Feeling a bit tired of the Great White North and hoping to catch a gig in the Land Down Under? The great news is that Canadians can work in Australia! Swap winter for summer and live a laid-back Aussie lifestyle near the beach. In this post, we’ve got you covered on exactly how to find jobs for Canadians in Australia.
Australia is a bit like Canada’s really cool and wild cousin in the great big Commonwealth family. What does that mean? Canadians have a bunch of work visas to choose from to enjoy a slice of life down in Oz.
The easiest way for young Canadians to enjoy all that Australia has to offer is the Working Holiday Visa. This visa allows you to work and play in Australia for up to three amazing years.
The Australian Working Holiday Visa comes with a couple of restrictions. Most importantly, the visa is only available to Canadian citizens between 18 and 35 with a valid passport. Check out our guide to moving to Australia from Canada on a working holiday visa for all the details.
An important point to cover is that as a working holiday visa holder, you can only work for an employer for a maximum of six months. This makes finding an office job a bit trickier. But let’s be honest, you’re not taking the trip of a lifetime to sit in an office all day. Use this as a chance to try out a totally new job. Plus, after the six months is up, you can move and experience another area of the country!
It is possible to extend your stay beyond one year if you do some specified work. This includes farming, fishing, mining, bushfire recovery, and construction. If you really aren’t ready to come home, the fun’s not over. There are over 30 countries where Canadians can live abroad on working holidays. The closest one, New Zealand, is just a short flight away!
Please note: Certain industries have removed the necessity for the specific work required for extension. Since COVID-19, the Australian government has lifted this restriction for certain industries that are experiencing labor shortages, such as tourism, hospitality, retail, etc.
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Canadians working in Australia are, more often than not, casual workers. What does that mean? Travellers tend to get positions that are a bit more temporary – which makes plenty of sense since you’ll be leaving the job after six months! Here is a breakdown of the types of jobs Canadians can get in Australia:
The service industry refers to any role related to food and beverage service. Create beautiful latte art in one of the many hip coffee shops in Melbourne. Or serve up cute cocktails on a rooftop on the sunny Gold Coast. Maybe you’ll work at a restaurant seating tourists from all over the world. A quick tip: if you want to work in the service industry in Australia, you’ll have to get an RSA certification.
Getting a job in the customer service industry is probably your safest and easiest bet as there are always openings. You can work in an adorable boutique, a supermarket (I recommend Woolies), a bottle-o, a call center – the possibilities are endless. If you’re worried about paying rent on a customer service gig – don’t! The minimum wage in Australia is far higher than in Canada. Plus, wages usually increase on weekends and holidays!
The tourism industry is great in Australia – it’s probably part of the reason you’re reading this right now! You can find work in a hostel or hotel at the front desk or in housekeeping. Travel and tour companies are usually looking to hire like-minded travel-junkies. Imagine crewing a dive boat on the Great Barrier Reef – sounds like a dream right?
Canadians are eligible for a second (even a third) working holiday visa. If you think you might want to stay longer in Australia, doing some farm work might be a good idea! Rounding up cattle in the outback or picking mangoes in Darwin might not be easy work, but it sure is rewarding! When else would you have a job like that? Most of the people working on fruit-picking farms are fellow holiday-makers so it’s a great place to meet people. And believe me, you’ll become close friends very quickly! Make sure to look up the Harvest Trail before picking your next gig.
With its beautiful weather, Australia is home to quite a few festivals and markets. If you’re lucky enough, you might just manage to grab some jobs at some cool events. You aren’t stuck in one specific city in Australia. Live the nomad life and jump from event to event!
If you have relevant experience, you could find work as a tradie. Tradie is Australian slang for tradesmen or tradesperson.
There are obviously plenty of jobs for Canadians in Australia, but keep in mind that employers know you can only stay with them for six months. Your chances of getting an office job or a job that requires specific (and lengthy) training, are slim. Use this opportunity to round out your professional skillset with sales experience, customer service, or learn a new skill altogether!
Jobs for Canadians in Australia aren’t too hard to come by. We do have a great reputation on the international scene — but there are a few steps to the process that you should know.
There’s help!
Our job support in Australia will make the transition easier. We know all the ins and outs and can walk you through the entire process. Check out our programs for Canadians:
Whether you want to go to Melbourne or Sydney our Discovery Programs make the plunge super easy.
Once you land in Australia, jump on your pre-arranged airport transportation and check into your accommodation. Rest up before meeting with our local employment expert for personalized support to get the ball rolling. You’ll also receive some great extras and have opportunities to meet other travellers who, like you, have just arrived!
Are you a bit more adventurous? Want to start your working holiday with a bang? Our Adventure Program includes all the great working holiday stuff that makes your life easier – and some really good times. For a flavour of what to expect, check out the videos below and decide whether you’re Team Melbourne or Sydney.
Want to add surfing to all that? We’ve got you covered.
1-36 Months
$299
Our Australia Send Off Working Holiday Package provides all the support you need to secure your Australia Working Holiday Visa, prepare for your trip and find a job in Australia for just $299 CAD. With 1-1 guidance from our Australian travel co-ordinator you'll be ready to head Downunder in no time!
4 days
C$999
Want to start your Australia Working Holiday adventure in beautiful Sydney? Our Sydney Discovery Experience will give you a fun introduction to this iconic city, allow you to meet new friends, and provide you with the local support you need to begin living, working and travelling in Australia.
8 days
C$1,699
Start your Australian Working Holiday by checking off every item on your bucket list with our Melbourne Adventure Experience! Learn to surf, see koalas and kangaroos, and taste Australian wine right from the vineyard… all within your first week of being in Australia.
Employees working in some industries that struggle with skills shortages may be able to remain with their employer past the 6 month period. However, by default, most Working Holiday visa holders will need to move onto a new company after they have worked for them for 6 months. Your Travel Coordinator will be able to discuss any applicable exceptions during your pre-departure orientation.
It might be possible to continue in your current profession while living in Australia, however this will depend on your industry and certifications. Most highly skilled professionals will need to complete additional paperwork to transfer their skills to an Australian standard. You can obtain more information on this by reaching out to one of the regulatory bodies in Australia within your industry.
Potentially, but your employer will need to justify why your skills are invaluable, and why they cannot find a resident who already lives in Australia to do your job. Your Working Holiday visa may be a good opportunity to get your foot in the door, and make connections within your industry in Australia, which could eventually lead to sponsorship. As this is outside of our area of expertise, we recommend that you speak with an immigration lawyer in Australia for more information on employer sponsored work permits.
You do not have to complete all of your farm work with one employer, but it may be quicker. If you switch employers part way through your regional work, it may impact how your 88 days are counted. If you need more information on this, your Travel Coordinator will be able to provide suggestions based on your personal situation further during your pre-departure orientation.