Alternative Regional Work Opportunities to Extend Your Visa

Alternative Regional Work Opportunities to Extend Your Visa Let’s be honest. The prospect of working for 88 days in the middle of nowhere on a farm is enough to put the beejeebies up anyone. Even before you inevitably succumb to watching Wolf Creek (and for the record, no, he still remains at large). The decision to commit to the supposed ordeal should not be taken lightly but thankfully there are alternatives to completing farm work to qualify for a second year Working Holiday Visa.

To put it bluntly, the work side of the bargain covers several specific bases; from farm work to forestry, construction to conservation. When many backpackers decide to go for a second year they automatically assume three months of turning into a hunchback picking fruit or trying their best to avoid being kidnapped/ broken/ stranded on a farm. Allay your fears, while parts of Australia may seem backwards, slave labour was abolished ages ago.

With so many options one of the first things to do is to decide where you want to go. Consider which areas are best for what you want to do and where you want to be. For instance, if you want to explore the East Coast then picking fruit would be your best bet so check harvest periods and specific areas. With most of the work being outdoors, consider what time of year you want to complete the work and note down the likely climate. Be warned as many begin their regional work, then soon regret the timing as they transform into a sweaty lobster struggling with incessant back pain. Not a good look by the way.

One of the more fruitful locations is Western Australia, particularly Dunsborough and the Margaret River region. Working on a vineyard attracts travellers, not only because there may be the chance of a few free samples but also the variety of work available. While there is grape picking during February and March there is also grape vine pruning from June to September and grape vine shoot thinning in November.

Staying in Western Australia there is a place that not only provides fruit picking work but also tree farming. Though Kununurra also has grapefruit, melons and pumpkins to be picked if you have an aversion to fruit there is also the mere tree that needs some attention too. The East Kimberly hub is also renowned for the Celebrity Tree Park where the likes of HRH Princess Anne, Baz Luhrmann and Rolf Harris have all planted a tree and where you could follow in their glorious footsteps.

If you are one of those conscientious types willing to give something back to the world then you can volunteer. Becoming a conservation volunteer is a great way to get back to nature and see parts of Australia you had already intended to visit.  Conservation Volunteers Australia (ConservationVolunteers.com.au) completes over 2000 projects across Australia every year, many of which rely on volunteers who have little, if any, prior experience. From endangered species care to landcare management and coastline maintenance there is a variety of work available.

A regular yearly occurrence of bushfires and disaster relief also relies on volunteers to pitch in for conservation and environmental reforestation work. For those with green fingers this can mean both replanting trees, but also felling ones as preparation to clear areas before the fire hits. After the disaster has hit there is often work such as construction or landscaping.

Do ensure, especially if you are opting away from farm work, that you check that the work is undertaken in a qualifying postcode, basically one that is not in a major city. Be selfish and pick various areas you would like to experience and even cultures to immerse yourself in. Think of jobs that are not specific to the region; jobs such as traffic controllers.

If you would prefer to be on the coast and not picking fruit then maybe oyster pearling is for you. The best areas include WA and Queensland while towards the north Darwin and Broome are centres of business. Availability is vital with many dropping out due to inherent seasickness or simply not being able to get to the boat in time. Despite the early starts it remains a great way to experience the ocean and check out the marine life including dolphins, sharks, whales and turtles. The work is also a great way to meet travellers, many of whom will be in the same boat as you, literally. You can expect to earn between $120 and $145 per day while accommodation and food are both provided. If you are interested then Jobaroo.com is a good resource to check out.

If you are after the dollars then mining is a great way to make some very good hard earned cash. Whether it is coal and metal ore mining or even oil and gas extraction as long as it is in a regional area it counts and with the current mining boom in Western Australia even cities close to Perth such as York are included. While the best paid jobs will go to the skilled and experienced there are mining jobs for those without a relevant background including trades assistant and fire watcher. You may be required to a prior police check and you also might be subjected to alcohol and drugs screenings to make sure you’re fit for the job, so it’s an idea to behave. What is a final added bonus is the fact that most mines will pay for your travel out there, great news as most are in the middle of nowhere. If the prospect of spending most of your time underground is not your thing then you could become a truck or forklift drivers though you must possess a HC license that allows you to drive a Heavy Combination vehicle 

Alternative Regional Work Opportunities to Extend Your Visa The decision to opt for the 88 days regional work can be  a difficult one, but do not restrict yourself to farm work and a lifetime of back pain. There are other options available than can lead to exploring areas of Australia you always wanted to visit. Spend some time asking yourself what you want to do then find out how to do it, Travellers Contact Point (Travellers.com.au) is usually a good place to start. From oyster pearling on the coast to getting involved in the country’s mining boom, you can also earn money while you earn your second year Working Holiday Visa.

By Omar Soliman