The next best goal to receiving a one-year Working Holiday Visa in Australia, is the chance to stay another year. Those in the country on a Working Holiday Visa know it’s essential to find jobs to complete regional work as soon as possible.
That also means heading out to regional areas may be second nature. Sometimes it can be a struggle to find safe and reliable regional work, otherwise known as farm work.
There’s other benefits than just staying another year too, it can be exciting to see another version of Australia. The work can be in plant and animal cultivation, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, mining and construction.
Having a tough time finding regional jobs? Check out my tips on completing regional work and finding non-exploitive regional work.
From these industries there’s only a few options for people without professional experience or certificates in these trades. Mining for example, is a high paying job, but without thousands of dollars worth of licenses and certificates, the chance to getting a job in mining is slim. That’s why this list of jobs to complete regional work is created with backpackers in mind on limited funds.
Farm work, such as fruit and veggie harvest are without question the most popular options for WHV holders to complete regional work. Mainly because Australia has a perfect climate for harvesting all-year around—depending on the location.
But when competing with thousands of other travellers for these jobs, everyone has to get increasingly creative with finding jobs. I had to do just this and worked in different regions, jobs and industries to complete my days.
While everyone’s experience will be unique, it’s important to remember that not every may find jobs to complete the regional work. Check out these jobs before giving up on the search to complete those 88 days.
Table of Contents
Fruit and Veggie Farm Work
First off, the most popular choice among WHV holders. Generally because there’s many positions on a variety of farms throughout the country. Some people can even complete their regional work days on one farm, throughout one season, for a specific harvest.
Many people travelling alone without vehicles may choose to complete their days through working hostels, however some can be a hot spot for exploitation. Smaller family-run farms are (sometimes) better, but finding contact information for these jobs can be tougher. Jobs can include: fruit/veggie picking, sorting and planting, plant/tree pruning and general farm maintenance. Such as working with fences, irrigation and fertilization. Some jobs are hourly paid, but the majority will be piece-rate.
Dairy Farm
This is a good option to completing regional work while maintaining a work/life balance. Many dairy farms are in lush green areas, generally close to the coast. So, after work you can go to the beach on your time off. It’s a good opportunity to work outdoors for general farm labour.
A few downsides to working on a dairy farm is there’s early hours and you will be covered in cow poop—everyday. Many people can’t stomach this, or are too scared to work with animals. The pay is an hourly award rate and in some cases accommodation, or even meals are included.
Cattle Stations
Working on a cattle station, usually means living somewhere remote. Often even without cell phone reception, but the work can pay off. A cattle station is similar to a big ranch for raising beef cattle or sheep. And, Australia has some of the biggest in the world (cattle stations, not animals). Staff can do anything from cooking for other staff, to helping with livestock and farm maintenance.
Many employers will take in anyone willing to do the work. Whereas others prefer people experienced with animals and farm vehicles. Workers can earn a fair amount of money on these farms. As there’s lots of work and often not a lot else to do in the areas. It’s also a good way to finish all 88 days in one go.
Be careful though for employers offering a daily pay rate for pay. If this does happen there’s a maximum amount of hours that should be worked per fortnight and overtime rates still apply. Just keep an eye on how many hours you work and don’t be afraid to speak up or get Fairwork involved—when necessary.
Meat Processing
For those that can stomach freshly slaughtered meat, this job could be near perfect. Meat processing plants almost always need staff—depending on the location. And, many will take inexperienced workers, if they’re keen. Jobs can include packaging, slaughtering and cutting meat.
Aside from the obvious downsides of this job (the smell of raw meat, yum). Working in meat processing can provide long hours with decent pay. This could mean finishing the 88 days as soon as possible with one employer. Making it easier to add up the payslips in the end.
Solar Farm
This is the dream job, for most WHV holders. It has everything: high pay, long hours, decent work conditions and simple tasks. But with a job that sounds so sweet, it’s not the easiest to get ahold of. I’ve heard many people lie on their CV/resume to get one of these jobs. As employers prefer those experienced in some way with solar panels and electrics.
Securing a job in this field could mean making thousands a week as a general labourer. Solar farm jobs can include every part of installing solar panels outdoors. Tasks could something as simple as screwing together solar panels. Reviews can be mixed though and not every employer has the best management team or communication, so be careful.
Construction
Although construction jobs do require some courses, starting with a white card, most aren’t very expensive. In regional areas, where companies are desperate for workers they may be more willing to take on employees with less experience. It may take some travelling to remote areas to find companies though.
Some people take construction courses without first looking for work, then are unable to find work. Like any jobs to complete regional work, it’s just about luck sometimes. If you do secure a job in this field there’s many opportunities to work overtime and save for more travelling. Jobs can include anything from a general labourer to traffic controller.
Tree Planting
Tree planting can take a toll on your body and mental state. But if you don’t get injured and the piece-rate agreement is fair, this could be a decent job to finish your 88 days and make some money. Workers use a spade and belt full of trays with trees and work through tough terrain to plant trees. After picking up the pace, workers can make hundreds a day depending on the conditions.
The task is generally to replant trees in plantations, which are used in construction, or other uses. It’s a good job if you like the nature and the forest. And, because most plants are sprayed before the planting takes place, there’s not many snakes or spiders around.
Egg Farm
This may be one of the lesser talked about jobs to complete regional work, but for farm work it fits perfectly. Working on an egg farm, likely a free-range farm means parts of the job aren’t manual. For that egg farms need labourers to help with collecting, packing, sorting and cleaning eggs.
Egg farms are all over Australia as not all free-range farms need to be outside entirely. And, many free-range egg farms are small family farms, which often treat employees better than bigger farms.
What job(s) did you finish your 88 days with? Let me know by commenting below.
