How To Find Backpacker Jobs In Australia

You decided to move to Australia on a working holiday visa? Your finances are running low and you need a job? Fast?

How do I find a job? Where to look? Can I have a job that provides accommodation? What kind of jobs can I have?

This guide should help you find a backpacker job in Australia as a Working Holiday Visa holder. I’ll be sharing real-life examples too.

How to find a backpacker job in Australia

It’s easy to find a job online by visiting sites such as:

• Gumtree (free)
• Seek (free)
• Indeed (free)
• Backpacker Job Board (free)
• Working Holiday Jobs (fee)
• TAW (membership fee)
• Facebook (yes, it’s possible through the many backpacker’s groups in Australia!)

Depending on the states and cities, there are several employment agencies that can help you. I have never used them because I did not want to invest to get a job. But, it is an option!

If the regional work interest you, there is also Working Hostels (a hostel- agency to help you achieve your 88 days in order to get the visa for the second year). I have not used this kind of place because the reviews are mixed. Some people are very happy, some people are very mad. You can find plenty of working hostels along the East Coast (especially in Queensland).

Find a job in a city

When I arrived in Sydney, while I was staying in a hostel on Kingscross, I asked other backpackers if it was “easy” to find a job. They said yes and they said it would be easier to get a job in a call center or as a fundraiser. Very true in the case of last resort (unless you love this kind of job!).

All depending on the season, the city you picked and the number of backpackers in this city, your hunting may be effective or difficult. There are also a bunch of backpackers travel agencies that can help you find a job (or even hire you!).

In a city, you can expect to have a job in these kinds of places; restaurants, bars, call centers, charities, travel agencies, hostels, shops, construction, Aupair, etc.

Please verify that you have the certifications required to apply for a job. Most employers will ask for an interview and for certain jobs (fundraising by example), be prepared for a group interview.

Real examples:

I arrived in Sydney in mid-December, and I managed to get a job on the second day as a “Santa’s Helper” for the Christmas period (Fundraising). The job was temporary (for three weeks), but it was enough to allow me to survive until I find another job. I got the job without an interview and despite my English (not perfect). When that job ended, I found another job as a fundraiser. It lasted only two weeks as  I did not meet the “targets” of my employer. So, basically, unless you are an excellent seller under pressure, it is challenging to keep that kind of job on a long-term basis. Still, this can be a good temporary solution if you are in the middle of a poverty crisis! After several weeks of research, I could not find another job and I decided to share the road in the direction of Western Australia with another backpacker to find a job out there.

Find a regional job in Australia

Three experiences, three stories. There are different ways to find regional jobs. The main difficulty is to find a good job. Unless you are the fastest picker paid by the piece or unless you are dealing with a severe economic crisis, it is possible to find a job that meets the standards.

First, we must know what the rules are for the second-year visa. They want a specific zip code (in specific regions) and a particular job type.

In the regions, you can expect to pick, pack, work on animal farms, a cattle station, etc.

Most employers will simply hire you after a phone call and will not require a formal interview.

Real examples:

My first experience was in Bundaberg where we got an informal interview in order to make sure we could handle the job; packing tomatoes. Underpaid to deal with my boss’s crisis, I have had the pleasure to quit my job after a few days.

My second experience was on a dairy farm in Victoria (the ideal state for those who want to work with cows) without an interview and without experience. The whole thing was a “cultural” experience. I am still very impressed by myself as it is really far from what I normally do back home (I was a social worker and a travel agent). I never thought I’d be able to learn to appreciate this kind of job.

My third experience was again on a dairy farm (yes, there is money to make (and to save) on a dairy farm) in the region of the Tableland (tropical capital of dairy farms around Cairns) without an interview.

I survived the regional work. I hated it, I loved it.

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Find a job with accommodation in Australia

It will be difficult to find a job with accommodation (unless you work in a hostel) in town.

It will, however, easy to find a job with accommodation in the countryside. Most employers with farms, in remote towns or in the Outback provide accommodation for backpackers. It can be free or you can pay between $90 and $150 per week.

You can expect to work on a farm, in a roadhouse, in a caravan park, in a pub or a hotel.

Most employers will hire you after a phone call as you will have to get out there (and it’s normally far from where you were previously).

Real examples:

My first two experiences of regional work have provided me accommodation for $125 and $100 per week respectively.

I also worked in a roadhouse around Perth very briefly and I lived in a caravan for $90 a week.

Volunteer to get accommodation and food

Have you heard about HelpX, Workaway or Woofing? Or what about Worldpackers? There are many opportunities in Australia on Gumtree or even via Facebook groups to get a volunteer job. You can also be a volunteer in a city by working in a Hostel or as an Aupair.

Real example:

Being desperate for money, I chose to be a volunteer for a temporary period when I arrived in Cairns. It gave me time to find a job while surviving.

Is it so easy to find a job in Australia? I would say yes. But, there are a bunch of backpackers (and competition). So, yes, it’s easy to find a job quickly if you are open-minded! However, if you are looking for a specific job, make sure you have enough savings to survive until you get it.