Live, Work & Travel in Australia
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Top Sites
Perisher – A dedicated job site for the Perisher Valley, a ski resort in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales that employs 1200 seasonal staff each year. Employment generally starts in June and finishes late September with a selection of staff starting earlier and finishing later.
Backpacker Job Board – An excellent website for working holidaymakers looking for vacancies in Australia.
Travellers Auto Barn – Car and campervan sales and rentals. The page of employment opportunities at TAB seems to be no more but there is plenty of other useful resources here, including a guide to free camping in Australia, safe driving tips, destination guides, backpacking and much more.
Poms in Oz – Forums for expats and those migrating to Australia.
Employment in Australia
Employers, Agencies & Placement Services
Abracadabra Childcare Services – A Sydney nanny agency that places girls from the UK.
Access Nursing – An Australian nursing agency.
Adecco – Staff Agency that dealt with recruitment for the Sydney Olympics.
Adelaide Staffing Agency – Nursing agency. Volunteer work also available.
Affinity Nursing Recruitment – A specialist nursing agency which places nursing staff throughout Australia.
Airtasker – Backpackers may be able to use this community marketplace site to earn extra money while travelling in Australia. Users of the site turn their skills and talents to complete flexible jobs such as handyman, cleaning, assembly, plumbing, carpentry, electrician, office admin and photography.
Allied Medistaff Nursing Service – Nursing agency.
Ambition – Temp and contract accountancy work.
Belmore Nurses Bureau – Nursing agency that provides nurses and nursing aides with agency shifts in public and private hospitals across all of Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Challenge Consulting – Specialise in providing temporary, permanent and contract positions within the Sydney, Australia market. Challenge Consulting also have a very heavy focus on helping travellers looking for work.
ChoiceOne – Agency looking for people in HR, trades, business professionals and nurses..
CQ Nurse – Nursing agency.
Drake Medox – Nursing agency.
HV McNab and Son – Request the assistance of backpackers to bring in the crops in Ardmona, near Shepparton. Application is available online.
Infinity – Gold coast theme park. Includes employment information.
Just Cuts – Qualified hairdressers are wanted to work in 140 salons in Australia and New Zealand.
Leading Out – Run by educators, for educators, they help teachers find jobs teaching in Australia and other locations.
HCA Healthcare Australia – Numerous nursing brands matching healthcare professionals with temporary positions.
Manpower – Australian branch of the worldwide employment agency.
Michael Page Finance – Banking and finance, commerce and industry jobs.
National Networks Plus – A nursing agency based in Sydney Australia. NNP can assist nurses who want to work in Australia either on a Working Holiday or if they are migrating to Australia.
Oxley Nursing Service – Australian nursing agency.
Oz Au-Pair – Oz Au-pair Agency in Australia selects and matches Australian families with au pairs and nannies.
Paxus – IT recruitment.
Perisher – A dedicated job site for the Perisher Valley, a ski resort in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales that employs 1200 seasonal staff each year. Employment generally starts in June and finishes late September with a selection of staff starting earlier and finishing later.
Pinnacle People – Hospitality and tourism recruitment agency with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Pivotal – Office jobs.
Port Macquarie Backpackers – Current vacancies are listed on the their website. When we looked they were looking for a duty manager, but they also say they are always looking for drivers and cleaners. Some positions receive pocket money as well as accommodation.
Quay Appointments – Part time, casual, temp and full time work in offices, call centres, customer service, sales and banking / finance in Australia. A valid working visa, tax file number and a good work ethic is required to join their temporary team.
Robert Half Recruitment – Jobs, recruitment and career advice for finance, accounting, banking and technology professionals.
Smart Au Pairs – A Sydney based au pair agency that specialises in placing candidates with strong language skills and a genuine interest in children, looking for a real cultural learning experience and committed to providing a reliable extra pair of hands for the host family.
SnowyStaff – An on-line recruitment service located in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. They match employers in resorts with keen qualified job seekers wanting to work in the snow.
Spearmint Rhino – The gentleman’s club is always auditioning entertainers and interviewing waitresses for its Melbourne branch.
Techstaff – Scientific staff agency.
The Village Hostels – A small hostel network with hostels in Melbourne, Bondi Beach, Surrey Hills and elsewhere. They say they are always on the lookout for new team members, offering roles in reception, housekeeping, kitchen duties, maintenance and more.
Troys Hospitality Staff – If you’re going to be packing black and whites for your aussie trip, Troys may be able to help you find work.
Victorian Nurse Specialists – A recruitment and nursing agency providing opportunities for travelling nurses. Call them for an interview for an immediate start.
Visitoz Scheme – Jobs on outback cattle and sheep stations, farms and host farms for up to three months with any one employer are available in Australia. The scheme is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 30 years able to get an Australian Working Holiday Visa or a Student Visa which allows some work.
Voyages – Manage the Ayers Rock Resort, Alice Springs Resort, and Kings Canyon Resort and the island resorts of Dunk and Bedarra.
Employment Resources for Finding Work in Australia
Advice & Useful Sites for Finding Work
Adzuna.com.au – 130,000+ jobs advertised in Australia.
Australian Department of Home Affairs – Official information for emigrating, retiring, visiting and temporary residence in Australia, including the Working Holiday Maker Visa.
Australian Job Search – Includes a harvest trail of clickable maps leading to farm and orchard jobs.
Australian Tax Office Super Annuation Tax – Working in Australia? Superannuation Tax goes into your retirement fund. As a visitor to Australia, it is reasonable to assume you will not be retiring in Australia and I’d like my money back, sir, thank you very much. Luckily the tax bods think this is a reasonable request and will give it back (less 30%). Find out if your employer contributes to this fund, and the name of it, while in Australia. Once back home you will need to provide a copy of your visa and the departure stamp in your passport.
Backpacker Job Board – An excellent website for working holidaymakers looking for vacancies in Australia.
Backpackers of Queensland – Backpacker hostel in Stanthorpe that can assist with finding fruit picking work for those in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa.
BarMax Australia – A training and referral company for hospitality work in Australia. They train over 40,000 people annually for work in bars, hotels, clubs, restaurants, marine vessels and special event work.
Discover Thredbo – Information portal for Thredbo Village in Australia’s snowy mountains, providing information on accommodation, real estate, employment, eating out, ski and snow reports.
Fruit Picking Jobs – Australia’s fruit picking hub.
Grey Nomads Jobs – Find employment, jobs, house sitting and community opportunities with thousands of nomad friendly employers all over Australia.
Home for Backpackers – Brisbane hostel. May be able to help with work.
Housesitting in Australia – The Book – Nikki Ah Wong sells a book that details how to find housesitting assignments, how to support yourself while on the move and how to live in style for less money than some people spend on coffee.
Jobaroo – Australian job search website that, amongst others, covers hospitality and seasonal jobs.
MADEC – Supplies labour to major harvest areas seeking large numbers of harvest workers to supplement local labour supply. MADEC operates out of Mildura with branch offices throughout Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales & Queensland
Mindahome Australia – Now the family pet can really have a dog’s life with their own pet sitter. Since 2009 Mindahome has been helping reliable house sitters find house sitting jobs.
No Boundaries – Helps grey nomads working their way around Australia on a working holiday or as a life style.
Nomads – Relaxed hostel accommodation and budget travel in both Australia and New Zealand. Employment assistance provided too.
Open Colleges – Australia’s leader in online learning offering over 150 flexible courses, including in tourism and hospitality.
Poms in Oz – Forums for expats and those migrating to Australia.
Riverina Tourism – One of Australia’s richest agricultural areas, the Riverina tourist authorities used to produce a handy guide to taking a working holiday in this region of NSW. Though this seems to have gone by the wayside the free visitor’s pack nonetheless contains maps and other resources that will be of use in a job hunt around the area.
Study Options – Provide free advice and assistance to students wishing to study, learn or train in Australia or New Zealand. Degrees, vocational courses, internships or gap year courses.
TaxBack.com – Organises tax back for people of all ages and sectors who have worked in Australia.
Travellers Contact Point – A onestop centre for the independent traveller. their services include a visa processing service, mail holding, tax refunds, city starter packs and an employment service.
Vet & Pet Jobs Marketplace – At Vet & Pet Jobs, the number one priority is to make sure that vets and pet care employers in Australia are able to find their newest team members online in the most professional way possible while making seeking a new role easier by bringing together available job listings and paying close attention to the specific needs of candidates.
The Victorian Bar School – Looking for work in a bar, restaurant or cafe? The Victorian Bar School can help you find your perfect Job. They offer courses such as cocktail bartending, espresso coffee, barista training, RSA, RSG food handling certificate and food safety supervisor.
Visafirst.com -Organise working holiday visas for Australia and New Zealand.
Workabout Australia – A book and a club aimed at travellers to Australia looking to find work.
Gap Year & Voluntary Work in Australia
Unpaid Positions & Adventure
Aussitel Backpackers – Work for accommodation roles come up frequently and are given to suitable guests already staying with them. Local farmers in Coffs Harbour also let them know when there is work available during the blueberry picking season.
Australian Tropical Research Foundation – Rainforest restoration and related research in tropical far north Queensland. They are seeking volunteers, interns and students to assist in a wide range of rainforest and climate change related activities.During their down time volunteers can enjoy some of the finest coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. A small fee, the amount depending on ability to pay, is required to cover food and lodging.
Bellbunya – Bellbunya is a demonstration centre for sustaining living on the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland. Full time positions are rarely available but part time volunteers are welcomed.
Bush Heritage Australia – A national non-profit organisation conserving biodiversity in Australia, volunteers perform a range of tasks to support Bush Heritage’s dedicated staff in the field and in the office. Reserve opportunities include land management, ecological monitoring and research, visitor management, caretaking and infrastructure support. Desk-top opportunities include event management, marketing, finance, communication, social media, fundraising and general administration.
Conservation Volunteers Australia – Aid the protection of the endangered flora and fauna of Australia, plant trees or restore historic buildings.
EMC Australia – Overseas education consultants and migration agents. They can offer work placements and internships, English and IELTS preparation.
Internships Down Under – Provide individuals with tailor made internships in Australia and New Zealand.
Queensland Government Volunteering for Parks – Become a volunteer for parks through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. These pages also carry information on volunteering as a campground host, described as perfect for self-reliant couples who are experienced campers, enjoy meeting other people and love being outdoors. At least one host must have a current senior first-aid certificate. Hosts should also be fit and healthy, and preferably be 18 or over. There is also information on work experience and industry placements for students.
Think Pacific – Gap year expeditions to Fiji and the South Pacific combining volunteer projects with an adventurous island safari.
Tolga Bat Hospital – Every year the Tolga Bat Hospital rescues, rehabilitates and releases hundreds of bats that would otherwise die. Tasks include serving up banana smoothies for the bats and trips to the rainforest to release or capture the bats. Volunteers are required for a minimum of one month and should expect to pay for their food and accommodation. Shorter stays can be arranged by those willing to pay higher rates for their board.
Volunteering WA – Resources and information for volunteering in Western Australia.
WWOOF Australia – Willing Workers on Organic Farms provide lists of organic farms willing to accept volunteers.
* Free or Cheap Volunteering *Your family might prefer if you go with a placement agency, but volunteering in Australia can be cheaper when travelling independently. Visit our Free or Cheap Volunteer Work Abroad pages to find NGOs and grassroots organisations. |
Living in Australia
Real Estate and Resources for Staying Long Term
Domain.com.au – Property rental ads.
LJ Hooker.com.au – Established Australian estate agents.
McGrath – Large Australian estate agents.
Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers – Immigation consultants.
RealEstate.com.au – A big website for finding a home in Australia and New Zealand.
Visa Corp – Immigration consultants.
Travelling in Australia
Accommodation & Getting Around
Apollo Motorhome Holidays – Specialise in campervan and motorhome hire in Australia and New Zealand including the “Cheapa Campa”, aimed at the budget-minded traveller.
All Seasons Campervans – Campervan rental.
Aussie House Sitters – One of Australia and New Zealand’s leading house sitting companies.
Aussie House Swap – A house swapping and home exchange website.
Australia.com – Official tourist office site. As you would expect from the Australians there is plenty of information for the important backpacker market including working around the country.
Bridge Climb – Climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Employment possibilities too (for Australians or those allowed to live in Australia only – not for those on a working holiday) for climb leaders, photographers, office, shop or cafe workers and Japanese speaking team members.
Camperman Australia – A business providing campervan rental and sales in Australia, especially in Sydney, helping to make your trip and work in Australia more convenient.
Diamantina Outback Information – Diamantina offer detailed information on travel to the Australian outback as will as attractions, deserts, expeditions, visa and flight information.
Exford Hotel – Accommodation in Melbourne.
Firefly Express – Interstate coach travel in Australia.
Flinders Station Hotel Backpackers – Accommodation in Melbourne.
Getabout Oz – Campervan rental in Australia.
Greyhound Pioneer – Coach passes and tours.
KEA Campers Australia and New Zealand – Campervans, motorhomes and 4WD’s to explore Australia and New Zealand at your own pace, experienced multilingual staff and an extensive network of rental depots.
Leconfield Jackeroo and Jillaroo School – Many people think all Australians live on farms the size of Belgium. They don’t, but you can and for around the price of a double room per night. Among the things you’ll learn on your way to becoming an Australian cowboy or cowgirl are horseriding, shoeing, mustering sheep or cattle, milking, whip cracking and lassoing and calf throwing and marking. At the end of your stay you may even have a skill that can be used to find a real, paid job on a cattle station.
Mighty Cars and Campers – Campervan rental.
Oz Experience – Backpacker bus service.
Superyacht Sydney – Designed to provide superyacht captains and crew with as much information as possible about cruising NSW and to put them in direct contact with the leading service providers that will contribute to making their trip a total success.
Sydney Aquarium – It’s difficult to believe but sharks are one of the less dangerous critters in Australia compared to the crocs, spiders, snakes, stonefish, buffalo, jellyfish…. the list just goes on and on. The Sydney Aquarium has a world famous shark display among its attractions that also include seals and penguins, crocodiles, platypus, underwater tunnels and a Great Barrier Reef complex. Travellers arriving in Sydney and heading up the coast will find the display of over 11,000 aquatic animals, open 9am to 10pm every day, a good grounding for what they may see later in the wild.
Transport NSW – Bus, ferry and other transport information.
Travellers Auto Barn – Car and campervan sales and rentals. The page of employment opportunities at TAB seems to be no more but there is plenty of other useful resources here, including a guide to free camping in Australia, safe driving tips, destination guides, backpacking and much more.
Travelodge – Accommodation. Includes a careers page.
Wake Up -Backpacker accommodation in Sydney, Bondi Beach and Byron Bay.
Western Australia – ‘The Real Thing’ – Travel information from Tourism Western Australia.
Wicked Campers – We met a number of people proudly travelling Australia and New Zealand in a VW Combi. The vehicles are often brightly coloured and eccentrically painted with pictures of frogs, kangeroos, Austin Powers or DDarth Vader and a Stormtrooper ready to take on the open road. The Combi owners – sometimes a couple, sometimes a group of lads or girls – extol the flexibiltiy their Combi gives them in travelling and stopping where and when wish and feel part of a club or fraternity, particularly on the long deserted roads that connect distant towns and cities in Australia. Most buy their van equipped with beds and a cooker, pay for fuel and sell the thing at the end of their trip, usually for the same price paid at the start. When these guys were known as the Kings Cross International Backpackers Car Market they were thought to be a good place to meet travellers in Sydney, hear some advice and stories and buy a Combi or car for your own journeys.
The Word – The Word used to be a helpful pocket guide with information for working travellers that could be picked up in many hostels and traveller hangouts. These days they seem to have pivoted to airport distributed tourist maps.
YHA Australia – Hostel accommodation.
Other Useful Australian Websites
Culture, News…
The Australian – Newspaper.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Cool Country Radio – Sydney country radio station.
Educaedu.com.au – Search engine for higher education courses in Australia.
Sydney Opera House – Sydney has an Opera House apparently.