A lot of people wonder what kind of jobs they can do whilst on a Working Holiday Visa (417) or Work and Holiday Visa (462) in Australia. And more importantly, what kind of salary they can expect! In order to help you to find out, we have asked other backpackers to tell us about their current jobs and salaries. This will help you to get a better idea about what kind of jobs you can do during your trip in Australia and the salaries you can expect.
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Work with a Working Holiday Visa in Australia
The Working Holiday Visa is a visa for young people (18 to 30 or 18 to 35 depending on your nationality) that allows you to work in all sorts of jobs and in all fields while in Australia. Indeed, there is no restriction on the kind of jobs you can do on this visa. This visa allows you to work full-time for the same employer, part time or even casual. Seasonal jobs, fruit picking, shop jobs, more qualified jobs…Everything is possible.
Thanks to this visa, you can work full-time for the same employer for a maximum of one year under certain conditions. Among the most popular jobs for backpackers, you find hospitality (restaurants, cleaning, etc.) and also the agricultural sector, which serves to renew your Working Holiday Visa.
Read more: Working Holiday Visa Australia
What is the National Minimum Wage in Australia?
Annual Minimum Wage Revision in Australia
Australia’s national minimum wage is reviewed every July by the Fair Work Commission, an independent authority ensuring fair pay for workers across all industries.
Current Minimum Wage (as of July 1, 2024):
💰 $24.10 per hour,
📆 $915.90 per 38-hour week (before tax)
Upcoming Update: The minimum wage will be revised and increased in July 2025.
Industry-Specific Wages & Awards
Each industry in Australia operates under a collective agreement (Award) that sets minimum pay rates specific to that sector.
🔹 Some industries offer higher wages than the national minimum.
🔹 No employer can legally pay below the minimum wage.
💡 Check the Award applicable to your sector on the Fair Work website.
What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Respect the Minimum Wage?
While Australia has strict minimum wage laws, some employers may exploit workers, particularly backpackers and international workers. If you’re underpaid or facing unfair treatment, you should report to Fair Work.
Fair Work is an independent organization that protects all workers in Australia, including visa holders. They mediate disputes between employees and employers to ensure fair treatment.
🔹 How to contact them?
📞 Call 13 13 94 (Monday to Friday, 8 AM – 5:30 PM)
💻 Visit: Fair Work Website
Their advice is free so do not hesitate to get in touch with them in you have any concerns or doubts!
Jobs in the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality and catering industry is one of the most popular job sectors for Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders in Australia. With year-round opportunities, especially during peak tourist seasons and school holidays, it’s a great way to fund your travels!
Popular Jobs in Hospitality & Catering
✅ Waiter/Waitress
✅ Barista
✅ Bartender (RSA certificate required)
✅ Kitchen hand & dishwasher
✅ Chef/cook
✅ Hotel staff & housekeeping
Salaries vary depending on location, job type, and employer agreements. Here’s what you need to know:
🔹 Industry Awards: Many employers follow Fair Work’s Industry Awards, which set the minimum wages and conditions for specific jobs.
🔹 Company Agreements: Some companies have their own enterprise agreements, which can offer higher wages and different conditions.
📌 Pro Tip: Always check with your employer about which pay rate applies to your role. You can also verify industry wages on the Fair Work website.
Kitchen staff
- Katy is a kitchen hand: $24/h
- Simon is a baker in Sydney: $26/h
- Florian is a chocolatier in Sydney: $29/h
- Aurore is a kitchen hand in a restaurant in the Hunter Valley: $24/h
- Lucas is a dishwasher in Fremantle: $24/h
- Antoine is a chef in Karratha: $24/$29/$35 (week/Saturday/Sunday)
Bar staff / waiters
- Hannah is a waitress and barista: $24/h net
- Ange works in a Fish and Chips shop: $1060/week
- Julie is a barmaid: $33/h + tips
- Djalil is a barman: about $33/h
- Emmy is a waitress in a restaurant in Perth: $26/h, $32/h on the weekend and $54/h on public holidays
- Mathilde is a waitress in Sydney: $25/h and $30 on the weekend.
- Lauren is a waitress on a boat: $25/h and in the restaurant $25/h during the week and $28/h on weekends
- Emeline is a barmaid in Sydney: $25/h during the week, $28 after 10pm and on Saturday. $33/h on Sunday.
- Lisa is a waitress in Karratha: $24/$27/$33/h (week/Sat/Sun)
Get your RSA in Australia (with discounts)
Pay less for your RSA course (Responsible Service of Alcohol). With this certificate, you are allowed to work in all places where alcohol is served or sold.
Cleaning / housekeeping
- Jo Hanna is a housekeeper: $24/h
- Katy is a cleaner in a resort: $25/h
- Camy is a cleaner: $24-$33/h
- Jane is a housekeeper in Melbourne: $24/h
- Cedric is responsible for laundry/housekeeping: $1140/week
- Elo is a cleaner in Sydney: $25 and $29/h (two jobs)
- Alexis is a housekeeper: $23 during the week, $27 on a Saturday and $32 on a Sunday
- Jordan is a housekeeper on Rottenest Island (Perth): $25/h
Receptionists / hosts
- Flora is a receptionist in a hotel: $26/h, on Saturdays $28 and on Sundays $33. An average of 40-45 hours a week
- Anne-Sophie is a hostess on a private yacht / from Airlie Beach to the Gold Coast (QLD) : $525/week + food + accommodation
Delivery drivers
- Adrien is a pizza delivery driver: $24/h + delivery
Jobs in the Agricultural Industry
Fruit picking is a good way of making money and travelling around Australia. It’s also one way of getting a second year visa in Australia (UK passport holders exempted).
Minimum Wage Under the Horticulture Award:
The Fair Work Commission sets a minimum hourly wage of $25.41 for fruit picking under the Horticulture Award. However, many farms pay by piece rate, meaning your earnings depend on how much you pick (e.g., number of bins, kilos harvested).
🔹 Piecework Payment & Minimum Wage Guarantee
Since 2022, all pieceworkers are guaranteed a minimum hourly wage, ensuring fair pay across the industry:
✔ Full-time & part-time workers – At least $22.61 per hour
✔ Casual workers – At least $28.26 per hour ($22.61 + 25% casual loading)
Fruit picking wages vary based on season, location, crop type, and whether you’re paid by the hour or piece rate. Here’s what you can expect:
- Julien works on a pineapple farm: $24/h
- Katy is packing mandarins: $1200/week
- Lionel is a lumberjack: $25/h
- Max is a labourer: $25/h
- Lorene works on a farm: $24/h and for picking $12/bin
- Alexandre is a stacker in an orange factory: $26/h
- Franck works on a farm: $1100-$1400/week: 23-26/h
- Elsa works on a government farm (weaving): $27/h. 7,5h a day
- Alexandre works on a cotton farm 60-70h a week: more or less $1600
- Clement works in the banana fields in Tully $25/h
- Marvin works on a farm: $25.5/h
- Lee works on a farm: $29/h and $45/h Saturdays, Sundays and between 6pm and 6am. 75h/week + free accommodation
- Marion works on a farm (packing, picking, thinning) (avocado, plums, nectarines): $24/h
- David works on a vineyard: $26/h – 55h/week
- Riyad works as a pearler: $4400 per month, room and meals included
- Guillaume works on a farm: $24/h
- Max works as a harvester: $28/h – 70-90h/week, accommodation and dinner.
📌 Pro Tip: Always confirm pay rates before starting a farm job to ensure you’re being paid fairly!
Fruit picking in Australia
Fruit picking is the most common job among backpackers. Discover everything you should know in this article.
Construction & Mining Jobs in Australia
Higher Wages Than Farm or Hospitality Work
If you’re looking for better pay, construction jobs often offer higher salaries compared to farm work or hospitality. However, to work in this field, you must obtain a White Card, a mandatory safety certificate. You can complete the White Card training online or in person.
Construction Jobs – Earn $30 to $40 Per Hour
Australia’s construction boom is driving demand for skilled and unskilled workers. Typical wages in this industry:
✔ Entry-level construction workers – $30 to $40 per hour
✔ Skilled trades (e.g., carpenters, electricians, plumbers) – Can earn even more depending on experience
📌 Tip: Having additional certifications like Working at Heights or Forklift Licenses can further boost your earning potential!
Mining Jobs – Salaries Over $100,000 Per Year
🚨 The mining industry remains one of the highest-paying sectors in Australia, with salaries exceeding $100K per year.
✔ Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) positions often come with high wages & accommodation provided
✔ Roles in drilling, machinery operation, or engineering offer some of the best-paid jobs for backpackers
🔎 Pro Tip: If you’re interested in construction or mining, start by getting your White Card, then look for jobs in high-demand areas like Western Australia or Queensland.
Get discounts on your White Card Course
Take advantage of our special offers to get your White Card and work in the construction industry.
Retail, Sales & Promotion Jobs in Australia
Working in sales, retail, or promotions is a popular option for backpackers on a Working Holiday Visa. These roles often require good English skills, but they can offer flexible hours and competitive wages.
Example Jobs & Salaries in Sales & Promotions:
- Antoine is a Fundraiser: $24/h
- Loic is a Promoter: between $100 and $750 a night
- Retail Sales (Levi’s) – David earns an average of $26/hour
- Shelf Stacker (Kmart, Brisbane) – Thomas earns $24-$26/hour
- Retail Salesperson – Fabien earns $25/hour on weekdays, $27 on Saturdays, and $30 on Sundays
- Catalogue Distributor (Sydney) – Jordan earns $40/hour
- Emeline is a casual retail assistant at Kmart: $25/h
🔎 Pro Tip: Sales and promotions jobs are abundant in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. If you’re confident and have good communication skills, promotions and commission-based roles can be highly rewarding!
Working as an Au Pair
Becoming an au pair on a Working Holiday Visa is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Australian family life while earning money. Your salary varies depending on the city, number of hours worked, and number of children you look after. Many families offer extra pay for household chores, in addition to providing free accommodation and meals.
Example Au Pair Salaries in Australia:
- Mel (Sydney) – $250/week + $20/hour for kitchen work + $30/hour for household chores
- Laurie (Sydney) – $200/week
- Eugenie – $450/week
- Wendy – $500/week
- Marine – $250/week + $60 for house cleaning & ironing (works 10 hours/day, 5 days a week)
- Marine (Bunbury) – $400/week, plus free food, board, and a car
- Mathilda (Babysitting) – $25/hour
💡 Pro Tip: Sydney and Melbourne offer plenty of au pair jobs, but rural areas might include extra perks like free use of a car or more flexible hours!
Read more: Au pair experience in Sydney
Skilled Jobs in Australia on a WHV
If you have qualifications or professional experience, you can apply for higher-paying skilled jobs. A skilled job can also be a stepping stone to securing a Sponsorship Visa (Skills in Demand Visa), allowing you to stay and work in Australia long-term.
Some examples of salaries in more qualified jobs in Australia:
- Engineer – $45 – $60/hour
- Marketing Specialist – $40 – $55/hour
- IT Support/Developer – $50 – $70/hour
- Project Manager – $55 – $80/hour
- Registered Nurse – $38 – $50/hour
- Electrician – $45 – $65/hour
- Chef (Head Chef role) – $35 – $50/hour
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re looking to stay in Australia long-term, skilled jobs are a great pathway to sponsorship! Start networking and check the demand for your profession in Australia.
These figures are averages and can vary depending on experience, qualifications, and location. It’s also important to note that the cost of living in Australia can be high, and this should be taken into account when assessing salaries.
How to Find a Job in Australia on a WHV?
Looking for a job in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa (WHV)? The key to success lies in preparation, flexibility, and networking. Follow these essential steps to land a job and start your Aussie adventure!
1. Prepare Your Resume & Cover Letter
✅ Adapt your resume (CV) to the Australian job market.
✅ Highlight your skills, experience, and English level.
✅ Include an Australian phone number & professional email.
✅ Tailor your cover letter to each job application.
2. Search for Jobs Online & Offline
🔹 Online job platforms: Seek, Indeed, Jora, Gumtree.
🔹 Facebook groups & forums for WHV job postings.
🔹 Local job boards & hostel notice boards.
🔹 Apply directly in person for hospitality & retail jobs.
3. Build Your Network & Stay Flexible
🔸 Attend meetups & events to connect with locals & travelers.
🔸 Speak to other backpackers for job leads.
🔸 Be open to various industries: hospitality, tourism, fruit picking, retail, construction.
4. Prepare for Job Interviews
✔ Research the company beforehand.
✔ Practice answering common interview questions.
✔ Show enthusiasm, adaptability & a strong work ethic.
By being proactive, open-minded, and persistent, you’ll maximize your chances of finding a job and funding your Aussie adventure!
