Tag Archive for: backpacker jobs

Backpacking Jobs in Australia: 5 Ways to Earn Money While Traveling

Backpacking around Australia is an amazing experience. You get to explore natural wonders at your fingertips from white sand beaches and lagoons to natural rainforests, mountains and ranges.

With all this travelling though, it can often end up being an expensive trip. If you are backpacking in Australia, you may have come across the issue of being low on funds.

With this in mind, one of the best ways to make the most of your time in Australia and avoid running out of money is to work while you travel. If you’re not too sure where to start, we can help you out. Take a look at our top 5 backpacker jobs to earn money in Australia.

Fruit picking jobs

Discover fruit picking jobs all around Australia

Discover fruit picking jobs all around Australia

Fruit picking jobs and harvest work, in general, are highly seasonal, but they are also a fun way to earn money in Australia while backpacking. Finding fruit picking backpacker jobs in Australia is a great way to see more of the lesser travelled parts of Oz while making some lifelong friends along the way. You can travel the length and breadth of the country following the harvest seasons. From banana farms in the tropical north to blueberry picking in New South Wales through to apple and pear harvests in Tasmania.

Some great places to look for fruit and produce picking jobs in Australia include Murray River, the Queensland Coast, The Top End of the Northern Territory and Margaret River in Western Australia.

Pros

  • It’s fairly easy to pick up a position as farmers are always looking for help
  • Pay is decent at anywhere from $25.41 to $30 an hour
  • You get to spend your time outdoors away from a desk

Cons

  • Fruit picking jobs in Australia can be physically hard and tiring
  • Not as reliable long term as other industries
  • Being out in the sun all day can lead to sunburn and heat fatigue

Gig economy jobs for backpackers

Find a wide range of gig economy jobs in Australia to earn money while backpacking

Find a wide range of gig economy jobs to earn money in Australia while backpacking

The gig economy is heating up, with plenty of people turning to odd jobs such as food delivery or air tasker jobs to help earn some extra cash. Like many casual positions, you get out what you put in, so if you’re willing to work, you can make a good amount of cash here. Earning money in Australia with gig economy jobs can include everything from rideshare drivers and food delivery drivers to pet sitters, furniture removalists or freelancers. The scope is wide and can be tailored to your interests, skills and talents.

A great benefit of the gig economy is that you can do it practically anywhere there is internet service. This makes it a great way to earn money in Australia while backpacking with little to no experience.

Pros

  • Flexibility and ability to travel while working
  • Huge variety of gig economy jobs available in Australia, so you shouldn’t struggle to find work
  • You can often work to your own timetable, which is perfect for those who want to spend more time sightseeing and exploring

Cons

  • Often requires you to have your own equipment or vehicle such as a bike, car, laptop etc depending on the job
  • Pay can be lower than a traditional job
  • No job security or peace of mind

Bar and hospitality backpacking jobs in Australia

Working in hospitality is a great way to earn money in Australia while backpacking. Australia has a huge hospitality industry, so you should be able to find work anywhere in the country, especially in the top tourist destinations. Many businesses will hire and train someone even if they don’t have any experience, which makes it a great option for everyone.

Hospitality jobs can be found all around Australia, simply walk into any bar or restaurant and ask to see the manager.

Pros

  • Work experience not often required
  • Easy to find work throughout Australia
  • Pay is usually reasonable, especially if penalty rates are offered

Cons

  • You will often have to give up your weekend and evenings
  • Can be harder to go exploring for more than a day or two due to shift work
  • Customer service isn’t necessarily for everyone

Fishing jobs for backpackers in Australia

If you have some experience on fishing vessels or in the industry, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting a position in one of the many coastal towns in Australia. Working on a fishing vessel or charter cruises is a great way to spend some time on the water while earning some extra cash.

These backpacking jobs understandably are found in coastal locations in Australia, so might not be suitable if prefer larger metro destinations.

Pros

  • Fishing jobs in Australia offer great pay
  • If you love fishing or being on the water, you’ll have a great time while getting paid
  • You’ll learn a lot about the industry and location from your coworkers and team

Cons

  • Experience in such a position is often required
  • Limited positions depending on location and season may be available, making it a competitive job market
  • Hours of work are often long

Housekeeping work in hotels and hostels

Work in a hotel or hostel to earn money while backpacking Australia

Work in a hotel or hostel to earn money in Australia while backpacking

Housekeeping jobs are a quick and easy way to earn money in Australia while backpacking around. You will have plenty of places to find work from hotels and motels to the hostel that you are staying in. Housekeeping often has set hours that allow for plenty of time to explore your current location.

You will be able to find plenty of housekeeping jobs no matter where you are, to earn money in Australia while backpacking.

Pros

  • Housekeeping jobs in Australia are often easy to find
  • Pay rates are often quite good, with $20 – $30 an hour being standard
  • Experience is often not required to get into the industry

Cons

  • Can be a physically demanding job, with lots of walking around and picking things up
  • You may find some duties unpleasant
  • You are often expected to work swiftly and accurately, requiring attention to detail

Backpacking around Australia doesn’t mean that you have to chew through your entire travel fund and head home early if you run out of money. With some creative thinking and a bit of research on the internet, you will be able to find plenty of backpacker jobs that can help you earn money in Australia while still experiencing the best that the country has to offer.

Backpacker Job Board is a great place to start your job search. The site is free to use and has 100s of active job vacancies, all suitable for working holidaymakers.

How to Travel the World Teaching English

Have you always wanted to travel abroad but can’t seem to find the means to do so? Do you often imagine yourself hiking in Peru, visiting the Great Wall of China, or sunbathing on the beautiful beaches in Southern France? Maybe you are a recent college graduate who wants to travel before settling down. 

Many people opt to go backpacking, which allows you to save money while experiencing the world. Depending on your length of travel or your current budget, you may want to find ways to make money to pay for that travel. Today there are several ways to get paid to travel abroad. Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is one of them.

Paid Opportunities to Travel the World Teaching English

English is the most widely used language in the world. From education to business, marketing, and even job opportunities, being proficient in English opens many doors. With so many people wanting to learn the language, teaching English is in high demand.  

Currently, over 1 billion people are learning English throughout the world. Learners of English have a variety of reasons for learning the language. They also now have different options and ways to have access to the language.

If you’ve always wanted to help others and make a difference, you can travel the world teaching English and even get paid. It is a convenient way to make a living while trekking the globe. All you need is a backpack, a passport, and a few teaching requirements, and you are well on your way.

Requirements to Travel and Teach English as a Foreign Language

Anyone interested in traveling the world teaching English needs to know the language. However, TEFL and TESL teachers need to be more than native or fluent speakers. Many employers today ask that teachers possess at least a college degree. Although many countries require a 4-year bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite, it is essential to do your research to ensure that you have the adequate academic standards of that country, school, or employer.

Whether you majored in English, Art History, or Biology, most countries will deem any four-year degree, or Bachelor’s, sufficient to teach a class. Unfortunately, however, a degree is not the only requirement. Most countries, and employers, ask that you be certified to teach as well.

Obtaining a certificate to travel and teach English as a Second Language is not difficult, but it does require a few hours of your time. Although these classes are offered in-person, more and more people opt to take them online for convenience. You can even begin traveling and complete your English teaching course abroad.

Courses and certificates are offered depending on hours. Most countries and employers require new English teachers to possess a certificate showing a course requirement of at least 120 hours. Therefore, the type of course and certification you obtain is critical.

You can find many different companies that offer certificates to travel the world and teach English as a second language. Some companies are more reputable than others, however. You want to look for a company that is accredited and recognized overseas. Companies like The TEFL Org are leaders in the field, making it easier to find an English teaching job upon receipt of your certificate.

How to Get Paid to Travel the World and Teach English

Today, teaching English can be done in both the traditional in-person classroom setting, virtually online, or even one on one. These different options are suitable for the student learner, but it also gives ESL/EFL teachers the flexibility to teach the language in various settings. Depending on if you want to travel the world or go to a specific part of the world, finding what’s best for you is key.

Get Paid to Travel and Teach English in a Classroom

Teaching English abroad in a traditional classroom setting

Many countries need fluent speakers to teach in their schools. This type of English teaching job will require that you stay in one place for a more extended period, as it usually means that you will have to teach during a specific time frame or school period. This traditional method may be ideal for people who want to travel to one particular location and prefer to remain in one spot. The advantage of this type of English teaching job is that you will immerse yourself in a specific culture and perhaps even learn a new language.

Travel and Teach English Online

Teaching English Online while traveling

Traveling while teaching English online not only offers flexibility to students but also to the teacher. This setting allows you to travel the world teaching English online to earn money. You will teach students from many different countries while either remaining in one place or traveling to various destinations yourself. Remember that you will need a laptop or other device and internet access to conduct your classes.  

Travel the World and Teach English One on One

Work as a Private English Tutor while Traveling

Being able to teach one on one is another very flexible option. One on one teaching can be done both in-person and online. This type of instruction allows you to work with one student (or two) exclusively. If you teach English online, you will have the flexibility to travel and teach as long as you have a good internet connection while on the road. If in-person, it will require that you probably stay in one place for a set amount of time.

The Bottom Line

If you want to have an adventurous experience through travel, but feel that you cannot afford it, do not fret. Traveling the world and teaching English is a great way to make money backpacking. With your backpack, a college degree, and a few hours of training, you can travel and teach English, all while living out your dream.