How Much Do (or Can) Backpackers Earn in Australia?

You probably aren’t going on an Australian working holiday for the money. But if you want to make the most of your time down under, money will probably help.

First, some good news: Australia consistently boasts the highest national minimum wage in the world, so all jobs in Australia are quite well paid by international standards. The flipside is that Australia is quite a relatively expensive country to live and travel in.

By understanding your earning potential in Australia, you can budget better and make the most of your trip. So, how much do backpackers earn in Australia? And how can you make more?

Factors affecting backpacker earnings in Australia

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s first take a look at the factors that might affect what you earn as a backpacker.

1. The type of job

The most common backpacker jobs are lower skilled and often seasonal positions. The minimum wage applies to all workers with very few exceptions, and some positions, like sales and fruit picking, may offer productivity bonuses on top of the minimum wage.

Some of the more popular jobs for backpackers in Australia include:

• Fruit picking and farm work.
• Hospitality (hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and tour companies).
• Retail, sales and customer service.
• Labour and construction work.
• Au pair/ nanny work.

2. Location

Where you work can determine your pay just as much as what that work entails. Employers in the country’s most remote areas, such as mine sites and cattle stations, will often attract workers with higher than average pay. Certain positions in high cost of living areas, such as the Sydney CBD, may also offer slightly better rates.

3. Skills and experience

The right skills and experience can help you to secure a higher paying job, though keep in mind that international qualifications won’t necessarily translate to Australia – you may well be a fully qualified bobsled instructor in Jamaica, but that doesn’t mean you’re qualified to push people down the icy track in Australia.

What is the Australian minimum wage?

As of 1 July 2023, the Australian minimum wage was set at AU$23.23 per hour, making it the highest national minimum wage in the world. The minimum wage is reviewed (and generally increased) every year, and applies to almost all jobs where a worker is legally considered an ‘employee’ – i.e. pretty much all jobs a backpacker is likely to do.

Depending on the work you do, you might also be covered by an ‘award’ rate that is slightly higher than the minimum wage. You can check current award rates here. There is also a loading of 25% for casual workers, making their minimum wage $29.04 per hour.

What does the average backpacker in Australia earn?

Now that we know the basics, what can you expect to earn working as a backpacker in Australia? Let’s look at the minimum you’ll be paid for a few of the most common backpacker jobs in Australia.

N.B.: The following figures are based on an unskilled worker who is 21 or older.

Remember that these figures represent the absolute minimum that you’ll be paid in each job, and employers may offer higher rates based on location, productivity or your skills and experience – potentially much higher.

According to Talent.com, the average backpacker in Australia gets paid $35.50/hour, though the site doesn’t outline how it came to this (surprisingly high) figure. That said, backpackers getting paid over $50 per hour for basic work on remote mine sites isn’t unheard of.

5 ways to maximise earnings while backpacking Australia

When you work hard and work smart, you can maximise both the money you make and how far that money goes. Here are five tips for how backpackers in Australia can do just that.

1. Identify transferable skills

Have you completed a degree, an apprenticeship or another form of professional training? If you’re lucky, and your qualification can be used in Australia, your job opportunities and earning potential can increase a lot. Be aware that most international qualifications can’t be used in Australia, but it’s always wise to check whether yours is one of the exceptions.

2. Leverage experience

On-the-job experience is highly valued by employers. Employers know that if they choose a skilled and experienced worker they’ll get a productive team member who requires less training. Highlight any experience you might bring to a role in your LinkedIn profile (if you have one), your resume, the interview, and in any other communications with potential employers.

3. Build a network

Employers are more likely to go with who they know. While you shouldn’t treat your backpacking adventure as a succession of networking events, speak to people in hostels and on tours about any exciting or well paying job opportunities they might be aware of.

4. Know where to look

While hostels and tours can be good places to find your next job, you’ll need to spread a wider net if you are to secure the best and highest paying opportunities. There are a number of Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn groups dedicated to working holidaymakers, while a specialised site like Backpacker Job Board, Student Job Board and GrabJobs serves up endless job opportunities across Australia.

5. Budget wisely

Making the most of your time in Australia isn’t just about earning money – you also need to spend it wisely. Sure, it might sound boring, but careful budgeting can ensure you have the money you need to enjoy all the fun and excitement that Australia has to offer. Budgeting for a years-long adventure in a foreign country can be tricky, and everyone has a different instant noodle and boxed wine tolerance, so we’ve created a comprehensive guide AND a handy-dandy calculator to help you out.

Work hard, play hard

How much can a backpacker earn in Australia? The short answer is at least $22-$25 per hour. But when you take into account factors like job type, the labour market, location, experience and productivity, your figure could actually be far higher.

How much should a backpacker aim to earn in Australia? For most working holidaymakers, the answer to that question will be ‘enough to make memories’. What that means to you will determine the amount you need to earn, and how careful you’ll need to spend those earnings.