What Traveling Workers Are Searching for Most

For many Australians, the dream of travelling around the country doesn’t necessarily mean giving up work. In fact, more people are discovering that the two can go hand in hand.

Whether they’re travelling in a caravan, exploring regional Australia, taking a working holiday or simply looking for a change of scenery, travelling workers are searching for jobs that fit around the lifestyle they want.

But what are they actually looking for?

At Workabout Australia, we connect travellers with casual, seasonal and temporary work opportunities around the country. Over the years, we’ve seen some clear patterns in what travelling workers value when deciding where to work and how long to stay.

Here are some of the things they’re searching for most.

1. Flexible, Short-Term Work

Flexibility is one of the biggest priorities for people who want to work while travelling. Many travelling workers aren’t looking for a permanent, Monday-to-Friday job. They want work that allows them to earn money for a few weeks or months before moving on to their next destination.

Seasonal work, temporary positions, casual employment and short-term contracts can all provide that flexibility.

For some, the ideal arrangement might be three weeks of work followed by a week exploring the local area. For others, it could be several months in one location before hitting the road again.

The important thing is having options.

2. Jobs in Great Regional Locations

For travelling workers, where the job is located can be just as important as what the job involves. A position in a regional town can provide the opportunity to experience somewhere they might never otherwise visit.

Think:

• Coastal towns
• Outback communities
• Wine regions
• Agricultural areas
• Mountain and alpine destinations
• Rural towns
• Tourist destinations
• Remote communities

For many workers, the job is actually part of the travel experience. They aren’t simply asking, “Where can I find work?”. They’re asking, “Where can I work that I’d actually enjoy living in?”

3. Work That Pays Well Enough to Keep Travelling

Let’s be realistic, travelling costs money. Fuel, food, caravan parks, vehicle maintenance, insurance and everyday expenses can quickly add up. Travelling workers therefore want employment that makes financial sense.

They’re looking for opportunities where the income is worthwhile compared with the time they’re committing to the job. For some, the goal is to cover their travelling expenses. For others, it’s about building up savings before moving on.

Either way, earning an income while travelling can make the lifestyle much more sustainable.

4. Accommodation or Affordable Places to Stay

Accommodation can be a major consideration, particularly when travelling to remote or regional areas. Workers may be looking for jobs that provide accommodation, camping facilities or assistance finding somewhere affordable to stay.

Travelling workers with caravans and motorhomes may have fewer accommodation concerns, but they still want to know whether there is somewhere suitable to park and stay while working.

When employers provide clear information about accommodation options, it can make their vacancies much more attractive.

5. Jobs That Match Their Existing Skills

Travelling workers aren’t necessarily inexperienced workers. Many bring years (and sometimes decades!) of valuable experience with them.

They may have backgrounds in:

• Administration
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Farming
• Trades
• Driving
• Management
• Customer service
• Gardening and maintenance
• Construction
• Tourism
• Health and community services

One of the advantages of hiring travelling workers is the variety of skills and life experience they can bring to a workplace.

For workers, finding opportunities where those existing skills are useful can make the transition into a short-term position much easier.

6. Seasonal Work

Seasonal work remains particularly attractive to people travelling around Australia.

Agriculture, tourism, hospitality, events and other industries often experience significant fluctuations in their staffing needs throughout the year. For travelling workers, this can work beautifully. They can follow the seasons, moving from one opportunity to another as work becomes available in different parts of the country.

It can create a lifestyle where work and travel aren’t competing with each other, they’re working together.

7. Employers Who Understand the Travelling Lifestyle

A travelling worker doesn’t necessarily want special treatment. But they do appreciate employers who understand why they’re travelling.

For example, they may want to know:

• How long is the position expected to last?
• Are there opportunities for additional hours?
• Is weekend work required?
• Can the start date be negotiated?
• Is the position likely to finish on a particular date?
• Are there opportunities to return next season?

Clear expectations make it much easier for both workers and employers to decide whether a position is a good fit.

8. Reliable Information Before They Arrive

One of the biggest frustrations for someone travelling for work is arriving in a new location only to discover that the job isn’t what they expected.

Travelling workers want accurate information. They want to know what the work involves, where it’s located, how many hours they can expect, what the pay is, whether accommodation is available and how long the position is likely to run.

The more information available before they apply or travel, the easier it is for everyone.

9. A Good Work-Life Balance

Travelling workers generally aren’t trying to recreate their old lifestyle on the road. They’re travelling because they want something different.

That doesn’t mean they don’t want to work hard. In fact, many travelling workers take pride in being reliable, adaptable and willing to get stuck in. But they also want time to enjoy their surroundings.

A job that provides a reasonable balance between working and exploring can be particularly appealing.

10. A Reason to Stay a Little Longer

Sometimes the best travelling experiences happen when plans change. A traveller might arrive in a regional town intending to stay for two weeks, find a great job and decide to stay for two months.

A good short-term job can introduce people to communities, friendships and experiences they never expected.

That’s one of the great things about working while travelling…you don’t always know where the next opportunity will lead.

What This Means for Employers

Understanding what travelling workers are looking for can help employers attract better applicants. If you’re advertising a short-term or seasonal position, think beyond simply listing the job duties.

Tell potential workers:

• Where is the job?
• How long will it last?
• What hours are available?
• What skills are required?
• What is the pay?
• Is accommodation available?
• What is the local area like?

Remember, you’re not just competing with other employers for workers. You’re also competing with the attractions of the road. A travelling worker may be choosing between your vacancy and another opportunity in a completely different part of Australia.

Show them why your location and your job are worth stopping for.

Work and Travel: It’s About Finding the Right Fit

Travelling workers aren’t all looking for exactly the same thing. Some want to follow the harvest. Others want to spend a summer near the coast. Some are looking for a few weeks of work to top up the travel fund, while others are happy to settle somewhere for several months.

What they have in common is the desire for choice, flexibility and the ability to earn while they travel and that’s where Workabout Australia comes in.

Workabout Australia has been connecting travelling workers with casual, seasonal and temporary work opportunities around Australia since 1996.

Whether you’re a worker looking for your next opportunity or an employer looking for reliable short-term staff, the right match could be just around the corner.

Work. Travel. Explore. Repeat.