10 reasons to do a working holiday in Western Australia

We’re not gonna beat around the Aussie bush. Western Australia (WA) is so hot right now with working holidaymakers - and not just because it’s Australia’s sunniest state (70% of the year is blue skies and sunshine).

With tons of jobs available, scenery that will blow your Birkenstocks off and work support from yours truly when you arrive - it’s a working holiday like no other. Let us fill you in on why, when it comes to moving Down Under, west is best.

1. Heaps of fun jobs available

There are plenty of jobs that need filling across the state. Popular casual or backpacker jobs lie in hospitality, retail, agriculture and tourism or you can even opt for something related to your career plans. Think working in your professional field, working in tourism to promote national parks and coastal communities, or working with people from all over the world as wait staff, a barista, bar tender or sous chef in bars, cafés and restaurants.

Not only will you earn great money, but you’ll be adding international experience to your CV and learning a ton of transferrable skills. Plus, your TikTok content will get a #beachlife makeover too.

2. High minimum wage

Australia has a high minimum wage, and in Western Australia this is currently (Sept 2024) over AUD $24.10 an hour for those 21 and over. So, based on working a 38-hour week, you can expect to earn around £1,870 GBP a month (this is before tax).

3. Mind blowing scenery

Outside its laidback cities, WA is home to some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in Australia – with otherworldly bubble-gum pink lakes, kaleidoscopic coral reefs and giant-carved copper-coloured canyons. Beach or bush – there are 14 different regions you can work in. Live the barefoot life working amongst the squeaky white sands and surf breaks of Esperance, live it up amongst the microbreweries and boho boutiques of Broome, or live the wilder life in Exmouth – gateway to the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef and one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks.

4. Become part of a community

At JENZA, we’re all about having low impact and more authentic adventures – staying longer to not only contribute to the economy through working, but also to become part of a community. You’ll form tight friendships with other travellers from around the world, and really get to know a place and its people – living in smaller towns where you get to know your friendly neighbours.

5. Lower living costs

On par with the UK, living costs in Australia can be high. But one of the benefits of working in regional Australia is that the accommodation costs and expenses are lower than in the bigger cities – giving you the chance to save more money to help fund the next part of your adventure or more cash to return home with.

Plus, tourism, agriculture and hospitality jobs can include subsidised or live in accommodation, which is a great way to live alongside other travellers and keep your costs down.

6. Endless summers

While we pretend we’re not moving to Australia for the weather, we’re British, so yes, we’re almost certainly moving to Australia for the weather. The Aussie surf lifestyle is iconic, and a lot of that has to do with the climate. WA’s capital, Perth, is the sunniest city in Australia. So whether you’re working in the sun-drenched wineries of Margaret River or the wildlife-filled waters of Exmouth, it’s always summer somewhere in WA.

7. This guy – an Australian quokka

Found on the white sand beaches and nature trails of reef-fringed Rottnest Island near Perth, Western Australia is home to the world’s happiest animal – the quokka. End of complex WA sales pitch.

8. Diverse experiences

Western Australia serves as a gateway to write-home-about adventures, from diving with whale sharks to trekking through rugged outback terrain. With its expansive wilderness and rich biodiversity, it offers a wide range of outdoor and cultural experiences, adding immense value to both your professional and personal growth. Did someone say, win win?

9. We’ll help you find a job

Cute furry quokkas and polished white beaches sound great, but isn’t it a lot of work to up sticks and move Down Under? Nope.

Our Work Australia experience will set you up with everything you need to live and work in WA. We’ll apply for your working holiday visa for you, provide pre-departure support to help you plan your trip, and be there when you land in Sydney and Melbourne with everything you need to start working – including an employment session, CV support and 12 months’ access to a nationwide database to search and apply for jobs. Most people manage to secure a backpacker job within their first three weeks.

Plus, if you want to make sure you’re starting out with other travellers in the same boat as you, our guided 9-day Work Australia week is some work and mostly play – with 6 nights’ accommodation, an action-packed week of adventures and job workshops, and a bunch of your soon to be best friends/travel buddies who you can convince to come to WA with you too.

Sound exactly like the plan you need this year? Head over to our Work Australia page to find out how to apply and pack your bags for a sunnier side of life.