Temp Jobs in Australia — Secretarial and Office Admin Jobs for Travellers
Want to work while you backpack through Australia but not so keen on late night shifts behind the bar? Eager to work in an office environment but still be free to move on when the travel bug starts itching?
If so, then finding temporary (or ‘temp’) work sounds like the perfect working holiday option for you. About half of all large companies in Australia regularly hire temporary workers in all kinds of positions, meaning there are always plenty of jobs! Some of the main advantages of finding temp jobs in Australia are:
- getting exposure to a range of new industries;
- diversifying your skill set and knowledge base;
- being able to choose the length of your assignments.
The temping industry in Australia is extremely diverse and dynamic, encompassing many different types of jobs. Broadly speaking though, temp jobs can be divided into two main categories: secretarial and office administration.
Note on Timeframes: Apply to specific job postings no earlier than 3 months before you arrive. Register with Agencies at any time. You will need a work visa.
Why are temporary secretarial and office admin jobs good for backpackers?
For the working traveller not so keen on earning their Aussie dollars in the retail or hospitality industries, temporary secretarial or office admin jobs (‘temp’ jobs) are a great option.
While there isn't a labour shortage in this industry in Australia, travellers with knowledge of basic computer applications, a bit of office experience and good all-round communication skills should have no troubles finding work. Accounts, legal and medical experience is beneficial, however, most secretarial and office admin temp jobs don’t require any specific experience.
Provided you packed a few smart work outfits, temp jobs are suitable if you’re backpacking because you will normally be contracted on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Unless you sign a contract for a set period of time (for example 3-6 months), you’ll be free to take off when and where you like without too much prior warning – the way it should be when you’re travelling!
If you haven’t already applied for your visa see our Working Visa for Australia section.
Register with recruitment agencies AND Apply to specific positions in Australia now!
What types of temporary secretarial and office admin jobs are there in Australia?
The scope for job variation in the temporary secretarial and office admin sector is as enormous as Australia itself! Working as a temp, you could find yourself on the 50th floor of a skyscraper in the heart of the Sydney’s CBD and working behind the front desk of a suburban medical centre in Melbourne the following week.
Remember: The best way to get the most out of temping is to be flexible and versatile. A tip is to tell your recruitment agent that you’re willing to do a range of temp jobs and that you adapt well to changing environments.
Temp jobs in Australia – general office admin jobs:
Some of the more common roles you will find in the category of general office admin jobs in Australia include:
- Audio typists
- Accounts Payable and Receivable
- Data Entry clerks
- Filing and Mailing Clerks
- General Administrative Assistants
- Payroll Assistants
- Project Administrators
- Receptionists
- Records Management jobs
- Sales Support Administration
For more information on standard wages and job requirements for temp jobs in Australia see Temp jobs – general office admin jobs.
Temp jobs in Australia – secretarial jobs:
While secretarial jobs still fall within the broad category of office administration, many require more specialised knowledge and/ or experience. Temp jobs that may appeal to working travellers with slightly more experience (or experience in a specific field) include:
- General Secretaries
- Legal Secretaries and Medical Secretaries
- Personal Assistants (PAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs)
Temporary legal secretarial jobs pay the highest wages but generally require more skills and experience. For more information on standard wages and job requirements for temp jobs in Australia see Temp jobs – secretarial jobs.
How do I find temporary secretarial and office admin jobs in Australia?
In order to find temp jobs in Australia you will need to register with a recruitment agency that places temporary (or causal) workers. There are many temporary job agencies (‘temping’ agencies) in Australia, many of which specialise in the secretarial and office admin sectors. Register about a few months before you leave home if you would like to start working soon after you arrive in Australia.
Once in Australia, before you can be sent on assignment your recruitment agency will ask you to come in for a screening interview. At these interviews you are normally asked to talk about the kind of temp jobs you are looking for, your work experience, education, skills and interests. For office admin jobs and secretarial jobs you may be asked to sit a typing, MS Office or similar computing skills test; you may also be asked to provide referees.
Register with recruitment agencies AND Apply to specific positions in Australia now!
What hours do secretarial and office admin temps work?
As a temp in Australia you could expect to work an eight-hour day during standard office hours; this would normally include a 30 minute or 1 hour unpaid lunch break. Standard office hours in Australia are 8.30am to 5.30pm, but this can vary between workplaces, especially if you find a job as a legal or medical secretary.
Note: Working Holiday Makers are entitled to receive the same salary and are obliged to pay the same income tax that an Australian citizen in their position would. All public and private sector employers are obliged to adhere to this law.
What is the standard length of assignment for temporary secretarial and office admin jobs?
The great thing about temp jobs in Australia is that there is no standard length of assignment – they can range from 1 day to a few months. You could be covering for a full-time employee on sick leave for 2 days, or filling a vacant position for 4-6 weeks while the company recruits for a permanent employee. It’s up to you to decide!
When you register with an agency you will normally have an interview, during which you can specify your preferred length of assignment.
Remember: On your first Australian Working Holiday Visa you are only allowed to work for a total of 12 months and for the same employer for up to 6 months.
Where in Australia are temporary secretarial and office admin jobs located?
The most likely places to find temp jobs in Australia are the nation’s State and Territory capitals – particularly Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Large companies and corporations most likely to employ temporary staff normally have their headquarters in these cities, meaning bigger offices with greater administrative needs and higher rates of staff turnover.
If you’re seeking something less hectic than the hustle and bustle of the big smoke, large metropolitan centres outside of Australia’s capitals are also a good option for temp jobs. Business hubs like Wollongong and Newcastle (in New South Wales), the Gold Coast (in Queensland) and Geelong (in Victoria) are slightly more laid back, but still offer lots of opportunities for temping. Even Hobart (in Tasmania) can sometimes feel more like big country town than a State capital.
Note on Timeframes: Apply to specific job postings no earlier than 3 months before you arrive. Register with Agencies at any time. You will need a work visa.
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