A year-long visit is the best way to experience Australia. You can swim in the waves, see koalas under eucalyptus, and eat juicy prawns on a barbecue at night.
You can visit Australia with a working holiday visa and earn Aussie Dollars to fund your travels. You can also soak up more culture, enjoy more Australian experiences, and spend longer in Australia.
You can get a working holiday visa for AU$510 (about $355) if you are between 18 and 30 years old and from a country that is eligible (such as the UK, USA, and Canada, or most Western European countries and Scandinavian nations, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea). You can earn the same as an Australian worker, and you have the same rights.
You can stay another year if you work in rural areas or special industries for your first year. There are some common misunderstandings and pitfalls that you should avoid.
What you need to Know to Get the Most Out of Your Time Down Under
Why you should think about a working vacation
Working abroad can be rewarding and even better than a vacation.
Sophie Schmitt is a traveler who came from France and went to Australia. She told us that she worked in Australia on a working holiday visa, picking fruit and taking care of children. Her experiences were more than just a way to see the country. She says that the best part is meeting other travelers on the farm and seeing them again later. There is a strong sense of community. People exchange tips. It’s more than just a vacation.
Working gives you the chance to discover and stay longer. You learn as you put yourself out there! My life was changed. After I returned to France I realized that I could find a job almost anywhere, because I had been traveling and working so long. I can do anything. It was the best decision I made for myself.”
Makoto from Japan worked in a Japanese Restaurant in Sydney. He also picked fruit, and taught archery to Japanese children at weekend camps. He said he enjoyed the Australian work culture. Making friends and going on outings with them is a great experience. The Japanese culture is very different to ours, so everything is amazing. “You have to do it all by yourself, without any friends or family. But even this is an amazing experience,” he says.
What is the average salary in Australia?
Maddy Busch, a YHA employee in Sydney, told us many travelers are surprised at how much money they earn in Australia when doing such hard work as gardening or painting.
Casual workers often earn around AU$25 per hour – the national minimum wage in Australia is AU$21.38 – “although it’s important to consider the cost of living.” She warns that the cost of living in Australia is higher than many people think.
The award wages are different for each industry and occupation. Some employees in certain occupations, like hospitality, receive a “penalty” rate for working Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone working legally in Australia, regardless of nationality is entitled to receive the minimum wage. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman site to ensure that you are being paid fairly.
Even in rural areas, the shortage of rental properties after the pandemic has a negative impact on every worker’s pay. Be sure to check housing availability before accepting a new position. Ask for photos if you are offered free housing as part of a gig. Standards can vary depending on whether you are doing farm work or being a nanny for a family.
What kind of jobs can I get with an Australian Working Holiday Visa?
In Australia, many travelers work in the retail, hospitality and childcare industries. Prince Harry enjoyed his three-month stint mustering cattle at Tooloombilla Station, outback Queensland.
Matt Heyes, the founder of Backpacker Job Board tells us about a job for male models in Sydney to promote beachwear. If wearing budgie-smugglers at Bondi Beach doesn’t suit you, how about yacht-sitting on Queensland’s coast, or working as the office manager of a family-owned 75-year-old pearl farm?
We regularly receive advertisements for pedicab [cyclist] drivers in Cairns. There is always a high demand for staff for Australia’s numerous high-profile sporting events and music concerts, whether it’s for cricket, tennis or AFL, as well as visiting international musicians. He explains that these jobs are a chance of a lifetime to be part of an event.
The hospitality industry is experiencing a huge shortage of qualified chefs, from regional to remote Australia.
Find work: Tips and tricks
- Consider all the skills you can bring to an employer, including a driving license, experience in technology, or teaching or coaching.
- You will need to obtain a Responsible Service of Alcohol before you can work in the hospitality industry. All six Australian states require this.
- Be careful about what you’re willing to do. Mango tree sap is painful!
- Help editing your resume so that it is easy to read, especially if English is not your first language.
- Arrive with a little money so that you won’t be compelled to accept the first job or something you’re not interested in.
Fruit-picking work in Australia
Queensland has the largest variety of fruits and plants, including avocados.
Sophie picked bananas with a friend in Queensland. “Bananas? “Never in my life again,” says the woman. We handled machetes for five hours to avoid the heat. But we were so exhausted by midday, we couldn’t do anything else.
She also picked lychees. Sophie warns, “Green ants will attack us and they are painful.” Do your research, and speak to other travelers before accepting a job.
Makoto spent a few hours working outside Cairns. “I know people who tried picking on a farmer’s farm but gave up after a while because it was so difficult. If you’re lucky, it can be lucrative. “I got lucky and was given some easy jobs at the farm, like packing fruit and driving a tractor.”
I was offered a commission rate or “piecework” rates. Is this okay?
The minimum wage can be waived if workers agree to “piecework” rates. You are instead paid based on the amount of produce, fruit, or vegetables you pick, pack, or prune. You can earn a lot of money by working hard. However, there are factors beyond your control that can affect your bottom line.
Some jobs offer a commission structure that is based on the amount you sell. If you combine commissions or piece rates with a minimum hourly wage, then even if your day is bad, you will still get paid.
Do not rely on verbal agreements. Even an email can clarify everything, including the payment schedule.
Do you want to spend a second Australian year?
It pays to plan ahead if you’re planning to stay in Australia for a second year. You can get a second visa for working holiday if you spend three months in a certain industry during your first year. This allows you to work wherever you want in Australia. You will be able to experience Australia’s natural beauty by committing yourself for a year.
Most common “specified workthat is eligible for the second working holiday visa are jobs in fruit-picking, fishing, construction, bushfire restoration, mining, and tourism, especially in remote areas.
How to extend your stay in Australia
- Check out the Department of Home Affairs for the latest requirements.
- You should keep all your pay slips, as well as any proof of your work. You’ll need to show that you worked the required number of hours in your industry and postal code.
- Before making any travel plans, check when and where fruits will be in season. Australia is a large continent, so harvest seasons vary from place to place.
Sort your paperwork
You will first need to have an Australian bank account in order to receive payment. As this may take time, you should start organizing as soon as possible after arriving in Australia. Note that you cannot open an Australian bank account from outside of Australia.
A tax-file number is also required. The Australian Taxation Office website is where you can apply for your TFN, but only after you arrive in Australia. If you don’t give your TFN to your first employer within 28 days, then you will be taxed according to the higher rate than what is appropriate for WHV workers.
You will also receive a “superannuation”, which is your retirement pension, from your employer. This money can be transferred home once you leave the country. Ask your employer for a summary of your income, including the tax and superannuation deducted. Some Australian companies can assist you in claiming this money back when you leave.
Unfortunately, there are stories about employers who take advantage of workers on holiday. These employers are thankfully the minority. Knowing your rights and communicating clearly about pay and expectations will help you avoid being exploited. Knowledge is power.
Avoiding scams
- Check your wage with Fairwork.gov.au and ensure that you are receiving the correct amount.
- Write down your pay rate and, if you work in agriculture, make sure to specify whether it is hourly or on a “piece rate” system.
- Safety requirements are important, particularly for jobs that can be dangerous, such as farming, construction and mining.
- Do not pay money for a “reservation” of a fruit-picking job or accommodation without seeing it.
- The Australian Fair Work Ombudsman advises that you should not sign up for work at regional airports and bus depots with anyone who approaches.
- You can also ask other travelers about their experiences with certain employers.
- Word of mouth is often the best way to share information about great jobs.
