Australia Working

Money trees don’t exist (though Let’s Go ’s researchers aren’t done looking), but there are still some pretty good opportunities to earn a living and travel at the same time. As with volunteering, work opportunities tend to fall into two categories. Some travelers want long-term jobs that allow them to integrate into a community, while others seek out short-term jobs to finance the next leg of their travels. In Australia, agricultural work is a favorite for both long- and short-term employment. Other long-term options include interning, teaching, au pair work, waiting tables, bartending, and working in retail. While most backpackers in Oz seek jobs as fruit-pickers, many other short-term work possibilities exist, including construction jobs, pearling, and working on vineyards and at ski resorts. Transitions Abroad (www.transitionsabroad.com) also offers updated online listings for work over any time span.

If you plan to work in Australia in any capacity, you should apply for a tax file number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation Office (www.ato.gov.au). Without a TFN, you may be taxed at a much higher rate than necessary. Either before you leave or once you get there, you might also consider opening a bank account, which is usually easy for college students and temporary workers to do.

The following areas are known to be particularly good places for travelers to find jobs. Note that working in Australia requires a special work visa.

Work Opportunities By City And Town
State	City Or Town	Page	Type Of Work
ACT	Canberra		Hospitality, retail, vineyards.
New South Wales	Katoomba Jindabyne Riverina Sydney Tamworth		Hospitality, fruit picking. Hospitality, ski work. Farm work, fruit picking. Hospitality, construction, retail. Ranches.
Northern Territory	Alice Springs Katherine		Office and computer work. Fruit and vegetable picking.
Queensland	Bowen Brisbane Bundaberg Emerald Maroochydore Stanthorpe		Fruit and vegetable picking. Considered by some to be QLD’s best stop for short-term employment. Hospitality, retail, construction. Fruit and vegetable picking. Cotton, fruit picking. Fruit picking. Fruit picking.
South Australia	Adelaide Hills Barossa Valley		Fruit picking. Vineyards.
Tasmania	Huon Valley		Fruit and vegetable picking.
Victoria	Gelantipy Mildura Melbourne		Cattle farming. Fruit and vegetable picking. Hospitality, retail, construction.
Western Australia	Broome Carnarvon Kalgoorlie Margaret River Perth		Hospitality, pearling. Fruit and vegetable picking. Mining. Vineyards. Hospitality, retail.

Long-Term Work

If you’re planning on spending a substantial amount of time (more than three months) working in Australia, search for a job well in advance. International placement agencies are often the easiest way ...more

Short-Term Work

Traveling for long periods of time can be hard on the wallet. Many travelers try their hand at odd jobs for a few weeks at a time to help pay for another month or two of touring around. In Oz, fruit ...more