Backpackers struggle with Summer jobs downturn
January 6, 2009
Summertime is traditionally a bad season for job-seekers arriving in Australia, but this year, the downturn in the economy has meant many Irish backpackers are struggling to find work.
A university degree or a trade on the Migration Occupations in Demand (MODL) list appears to be largely irrelevant in the current climate, with job boards like Gumtree inundated with job-seeking ads from desperate backpackers.
Julie Hewitt and Sarah Harte, both 22, from Newry, Co. Down arrived in Sydney on October 23 and have been job-searching ever since – to no avail.
“We simply can’t get work,” Hewitt, a medical receptionist told the Irish Echo. “At first I was looking for work as a medical receptionist but the systems are different over here and most places didn’t want to know. Since then, we’ve been looking for retail jobs, promotional work, any type of work, but still nothing. It’s terrible.”
Harte is a qualified beauty therapist and was assured before she left home that she would find employment without any difficulty. But after two months of job-hunting, no work has been forthcoming.
Instead, the only job offers the girls have received since they placed a work-seeking ad has been from escort agencies.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Hewitt said. “It was pretty funny, but obviously not what we’re looking for. At this stage, our money is running low and we’re going to have to ask our parents for financial help.”
Nor are they on their own. In Brisbane, another pair of Derry backpackers, Ryan McLaughlin and Eugene Lagan, are re-evaluating their options after their search for plumbing work has proven fruitless.
“We left Belfast because the work situation there was so terrible,” McLaughlin said. “Eugene was down to a three-day week when we left. We were told we’d have no bother getting work here, but it’s been very quiet…We’re just hoping it will pick up after Christmas, although money is going to be very tight until then.”
Two friends of McLaughlin’s who travelled north to Mackay, Qld, in search of mining work have found themselves in a similar situation.
As the Irish economy worsens, the demand for Working Holiday Visas amongst the Irish has never been more popular, with 15,625 issued in 2007/2008, compared to 12,694 in 2006/2007. But with Australia gradually beginning to feel the effects of the global downturn, the number of jobs on offer for 417 visa-holders is beginning to wane.
Many backpackers, like Marie Terry from Middleton, Co. Cork, are now beginning to city-hop in the hopes that they will find work elsewhere.
Terry, a 27-year-old qualified accountant with six years experience, managed to find work in Brisbane last August. But since moving to Sydney, she has been unable to secure employment.
“It’s definitely tougher in Sydney than it was in Brisbane,” she said. “It seems there are a lot more people looking for work here. If I don’t find anything soon, I’m going to move on to Melbourne and hopefully get something there.”
When Andy Leitch from Kerry was unable to find work in Perth, he returned to Sydney, where he lived for four months earlier this year. But so far, he hasn’t found any work.
“There’s definitely less hospitality work going in Sydney than there was the last time I was here,” he said. “I need to find a job to pay for my flights home, but it looks like I’m going to have to sell my soul to do it.”
As time and money runs out, job ads are taking on an increasingly desperate tone, with Irish backpackers lowering their standards – and their asking rates.
Gavin, an Irish man in Melbourne wrote in a job ad that he will do “whatever, whenever.” “I’m in desperate need of a job,” he said.
Two Irish girls in Perth have said they will do cleaning and domestic work, while Alan, a fully-qualified electrician in Melbourne has said he will consider any kind of job he is offered. Some Irish backpackers have even offered to “work day and night” if it will help them secure employment.
For construction workers in particular, the option of going home is not necessarily viable. Having left the crumbling construction sector in Ireland for the promise of employment in Australia, they are now struggling to find work.
Fergal Griffin, a 23-year-old electrician from Ennis, Co. Clare hasn’t received any replies to a jobs ad he posted. Although he has six years experience in the electrical and construction industry, he hasn’t heard anything from potential employers.
“It seems like everyone is closing up for the Summer holidays,” he said. “I had heard that there were jobs here but right now it’s not looking too good. I’m going to keep searching obviously, but if I can’t find anything I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
Entry Filed under: Backpackers, Immigration, Recruitment. .
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1.
Robinoz | January 7, 2009 at 2:02 am
It’s true that Australia has seen a slump in the economy like most other countries and a lot of discretionary employment opportunities have dropped off.
Also, Australian businesses in many cases go into a “sleep” mode over the Christmas/New Year period taking time off and focusing on play and not work.
The job market should pick up from mid-January, however, the best strategy for job seekers on limited work visas is to head into the regional areas where there is less competition and usually more demand for employees.
Robin
All About Jobs Blog
http://www.e1jobs-blog.com
Central Australia
2.
Molua Flanagan | January 12, 2009 at 10:53 am
Irish Backpackers Who are o the East Coast if ye are thinking of coming over to Perth its not all a bed of roses Here Either but their is Opportunities for Electricians & heaps for Qualified Nurses Doctors. Molua Tipperary…
3.
Niamh | January 13, 2009 at 6:34 am
I have lived in Australia since April 2007 & I have seen a lot of changes especially when it comes to getting work. Yes, when I first arrived in Brisbane I got a job within the week & when I realised how crap it was & quit I got another job 5 days later! But when it came to getting a proper permanent job it was tough, I was looking for a while, but I kept at it & ended up getting a great job that I love!
I’m Irish & I realise that people of my age (24) are jumping ship & trying their luck in Oz but what baffles me is why they thought it wouldn’t be hard to get a job when half of Ireland is here – we should be grateful to be allowed into the country the amount of us that are here! There is work in OZ, but Australia shuts down from the start of December to the start of February roughly. But apart from that, a job is not going to fall into your lap while you’re sipping pints on a high stool. You have to be active in looking for a job & I don’t mean posting ads saying ‘Irish, 25, will do anything’ on various noticeboards – I’ve seen them, they do exist! But get your CV together before you leave Ireland. Even put a list of recruitment agencies together & send them your CV – everyday if you have to! & if you don’t hear from them ring them! We’re not a shy race so why start now? Get out there & show them why they should hire you! The thing is everyone is different, one of my best mates arrived & it took her a good 8 weeks to find work on the other hand another friend of mine got an office job in a week.
Just like all countries certain professions are being snapped up engineers, nurses, teachers, beauticians but for others not so much. But this doesn’t mean you wont get work – you will! You just have to actively want to find some & I guess not be picky about what you do. & not be stubborn as to where – I mean take Sydney for instance with a population of just over 4 million trying to get a job there is like trying to get a job that the whole of Ireland is competing for. Go for the suburbs or over to the west coast- be different! Do not be put off from coming to Australia, just be prepared.
This subject does intrigue me though so I’ve decided to do a bit of an experiment. Two friends of mine have just landed in Australia, one male qualified electrician, one female qualified fund accountant – if they cannot get a job then I will admit defeat. Let’s see how long it takes them to get a job & how they get them…stay tuned!!
4.
Bernie | January 13, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Let’s be honest about it, there are simply too many Irish gap year student types in Australia. Where I am from it is ridiculous, nearly ever 18 year old A-level pupil is Australia bound for their gap year(with daddy paying of course). The downturn in the Australian economy should ensure that this over supply of Irish, middle class, student types finds a more sensible level over time. If it doesn’t turn out that way and they keep arriving is such numbers, familiarity may start to breed a degree of contempt.
5.
Niamh | January 30, 2009 at 5:55 am
Well, its been two weeks since I’ve blogged & ranted & raved about Irish people getting work in OZ. I was using my two friends as guinea pigs , without their knowledge & I can now come back & say; both of them have gotten work & an apartment! Within two weeks!! They started with an apartment & found a lovely 2 bed roomed place only 15 mins walking from the city. They found that within the first 5 days & all this week was concentrating on work. The girl got an office job & the guy has picked up a labouring job & has another interview for another job on Tuesday if he wants! So there it is. The jobs are there it’s your attitude & way you approach getting a job that matters! It wasn’t easy for them; they were up at 9am every morning, trying to get contacts, number, and interviews & now know the guy working in the local Internet café by name! They were active in looking for a job & now they have so let the good times roll!! So get off ye’re arse & get a job!!
6.
Big Mick | January 30, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I have been living in Sydney since 2004, I have seen so many paddy backpackers come and struggle to get work. There are a few hints and tips that some of old hands have known for a long time. There are plenty of jobs for the guys especially in construction the trick to obtaining a job quickly depends on where you live, avoid the Bondi trap…… most of the Irish bosses live in the innerwest or western suburbs this is where the majority of the work is. If Paddy has start work out west by 7am and he is living in the eastern suburbs then getting accross town can prove difficult an emloyer prefers their workers to live around Burwood & Croydon area that way they can be picked up easily without being late. Girls best to try the traffic controllers but same deal best to avoid the eastern suburbs and get a cheaper place in the innerwest. Try hanging around the illinois pub in Five Dock all the bosses drink in here every evening bout 5pm. if you are from the area you will pick up work no problem. Good luck to all
7.
TLOVMATE | March 4, 2009 at 9:18 am
Keep comming and keep trying for work so good to see all the irish here. The work will increase, especially down south of the border after their unfortunate disasater with the fires they will have to re build their towns, they will need trades people and labourers. Good Luck
8.
Nicky i Loch Gorman | March 16, 2009 at 5:26 am
Karratha!!! back breaking labour in 42 degree heat, 84 hour work weeks… 50 bucks/hour!!!
moral of my story… hard work pays off!