How to Get a Job in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa
Throughout my time in Australia I held several different types of jobs down. I had a lead on my first job within 12 hours of landing in the country. Whole industries run off of backpackers so it can be easy enough to find work depending on your timing and location. I say easy enough because there are some places you will just not find work. For instance everyone wants to work in Byron Bay - I never met anyone who actually managed it (who wasn’t a native).
I got my first lead for a job on a fishing vessel within 12 hours of landing in Darwin.
But how do you actually go about it?
The number one thing is to readjust your resume or CV. It goes without saying, but every country or region has different ideas for how to set up your CV.
In Australia, you’ll want to keep it rather succinct; personal details, a short professional summary, key skills, and relevant work experience. You can also briefly list your education and state “references upon request” - unless specifically asked to do so. If you’re not a native English speaker - it might be a good idea to include a note about your English levels. There’s no need to include a photo or hobbies. Also do not give your actual address and here’s why. You may not actually have a proper address quite yet if you’re living out of a hostel. Also, sometimes there will be bias involved if you live too far away and do not have adequate transportation (usually your own). If you don’t include your address, you may be able to avoid this to get the interview.
So now you’ve got your documents lined up - it’s time to start applying for jobs. Where do you start? This can entirely depend on what industry you’re sending applications to etc. But in short - you send applications to everyone. At times I was sending well over 10 applications a day. In the end I had over 20 different gigs during the 2 years I spent all around Australia. I had roles in deep sea fishing, gardening, landscaping, construction, open market sales, hospitality, event work, and furniture. Additionally, I found all types of small time one off gigs - which is where I would tell you to start.
I started working in Queen Victoria Market on the weekends soon after moving to Melbourne with an ad I found on Gumtree. It wasn’t full time, but it got the cash flow going. Additionally, I met a great community of people who work there.
If making money is a priority for you on your Australian Working Holiday - every time you roll into a new town, give the website Gumtree.com.au a look for potential work. You’ll find everything from full time roles to one day cash gigs. It’s an excellent place to start your job search. For instance, many cafes and bars will advertise on Gumtree first - so then you know where to drop resumes in town.
Next I would suggest signing up with work agencies in town to see about obtaining work through them. There’s several agencies across Australia recruiting for all types of roles. I had the most success with MK2 Recruitment while in Adelaide, Australia when I got a full time role with them for a full six months (only left due to visa restrictions). Fair warning, you’ll likely be drug tested depending on what time of work you’ll be looking for.
Sometimes you can find work just by heading down from your hostel bed. Many hostels had message boards or areas for employers to advertise work. One time in Fremantle I told the front desk at my hostel in Fremantle I was looking for work - so they referred me to several people called the hostel looking for a backpacker help. I got a very lucrative deal to paint someone’s house on contract this way as well as some separate part time repair work.
I worked several different gigs while living in Fremantle, Western Australia. Just in case you were wondering - views like this is why.
Last but not least- and likely the most reliable way to get a job in Australia - NETWORKING. Talking to as many other backpackers and Australians as possible is probably the best way to learn, find, and apply for jobs in the end. I got my first job in Australia working on a deep sea fishing vessel simply because I sat at the right dinner table in the hostel my first day in the country. I got my last job in Australia in skyscraper construction by directly calling the nearly all Irish employee company a friend worked for - asking for work and dropping my Irish last name (I was one of four non-Irish at the company picnic). I didn’t even submit a resume - just showed up at work the next day. Sometime you’ll just shake hands and they’ll see how you go. I guess what I’m saying is - leave no stone unturned.
Here’s some percentages of how I found work in Australia:
Gumtree - 42%
While I had the most jobs from Gumtree - it was usually gig or part time work. I only had one nearly full time job working for cafes in Darwin. Shout out Laneway Coffee and Besser Brew Bar, both great places for coffee and to work!
Staffing Agencies - 10.5%
It was great for full time work. MK2 also helped me find event work when the construction site was slowing down or on holiday.
Hostel Boards / Reception - 10.5%
I found several gigs by calling up notices from the hostel board or by alerting reception I was looking for work.
Job Sites (Indeed/Seek) - 0%
I had no success from jobseeker sites - but I did have several interviews, so it’s not impossible. There’s a whole host of other job finding sites available in Australia as well to try your luck with.
Networking - 26%
While less than Gumtree - this is where I found most of my full time and best paid work in Australia.
Direct Apply - 11%
I researched the company or applied directly with them. Never discount a cold email or phone call in the end!
Tug of War with a shark in the Indian Ocean. Yes, it is as much fun as it looks.
In the end, Australia has an array of jobs fitted for most backpackers. If you’re willing to keep an open mind and try something new, I’m sure you’ll manage to find enough work to keep up your working holiday. If you have any questions, be sure to ask below or find me on Instagram or Facebook.
Don’t Forget Your Towel,
JD