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If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that life is unpredictable, and you never know what’s around the corner — such as a ‘once-in-a-one-hundred-year pandemic’!
Like many Aussies, you may be rethinking your priorities and considering taking time out from the daily grind to explore this incredible country of ours. But those pesky bills just keep on coming, right? Well, the good news is there are plenty of ways to garner an income as you travel. And you don’t have to be a high-profile blogger or YouTuber with thousands of followers to do it!
If you’re prepared to try different things, work hard, and be flexible, you’ll find that a world of opportunities awaits you in even the smallest of regional cities and towns. Start by updating your CV, organising an ABN (Australian Business Number) if you don’t already have one, and researching certifications and an online national police check to provide to prospective employers. In no time at all you’ll be ready to head off and work your way around the country.
Here are ten practical ways to earn money while travelling around Australia.
1. Keep your current job
OK, so there’s no need to reinvent the wheel if it can still turn. The first question is, could you continue to do your current job while you travel? Chances are you’ve been working from home already. Would it be possible to do that in a mobile capacity? Is your role largely internet based? Are you an asset that your current employer won’t want to lose? If you answered yes to all those questions, you might be able to perform your current role while travelling. It will take organisation and focus on your part, and some serious negotiation with your manager. Over to you.
2. Earn a rental income
If your home will be sitting empty for an extended period while you travel, why not earn a regular income by renting it out or listing it on Airbnb? The rent will help you meet your mortgage repayments, and you’ll be able to claim various tax deductions in the process. Ensure you have landlords’ insurance in place and discuss all the financial implications with your accountant. If everything looks good on paper, then a steady income stream awaits you!
3. Utilise your skills as a mobile freelancer
Do you have transferable skills that could be used to make money as a mobile freelancer? For example, are you a number cruncher or wordsmith? Have you worked as a personal assistant? Do you have a marketing or graphic design background? Have you been employed in customer service? All these skills and many others can be utilised to complete online work assignments and generate income as you travel. Nail down your skill set on paper, then set up an online profile on freelancing websites like Fiverr, Upwork, or Ozlance. There may be costs involved, so do your homework to work out which platform is right for you. Pitch for jobs as they’re posted, and garner good reviews to increase your appeal to potential employers.
4. Work as a travelling tradie
If you have a trade qualification, you’re likely to be in hot demand across the country. And connecting with potential employers is a similar process to that of being a mobile freelancer. Register online with a site like Airtasker or Gumtree, and check daily for gigs in the area you’re travelling through. Just adding some signage to your vehicle, caravan, or campervan can also yield a flow of job leads. Ensure you have all the documentation needed to work in the state you’re in, and obtain an adequate level of professional insurance cover.
5. Seek regular odd jobs
You don’t actually need a specific skill or trade to find jobs online, thanks to sites like Airtasker and Gumtree. Browse for odd jobs around you and aim to complete one paid gig daily. One day you may be assembling a piece of flat-packed furniture; the next, doing some gardening. Make sure you understand the financial and insurance implications of being an independent contractor (which is how you’ll be regarded by websites like Airtasker), and keep detailed records for tax purposes.
6. Pick fruit
Farm work sounds like hard yakka, and generally, it is. It’s not for everyone — but if you thrive on physical activity and want to explore many different parts of the country, then seasonal agricultural work might be the ideal way to fund your adventure. Fruit picking is the most obvious activity and pretty much anyone can do it. There are several different online sites and job boards where positions are advertised nationally. Follow the sun and seasons, and see where they take you!
7. Hone your hospitality credentials
Hospitality work is a time-honoured way of earning money to supplement travel, and it remains so if you’re prepared to stay in one place for an extended period. Why not do a bar or barista course before you set off on your trip? It will pay for itself over time. If you plan to work in any licenced venue, you’ll need to obtain a Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate (an ‘RSA’).
8. Be a pseudo backpacker
There’s a whole industry devoted to finding work for backpackers in Australia, but in most cases you don’t have to be a backpacker to apply for roles. For example, anyone who can legally work in Australia and has the appropriate qualifications can go after jobs advertised on the popular Backpacker Job Board website. It’s free to be an applicant and there are literally hundreds of opportunities on offer.
9. Do caretaking work at caravan parks
Those travelling around Australia in a caravan or campervan will often come into contact with caravan park owners looking to take a break and install a temporary caretaker. You may be able to stay in the park free of charge as part of the deal. Make yourself known to the park manager when you check in if you’re interested in this type of work.
10. Try blogging and vlogging
On the face of it, being a travel blogger or vlogger (video blogger) sounds amazing. What could be better than getting paid to write or make videos about the amazing places you visit? And you can actually make money from a blog or vlog — if you have an audience. Start small with this one; set up a website or YouTube channel, post content regularly as you travel, hone your skills, and see how people respond. If you build a following and the algorithmic gods smile upon you, then you’ll start to see some modest earnings. And just remember: from little things, big things grow…
This post was published thanks to Australian National Character Check.
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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of ways to earn money while travelling around Australia? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
This story does not take into account your financial situation, is general in nature, and does not constitute professional advice in any way. You should seek the advice of a financial planner or accountant before acting or relying on any of the information provided in this story.
Additional images: Envato
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
