining experience is not anything special. They don’t really have their own cuisine, so you won’t be trying exotic foods that you’ve never heard of. For this reason, it’s just better to cook for yourself. Especially given that you’ll be traveling around a lot, food is an expense that should be kept as low as possible, and learning to cook will certainly allow you to do that. 

10. Surfing

Australia is one of the best places in the world to surf! There are so many great locations along the east and west coast, and I really wish I was able to enjoy them. Unfortunately, I still don’t know how to surf after being there for two years. 

Coming into Australia knowing how to surf would be ideal, because a lot of the locations are not for beginners. In places like Margaret River, the waves can be enormous, and it isn’t a great place to learn. But for someone who is already a good surfer, Australia is one of the best places to be. Also, surfing is just objectively one of the coolest sports. Like really, who doesn’t love surfers?