WORKING IN VICTORIA
An Australian Working Holiday visa now allows you to work in any one job for six months, so there's plenty of opportunity for you to work in Melbourne and Victoria.
Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website to find out if you're eligible for a Working Holiday visa.
Extend your stay with seasonal work
Working Holiday Makers who have spent at least three months doing seasonal work in regional Australia are eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa and extend their stay by 12 months. Read more about seasonal work.
There are loads of opportunities for picking up seasonal work in regional Victoria, especially in the peak season between November and April. The Yarra Valley and Mildura are the hubs for this sort of work, and are great places to base yourself for a while, to experience the 'real Australia'.
Work in Melbourne
You can pick up work in Melbourne too, from banking and financial positions to call centre work, multimedia, nannying, nursing, hospitality and teaching.
Melbourne is the events capital of Australia, and this means plenty of work, especially over the summer. With the Boxing Day Test in December, the Australian Open Tennis Championships in January and the Formula 1™ Grand Prix in March, you're bound to pick up some short-term employment.
Finding a job
See our list of agencies and employment contacts.
Volunteer work
For something different, volunteer your help on an organic farm with Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) and get involved in animal care, gardening and permaculture. You can also lend a hand as a Conservation Volunteer. Find out more about volunteering in Victoria.
Job adverts
Look at the Saturday editions of Melbourne's The Age and Herald-Sun newspapers. Both have comprehensive job listings online. Search by job type and location, and check out the resume builders and advice.
Getting started
Register with a few agencies to ensure you get a good spread of jobs on offer. Most recruitment firms ask for your resume or cv, so make sure it's up to date and and includes all your contact details while travelling.
Before you start work, open a bank account and get a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation Office. If you don't have a TFN, you'll be hit with a tax rate of 48.5%.
With a little bit of our friendly advice and a few useful contacts, you'll be able to make the most out of your time in Victoria.
