5 ways to get a job on your Australian working holiday

Use a working holiday support program

From mixing cocktails in a glamorous city bar and rounding up cattle on a 10,000-hectare (24,000-acre) farm in Queensland, to crewing on a dive boat on the Great Barrier Reef, there are literally thousands of jobs open to you on an Australian OE.

Here’s how you can secure work while on holiday in Australia.

Get work along the way

One of the best things about an OE is the freedom. If you have a sense of adventure and you’re keen to move around Australia, then it’s possible to find work as you travel. Leads could come from anywhere, so keep your ears open around your hostel and keep an eye out for job postings.

If you're interested in taking up work in a beautiful regional area, consider farm work, which allows you to experience a range of different regions as harvest seasons move around the country. Visit MADEC and the Harvest Trail website for details about farm work, and visit Fruit Picking Jobs for a hub of information and job opportunities.

Whether you’d like to help pick grapes in the Adelaide Hills, cut flowers in Sydney or gather pineapples on the Sunshine Coast, there is year-round work in Australia on the Harvest Trail.

Use an overseas experience support program

If you’re looking for a lot of support to help you on your Aussie OE journey, a work program might be ideal. Providers of work programs, such as The Global Work & Travel Co., Work N Holiday and Alliance Abroad, offer guaranteed work opportunities throughout the duration of your stay. The program might include airport pick-up, an induction to help you get established, and social activities. They may also help you set up housing, provide training and even help you set up your bank account and Tax File Number (TFN).

Meet potential employers face to face

If you’re comfortable beginning your job search after you arrive in Australia, meeting potential employers face-to-face can be a great way to secure work, especially in the hospitality industry. Hit the streets and stop into bars and restaurants that may need bar tenders or servers. Keep in mind that anyone responsible for serving alcohol in Australia needs to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and receive an RSA Certificate.

Conduct a job search online

Conduct a job search online

There are several powerful tools – online and otherwise – that can help you secure a job on your OE. Several online search engines in Australia showcase open positions, including Seek, Indeed, Jora and Career One. You can also search the Backpacker Job Board, which lists jobs specifically for backpackers.

Enlist a recruitment agency

If you’re looking for some help in your job search journey, a recruitment agency can be a helpful resource. Recruitment agencies can help you search for jobs that relate to your skill set, apply for roles that interest you and secure employment. Some agencies, like The Kingsmen, focus specifically on jobs in fields such as hospitality and construction which are perfect for travellers and working holiday makers.

Get work along the way

Note: Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority. The visa granting authority is the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. For up-to-date information, please refer to their website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.

The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an Australian qualified immigration lawyer or migration agent if you are seeking legal advice.