Why Hiring Travellers Can Help You Solve Labour Shortages
If you run a business in regional Australia, you know all too well the struggle of finding reliable staffโespecially during busy seasons. But have you thought about looking beyond your local area? Hiring travellers isnโt just a stop-gap solutionโit can bring real, long-term benefits to your business.
At Workabout Australia, weโve seen firsthand how businesses across the country keep their operations running smoothly by welcoming travelling workers. Hereโs why it worksโand why you might want to give it a go, too.
1. Travellers Go Where the Work Is
One of the biggest advantages of hiring travellers is their flexibility. Many are on the road specifically to pick up seasonal, casual or short-term roles. Theyโre mobile and motivated, making them an ideal solution for businesses located away from larger towns and cities.
Whether itโs harvest time, tourist season or you just need an extra set of hands during a busy period, travellers can often step in quickly and help you meet demand.
2. A Pool of Diverse Skills and Experience
Travellers arenโt just backpackers looking for a quick dollarโtheyโre often skilled workers, grey nomads, and couples or families with a wealth of life and work experience. From customer service and hospitality to farming, maintenance and administration, many travellers bring practical, transferable skills to the table.
Their varied backgrounds can even help bring fresh ideas and perspectives to your business.
3. They Want to Workโand Stay Longer
Contrary to common belief, many travelling workers are not just looking to hop from one place to another. Grey nomads, in particular, often like to settle for weeks or months in an area if the work and local lifestyle suit them.
For employers, this can mean lower turnover and more continuity, especially in rural or remote communities where finding permanent staff can be a challenge.
4. Supporting Regional Australia
By employing travellers, youโre not just solving your staffing shortageโyouโre also helping boost your local economy. Travelling workers spend money in town on groceries, fuel, and local attractions, helping small businesses and communities thrive.
5. Itโs Easier Than You Think
Posting jobs to reach travellers has never been simpler. With platforms like Workabout Australia, you can advertise your roles directly to thousands of people who are already looking for work as they travel. You can list as many jobs as you need, whenever you need themโgiving you flexibility and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Hiring travellers is more than just filling gapsโit can be part of a long-term staffing strategy, especially for regional and seasonal industries. With the right approach, youโll find loyal, skilled and enthusiastic workers ready to lend a hand.
If youโd like to know more about how to connect with travelling workers, visit Workabout Australia and see how easy it is to start hiring today.
How to Write a Resume That Lands You a Job on the Road
If youโre planning to travel Australia (or anywhere!) and work along the way, your resume becomes more than just a document โ it becomes your ticket to keep moving. Whether youโre picking fruit, helping on a station, pouring beers at a country pub, or working in hospitality at a tourist park, a tailored, road-ready resume can help you land seasonal and short-term jobs wherever your travels take you.
Hereโs how to craft a resume that helps you get hired on the go.
1. Keep It Short and Flexible
Employers hiring seasonal or short-term workers donโt have time to read a lengthy CV. Aim for a one-page resume that highlights whatโs most relevant. Think of it as a snapshot of your skills and attitude rather than a life history.
Tip: Keep an editable copy on your laptop or phone so you can quickly update details to suit the next job.
2. Emphasise Transferable Skills
You might have been an office administrator, retail assistant, or tradesperson โ all those roles teach skills that are valuable on the road. Focus on:
- Reliability and punctuality
- Communication
- Customer service
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Willingness to learn new tasks
These qualities matter more to many regional employers than industry-specific qualifications.
3. Highlight Relevant Experience First
If youโve done any seasonal, casual, or volunteer work, put it at the top of your resume. For example:
- Harvest work
- Farm hand roles
- Bar work or hospitality
- Housekeeping
- Tour guiding or customer-facing roles
If youโre new to working while travelling, list any practical roles where you had to adapt quickly โ employers love seeing real-world initiative.
4. Make Location and Availability Clear
Hiring managers want to know where you are and when youโre available. Include:
- Your current location (e.g., โCurrently near Mildura, VICโ)
- Whether you have your own transport or accommodation
- Your willingness to travel to different regions
- Start date and approximate availability
This helps employers see straight away if youโre a good fit logistically.
5. Include Short References
Even a short testimonial or contact detail for a recent employer makes your resume stronger. Travelling workers sometimes get overlooked because hiring managers worry about reliability โ references help reassure them.
6. Show Your Personality
A short personal statement (2โ3 lines) at the top can make your resume memorable. For example:
“Friendly, hands-on traveller exploring Australia and keen to lend a hand wherever needed. Quick to learn, enjoy teamwork, and happy to pitch in with whatever needs doing.”
This small touch shows enthusiasm and helps your resume feel more human.
7. Use Simple Formatting
Make sure your resume is easy to read on mobile or printed in black and white:
- Clear headings
- Bullet points
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, etc.)
- Avoid heavy graphics or coloured backgrounds
Ready to Hit the Road?
With a short, honest, and tailored resume, youโll find it much easier to pick up seasonal and casual work on your travels. Keep it updated, stay positive, and remember: many employers hire for attitude first and experience second.
Safe travels and happy job hunting!
How to Attract Reliable Seasonal Workers to Your Regional Business
How to Attract Reliable Seasonal Workers to Your Regional Business
Finding seasonal staff in regional areas can be challenging โ but with the right approach, you can attract dependable workers who return season after season. Whether you run a farm, a holiday park, a winery, or a tourism venture, reliable seasonal workers are the backbone of your busiest periods. Here’s how to stand out and secure the talent your business needs.
1. Advertise Early (and Often)
Timing is everything. Many seasonal workers plan their travel and work schedules months in advance, especially those exploring Australia in a caravan or backpacking. List your job well before the season starts โ ideally 6โ12 weeks in advance โ so travellers can align it with their routes.
Tip: Include your start dates clearly in your ad and mention if youโre happy to hold a role for the right person.
2. Use the Right Platforms
Travellers and grey nomads donโt always use traditional job sites. Promote your jobs on niche platforms like Workabout Australia, Facebook groups for working holidaymakers, and regional tourism pages.
Also consider:
- Caravan parks noticeboards
- Local visitor centres
- Word of mouth through other local employers
3. Be Transparent About the Role
The more detail you provide, the better. Reliable workers are more likely to commit when they understand what theyโre signing up for. Include:
- Daily hours and pay
- Type of work and physical demands
- Duration of the role
- Accommodation or van site availability
- Any extra perks (meals, fuel allowance, local experiences)
4. Offer a Great Work Experience
Seasonal workers often choose jobs that give them a taste of local life. A welcoming environment, fair treatment, and small perks can go a long way. Think:
- A weekly BBQ or social event
- Opportunities to learn something new (winemaking, animal care, etc.)
- Friendly staff culture and clear communication
Happy workers talk โ and word-of-mouth can be your best future recruitment tool.
5. Provide Accommodation or Support
Offering onsite accommodation or a space for a van is a major bonus in regional areas with limited housing. If you canโt provide it directly, help new arrivals find affordable options or connect them with other local employers who might be able to share resources.
6. Stay in Touch with Past Workers
Reliable seasonal staff often become repeat hires. Keep a record of great workers, stay in touch, and invite them back the following season. Many appreciate the stability of returning to a place they know.
โWe always go back to the same citrus farm in Mildura โ itโs like our second home,โ says Jane, a seasoned grey nomad.
7. Highlight Your Location and Lifestyle
Donโt forget to sell the experience. Seasonal workers often choose roles that offer more than just a pay cheque. Showcase:
- Natural attractions
- Community events or festivals
- Proximity to popular travel routes or destinations
- Unique opportunities (like fishing, bushwalking, or wine tasting)
Make your job a lifestyle choice, not just a work gig.
Final Thoughts
Attracting reliable seasonal workers doesnโt have to be a guessing game. With a little planning, transparency, and a people-first mindset, youโll build a reputation as a great place to work โ and thatโs the best recruitment strategy of all.
Top 10 Seasonal Jobs You Can Do While Traveling Around Australia
Australia is a vast and vibrant country that attracts thousands of travellers every year โ not just for the sights, but for the chance to fund their adventures along the way. Whether youโre chasing the sun, following the harvest trail, or simply exploring life off the beaten path, seasonal work is a fantastic way to earn an income while experiencing all Australia has to offer.
Here are the top 10 seasonal jobs that are perfect for travellers, grey nomads, and working holiday makers looking to combine work and wanderlust.
1. Fruit Picking and Harvest Work
Arguably the most iconic travel job in Australia. From mangoes in the NT to apples in Tasmania, the harvest trail spans the entire country and changes with the seasons. Itโs physical work, but it often includes accommodation and is a great way to meet fellow travellers.
๐ Where: Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania
๐๏ธ Best Time: Varies by region and crop
2. Farmhand and Station Work
Get your hands dirty on cattle stations, sheep farms, or broadacre cropping properties. Duties range from mustering livestock to general maintenance, fencing, and machinery operation. Itโs ideal for those who enjoy rural life and arenโt afraid of early starts.
๐ Where: Outback NT, WA, QLD
๐๏ธ Best Time: Dry season (AprilโOctober)
3. Tourism and Hospitality Roles
With tourism booming year-round, especially in hotspots like the Whitsundays, Uluru, and coastal towns, there’s always demand for baristas, bartenders, waitstaff, and cleaners in cafes, resorts, and caravan parks.
๐ Where: QLD, NT, WA, NSW
๐๏ธ Best Time: Peak tourism periods (school holidays, dry season)
4. Caravan Park and Campground Assistants
Many travelling couples and solo nomads take on roles as park hosts, cleaners, reception staff, or general helpers in return for pay and/or site fees. Itโs perfect for those with caravans or campers and a friendly attitude.
๐ Where: Nationwide
๐๏ธ Best Time: Year-round, depending on the location
5. Fishing and Aquaculture Jobs
Fishing ports and aquaculture farms need hands for oyster shucking, prawn sorting, deckhanding, and fish processing. Itโs fast-paced and sometimes cold or smelly work โ but often well paid.
๐ Where: SA, Tasmania, WA, NT
๐๏ธ Best Time: Summer months, seasonal fisheries
6. Event and Festival Crew
Australia hosts a wide range of music festivals, agricultural shows, and sporting events. These short-term gigs may involve setting up tents, working food stalls, ushering, or bump-out.
๐ Where: Capital cities, regional centres
๐๏ธ Best Time: Spring/Summer
7. Vineyard and Winery Work
From grape-picking to cellar door hosting and wine bottling, vineyards offer work across seasons. Experience isnโt always necessary, and some positions include tastings โ a nice bonus!
๐ Where: Barossa Valley (SA), Hunter Valley (NSW), Margaret River (WA)
๐๏ธ Best Time: Harvest (FebโApril), pruning (JuneโAugust)
8. House and Pet Sitting
Ideal for digital nomads or retirees, house sitting allows you to live rent-free in exchange for caring for homes and pets while owners are away. These jobs are increasingly common in regional areas where holidaymakers are heading out.
๐ Where: Nationwide
๐๏ธ Best Time: Holiday periods
9. Bushfire and Flood Recovery Work
In times of disaster recovery, volunteers and paid workers are needed for clean-up, rebuilding, and support roles. Itโs rewarding work that helps hard-hit communities โ and a unique way to give back during your travels.
๐ Where: Fire/flood-affected areas
๐๏ธ Best Time: Post-disaster season (varies)
10. Retail and Delivery Work During Holidays
Major chains and local businesses alike need extra staff over peak periods like Christmas and Easter. You might find work in retail stores, delivery driving, or warehouse packing.
๐ Where: Major towns and regional hubs
๐๏ธ Best Time: OctoberโJanuary
Ready to Hit the Road?
Seasonal work in Australia offers much more than just an income โ it opens doors to local experiences, new skills, and lifelong memories. Whether youโre a backpacker, a vanlifer, or part of the grey nomad movement, thereโs a seasonal job waiting for you.
๐ Explore job listings, connect with employers, and plan your working adventure at WorkaboutAustralia.com.au โ your one-stop shop for life on the road.
Take Control of Your Recruitment!
Take Control of Your Recruitment!
The process of recruiting short term staff can be a daunting one, but giving total control to a traditional recruitment agency can also be an expensive process.
At Workabout Australia we endeavour to make the recruitment process as easy as possible for you.
All Workabout Australia Employers, are allocated a username and password to log in to the website at any time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).ย Within the membership:
- Employers are able to upload unlimited listings to the Workabout Australia Website.ย These listings can be added to, deleted or updated at any time by logging in to the website.
- all vacancies will be highlighted in our weekly email bulletins sent to all Workabout Australia Club Members each Friday morning.
- Workabout Australia Club Members will then contact the Employer directly to apply.
- Each listing will remain on the website until the expiry date specified, it is deleted or it has been filled.
- During the week following the listing appearing in the weekly bulletin, we make contact to enquire about the result and assist with โtweakingโ the listing to improve results in future bulletins
- Workabout Australia Employers also receive all Workabout Australia Club Member Benefits at no additional cost, including the receipt of the weekly bulletin.
For more information about our Employer Listing Serviceย click here.
Other Useful Tickets
Other Useful Tickets
If youโre not looking for work in the hospitality, harvest or caravan park industries, there are still a number of qualifications, checks and tickets that you can get as an extra โfeather in your capโ.
Working with Children Check
If you are planning to undertake any positions that involve contact with children (eg driving school buses, childcare etc), you will need a Working With Children Check (WWCC) or a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration (depending on the state you are in). The WWCC and WWVP are required for anyone who works or volunteers in child-related work or with vulnerable people. They involve a National Police Check (criminal history record check) and a review of reportable workplace misconduct. To obtain a WWCC in your state or find out more information go to the following links:
- New South Wales
- ACT
- Queensland
- Victoria
- Tasmania
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
Police Check
A โpolice checkโ, involves comparing an individualโs details (such as name and date of birth) against a central index of names to determine if the details of that individual matches any others who have police history information. A police check may be used to help in screening individuals prior to employment. Police checks can be quickly and easily obtained through Australia Post. For more information, click here.
Queensland Driver Authority
In order to undertake employment as driver on a public passenger service in Queensland, you will need to obtain a Driver Authority. For more information, and to apply, click here.
Wanting to Work in Hospitality?
The hospitality and tourism industries are often popular areas for travellers to find work. If you are looking to work in a bar or registered club, you will need:
- RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) โ this is the foundation needed to serve alcohol
- RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) โ if your work duties involve gaming machines, such as poker machines.
Only registered training organisations (approved training provider) can conduct RSA and RCG competency card training and issue certificates.
What you might not know, however, is that the regulations that relate to RSA and RCG Certificates differ from State to State. Which type of certificate you need depends on the State you want to work in.
If you want to obtain an RSA/RCG Certificate and not sure where to start, you can contact the relevant State regulator using the links below. They can provide you with a list of the approved training organisations to obtain the necessary Certificates.
Useful Tickets and Licences for Harvesting Jobs
One of the most โtraditionalโ forms of short term work is harvesting. Opportunities come up all over the country as different crops are harvested in different regions at various times through the yearโฆmaking it a versatile industry to work in!
If you are interested in picking up harvest work as you travel, there are a few licences and tickets that you might like to get as a โstarterโ:
- LR/MR/MC/HC Licence
- Forklift Licence
- Car Licence
If you have Header operating experience this is often seen as a โplusโ as wellโฆalthough this is one of those things that you will generally get on the job.
What Qualifications do you need for Park Management?
If you are wanting to work in a caravan park (particularly as a park manager or managerโs assistant), there are a number of qualifications that you can gain to help you get a foot in the door.
What qualifications and training you need will depend on the type of work you are wanting to do.
If you are looking for front office work, then you will generally need some knowledge of park booking systems, such as RMS (Reservation Management System) or Newbook. Many parks are happy to train you in their particular software, however if you have training in one of these already, it gives you an advantage.
There are also short practical park management training courses available. These help to give you practical training in reception and reservation services as well as safe work practices that are required in a park.
If you are keen to take your learning a little further to become a fully qualified park manager, you can undergo the full Certificate III or IV in Holiday Parks and Resorts, the Certificate III in Tourism, or Certificate IV in Travel and Tourism.nThere are a number of training providers around Australia who provide training in Caravan Park Management and Tourismโฆjust make sure you check out their compliance as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
But as alwaysโฆthe best skills to take into any job are a โcan doโ attitude and a willingness to learn!
As Easy as Reading an Email!
Are you not very tech savvy but still wanting to find short term job opportunities around Australia? With a Club Membership, you only need to know how to open and read an email!
If you donโt have an email address, you can easily set up a free one with one of a number of providers such as Yahoo or Gmail.
At Workabout Australia, our Employer Members load their job vacancies up onto the website and every Friday morning (at 10am NSW time), these are sent out to our Club Members as part of our weekly email bulletin.
If you are still in the planning stages of your โtrip of a lifetimeโ we also include extra information to help you with aย Tip of the Week, outlining โtips and tricksโ for life on the road.ย We also have a Facebook Group exclusively for Members of Workabout Australia where you can share updates, photos, tips, and recipes as well as sell any caravanning gear that you no longer need.
If you want to get even more out of Club Membership, you only need to log in to the website to get full access to all other Club Member benefits, including:
- The last 12 monthsโ worth of weekly bulletins (a great tool for planning!)
- Club Member Deals and Discounts
- A Members’ shop for books and merchandise
For more information on Club Membership, just go to Club Member Benefits