10 Best Places to Work in Australia

Coming to Australia to work as well as holiday is such a great opportunity available to so many young people from around the world these days. Having been doing just that myself for the last 2 years, and having seen a lot of this great country, here are my 10 best places to work in Australia.

1. Sydney

The king pin of Australia, the bustling city of Sydney has a ton of opportunities and a wealth of things to enjoy in your free time. From office gigs, to sales work, hospitality stints, to tradesman shifts, there’s every chance you’ll land a job easily in this beachside metropolis. Then, during your time off, you can easily explore some of Australia’s most famous attractions, including Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Win win!

2. Melbourne

As the culture capital of Australia, Melbourne is a great place to find a job if you’re looking for a more arty or trendy place to base yourself. With plenty of entrepreneurial start up companies, small craft businesses and a great food and drink scene, there’s plenty to keep even the hungriest hipster fed, watered and in work!

3. Adelaide

The surprise pick of the state capitals, Adelaide is actually one of my favourite cities in Australia and a real gem when it comes to a great work / life balance. There are less tourists here and a much more down to earth feel, making Adelaide a great place to work in Australia if you want to meet some locals and get off the tourist track a bit. The beach is near and so are the hills, plus the city has an awesome fringe festival; so whether it’s working for a small business firm or large landscape gardening company, there’s plenty of opportunities here.

4. Byron Bay

Now well and truly on the traveller map, Byron is still a gem of a place to work in Australia. If you’re looking for the alternative hub of the country this is it and with all the beautiful beaches and countryside surrounding the town it’s also a popular tourist spot. From making coffee in organic cafes, to yoga teaching in a great studio there’s plenty of work going here for seasonal nomads.

5. Darwin

Capital of the north, Darwin lies in the steamy tropical heat of the territory. It’s miles away from anything and generally a law unto itself – a vibe you pick up on quite quickly as soon as you set foot here. As the central hub for a vast array of remote populations, Darwin is the focus point of trade and commerce in the Northern Territory and, as such, there are plenty of jobs going with government services, in labouring, or within tourism. If you want to check out some of the wild and fabled Outback, then Darwin is a great place to work in Australia.

6. Noosa

Nestled at the top of the Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane, the Queensland town of Noosa is one of the country’s top tourism spots. As such, restaurants, cafés, shops and surfers abound and there’s constantly opportunities to work in hospitality or retail here. The quality of life, beautiful setting and superb weather of Noosa are had to beat and there’s always a lively tribe of travellers passing through that are looking to have a good time if you want.

7. Airlie Beach

Near to the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach is a good place to party hard and work hard. Bars, hostels, restaurants, travel agents and shops line the main street and there is always seasonal work going for those who want to put down their bags for a while. The Whitsunday Islands themselves also offer some great work opportunities in resorts, hotels or with activities. So, if sailing, diving, snorkelling or SUP-ing is your thing – try your luck in Airlie.

8. Margaret River

Tucked down in the corner of Western Australia, the gorgeous town of Margaret River is certainly one of the best places to work in Australia. Stunningly beautiful, famous for its vineyards and with great surf and nature nearby, Margaret River is a small place with a big reputation. Work in the wineries is plentiful during the season and you’d be hard picked (pardon the pun!) to find a better spot!

9. Cairns

The adventure capital of the country, Cairns is a great place to work in Australia if you’re looking for farm work, hospitality work and tourism work. There are always a ton of backpackers around and with some great diving on the Barrier Reef as well as skydiving, kayaking, boating and hiking opportunities, this is the place to get your adrenaline going.

10. Broome

Right up in the steamy tropics, the little town of Broome in the northwest is almost as remote as it gets in Australia. Head here for work if you’re dying to see the sunset over the water and get a taste of humidity and something a bit different. Not many backpackers make it this far into the northwest, but there are plenty of 4wd vehicles coming in and out of Broome often as part of an Australian lap tour. Make sure to visit Broome in the winter months of May-Sept if you’re looking for work, as this high season. With the heat is more bearable during this time, you can also enjoy some of the best Broome attractions, like a camel walk on the beach!

So that’s my list of the 10 best places to work in Australia. Have you worked in any of these posts? Which was your favourite?