I can't help goldcoaster, but I'd love to hear the answer too. I'm always a little dubious places who want you to pay to find you work. It kinda irks me.
Depends on what type of work you're after. Practically all picking, packing and low paid hospitality jobs are now done by backpackers. If you have a trade it's a lot easier. I've tried all the government and non government associations over the years and it gets down to being where the work is when it's available. There is a huge well organised network that foreign workers have set up , mainly social media and word of mouth. By the time the average Aussie gets around to applying for a job the local backpacker hostel has arranged to drop 20 workers at the gate or pub or cafe free of charge and the employer can take his pick. They'll work for peanuts, no super paid and being foreigners they have no idea what conditions are legal and what's not.
Don't know if it's still the case but in 1997 when I did some picking at Bowen the foreigners were buying and selling tax file numbers and identities for about $150. I wouldn't pay 1 cent to an employment agency, present yourself with the necessary qualifications and you'll do just as well.
I was told in '95 by the CES [ Commonwealth Employment Service] that spending money on fuel and travelling to areas like the Kimberleys where the is a demand for labour between May and October could turn out to be a waste of time and money. They were correct, I got there and found hundreds of backpackers had every job in the above fields. I finished up going back to my trade as a mechanic to get work.
Also there is a huge number of New Zealanders now soaking up jobs in Australia, an item on the net yesterday states that 25% of full time jobs have been taken by people born overseas. Best of luck in your search.
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You don't know what you've got till it's gone so I gave it all away to see what I had.
or if you are considering volunteering, then check out the links under column "38.Volunteering" n the "caravanner's eKit"
http://www.qorf.org.au/_dbase_upl/3.%20eKit.pdf
Can reccomend Blazeaid. 3 meals a day, free camping, selection of areas to choose, tools & clothing supplied. AND you help the farmers get back on their feet & producing after the terrible floods & devastation.
Listened to their talk at the camping show and signed up. Hmmmm.....feeling a bit ripped off now. The jobs they advertise have been on their site for a while it seems...which seems dodgy to me. Not convinced we will find work that way! Would be interested in hearing from others that belong to Walkabout.
We almost signed up too at the show but I wanted to hear from people who have used them to get work.Thanks for the links to other organisations.Voluntary work for free camping sounds good.