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๐Ÿ’ผ General Information

Pay rates and workplace conditions are set by Australian law. All people working in Australia including international travellers have rights and protections at work. These cannot be taken away by contracts or agreements. If you have questions about your pay and conditions whilst in Australia, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free help. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman by phone within Australia on 13 13 94.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Pay

The national minimum wage is reviewed every year and may change. Please note that as an 18 year old it is legal for an employer to pay at 80% or the adult wage, the same is true for 19 year olds at 90%. You can calculate your correct pay and entitlements using the Pay Calculator. Most of our employers pay well above minimum wage, and include accommodation and bills. The usual take-home amount is around $700โ€“900 AUD per week. This is typical for many of our horse jobs in Australia โ€” and far more reliable than picking fruit or patchy city work.

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๐Ÿ“… So What Does This Mean?

Equine and agricultural work is different to office jobs. Hours aren't always set, and living costs are often covered โ€” such as meals, accommodation, and sometimes transport.

Often you live as one of the family and the financial benefits to this can be very good. In terms of work, sometimes you may have to take part in a 4 day equine event over the weekend, other times you may be paid to sleep in a truck as you drive for a couple of hours. Remember 38 hours per week is a guideline and you will need to view this with a bit of flexibility.

๐Ÿ“ˆ Tax & Superannuation

You will then need to take into account Superannuation and Tax. Tax is 15% until you earn $37,000 (at time of publishing). After this you are then taxed at the same rate as Australian residents. You can find more information here.
 
Superfunds vary but the percentage is approximate 9.5% and this is claimable upon leaving Australia.

๐Ÿ’ธ What Can I Save?

Rural placements offer the chance to save because there is little to spend your money on. You should expect approximately $600-800 AUD per week that if sensible, you will be able to bank.  

๐Ÿ”„ Letโ€™s Compare

๐ŸŠ Fruit Picking - Common farm jobs for backpackers

This type of work is similar in pay,  but often your wage is calculated per bin or basket. You have to learn how to be fast if you are going to make enough money and this can take time. Rarely are food, accommodation, transport and social life costs taken into account.  Often farms are in association with certain hostels and you can only work on the farm if you stay at a particular establishment. If you are going to partake in this sort of work then we highly recommend that you stick with a friend, ask local advice on the reliability of the farm, and get a pay structure in place before you arrive. 

๐ŸŒ† City Work

The temptations of city life can often mean there is not much cash left at the end of the week to save, so it good that you have banked some savings working with horses first. You will need to find accommodation, pay higher costs for food and often transport to your job. To rent an apartment you will need to provide quite a high 'bond' (deposit) as an upfront cost, and often references. Job offers will be entry level for travellers. City work can be great fun, and like you, many choose to save up money working rurally in the country firstโ€ฆ and then head to the bright lights :)

๐Ÿด Equine Work (The Employ Equine Difference)

If youโ€™re looking for an unforgettable experience that also makes financial sense, our equine placements are the perfect choice. With consistent pay and guaranteed hours, youโ€™ll earn a reliable income while living the kind of rural Aussie lifestyle most travellers only dream about. Accommodation is included, so your living costs are low โ€” giving you the chance to actually save money instead of spending it all on city rent and transport. These roles offer real-world equine industry experience, ideal for anyone wanting to work with horses while gaining valuable skills. Whether you're planning a gap year or building your future in animal care, this is the perfect setup for travellers on a working holiday visa in Australia who want more than just a job โ€” they want purpose, community, and adventure.