Farming, hospitality, construction, language tutoring, tourism, childcare and remote work: these are the 7 sectors where Working Holiday Visa (WHV) holders find employment abroad most easily. The right sector depends on your background, your destination and the time of year. One thing remains constant, whatever you choose: according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, health insurance covering illness, hospitalisation and repatriation is a legal entry requirement for every country that offers a WHV to French nationals. That is the one thing to sort out before you even send your first application.
Get my WHV insurance in 2 minutesFor a full breakdown of the visa process and requirements, see our guide on everything you need to know about the WHV.
1. French language tutoring: make your nationality work for you
Being a native French speaker abroad is a genuine advantage in the WHV jobs market. In English-speaking Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, demand for French-as-a-foreign-language tuition is very real. Individuals, language schools and families are all looking for native speakers, even without a formal teaching qualification.
- No specific teaching qualification required (depending on employer and country)
- Rates often above the local minimum wage
- Can be combined with other roles: bilingual childcare, informal language exchanges
A note on Asia
In Japan and South Korea, European languages are highly valued. Private lessons and language school positions are accessible to French speakers, including part-time roles. Note that South Korea caps WHV holders at 25 working hours per week.
2. Farm work and fruit picking
This is one of the most iconic WHV jobs, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Fruit picking, grape harvesting, packing, livestock farming, fishing: the opportunities are plentiful and hiring is often on the spot.
Key advantages:
- Accommodation and meals are sometimes included (with host families or in worker camps), allowing you to save almost all of your wages
- In Australia, 88 days of regional work (or 179 days in designated sectors) unlock a second or even third year on your visa
- A strong community atmosphere: you will meet fellow backpackers from all over the world
On the pay front, wages in Australia generally fall between AUD 25 and 40 per hour depending on the role and region; in New Zealand, between NZD 22 and 26 per hour.
Worth noting: in both Australia and Hong Kong, WHV holders are legally limited to 6 consecutive months with the same employer.
3. Hospitality and catering
Waiter, bartender, receptionist, housekeeper, kitchen porter: the hospitality sector hires backpackers in droves across every WHV country. A working level of English is generally expected, but this sector is also one of the best for making rapid language progress.
Highlights:
- Tips can significantly boost your take-home pay, particularly in Canada and Australia
- Shift patterns leave plenty of free time to explore your destination
- Some hostels offer work-for-accommodation arrangements, handy at the very start of your stay to keep costs down
4. Tourism and leisure
Tour guides, watersports instructors, activity leaders, welcome staff at national parks or ski resorts: the tourism sector is vast and highly location-dependent. The busier the destination, the richer the job market: think Australia’s coastal towns, Canada’s ski resorts or Queenstown in New Zealand.
The main constraint is seasonality. Getting ahead of the rush, whether that is winter in Whistler or summer on the Great Barrier Reef, significantly improves your chances of securing a position before the competition arrives. To help you choose your destination in Oceania, our comparison guide Australia or New Zealand: which should you choose for your WHV? is a useful starting point.
5. Childcare and au pair
Families abroad often look for French speakers to give their children early exposure to a second language. The role can come with board and lodging in exchange for a few hours of supervision a day, cutting your living costs considerably.
Things to bear in mind:
- Free time is often tied to school and work schedules, leaving little flexibility
- Educational expectations vary by culture: an upfront conversation about house rules is essential to avoid misunderstandings
- Au pair status is not automatically covered by the standard WHV in all countries: check the specific conditions of your visa before signing anything
6. Construction and building trades
Australia and Canada face a chronic labour shortage in the construction sector. Bricklaying, painting, carpentry, groundwork, roofing: building sites in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto and Vancouver regularly take on inexperienced workers as labourers, while skilled tradespeople can command considerably higher rates.
This sector is best suited to large cities where major projects are under way. The more experience you bring, the sooner you can negotiate a better hourly rate.
7. Digital nomad and freelance work
Remote work fits naturally into the WHV lifestyle for those in compatible fields. Web development, UI/UX design, social media management, copywriting, digital marketing, translation: freelancing from Australia, Japan or Argentina is legally possible on a WHV, provided you respect the terms of your visa.
Sectors that are particularly well suited:
- Web and mobile development
- Graphic design and UI/UX
- Web copywriting and SEO
- Social media management and digital marketing
- Translation and localisation
Two things to watch out for: internet coverage can be patchy in rural areas, and your home-country tax obligations continue to apply throughout your time abroad.
Practical tips for landing a job on a WHV
- Arrive early in the morning: many employers hire day by day, especially in farming and hospitality. First come, first served.
- Tailor your CV to the country: in Australia, one page is the norm; in Japan, a standardised format may be expected. Have it ready before you leave home.
- Use the right platforms: Seek for Australia and New Zealand, Job Bank for Canada are the essential local go-tos.
- Build a financial cushion: allow several weeks before landing something steady. Having savings means you will not be forced into the first job that comes along.
- Work on your English before you go: an intermediate level significantly widens your access to customer-facing roles.
For the financial side of things, our guide on funding a round-the-world trip: our 6 best tips offers concrete strategies for planning your travel budget.
FAQ
Is travel insurance really compulsory for a WHV?
Yes, without exception. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that WHV applicants must provide proof of private insurance covering illness, maternity, disability, hospitalisation and repatriation for the entire duration of their stay. Without valid proof of insurance, a visa application can be refused.
Do you need to be fluent in English to find a job on a WHV?
Not necessarily. Farming, construction and fruit picking rarely require fluent English. Hospitality, tourism and language tutoring, on the other hand, call for at least a conversational level. A WHV is, in itself, one of the most effective ways to improve quickly.
Can you work in your professional field on a WHV (nurse, developer, etc.)?
Yes, depending on the country. Australia and Canada both face shortages in healthcare and IT, with attractive pay levels. Bear in mind, however, that certain regulated professions, particularly in healthcare, require local qualification recognition or a practice licence, a process that can take several months.
How long can you work for the same employer in Australia?
In Australia (and Hong Kong), the maximum period you can work for the same employer on a WHV is 6 consecutive months. After that, you must change employers to remain compliant with your visa conditions.
Which platforms should you use to job-hunt on a WHV?
The go-to platforms by destination: Seek for Australia and New Zealand, Job Bank for Canada, Hello Work for Japan. The forums and community groups on pvtistes.net are also useful for direct job listings between backpackers.
