Best backpacker jobs in Australia

Entry-level hospitality roles like waiters or check-in staff at hotels tend to earn around the minimum wage, but pay increases if you have more experience or if you work overtime. 

In addition to working in stunning destinations and meeting other travellers, one of the perks of roles in hospitality is that they’re available all year round. Busy bars, restaurants and hotels need staff no matter the time of year, but some destinations offer an increased number of jobs during their high season.

If you’re looking to travel to a seasonal hotspot like the snowfields of New South Wales and Victoria, which are most popular during the winter months (June to August), consider applying for hospitality roles before the busy season begins. For seasonal destinations, arrive a few months before the high season starts to put yourself in the best position for a job.

You don’t need any experience to snag a job in these industries; all you need is a good attitude and a sense of adventure. Apart from working in beautiful regional areas, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn money per bin of produce rather than per hour. 

Farm work is available year-round across the country, with different harvest seasons filling up the Aussie calendar. In Queensland, you can help harvest bananas in December and January, citrus from April to June or cotton from November to March. New South Wales has several harvest seasons in full swing from February to April, with apples, grapes and pears being picked during this time. If you want to work on a winery, try securing a harvest job in Tasmania’s Huon or South Australia’s Barossa Valley from February through April. Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region harvests their grapes from January through March.

If you're interested in working with Australia's fresh seafood, consider a job on a different kind of farm. At oyster farms in South Australia's Coffin Bay, you can help harvest and shuck the state's premium oysters.

Australia’s pearling industry is most active in Western Australia’s Broome, but the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland boast pearls as well. Although you may come across casual pearling jobs throughout the year, you’ll find many companies hiring additional help before and during harvest season, which runs from April to October.

Be prepared for irregular working hours. Some roles may require you to live aboard the boat, but you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to spot incredible marine life and meet other travellers along the way.

For an entry-level role with a tour company, expect to earn around minimum wage as you learn valuable skills like customer service and administration. Depending on the job, you might even get to tag along on tours.

The availability of these jobs depends on the activity and the time of year. Jobs in the snowfields of Victoria are available in the lead-up to winter and throughout the colder months, while tours along the Great Ocean Road are more popular in the warmer months. Other tours, like day-trips from Sydney and street art tours of Melbourne, operate year-round.