Nash Lane cafe, Mildura, Victoria © Visit Victoria
14 easy jobs to get in Australia
Looking for jobs in Australia so you can earn a wage while you wander? Consider these options.
Barista
Boston Bean Coffee Company, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia © Robert Liang
Top tip
Most cafes will require you to complete a barista training course before being hired.
With the love of coffee alive and well across the country, being a barista means you can find a job anywhere you travel. You could brew at a beachfront cafe in Perth or create the deconstructed drinks on offer in Melbourne's many hipster coffee shops. The best part about being a barista is that working in the mornings leaves you plenty of time for afternoons in the sun and by the beach.
Bartender
Little Creatures Brewery, Fremantle Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia
Top tip
To serve alcohol in Australia, you are required to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training.
Australia’s drink scene is thriving in cities across the country, which makes bartending a promising option for working holiday makers. Beyond earning a great starting wage, you’ll also get to mingle with the locals, score discounts on food and have your daytime free. There are small pubs, craft breweries, distilleries, wine bars and even posh rooftop bars all around the country where you can apply for jobs year-round.
Waiter
Mocan and Green Grout Cafe, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Tourism Australia
From quiet cafes to sought-after restaurants, Australia has an endless amount of establishments that need waiters to keep their dining room running smoothly. Luckily, you don’t need any experience to start, and you can find a schedule that fits seamlessly with your lifestyle. Try searching on popular job boards like Seek and Indeed, or simply stop into a few eateries and ask about open opportunities.
Top tip
Find a wide range of working holiday jobs using these helpful job marketplaces.
Deckhand
Sailaway Reef & Island Tours, Port Douglas, Queensland © Tourism Australia
With so many stunning aquatic destinations, employment as a deckhand is a popular choice for working holiday makers in Australia. After all, your office will be the open ocean, and you’ll get to meet other like-minded travellers. Consider looking for positions on a yacht or catamaran in Australia’s popular boating areas, such as the Whitsundays and Cairns. You can also find jobs available on fishing vessels along the coast of almost every Australian state.
Labourer
Gold Rush Tours, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia © Tourism Australia
General labour work is common among Working Holiday makers because it offers high wages and often requires no previous experience. Your tasks may include anything from gardening to simple construction and you'll likely get to soak up the great Aussie weather with outdoor work. Those who do have previous experience can look for a range of construction jobs, which are readily available across the country, especially if you have expertise in plumbing, carpentry or welding.
Professional roles
Streetscape, Sydney CBD, New South Wales © Destination NSW
If you already have a university degree or relevant qualification, settle in to the buzz of one of Australia's vibrant cities with contract work in your chosen career. Short-term contracts, such as project contracts and maternity leave covers, can be found in fields such as accounting, marketing, human resources, IT, project management and more. Be sure to check each role for the required working rights before applying.
Receptionist
Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism Australia
If you’re looking for a job that offers a good wage and great schedule, then reception might be ideal. Salaries generally start above minimum wage, and typically no evening or weekend work is required, so you'll have plenty of time for short getaways. Receptionist work doesn’t necessarily require previous experience, but good organisational skills and administration knowledge will help you excel at the job.
Au pair
Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Being an au pair allows you to join a typical Australian family and settle into the Aussie way of life. As an au pair, you may be responsible for tasks like school pick-up and drop-off, doing the children’s laundry and of course, caring for and entertaining the children. If you’re interested in this line of work, agencies such as AIFS, Smart Au Pairs and Dream Nannies can help you find the right fit. Be aware that parents often require you to have a Working With Children Check and current first aid qualification, which vary by state.
Farm hand
Crops in Malanda, Tropical North Queensland, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland
Australia is full of farms growing everything from avocados to apples. Farms are often short on fruit pickers and harvesters, offering an opportunity for working holiday makers to experience life in Australia's countryside, earn a wage, receive free accommodation and complete the three months of specified work that is required for most Working Holiday makers to stay an additional year. Harvest Trail is a great resource for understanding harvest seasons and finding work at different times of the year.
Sales assistant
The Strand, Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW
Sales is an excellent career option for working holiday makers who want to gain real-world experience in commerce and customer service. You’ll gain valuable skills which you can use to enhance your CV when you return home and may receive benefits like in-store discounts, plus the daytime hours will leave you plenty of time to meet new friends and explore. There are many large shopping centres in Australia where you can start your search.
Call centre operator
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory © Tourism NT
If you have a talent for talking with customers, a job in a call centre might be perfect for you. As a call centre operator, you’ll be responsible for handling customer enquiries, recording customer information and referring calls to the appropriate team. A job in a call centre will equip you with skills that apply to a huge range of careers, like organisation, data handling and multitasking.
Read next
How much can you earn in Australia?
Housekeeper
qualia, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland © Hamilton Island
Housekeeping is a popular job among backpackers and working holiday makers because it often offers free accommodation in some of Australia’s most stunning destinations, from the lush rainforest of the Daintree to the picturesque waters of Margaret River. Housekeepers for hostels, hotels and boutique homestays are paid a wage for working hours, and in some cases, can volunteer a few hours a week to receive their accommodation for free.
Major event worker
Australian Open, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria © Tennis Australia
You can get incredible work experience by being in the thick of it at some of the world's biggest events. Melbourne boasts a massive list of major events each year including the Australian Open, F1 Australian Grand Prix and Spring Racing Carnival. At the Australian Open, you'll find a wide variety of roles up for grabs, from hospitality staff to site crew. Melbourne isn't the only city with event jobs on offer – check out Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, WOMAdelaide and Brisbane Festival for more employment opportunities.
Volunteer
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia
While it’s not a paid job, volunteering offers valuable skills as well as the opportunity to get involved with a cause you’re passionate about. Help rehabilitate Australian wildlife at a sanctuary in Queensland, conserve diverse ecosystems in Western Australia or volunteer on an organic farm in exchange for free room and board. No matter which opportunity you choose, you’ll leave with a deeper insight into the people, places and wildlife that make Australia so unique.
