Go Workabout with latest guide

The dream of travelling around Oz for a few months, or even a few years, is one held by many, but how do you finance the big trip or ensure you don’t cut too much into your life savings along the way?

One way to is to pick up some casual or seasonal work during your travels, and since 1996 the Workabout Australia guide has been an invaluable resource for those wanting a list of employment options in many regions of Australia.

The just released eighth edition of Workabout Australia is a far cry from the original guide released 15 years ago, which had 78 areas listed compared to the current book’s 200. According to Workabout Australia’s business manager, Warren Williams, the latest guide provides "give or take, information on 500,000 jobs around Australia every year".

While seasonal jobs in agricultural industries like fruit picking remain popular options, Williams said there are increasingly more opportunities for casual work in other areas including tourism, hospitality and the food processing industries.  Then there are other seasonal jobs, such as in the snowfields, and casual jobs at special events like  motorsport meets and major caravan shows.

Williams said employers, particularly in more remote areas, are increasingly open to hiring mature age workers and for extended periods of up two to three months at a time.

"Last year we had 28 Workabout Australia club members pick up a week’s (casual) work at the Brisbane show... on their travels through Brisbane," he said. "(There is) absolutely no end of work out there."

The book is divided into chapters for each state or territory, with employment information and contacts listed under specific localities. Each chapter concludes with a grid suggesting the best times of the year for a particular type of work, to assist when planning a trip.

"We’re (represented) in every state of Australia, and we have more and more (employers) coming on board all the time," he said.

While 55-plus 'grey nomads' still comprise the majority of readers, the book is just as useful to younger travellers like university students on a ‘gap year’, backpackers, or those taking a few months’ leave from their day job.
 
"(You can) head off around Australia, pick up a bit of work along the way, and when you get home all of your savings are still in the bank," Williams said. "You don’t have to spend all of your hard earned savings to fund your trip around Australia."

Because the guide is only updated every two years or so, there’s also an optional online service where members pay to have access to the latest jobs, which are increasingly being advertised well in advance to cater to those planning to visit a particular region.

The 2011-2013 Workabout Australia book costs $33 including delivery within Australia, while club membership is $110 and includes the latest book.

For more information visit the Workabout Australia website.