Types of Jobs in Australia

This is my first post in the Long Haul forum. Have been through the stickys as well. I intend towards Australia on the new Work and Holiday Visa for US citizens. Ideally, I want to work for up to 6 months, and use that income to travel around Australia. Have IT background in USA and taught English in China/Japan. Under WHV, realistically, what jobs can I look for and where do I go about looking for them? Do many companies not want to hire because of the temporarily nature of WHV? Should I just look for causual employment (casheirs, waitstaff, warehouse, sales, etc). When to look? Before arrival or after arrival?

Accomondation costs could add up without a job. Also any links to finding monthly shared housing say in Sydney and Melbourne? I figure if I have employment, would want to move out of hostels life for more privacy.

All help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi there,

If you have decent IT skills, there should be no problem finding some quite well paid work in this field if you are prepared to stay in one location for a period of time. Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are probably the main places to look, and would be a fun lifestyle for a while. Most work is on a contract basis.
Alternatively, if you want to work while travelling, then most of Australia has demand for workers at present in hospitality, bar-work, warehouses, transport etc.

I can recall talking to a HR manager at a hotel in Alice Springs who said "I don't care if people only want to work for a week and keep travelling... I have work for them. I just wish they were honest at the start so I can give them the right job"
If you have some skills, and a work ethic, you'll have no probs.
Have a look at www.seek.com.au

Good luck,
Kruegs

With regards to share houses, you can try Flatemate Finders

Keep in mind that people may not be so keen if you are only wanting to move in for a month.

Thanks for your help. One step closer.

I have a friend in Melbourne who has a number of apartments fully furnished catering for the young backpackers that you can rent on a monthly basis. The apartments are in the St Kilda area which is close to the beach and a great nightlife, cafe environment. I can personally vouch for my friend. It is very easy to find work in either Melbourne or Sydney.
If you are interested I can give you his e-mail address.
I hope you enjoy your time in Australia

The important part is the going! If you can't get questions answered to comfort you enough, don't worry. You'll learn more as you go.

Just don't back out of the adventure. Don't put it off till...

I must have met 150 guys, in the U.S., who said, "I was on my way to Australia, but I met this girl..."

Both dream and girl had since disappeared into the past. They never got to find out hpow much cooler oz and its women are.

*see my profile. I'll always be greatful and still laughing about wonderful oz!

Hi Rabble,

Can you let me how the contact details of your friend - as I'm planning on heading out to Melbourne in December for a year or so to work.

Cheers,

A

Last I checked (and it has been awhile, so confirm this), you were not permitted as a WHV holder to perform work that is associated with your normal profession. So if you are an IT professional, you wouldn't be allowed to work in it while in Australia. (I presume that they don't want WHV holders to use their job skills to keep residents from getting "real" jobs or to establish a work relationship that could lead to them staying permanently.) So I wouldn't count on doing IT work, unless the rules have changed.

Most WHV holders I met did relatively low level work, such as food service, low-end retail or fruit picking. I occasionally met people who did a bit better, not many, and some of that wasn't quite legal.

Perhaps you could figure out a way to freelance, but I don't know. Aussies tend to be strict about immigration overstays and under the table work, so learn the ropes before planning on pushing the envelope.

Hi Anicho,
I haven't checked in for a while, I will forward his contact details in the next 2 days