Group of friends enjoying themselves at Bass in the Grass in Darwin

Working holidays and visas in Australia

The Northern Territory gives visitors the opportunity to experience a lifestyle that's very different from the rest of Australia and the world.

Attracting backpackers internationally, a working holiday in Australia’s Northern Territory makes it easy to combine travel and work. Experience the real Outback working on a cattle station, picking fruit at a farm, or tending at a local pub or café. There are plenty of work options to choose from.

Job opportunities in the Northern Territory can be found working in hospitality, rural employment (farm work), tourism, construction and office/administration.

 

Working in the Top End

As the Northern Territory’s thriving capital, Darwin attracts travellers from all around the globe for its relaxed tropical lifestyle. With waterfront dining, outdoor adventures and rich historical experiences all within a few minutes of the city centre, there’s plenty to fill your time.

Litchfield National Park is just a 90-minute drive from Darwin and is a favourite for the locals year-round. It’s an easy day trip with a range of swimming spots and waterfalls. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is on your door-step to explore, about a three hour drive from Darwin.

You can easily venture outside the city with work opportunities throughout the Katherine region where the tropics meets the Outback or further south in Tennant Creek, located close to the iconic Devils Marbles.

Working in the Red Centre

Alice Springs epitomises the Australian outback character. It’s your base camp for adventure with waterholes, biking and hiking trails, historic and wildlife centres and four-wheel driving all within easy access travelling to the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. The town offers a friendly vibe where it’s easy to find work and a place to live.

Enjoy your working holiday in the heart of Australia at Yulara, the township that lies at the base of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Keep travelling throughout the region to Kings Canyon and discover Watarrka National Park with some great hiking trails on offer.

Find a job

To find a job, check local newspapers and search online job search engines, join the Darwin or Alice Springs backpacker Facebook pages for job posts, or hand out your resume in-person to local businesses.

For another way to find job opportunities, visit the Job Shack who can help you find epic work holiday opportunities across the Northern Territory.

How to get here

Darwin International Airport is a major gateway to Australia for international flights, offering easy access to and from Europe, America and Asia. Before you book, make it easier and cheaper to fly to Australia’s Northern Territory with an Australia Airpass.

uluru-and-surrounds kings canyon ARB

Apply for a visa

To be eligible for a working holiday visa in Australia, you must be between 18 and 30 and apply for the visa before your trip. You can usually stay up to 12 months, work for up to six months for any one employer and study for up to four months. If you engage in harvest or 'specified' work, you may be eligible for a 12-month visa extension.

Find out more
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