It has been a long and well-trodden path for backpackers to explore Australia and look for regional work in Australia. As part of many visas such as the working holiday visa (417) backpackers are required to complete 88 days regional work in Australia. This can take different forms to complete their required regional work, from farm work in Australia to construction work. In this blog post we will discuss what regional work in Australia is, what backpackers can do to complete their regional work and when is the best time of the year to complete your regional farm work in Australia.
What is Regional Work in Australia
Regional work in Australia is a requirement for backpackers who travel to Australia from their native countries. To qualify for a second-year visa, backpackers must complete 88 days of regional work in Australia. This means they must work remotely (outside of the major cities) within industries such as farming, construction, tourism, and hospitality, or mining. It is important to note that your 88 days of regional work do not need to be completed in one go at one location. You can switch locations and job roles if you do not feel like your current role is right for you.
How To Find Regional Work In Australia
Finding regional work in Australia, can at times be a challenge with the number of backpackers who visit Australia every year. It is important not to get disheartened if you are unsuccessful with your initial attempts as there is plenty of farm work available. There are a variety of ways of finding regional work in Australia, including backpacker job boards, Gumtree – searches such as ‘jobs in regional Australia’, Facebook backpacker groups, or word of mouth. Sometimes the best way to obtain regional work in Australia is to go to a remote town where farm work is known to take place and ask locals or backpacker hostels for any recommendations. The hostel route may require a little patience and time but this will enable you to meet fellow backpackers also trying to undertake regional work in Australia.
Types of Regional Work in Australia
As mentioned earlier there are different options when it comes to backpackers and completing regional work in Australia. These include fruit picking in Australia, construction and hospitality or tourism roles.
Fruit Picking in Australia
If you are looking to undertake fruit picking in Australia there are a variety of options throughout the country. A common type of fruit picking in Australia for backpackers is grape picking. This is very common for example in Margaret River in Western Australia, where there are over 200 vineyards so grape picking jobs are readily available. Jobs for backpackers on vineyards are not limited to fruit picking itself but depending on the season can also include responsibilities such as pruning vines, cultivating soil, and planting vines.
Fruit picking in Australia offers backpackers jobs across Australia and throughout the year. The ideal time for grape picking is during harvest which runs from November to June but peaks in February and March. To find out more about the best time to do regional work on other fruit farms check out my other blog here: (Link to regional fruit farm work – when is best to pick each type of fruit).
Construction in Australia
A job in construction for backpackers is another option to complete your 88 days of regional work to gain a second-year working holiday visa. A requirement for these roles however is to gain a white card. To gain a white card you will have to complete a course which usually takes a few hours to complete. If you are interested in this please click this link. https://www.whitecardonlineexpress.com.au/how-to-get/. The primary role backpackers will undertake in construction is that of a laborer and will require them to unload materials, keep sites clean and tidy, and build and take down the scaffolding. This role is highly sought after by backpackers because of the high availability of work and the pay scale which is usually a bit higher than the minimum wage that can be obtained by a backpacker.
Roles in Hospitality and Tourism in Australia
When looking to complete their regional work in Australia, many backpackers looking to work in the hospitality and tourism industry as it is less strenuous on the body than fruit picking or construction. Roles in hospitality mean backpackers can work in roadhouses or hostels. To pursue this route it can be a good idea for backpackers to undertake their RSA, which is a responsible service of alcohol course which takes a few hours to complete, see the link here: https://www.eot.edu.au/online-courses/RSA/australia/. When looking to undertake a role in hospitality, many backpackers will work as waiting staff in restaurants. The best way to get a job is to visit venues in person with a copy of your resume so owners/ managers can put a face to your resume.
Conclusion: Regional Work in Australia
When looking to complete your 88 days of regional work in Australia, there are many options and many different locations to undertake this. Whether it is grape picking in Margaret River, construction on a mine in the Pilbara or wait staff in a roadhouse in the outback you can find many ways to fulfill your regional work in Australia. This will allow you to gain your second or third-year working holiday visa. The most important thing is to get out to remote locations and get your resumes to as many different businesses as possible and it will be one of the best decisions you’ve made. There is much more to see in Australia than the bustling major cities and regional work in Australia is a great way to see this beautiful country.