Best Online Courses for Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Holders in Australia
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Set up essentials early: Open an Australian bank account and apply for your TFN as soon as you arrive to get paid legally and avoid higher taxes.
Certifications make you stand out: White Card, RSA, Food Safety and First Aid certificates boost your chances of landing jobs fast.
Know your limits: WHV holders can usually work with one employer for up to six months unless granted an extension.
Pay rates vary by industry: Casual hospitality jobs start around $25–$32/hr, while construction and skilled labouring can reach $30–$45/hr before tax.
Regional mobility helps: Buying a car or van increases your flexibility for regional work and better job access.
Plan for the future: You’re entitled to superannuation and may be able to claim most of it back when leaving Australia permanently.
Job-Ready Snapshot
Want to Become Instantly Employable? These 4 Certs Can Make It Happen
White Card
Required: To work on any construction site.
Time: ~6 hrs (Zoom + online)
RSA Certificate
Required: To serve alcohol legally in Australia.
Time: ~4–6 hrs (self-paced)
RSG Certificate
Required: For gaming/pokies venues in QLD, SA, NT.
Time: ~4 hrs (online)
Food Safety L1
Required: For handling food in commercial kitchens.
Time: ~3 hrs (online)
Getting Set Up for Work on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in Australia
Australia’s an incredible place to spend a year or two — beaches, national parks, big cities, small towns, and everything in between.
But anyone who’s been here will tell you: it can be quite expensive.
Rent, groceries, beers at the pub, weekend trips — it all adds up fast.
If you don’t line up work early, your savings disappear quickly.
Most Working Holiday Visa holders end up in the same types of jobs: pouring beers at pubs, running coffees in cafés, working at music festivals, or picking up labouring shifts on construction sites.
These jobs are everywhere and they pay well, but almost all of them require you to have a government-approved certificate before you start.
That’s just how things run here in Australia.
No White Card, no construction site. No RSA, no bar job. No RSG, no gaming venue. Kitchens, restaurants, and cafés are also increasingly asking for Food Safety training as well.
If you’re nervous or unsure, you’re not alone — every traveller feels that way at first.
The simplest way to cut through the stress is to get your certificates online before you start applying for jobs.
It’s cheap, it’s quick, and it shows employers you’re serious about getting hired.
The people who do this end up with work faster, better pay, and more freedom to actually enjoy Australia instead of panicking about money.
Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Rules and Obligations in Australia
You show up in Australia, take a few weeks to explore, and now you need work asap to replenish your savings.
But a Working Holiday Visa comes with rules. If you break them, you risk getting your visa cancelled.
Here’s what the WHV lets you do — and where it puts limits on how long or who you can actually work with:
What You Can Do
What You Can’t Do / Limits
Notes & What to Watch Out For
Work casual, part-time, full-time, shift, volunteer roles anywhere in Australia
Stay with one employer in the same location for more than 6 months continuously (unless an exemption applies)
Visa condition 8547 restricts employment with any one employer to 6 months unless an exemption or permission is granted.
Work across multiple locations for the same employer, as long as no single site exceeds 6 months
Assume that 6 months doesn’t apply if you stay in one place
Newer rules allow changes in location (including remote work) to “reset” the 6-month clock.
Work in certain exempt sectors (tourism, hospitality, agriculture, food processing, health, aged care, childcare, etc.) beyond 6 months
Think “exemption” applies everywhere
If your work falls in one of those critical sectors, the 6-month limit might not apply.
Change employers freely (subject to the 6-month rule)
Rely on extended tenancy with one employer for your whole stay
Many Working Holiday workers rotate — cafés, bars, farms, events.
Study or do training for up to 4 months
Enrol in multi-year university courses under this visa
The visa allows limited course work/training but not long academic programs.
Apply for a second (or third) WHV if you do “specified work” in regional areas
Get extensions for free without doing regional work
To get another year, you’ll usually need to prove you did specific regional work (construction, mining, farming) in approved zones.
What This Means for You (Straight Talk + Tips)
That 6-month rule is very real.
Even if you work part time or casually, the clock’s running from your first day with a boss.
But the government has relaxed some parts: since 1 January 2024, you can often keep working for the same employer if you change your work location and no one site exceeds 6 months [source].
Exempt sectors can give you flexibility. For example, if you're working in agriculture or health, you may not need special permission to stay longer than 6 months with one employer.
You can try to request permission (before hitting 6 months) if no exemption applies and you need to stay longer.
For second or third year visas, the “specified work in regional areas” rule matters. Doing crop picking, construction, or mining in designated postcodes might qualify you.
White Card Course – Your Ticket into Construction Work
If you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, the construction industry is one of the fastest ways to make decent money in Australia — especially in regional areas or big cities where labour shortages are real.
But you can’t legally step onto a building site without a White Card.
Why WHV Holders Get a White Card
Construction and labour hire jobs pay above award in many regions, with good overtime.
Getting a White Card is quick and cheap online compared to waiting for an in-person course.
It’s valid across all Australian states and territories, so you don’t have to redo it if you move.
What the White Card Actually Allows You to Do
Jobs You Can Do With a White Card (Typical WHV Roles)
What to Know Before You Sign Up
General labourer or construction hand on residential or commercial sites
You must complete the course with an RTO (Registered Training Organisation) approved nationally.
Traffic control / site clean-up / demolition support
Some states may require extra tickets (like traffic control cards) on top of your White Card.
Landscaping or fencing on construction projects
Employers usually ask for steel-capped boots, hi-vis gear and PPE — budget for these.
Warehouse or logistics roles attached to construction projects
White Card proves you’ve had basic construction safety induction — it’s non-negotiable.
How to Get a White Card Online
Provider: National Online Courses (RTO 41072) is approved to deliver the online White Card course CPCCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry)
Mode: 100% online instructor-led training with assessment.
Recognition: Valid in all states and territories under Safe Work Australia guidelines.
Pro Tip
Most WHV workers use the White Card as a springboard. They start on a basic site job and then pick up extra tickets (forklift, confined spaces, working at heights) to bump up their pay. Even if you only do construction for a few months, the pay will help you fund travel or your next visa stage.
RSA Courses – The Key to Bar, Pub and Festival Jobs
When you’re travelling on a Working Holiday Visa, bar work and hospitality shifts are basically a rite of passage.
It’s social, it’s flexible, and it’s one of the fastest ways to make cash in Aussie cities or coastal towns.
But you can’t pour drinks or even clear glasses in a licensed venue without an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate.
Why WHV Holders Get an RSA
Pubs, clubs, restaurants, and festivals are constantly hiring casual staff.
You can pick up shifts almost anywhere — from the outback to beach towns to music festivals.
RSA is cheap, fast to complete online, and you only need to do it once per state (though each state/territory issues its own version).
What the RSA Actually Allows You to Do
Jobs You Can Do With an RSA (Typical WHV Roles)
What to Know Before You Sign Up
Bartender or barback in pubs, clubs, cocktail bars, breweries
States have their own RSA courses — QLD, WA, SA, NT accept the national RSA online. NSW and VIC require state-specific versions.
Waitstaff or floor staff in licensed restaurants and cafés
Without RSA, you legally can’t even serve wine at a table in a licensed venue.
Festival or event bar staff (temporary liquor licenses)
RSA is often the first thing agencies ask for before adding you to their roster.
Bottle shop, cellar door or wine tour guide
Some jobs will also ask for an RSG if gambling machines are on site (common in Aussie pubs).
How to Get an RSA Certificate Online
Provider: National Online Courses (RTO 41072) is approved to deliver the online RSA course SITHFAB021 – Provide responsible service of alcohol.
Mode: 100% online (except NSW/VIC where an in-person or state-approved online course is required).
Recognition: Valid in all states/territories once you meet their individual requirements.
Pro Tip
Hospitality in Australia is wild right now — labour shortages mean even without experience you can land a bar or café job quickly. But turn up with an RSA already done and you’ll jump to the front of the line. Also, a good tip jar night in a coastal pub can fund a week of travel.
If you’re aiming for bar or pub work in Australia, you’ll notice a lot of venues have gaming rooms — pokies, TAB, or keno.
In most states, you can’t legally work anywhere near gaming machines without an RSG (Responsible Service of Gambling) certificate.
Why WHV Holders Get an RSG
Pubs and clubs with pokies pay well and offer heaps of shifts.
Having both RSA + RSG makes you instantly more employable in regional towns and city suburbs.
Some agencies or labour hire firms won’t even interview you for pub or club work without both.
What the RSG Actually Allows You to Do
Jobs You Can Do With an RSG (Typical WHV Roles)
What to Know Before You Sign Up
Gaming attendant or bar staff in pubs and clubs with pokies
RSG training requirements vary by state — QLD, SA, NT, WA accept the national online RSG. NSW and VIC have state-specific modules.
Keno or TAB operator in betting outlets inside pubs and clubs
Many venues combine these roles with bar shifts, so you’ll need RSA too.
Duty manager or shift supervisor in small regional pubs
Often higher hourly pay but you’ll need both RSA and RSG and some experience.
Support staff in casinos or larger gaming venues
Casinos have stricter hiring processes but RSG is the baseline.
How to Get an RSG Certificate Online
Provider: National Online Courses (RTO 41072) is approved to deliver the online RSG course SITHGAM022 – Provide responsible gambling services).
Mode: 100% online (except NSW/VIC which require state-approved training).
Recognition: Valid across most of Australia once you meet state requirements.
Pro Tip
Plenty of WHV workers get their RSA and forget the RSG — then they miss out on the better-paying shifts in pubs and clubs with gaming rooms. Get both at once and you’re covered for almost every hospitality venue in the country. It’s a small spend for a big bump in employability.
Cafés, restaurants, food trucks and hostel kitchens are everywhere in Australia — and they’re always looking for staff.
But under Aussie law, anyone handling food (even prepping sandwiches or plating up) needs some form of Food Safety training.
Why WHV Holders Get Food Safety Certification
Café and kitchen work is steady year-round and often cashes up with weekend or evening penalty rates.
You don’t need to be a qualified chef — plenty of casual kitchen-hand and prep roles exist.
Having your Food Safety certificate already done shows managers you take compliance seriously.
What Food Safety Certification Lets You Do
Jobs You Can Do With a Food Safety Certificate (Typical WHV Roles)
What to Know Before You Sign Up
Kitchen hand or prep cook in cafés, restaurants or hotels
Check what level you need — Food Safety Level 1 covers most entry roles; Level 2/Supervisor for higher responsibility.
Food truck or market stall assistant
Councils can and do inspect stalls — your certificate is proof you’ve been trained.
Hostel breakfast prep or catering shifts
Good foot in the door if you want free or discounted accommodation.
School camp kitchens, aged care or hospital catering
Some roles require a higher-level certificate plus a police or working-with-children check.
How to Get a Food Handling Certificate Online
Provider: National Online Courses (RTO 41072) is approved to deliver the online food handling course SITXFSA005 – Use hygienic practices for food safety and SITXFSA006 – Participate in safe food handling practices).
Mode: 100% online modules with an assessment.
Recognition: Nationally recognised across all states and territories under FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) guidelines.
Pro Tip
Food jobs aren’t just “back-up” gigs — a lot of WHV holders use them as their mainstay because kitchens need staff constantly, especially in tourist towns. If you’re looking to trade shifts for free meals or flexible hours so you can surf or explore, Food Safety is the ticket.
One of the biggest shocks for new WHV arrivals is how different the job scene is depending on where you land. Australia’s huge — the work in Sydney looks nothing like the work in Karratha, Broome or Cairns. But if you know the hotspots and the right ways to apply, you’ll line up shifts faster and avoid running your savings dry.
The Big Picture
Cities = hospitality + retail + events. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide are stacked with pubs, cafés, bars, and gig/festival work — especially over summer.
Regional = construction + farm + tourism. Smaller towns and rural hubs offer farm, harvest, construction and accommodation gigs — often with accommodation included.
Tourist zones = seasonal surges. Think Whitsundays, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Margaret River, ski fields in Victoria — hospitality, adventure tourism and seasonal staff shortages.
General job board — good for kitchen hand, barista, or construction jobs.
Filter by “contract” or “temporary” to find WHV-friendly roles.
Facebook Groups
Backpacker & WHV groups in every state/major city. Real-time job posts.
Search “backpacker jobs [city name]” or “WHV [state] jobs.”
Hostel Noticeboards
Still a classic. Many employers drop off ads directly at hostels.
Even in 2025, this works. Walk in, ask reception.
Labour Hire Agencies
Firms like AWX, Trojan, Hays Construction often supply temp labour.
Register once, then get sent to different sites (helpful for 6-month rule).
Real Talk Tips for Landing Work Fast
Arrive job-ready. Turn up with your White Card, RSA, RSG or Food Safety already done and printed — managers hate waiting for paperwork.
Regional pays better. Many WHV holders spend the first months broke in Sydney or Melbourne; moving regional can mean better pay, lower rent, and counted days toward your second visa.
Hostels = networking hubs. Even if you’re not staying long, pop into backpacker hostels for leads — lots of employers call them first.
Be flexible with shifts. Australians prize reliability; if you say yes to weekend work or overnight shifts, you’ll get more hours.
Plan around the seasons. Ski resorts need workers in winter, fruit picking explodes in spring, hospitality in coastal towns peaks in summer.
FAQ – Working Holiday Visa Life + Getting Job-Ready in Australia
1. Do I need an Australian bank account before I start work?
Yes. Employers need an Aussie bank account to pay you (no cash under the table like the old days). Opening one is easy with just your passport and visa grant letter. Do it in your first few days so you’re ready to accept work.
2. How do I get paid legally in Australia?
Most jobs pay through payroll using your TFN (Tax File Number). Apply for a TFN online at the ATO website as soon as you arrive — it’s free. Without it, you’ll be taxed at the highest rate.
3. Can I work for the same employer for more than 6 months?
Usually no — unless you apply for an extension under specific conditions (like regional work, critical industries, or employer sponsorship). Always check current rules with the Department of Home Affairs.
4. What’s the average pay for casual jobs right now?
Hospitality and retail start around $25–$32 per hour on weekends/public holidays; construction and skilled labouring can pay $30–$45 per hour depending on your ticket. These are before tax but give you a ballpark.
5. Is it worth buying a car or van?
If you’re planning regional work or travelling between states, a car/van gives you more flexibility and better job access. Use Facebook Marketplace or backpacker car sales groups. Make sure rego and insurance are current.
6. What’s the go with superannuation?
Even as a WHV holder you’re entitled to super (retirement savings) from employers who pay above a certain threshold. You can claim most of it back when you leave Australia for good.
7. Do employers actually check certificates?
Yes — especially on construction sites, pubs and kitchens. White Card, RSA, Food Safety, First Aid — they’ll ask for your statement of attainment number. Get it sorted online before applying.
8. Where can I find short-term accommodation near work?
Start with hostels, share houses, or caravan parks close to regional work hubs. Facebook groups like “Backpackers Jobs Australia” and “Aussie Farm Work” often post rooms along with jobs.
9. Can I change my visa to something longer-term while in Australia?
Potentially. Many WHV holders switch to student visas, employer sponsorships or skilled migration pathways once they’ve found steady work. Keep an eye on visa conditions and talk to a migration agent before your WHV runs out.
10. What’s the best way to make friends and network for jobs?
Join local sports clubs, community events, or online groups (Meetup, Facebook backpacker communities, hostel job boards). Australia’s job market for WHV holders runs on word-of-mouth — the more people you know, the faster you’ll find decent work.
Enrol in a Government-Approved Online Course Today!
If you’re planning to work in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, having your tickets and certifications ready is the easiest way to stand out and land work fast. National Online Courses makes it simple:
White Card Courses – start work on construction sites anywhere in Australia.
Online RSA Course Australia – get qualified to serve alcohol in bars, pubs and restaurants.
RSG Courses – open up jobs in gaming rooms and licensed venues.
Online Food Safety Course Australia – work safely in cafés, kitchens and food trucks.
All courses are 100% online, nationally recognised and designed to get you job-ready quickly — no matter where you are.
With over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Samuel has worked on major infrastructure and mining projects for top companies like Chevron, Rio Tinto, and BHP. After completing his plumbing apprenticeship, Samuel transitioned to plant operations and large-scale projects, including the WestConnex tunnel in Sydney. Samuel is now focused on teaching White Card and Safety Training courses as an accredited trainer, where he shares his extensive industry experience and expertise.
What You Can Do
What You Can’t Do / Limits
What to Know Before You Sign Up
