How Much Money Can You Make on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?

If you’re considering traveling to Aus, you’re probably wondering how much money can you make on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia.

After all, the main goal of a working holiday is to make enough money to enjoy the time you’re spending in Australia.

Finding the right job and understanding the cost of living in Australia can help you to make the most of your working holiday.

Keep reading to find out everything you want to know from the highest-paying jobs for backpackers to the cost of living in Australia.

In this article:

What is the minimum wage in Australia?
What types of jobs can I find?
What are the highest-paying jobs in Australia?
- FIFO
- FARMWORK
Do backpackers have to pay taxes in Australia?
What is the cost of living in Australia?
How can I save money on a working holiday in Australia?
- Accommodation
- Food & Transport
To summarize:

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

Australia actually has the highest minimum wage in the world.

The minimum wage in Australia is currently $21.38 AUD an hour, or $812.60 AUD a week.

That’s not a bad starting point if you’re goal is to make good money while you’re there.

$21.38 AUD is equivalent to:

$19.93 CAD
$14.94 USD
$23.57 NZD
€13.98
£12.27
155 SEK

What types of jobs can I find?

Australia has a wide range of job opportunities so there’s something for everyone.

The most sought-after jobs by backpackers are in hospitality, childcare, farmwork, and FIFO (fly in fly out) mining.

If you are looking to work in hospitality and are coming from Canada or the US, be aware that in Australia tipping isn’t going to be a big chunk of your income.

Initially, I was going to become a bartender in Australia but when I realized tipping isn’t very common there I decided to reconsider.

Although, since the minimum wage is so high you can’t really go wrong.

Here’s an extensive list of popular jobs for backpackers in Australia:

Hospitality

Bartending
Waiter/ waitress
Barista
Hotel (front desk or housekeeping)
Retail

Childcare

Au pair (live-in)
Nanny (live-out)

Farmwork

Fruit picking
Sheep farmhand
Crop farmhand

Mining

Engineer
Construction
Electrician
Cooking & Cleaning

What are the highest-paying jobs in Australia?

The best way to make the most money in Australia is to find a job that offers food and accommodation, as well as your paycheck.

My friends working FIFO jobs in the mines and live-in farm jobs seemed to make the most money when I was there.

FIFO

When you work FIFO you get a schedule of one or two weeks on and one or two weeks off.

You get 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week while you’re there.

Depending on your position and skillset you can expect to take home at least $2000 a week.

You won’t have to pay for travel, rent, or food while you’re working so you’re entire paycheck can go to the weeks you have off and to save for future adventures.

FARMWORK

If you find work on a farm with sheep or crops they often offer food and accommodation because you’ll have to live on-site.

These jobs often have long hours for a couple of weeks or months until the season is over or you decide to move on.

The friends I have friends who worked for 3-6 months on the farm and then spent the rest of the year exploring and road-tripping Australia.

The wages you make will depend on your employer but even if you make minimum wage, considering the long hours and getting a bit of overtime pay, the money you make will be more than enough to fund a few months of traveling.

Do backpackers have to pay taxes in Australia?

Yes, backpackers are required to pay taxes in Australia.

If you’re working in Australia on a working holiday visa, you’ll be liable for tax just like any other worker.

You’ll need to make sure you register for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN).

Backpackers in Australia are charged a tax rate of 15% on their earnings up to $45,000. If you make more than $45,000 in a year then you will have to pay marginal rates for any income over that.

What is the cost of living in Australia?

The cost of living in Australia varies depending on where you’re living.

In general, the cost of living in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne is higher than in regional areas.

Rent

The cost of rent is the biggest expense for most people.

Rent prices vary depending on the city and the type of accommodation you’re looking for.

In general, you can expect to pay around $400 to $600 per week for a one-bedroom apartment in a major city.

If you decide to stay in a hostel the average cost per night is $30. Sometimes you can get an even better deal if you’re staying long term, for example, the 7th night free when you stay for a week.

Hostels often have a work-for-accommodation option as well where you can work for about an hour a day in the hostel in exchange for a bed. If this interests you just talk to the hostel manager or owner and see if there’s a position available.

Food

In Australia, you can expect to pay around $100 to $150 weekly for groceries.

If you’re eating out you’ll end up usually paying $20-$40 for a meal.

Transportation

If you are going to pay for public transit you can expect to pay around $100-$200 a month depending on how much you travel within the city you are living.

If you are looking to buy a vehicle you can usually get a decent used car or 4×4 on the Facebook marketplace for a couple of thousand dollars.

You can expect to pay about $50 to fill up a 50L tank of petrol.

How can I save money on a working holiday in Australia?

There are lots of ways to save money on a working holiday in Australia.

Accommodation

The first thing to do is to look for accommodation that fits your budget.

If you’re willing to share a room or an apartment, you can often find cheaper accommodation than if you’re living on your own.

You can also look for short-term accommodation such as hostels or Airbnb, which can be cheaper than renting your own place.

Food & Transport

You can also save money by shopping around for food and transport. Look for deals and discounts, and try to cook at home instead of eating out. You can also look for discounts on public transport, such as weekly or monthly passes.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a working holiday, but it’s important to make sure you have enough money to last you until the end of your trip.

Set yourself a budget and stick to it.

To summarize:

By understanding the minimum wage in Australia, researching the types of jobs you can do, and making savvy decisions about your spending, you can make the most of your working holiday and save money while you’re doing it.