This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
With a country as vast and diverse as Australia, you need to give it some time. Unfortunately, it’s not a cheap country to visit, which is why many people look to work and travel Australia so they can earn while they explore.
We spent 18-months road tripping the country, and so many people have asked us how we were able to afford it – well, we worked!
There are so many jobs you can do to earn money, as long as you have the appropriate visa and put in the effort to get the job.
So if you’re wondering how you can work and travel in Australia, here are some jobs you can do and how to go about landing them!
How To Work And Travel Australia
Australia has a variety of job opportunities for international travellers, and the working holiday visa scheme has been vastly popular for many years – so you don’t need to worry about actually finding a job, but you do need to make sure you get the right visa.
The visa you want to look for is the Working Holiday Visa subclass 417, which allows international visitors between the age of 18-30 (35 for some countries) to visit Australia for a year and find employment.
Once you have the visa, it’s easy to extend it for an additional year.
Eligible countries for Working Holiday Visa subclass 417:
The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) is available to citizens of specific countries that have a reciprocal arrangement with Australia. As of my last update, the eligible countries include:
- Belgium
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
There’s also the Work and Holiday Visa subclass 462, which is the same as the 417 but for people from:
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Chile
- China (People’s Republic of)
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Hong Kong (SAR passport holders)
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Malaysia
- Peru
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Taiwan (with a valid passport)
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vietnam
- If you have a skilled job, such as a doctor, chef, school teacher, or have a trade like carpentry or tiling, then you can also look at the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa subclass 482. For this you need to have a job offer from an Australian employer.
- This is valid for up to four years and is more suited to those who are planning a permanent relocation.
How to Obtain a Visa
- Check Eligibility Requirements: Confirm that you meet the age, nationality, and other specific requirements for the visa you are applying for.
- Gather Required Documents: valid passport, birth certificate, proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, and any necessary educational or work qualifications.
- Apply Online
- Pay the Application Fee
Jobs That Allow You To Work And Travel In Australia
Now you know what visa you need, it’s time to look at the types of work opportunities you have available to you.
1. Freelance writing & design
We met a couple of people who were freelance writers on our road trip around Australia. Some wrote for publications, others had their own copywriting businesses. We write for other online publications ourselves!
There’s nothing like writing a travel article from your beachfront camp chair.
And it doesn’t have to be “travel writing,” if you have other industry writing skills, or editing or design skills.
Look on websites like Fiverr or Upwork to seek those out (although those are usually low pay).
2. Barista Jobs
The hospitality industry in Australia is thriving, which means that businesses are constantly searching to get more people on board.
It is also worth mentioning that cities such as Melbourne have a vibrant coffee culture, and with about 95% of the cafes being privately owned, it is considered Australia’s largest coffee centre.
Australian coffee is one of the things I miss most about Australia. My strike rate of finding good coffee in the USA is 20%. I am not kidding. And I’m pretty sure you’d find good coffee in an Australian McCafe 100% of the time.
Australia has one of the best coffee cultures in the world. So, if you are a coffee fan, love aesthetic cafes, and are good at interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, working as a Barista might be the next best gig for you.
From preparing and serving cappuccinos, espresso, and all sorts of hot beverages, baristas usually work shifts in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Spend your days interacting with customers, brewing aromatic coffee, and immersing yourself in Australia’s rich coffee culture.
In your free time, take advantage of Australia’s beautiful climate by strolling along the city’s lively, exciting streets. Weekends bring a plethora of opportunities for fun and relaxation, from hikes with stunning panoramic views to scuba diving.
3. Mobile coffee seller
We met a few people starting up mobile coffee bars. It’s a challenge to get decent coffee in certain regions of Australia, as well as at popular festivals and events – particularly at the top end of Australia and from the months of May – October!
Fortunately, there are a lot of road trippers passing through craving a good cuppa.
We met a man who had an espresso machine in the back of his van and sold real coffees on the road!
So clever. Got dietary requirements? Take some soy and almond milk with you and you might be on a real winner.
4. Chef / cook
Another friend of ours Pete (a chef) who we met on our trip, stopped to work at various cattle stations on his trip around Australia, cooking for the station workers.
They earned money, were given food and accommodation for free, and the chance to explore the region when not working.
A handy site Pete used to seek out these jobs was via the Ringers from the Top End Facebook group, which is such a useful resource.
Chefs are classified as a skilled worker in Australia so if you’re international to Australia, make sure you have the right visa for this job.
5. Au Pair Jobs
Working as an Au Pair is ideal for anybody who appreciates caring for children and enjoys assisting them with their daily tasks. This kind of experience allows travellers to exchange cultural viewpoints while fusing their passion for adventure and love for kids.
It is pretty effortless to become an essential member of a loving host family while working as an Au Pair. Spend time caring for the kids by cooking healthy meals, taking them on picnics at a local zoo, or helping with their homework.
Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House or the World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park on your days off, or just lounge around on one of the country’s many world-famous beaches to make the most of your working holiday in Australia.
6. Ski Resort Jobs
A job at a ski resort in Australia’s beautiful snow-capped mountains is a tremendous opportunity to witness a different side of the country.
One of the many ways to work at a famous resort is as a chalet host, where you’ll be responsible for housekeeping, guest services, and ensuring everyone has a great time.
For those with remarkable cooking skills, a job at one of the many boutique restaurants is an excellent opportunity to hone their culinary skills while learning about local cuisine.
Other job opportunities at ski resorts include snowboard instructor and housekeeping assistant. Spend your free time experiencing stunning landscapes via a snowmobile or attend one of the many winter festivals for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
7. Island Resort Jobs
Australia has over 8000 islands that are home to some of the most stunning white sand beaches. For those who enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather, working on an island is like living in a tropical paradise.
Opportunities abound in the areas around the Great Barrier Reef such as the Whitsunday Islands and other Australian island locations like Lord Howe, Fraser Island, and Rottnest.
Waitressing, bartending, front desk work, kitchen help, and scuba diving instructors are just a few of the readily available jobs on the islands.
Aside from the beautiful weather and beaches, there are other advantages to working on an island.
On your days off, indulge in exciting activities like experiencing the magnificence of over 30 species of cetaceans, more than 1,500 species of fish, and six species of sea turtles on a snorkel or scuba dive.
When you pursue such an exciting and rewarding professional path, the notion of work-life balance will take on a whole new meaning. Trust us in that one!
7. Fruit-Picking Jobs
Among Australia’s major industries, agriculture ranks tenth in terms of employment. There are plenty of work opportunities in vineyards, strawberry fields, and apple orchards that will allow you to experience Australia’s incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
Working on a local farm is a dream come true for people who love spending time outdoors and desire a job that brings them closer to nature.
Taking up a fruit-picking job is a great way to see the Australian countryside and is an excellent opportunity to have a working holiday and meet new people from various walks of life.
Several fruit farms within a one-hour drive of Melbourne provide a convenient option for those looking to explore the city on their days off.
Our favorite wine regions in Australia are the Barossa Valley, South Australia, Margaret River, Western Australia; and Hunter Valley, NSW.
Great websites for finding fruit picking jobs are Helpx, Harvest Trail, and Wwoof.
8. Mustering
Another option when travelling around Australia (if you have the cowboy skills) is to offer your mustering services.
What an adventure to be a Jackeroo or Jillaroo (that is male or female cowhand on horseback) on cattle stations around Australia!
The owner of Rainbow Beach Horseriding, who we met a few months back, mustered on his road trip around Australia and loved it!
9. Hospitality
A certainty for when you work and travel in Australia is a chance to pick up hospitality work.
This is often a favourite of backpackers on the Australian working holiday visa. You can find jobs by simply walking into the nearest cafe, pub, hostel, and offer your services for a wee while.
Or look on sites like Gumtree to see what’s advertised. Talk to people in a hostel and look at the bulletin boards, usually someone know’s someone looking to hire.
10. Online business
An online business is the ultimate in flexibility and what we do. You don’t need a travel blog to make it work (it’s actually a difficult way to make it work), but you do need good internet, not the pathetic internet Australia has, argh!!!)
My online naturopath friend Jess, is about to travel around the country taking her business (she has online courses as well as Skype consultations) she can take with her.
Our good friends Nick and Emma, The Blockshoppers, who we traveled with across Outback Queensland, the Northern Territory and Broome actually run The Block Shop online store (yes the one connected to the TV Show) while lapping around the country.
11. Travelling musicians
Would there be anything better than travelling and being a musician?
If only I could sing!
We saw plenty of musicians playing in caravan parks, cafes, restaurants, bars and on the streets, earning a few dollars as they travelled the country.
12. Photography services
A friend of ours, Greg Snell travelled half of the country, taking incredible photos and selling them to the tourism boards and travel companies to use for their marketing materials.
If you’ve got the skills think about all the businesses that might love your images.
Greg also won the Best Job in Australia for South Australia and had incredible travel experiences in the State.
Greg is now travelling the world producing videos of people who actively empower positive change in the world. Check out the amazing videos here.
13. Teachers and Educational Services
We met a lady who continually lapped around Australia picking up jobs as a teacher. One of those was to work in the School of the Air office in Alice Springs.
Plenty of the teachers we met at the same School of the Air were passing through and decided to stay awhile to teach.
Our friends, Israel and Belinda from The Root Cause, left their Australia road trip in a big green bus – The Root Cause.
They planned on educating children around the country about the importance of diet and good lunchbox nutrition. How super cool is that?
14. Landscaping and Labouring
You can usually find work labouring or landscaping pretty easily in Australia. There are plenty of jobs around for those who are good with their hands and using their muscles.
15. Mining Industry
Although, mining is on the decline and jobs are hard to find, if you have the qualifications, it’s one way you can pick up work around Australia that is paid well.
There are plenty of mines in Australia with Western Australia reigning over the mining industry!
16. Tour guides and hosts
Of course, if you find a place you love and a great tour company, you can always see if you can become a tour guide or host. We met plenty of transient travellers doing that.
Some stayed on more permanently, others moved on to find other work.
17. Caravan Parks
We met a lot of people pausing their travels for awhile to help manage caravan parks.
There’s an endless amount of jobs you can do: maintain the gardens and grounds, cleaning, office management, hosting entertainment and kids clubs, shuttle bus drivers.
How To Find Jobs And Work Opportunities In Australia
Be prepared with the right certification, visas, and tickets. Australia can be strict with having the right safety tickets for construction and mining, and RSA for hospitality, and all sorts of things.
When you work and travel Australia, have an idea of the types of jobs you want to pick up and research what you might need for it.
Ask people in the area
Locals don’t only know the best things to see and do in an area, they can also let you know of any developments happening and work opportunities. Strike up the conversations and ask what they know.
Craig found his first construction job in the USA by chatting with the guy who sold us our car. He had a friend looking for workers and he started the next week.
Ask your accommodation
Accommodation providers are often looking for an extra pair of hands. We saw plenty of signs up on our travels around Australia. Ask and be careful to check the conditions.
It might be just for accommodation exchange, but if that suits then go for it. They might also be able to point you to the right job opportunities within the town.
Look at community notice boards and papers
There are plenty of them around in supermarkets, visitor centres and community gathering places. You might be surprised at what you might find. Of course, the papers will list many opportunities as well.
Look online
Gum Tree is a popular classifieds website offering all things for sale, plus jobs and services for hire. Similar to Craigslist in the States.
Other big recruitment sites online are Seek, Skilled, Hays, and Manpower.
Offer your services
See an opportunity somewhere. Pitch your services and how you feel you can help that business.
Global Work and Travel
Since 2013, Global Work and Travel have been helping travelers work and fund their travels through cultural exchange programs both paid and unpaid.
One of the elements of a successful working holiday is to find local, seasonal employment to use as a means to fund your travels around the country. This is not easy. But, Global Work and Travel makes it so as they have spent years with hundreds of local businesses that do hire travellers.
We believe in what they do – avid lovers of working abroad – and know they can help you!
They offer the complete package and, most importantly, help score you job interviews with awesome local businesses so you can stay longer and fund all your Australian adventures!
Their in-country team will help get you set up with all the essentials you need including working holiday visa application advice, transfers & accommodation, local experiences, an Aussie local bank account and mobile number, plus so much more.
EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Just for our readers: $100 off your trip (whatever your currency) You must use the code: YTRAVEL
Click here to learn more and use your discount code!
Workabout Australia
Workabout Australia offers support with your Australian working holiday experience and share many job listings and opportunities around Australia.
Final Thoughts
Sadly the cost of travel in Australia and the size of the country means it’s not a reality for most people to simply just travel Australia, and you need to have a job to sustain yourself (unless you’re ok with only seeing a small amount of the country on a short time frame!).
There is nothing we like more than to help people find ways to travel more without needing hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. It can be done by getting your hands dirty and in lots of fascinating ways.
We hope this list of jobs you can do when you work and travel helps inspire you. This is work we’ve done or witnessed others do on our own lap around Australia.
Pin To Save On Pinterest
Which of these ways to earn money as you travel Australia speaks to you? Let us know in the comments.