Finding Work as a Working Holiday Visa Holder in Australia

1 day ago4 min read

For many travellers, a Working Holiday Visa is the golden ticket to experiencing life Down Under while earning enough to fund the adventure. However, landing a job as a working holiday visa holder in Australia can be both exciting and challenging. Here’s a look at our journey into the Aussie job market, along with tips and insights to help you navigate it yourself.

The Job Hunt: From Online Applications to Word of Mouth

When we first started looking for work, we weren’t quite sure where to begin. Australia’s job market can feel overwhelming, especially in a new city. But with a mix of persistence, flexibility, and a bit of luck, we discovered a few effective strategies:

Job Boards and Apps: Websites like Seek, Indeed, and Gumtree are the go-to platforms for job seekers in Australia. Apps like Airtasker, Found, or Jora Local for casual or temporary work seem significant, but aside from cleaning services, they have way more applicants than jobs. These user-friendly tools feature listings tailored to working holiday visa holders.
Hospitality Hotspots: For us, this wasn't much of an option as we didn't have a liquor certificate (RSA) which is needed in much of those places. From what we understand online, the hospitality industry is a haven for working holiday visa holders. Cafés, bars, and restaurants are often on the lookout for staff, particularly in major cities or tourist-heavy areas like Fremantle or Scarborough.
Farm Work and Regional Jobs: If you’re planning to extend your visa for a second year, completing 88 days of specified work in regional Australia is a requirement. Opportunities in fruit picking, packing, or farming are plentiful in areas like Margaret River or the Swan Valley. Websites like Harvest Trail can help connect you with employers. We won't be doing this, but it's an important opportunity to have if you want to extend your stay.
Networking and Word of Mouth: Sometimes, it’s not what you know but who you know. Joining local Facebook groups for job postings or connecting with fellow travellers can open doors to unexpected opportunities. Our housemate in the first housesit helped us a little with some advice, as did the owner of the house after he came back. The main suggestion was, "Don't give up; sometimes it takes a while."

Adapting to the Aussie Work Culture

Australian workplaces are known for their relaxed but professional atmosphere. However, there are a few quirks to keep in mind:

Embrace the Lingo: Aussies love abbreviations. You might hear your manager say, “Let’s have a quick arvo chat,” meaning an afternoon meeting.
Work-Life Balance: Australians value downtime. While you’ll be expected to work hard, you’ll also find an emphasis on enjoying life outside of work. After mentioning I would have to travel for about an hour to get to work, they wanted to make sure I was okay with this as they couldn't pay me for those hours as I would be a 'Casual' worker. Just the thought of how they would try to help me with the hours is baffling as they don't know me yet, and this was the first time meeting them.
Safety First: Australian workplaces prioritize safety, whether in hospitality or something else.

Challenges We Faced (and How We Overcame Them)

Short-Term Stigma: Some employers are hesitant to hire working holiday visa holders due to the temporary nature of the visa. To ease their concerns, be upfront about your availability and show enthusiasm for the role. Many of our applications weren't answered, and some others told us that they needed someone for longer.
Finding Reliable Work: Landing a job can take time, especially during off-peak seasons. We budgeted carefully to cover living expenses during our initial job hunt. Having spent about a month's wages by now in our (about) 2-month stint in this country, we'll make up our deficit of not having a job jiffy.
Learning New Skills: Many jobs required certifications we didn’t have, like a barista course for café work. While we did consider getting some, the investment in short training programs didn't seem worth it. The ones Yorick wanted to do would take longer than 6 months, which isn't allowed with our visa.

Our Job Experiences So Far

Our first jobs (we finally found some!) as working holiday visa holders will be interesting, for me a job in a Fromagerie and Deli in a very fancy establishment, and for Yorick, a job as an aquarium technician. I start Saturday while Yorick gets his roster the same day.

Tips for Fellow Job Seekers

Have Your Paperwork Ready: Ensure your tax file number (TFN) and bank account are set up before applying for jobs. Some roles might also require a Working with Children Check or police clearance.
Tailor Your Resume: Keep it concise and emphasize transferable skills. Highlight customer service, teamwork, or language skills if applicable.
Be Open-Minded: From bartending to cleaning, every job is an opportunity to fund your travels and create memories.
Stay Positive: Rejections are part of the process. Keep applying, and remember why you started this adventure in the first place.

Looking Ahead

Finding work as a working holiday visa holder in Australia is about more than just earning money—it’s a chance to connect with locals, learn new skills, and dive deeper into the culture. While the job search can be daunting at times, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

Whether you’re pulling espresso shots at a café or picking grapes in a vineyard, every job adds a unique chapter to your Australian adventure. And who knows? You might just discover a new passion along the way.