A working hostel is a hostel in a farming town that helps its guests find farm jobs, often with transport to the farm. It can be the fastest way into farm work without a car. But they are not all equal: here is how to choose a good one.
How it usually works
- You book a bedUsually by the week, sometimes with a bond. Many hostels put you on a job waiting list when you arrive.
- The hostel finds you a jobWith local growers it works with. Transport to the farm is often provided, sometimes for a fee.
- You get paidEither directly by the farm, or by the hostel or a labour hire company that supplies workers to the farm.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long is the waiting list right now? Ask for a realistic answer in weeks, and ask what happens if there’s no work.
- Who pays me, the farm or the hostel? If the hostel (or its company) pays you for work on a farm, it is supplying labour and, in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, it needs a labour hire licence. Ask for the licence number and check it on the state register.
- How much is transport to the farm? And is it deducted from your pay?
- Is the postcode of the farms eligible for my visa? Check it with our postcode checker.
- What are the rules for the bond and for leaving? Get it in writing.
Red flags
🚩 Pay to get a job
A fee just to be put on the job list, or a job only if you stay several weeks first.
🚩 No payslips
Cash only, no payslips: your days probably won’t count for your visa.
🚩 Unclear deductions
Rent or transport taken from your pay without a written agreement, or more than the real cost.
🚩 Below minimum pay
Even on piece rates, you must earn at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours you work.
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. You can also report anonymously. Your visa status doesn’t stop you from asking for help.
Good working hostels exist
Many backpackers have a great time in working hostels: you meet people, share rides and get your days done. Read recent reviews (Google, Hostelworld and the regional Facebook groups), ask other backpackers in town, and trust your instinct.
In the WikiFarms Australia app, you can show only working hostels on the map, read other backpackers’ reviews, and contact the farms directly if you prefer to skip the waiting list.
Sources: Labour Hire Licensing Queensland, Fair Work Ombudsman, checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
