As a follow up to my post on working and travelling and having worked in Australia earlier this year, I thought I’d write up an article that can help find a job for those who are interested in working there.
Digging for Metals, Oil and Gas
If you’re looking to make a lot of money then you might want to look into the resource sector. West Australia hosts a selection of training courses and recruitment agencies. You don’t need to worry about paying the recruiters to get your foot in the door, but the training courses will cost you a few hundred dollars. None of the training courses or recruitment agencies guarantee placements upon completion of their courses or acceptance of your resume. If you have the necessary qualifications (such as a trade or a science background), check out seek.com.au as that is the main portal for many mining jobs. Major recruiters include Chandler Mcleod, Marble Group, Hays Recruitment. Lastly, The West Australian newspaper publishes sections dedicated to the resource industry every Wednesday and Saturday. If you have no clue about the resource sector, then maybe you should check out infomine.com some information to get you started. Finally, there is a saying that it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know, which means networking. Apparently lots of work exists in Darwin, Perth, Kalgoorlie or the Pilbara, but make sure you have enough money to support yourself while looking for work.
Labour
If you don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere or mining isn’t your thing and you want to be in the city, then construction might be your gig. Active APC Recruiting or MADEC concentrate on the Eastern parts of Australia. Kelly Services is a recruiter that has offices and job postings throughout Australia. Not only that, they’re an international company so they might be good for researching your next host country, too. Most constructions jobs require you to have a white card which can be obtained in any major city in Australia for about $100. Basically, it’s a one day course informing you about safe work practices and basic first aid. It’s a national ticket so once you get one, you’re set for all of Oz.
Hostels and Roadhouses
These two couldn’t be more different. Hostels are in the cities while the roadhouses are in the country, and I mean the country! The best time to look for work at either place is at the beginning of the Australian summer, around October as that’s when all the freezing Europeans and North Americans start heading over. A lot of people want hostel jobs because they offer many side perks so it’s a bit touch and go. That being said, hostels abound throughout Australia. In the country, roadhouses and pubs will be a unique experience, offering you a glimpse of country life and the folks who live there. Your best bet is to try to get the number of the local pub or roadhouse and phone them personally. Ask them if and when they’ll need help as they almost always need to line up another worker.
Cafes
I love the smell of coffee in the morning. If you want to be the instigator of that wonderful smell, then maybe becoming a barista is your thing. Melbourne boasts its cafe culture is among the best in the country, trouncing Sydney by far. It is unique, to be sure. Surprisingly, not many cafes serves the major Australian coffee bean, Sky Bury. You’ll probably have to go door-to-door with your resume to find one of these jobs. Try backpackerjobboard.com.au or gumtree.com.au.
Farm Work
If you love Australia so much that you want to stay a second year, then you’ll have to do some agriculture or resource work for at least three months. I’ve heard of some folks securing a falsified document stating that they completed three months work on a farm. I actually did the work so I can’t help you if you want to bypass this logistic. Most folks choose fruit picking. Be sure to check on the postal code you’re working in since not all post codes qualify for a second work visa. The first place to look for work is the government run Harvest Trail website since they have a nicely laid out guide giving information on the seasons of the Australian harvest. For many of these jobs it’s beneficial to have your own transportation and accommodation, which you can find on tradingpost.com.au, though there are several “working hostels” you can choose from if you have neither. If you’ve never worked on a farm before and couldn’t tell an elephant’s trunk from a garden hose, then consider taking a course before hand, if only for the experience. Two popular courses are run by VisitOz and Outbackpackers. Costs vary, so check what works for you. There are a few recruiting agencies such as thejobshop.com.au and www.positive-perfection.com that can help you land some farm work.
Other Work
It’s no secret that Australia has become an expensive continent. Be that as it may, everybody who goes there usually has a great time and highly recommends it. It’s a great place and people are very nice, if blunt about certain things. I’ve heard of some folks doing contract work while there, i.e., they were skilled craftsmen or painters back home and decided to do some contract work while travelling through Australia. It’s a neat idea and something to consider if you believe you have a skill or art to offer. ESL teachers can also find employment, as can regular teachers, though I didn’t look very much into doing that type of work. Lastly, some folks have mentioned that diving and being a tour guide can also be fun jobs to have.
And that list of resources should get you going! If it doesn’t… you’re not trying.