The greatest benefit of working during your time in the Northern Territory is that you get to spend a longer time to experience a lifestyle that's very different from the rest of Australia and overseas, and get a deeper understanding of our rich and diverse culture.

Areas where you will be able to look for and successfully find work include construction and anything associated with it, bar & restaurant, seasonal fruit picking, cattle station work, medical (nursing in particular, but not only), and WWOOFing. There are even teaching opportunities available.

Construction in particular has been booming in the Territory and there is no sign of a slow-down in the foreseeable future. There are therefore plenty of jobs in the construction sector, particularly in the Top End and Darwin. Other types of jobs include:

During May to October in particular, but really throughout the year, hospitality workers are in high demand and backpackers with a little experience and a work permit can easily pick up regular, fun work. The types of jobs you can find include chefs, cooks, food and beverage attendants (all levels from café waiters to functions, a la carte and silver service), hotel administration, kitchen hands and hotel maintenance. The fastest way to find a job is to have the right attitude (commitment, keenness, etc.), walk in and ask to see the manager.

Seasonal fruit picking is another big area where you can find jobs. Most of the fruit farms are found between Katherine and Darwin but Ti Tree (near Tennant Creek) is a big grape and melon producing area. The mango season in Darwin can employ in excess of 2000 people. While the busiest part of the season generally runs from late September through to November, there are often extra pruning and associated work available until January (and that's when you get some tropical, cooling rain + awesome electric storms - not for the faint-hearted!). With mango-picking, there is generally the option of staying on-site at a cheap price. We recommend that you clarify all your entitlements and other rights before you get on your way to the farm. A good and safe way to protect yourselves is to find work through one of the employment agencies that specialize in this type of job-placement.

Cattle station work can be awesome and intimidating due to the sheer size of some of the places you'll be working in. Help on a station is needed for anything from fencing to mustering to working as a domestic, chef, or kitchen hand. Usually you don't require any experience, but if you can ride a horse and have a background in agriculture, all the better. Often accommodation is provided in 'dongas' or station outbuildings, but most station owners like you to bring your own swag for overnight mustering expeditions. Sleeping under the stars with no lights or sounds for (tens of) kilometers will be something that will never never leave you.

Hospitals across the Territory need casual nurses from Darwin to Gove, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs as well as remote Aboriginal communities. Specific skills in demand include midwives, ICU and A & E trained nurses as well as those with aged care experience. The Australian Recruitment Network is a recruitment company that places professionals in healthcare facilities across Australia. For more information visit www.arnet.com.au

WWOOFing is possible and we recommend that you research your working destination carefully. While you won't make any money through the WWOOF program, you can live with a local family on a farm for free. The farmer will provide you with food and accommodation in return for three to six hours of work each day. The work might be in the garden, in the house or with farm animals.

Visit the WWOOF website for more information. www.wwoof.com.au

Believe it or not, there are also teaching opportunities available in the Territory and what better way to understand a culture than by interacting with our "little brats" (they are lovely though, really). Visit http://www.teaching.nt.gov.au/ for more info, details about what's available and how to apply.

... .Did you know?

• The Northern Territory (also affectionately known as "the Territory") is the size of France, Spain and Italy combined. Kakadu alone is larger than Belgium… Some "Cattle Stations" (called "Ranches" in the US) are also larger than some European countries, but we're not here to name names, are we…
• The Territory has the youngest population of any Australian state and in the business world, it is often referred to as the 'new frontier'.
• There is a high demand for both skilled and unskilled workers, which means that finding a job "in the Territory" is often easier than in other parts of Australia. If you are committed to working, you'll find a job, is what we believe.
• Every year there is a shortage of workers for the mango-picking season (around late September-late November). Rates of pay start at $15 + superannuation but tend to be even higher than that in practice.
• If during your working holiday in Australia you work at least 3 months in a harvest/rural type of job in regional Australia you should be able to qualify for an EXTENSION OF ONE YEAR TO YOUR WORKING HOLIDAY VISA. Now I reckon that's pretty cool… For more info, be sure to visit http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/visiting_whm.htm and check out the fine print as this is where the "gospel" on employment rules lives.
• If you are on an eligible Student Visa, you are also allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week.
• At Frogshollow, we'll be more than happy to assist you in your job search by putting you - literally - in the right direction. We'll give you maps and various useful bits of information that will make your life easier when job-searching.
• Enquire about special overnight and weekly rates at Frogshollow. From time to time we may have super special deals (on accommodation AND TOURS) that will make your hard-earned dollar go that little bit further.