Travel jobs in Australia that pay well

Travel jobs in Australia that pay well
SEEK content teamupdated on 31 January, 2025
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Are you an adventurous person who likes to explore new places? Would you love to get paid while seeing the world? A travel-related job – or one you can do anywhere around the globe – could be the ticket.

Travelling for work gives you the chance to experience different cultures and gives you valuable knowledge that can enhance your future career prospects – all while earning money and developing new skills. The variety of well-paid opportunities available around the world can even help you build a nest egg.

Here are some of the best travelling careers in Australia that pay well while satisfying your yen for exploration.

Why consider a career with travel?

Australia has a thriving tourism industry, which has grown steadily since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, creating a wealth of jobs directly related to travel and hospitality. Many of these jobs can open doors to work in different locations around the country and the world – but you don't actually have to work in tourism to be able to travel for work.

In almost every industry you'll find jobs that require travel. And while work travel comes with challenges, it also offers lots of perks. Travel, apart from being exciting, teaches you about different ways of life.

It builds adaptability, resilience and character and gives you cross-cultural interpersonal skills. Travelling away from home is also great for personal growth, building independence, curiosity and compassion.

Top-paying travel jobs in Australia

There are plenty of opportunities to embark on Australian jobs that involve travel and a high salary. You don't necessarily have to make an industry change, either. In some cases, you may be able to stay in your chosen profession and find a similar position overseas. Or you could find a job that allows you to work remotely – or go freelance.

If you do want to switch up your profession, or you're just starting out, here are some travelling jobs to consider.

1. Airline pilot


Average salary: 
$105,000–$135,000 (but can be much higher, depending on airline, seniority and penatly rates)

Required qualifications: Private or commercial pilot licences

Probably the most classic 'travel job', piloting lets you see the world from the sky. Pilots have demanding jobs, but their schedules allow them to see the sights in the world’s top travel destinations. Key responsibilities include mapping and following a flight path, checking the weather, running preflight checks, and of course, flying a plane.

Key skills:

  • Stress management: pilots must be able to stay calm and make careful, considered decisions during potentially stressful situations.

  • Multitasking: when flying an aircraft, you'll focus on navigation, control, and communication with cabin crew, passengers, and air traffic control.

  • Maths and physics: pilots generally need to have good maths and physics knowledge, to learn formulas involving mass and balance during flight training.

Career path: pilots need at least a high school certificate, then must enroll in a flight school and accrue flying hours. They need to pass an exam to gain a private or commercial pilot licence. Some commercial pilots started out by joining the Royal Australian Air Force to get their licence, then rejoin civilian life after four years of continuous service and get jobs flying privatr or commercial planes. 

2. Travel nurse

Average salary: $85,000–$105,000

Required qualifications: Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing, or higher

Travel nurses are nurses who take on postings away from home. They use staffing agencies to find jobs in different places around the world. Like nurses employed by a single hospital or clinic, those who travel are responsible for recording vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature, and maintaining patient wellbeing. They also monitor medication and write care notes to pass on to other healthcare workers.

Travel nurses may qualify for a stipend, or paid expenses, on top of their salary. This is a non-taxable allowance that covers housing and relocation costs, so nurses don’t have to cover the expense of moving to their next posting.

Key skills:

  • Nursing skills: travel nurses need all the same skills as a 'regular' nurse.

  • Empathy: nurses must have strong interpersonal skills, particularly when providing emotional support to sick patients and their relatives.

  • Critical thinking: nurses need to make quick judgments based on vital signs, especially in emergency situations.

  • Teamwork: travel nurses work with more people than nurses who work in a single location. Good communication is essential for delivering the best patient outcomes.

Career path: registered nurses must complete a Bachelor of Nursing, while enrolled nurses need to complete a diploma. Nurses must also be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). There are likely other local registrations and certifications required to be a nurse overseas.

3. Travel content creator

Average yearly income: $65,000–$85,000

Required qualifications: No formal qualifications, though content creators must have writing, presenting, and video/photo production skills.

If you have a talent for producing digital stories on the go, travel content creation offers freedom and flexibility. Content creators either work for themselves as influencers or sell their content (photos, videos, podcasts, social media posts, etc.) to companies on a freelance basis. It's possible for a content creator to be remotely employed by a single company by retainer, though permanent overseas positions are rare.

Key skills:

  • Tech savvy: you may need to create content in different formats, including video, photography, writing, and graphic design. While you don't need to be an expert, you should have a willingness to learn how to use and adapt to various tools.

  • Time management: you must be able to work well under pressure, to meet deadlines while travelling, potentially across time zones.

  • Research: creating travel content requires gathering accurate local knowledge.

  • Marketing: content creators should have an understanding of basic marketing principles, to be able to find clients.

4. Event planner

Average salary: $65,000–$85,000

Required qualifications: no formal qualifications, though experience in project management, administration or hospitality would be beneficial.

Event planners organise and manage all sorts of parties and functions, with travel opportunities for those who plan destination events around the world. These types of events include:

  • Destination weddings

  • Corporate conferences and workshops

  • Business retreats

  • Birthday and anniversary trips

  • Fundraisers and gala dinners

Event planners have to visit venues and destinations in order to build a global network of contacts and establish which places they will recommend to clients. This lifestyle offers plenty of chances to see luxury venues and hotels in places that are popular in their event niche. 

Key skills:

  • People skills: event organisers must have finely tuned interpersonal skills, assertiveness, confidence, and extraversion, to be able to direct teams and liaise with partners.

  • Organisation: event planners are responsible for arranging catering, photography, transportation, and location. You need to be highly organised to coordinate these services.

  • Attention to detail: to ensure events run smoothly and to their clients’ briefs, event planners need to be meticulous.

  • Leadership: arranging an event, hiring people and services, and making important decisions requires strong leadership skills. 

Career path: a degree in communications, hospitality management, or public relations is useful. You could also complete a Diploma in Event Management and gain experience through event planning internships.

5. Freelance photographer/videographer

Typical salary: $60,000–$80,000

Required qualifications: no official certification, but training and certification in photography, videography, editing and production is essential.

Freelance photographers usually have a specialist area, whether that's weddings, portraits, landscapes, food, fashion, wildlife, or travel photography. Freelance photographers work for a range of different clients, which can include TV companies, newspapers, magazines, media agencies or creative agencies. There are many opportunities to travel as a freelance photographer, such as for a news title, a film production company, or a travel magazine. 

Key skills:

  • Photography/videography: these technical skills are essential

  • Networking: building contacts is vital to gaining clients and landing jobs. Attend networking events, create a professional portfolio, and share your work on social media.

  • Business management: you'll need to understand the basics of running a freelance business to ensure you always have enough money coming in. 

Career path: while photography requires no formal qualifications, completing a bachelor's degree or vocational course can help you learn about lighting, aperture, shutter speed, exposure, and aspects of running a photography business.

6. Content writer

Average income: $75,000–$95,000

Required qualifications: No formal qualifications to become a freelance writer, but full-time positions usually require a degree in writing or communications, to teach the technical aspects of writing. 

Content writers create digital content: blogs, social media posts, web pages, email newsletters, and video scripts included. Many content writers operate on a freelance basis, allowing them to travel and write for multiple clients from any destination. If you love to travel, you could also create your own travel blog or social media page documenting your journey across the world (though monetising this can be challenging).

You can build various income streams through a blog, which can enhance your earning potential. Bloggers often partner with brands to create sponsored content or advertise products to earn a commission, for example.

Key skills:

  • SEO knowledge: you'll need to create high-quality content that ranks highly on search engine results pages. This involves adding relevant keywords at the same time reviewing content for grammar, style, and tone of voice.

  • Time management: working with multiple clients means you'll need to manage competing deadlines and wearing many hats, including editor and proofreader and sometimes CMS manager.

  • Technical writing skills: to become a writer in any field, you should have a solid grasp on grammar and the fundamentals of storytelling. 

Career path: completing a degree in journalism, writing, communications, or another relevant field can help you build the skills necessary for this travel career. From here, you can look for internships to gain valuable experience, create a portfolio, and build your online presence with a blog.

7. Diplomat or foreign service officer

Typical salary: Variable

Required qualifications: bachelor's degree or equivalent, though many diplomats are required to have post-graduate certifications.

Diplomats can work at one of the 120 Australian embassies or high commissions spread across five continents, making this one of the best jobs that requires travel and pays well. This role involves representing Australia abroad by promoting national interests and fostering international relations. You'll also help Australian citizens overseas with housing, illness, lost passports, legal documents, marriage and birth certificates, and more.

Key skills:

  • Negotiation: diplomats have to be diplomatic! They handle disputes and negotiate treaties, so they need to know how to navigate challenging situations with sensitivity and reason.

  • Problem-solving: conflict resolution between countries and addressing challenges for citizens away from home requires excellent problem-solving skills.

  • International relations: alongside heightened interpersonal skills, diplomats need to have a keen interest in and knowledge of international issues. They need to be culturally sensitive and well presented and spoken.

Career path: there is no specific degree for being a diplomat, but studying a relevant field such as international relations, commerce, law, or political or social science can give you an advantage. From there, you'd need to complete a government graduate program or apply for a role in the Australian Public Service.

8. Management consultant

Typical salary: $95,000–115,000

Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or a related field

Management consultants create strategies to help organisations solve operational and financial problems. For example, they may help companies find ways to cut costs and teach staff specialist industry skills. Travel opportunities are available for those who wish to consult for overseas businesses, or within a global company that has international postings.  

Management consulting services are particularly in demand in information technology, engineering, and human resources. Government agencies across the world rely on them, with Australia's consulting industry being the fourth largest globally.

Key skills:

  • Strong research and analysis: to discover industry trends and evaluate them through financial modelling.

  • Interpersonal: to liaise with different teams around the world and to present strategic recommendations and proposals to senior executives.

Career path: in addition to a bachelor's degree in business or a related field, consultants often get extra certifications, like masters of business administration. Starting out as a consultant with global Australian company would be a savvy first step to this profession.

9. Corporate trainer

Typical salary: $85,000–$105,000

Required qualifications: Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Corporate trainers help staff gain the skills and knowledge they need to earn relevant industry qualifications. They design tailored training plans, maintain training records and documentation, and stay up to date with industry regulations. Being a trainer provides great travel opportunities. In-house trainers working for corporations with multiple locations may hold workshops across the globe, for example.

Key skills:

  • Communication: for teaching students of different abilities, from diverse backgrounds, and with a variety of learning needs.

  • Keen eye for detail: trainers create engaging and up-to-date courses. They use accurate assessment methods and report on student attendance and progress.

  • Critical thinking: to create lesson plans, overcome any training obstacles, and the understand the coursework they need to teach.

Career path: aside from technical knowledge in your chosen training area, you'll need a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through TAFE or a private college.

10. Sales representative

Typical salary: $70,000–$90,000

Required qualifications: no formal qualification required, but some certification helps

Sales representatives market and sell their company's products and services to commercial clients in different locations. This role involves finding new clients in an organisation's strongest global markets, such as retail and wholesale outlets, and developing relationships with them. They also regularly visit clients to negotiate prices, give demonstrations, and answer questions. Sales people can earn very high salaries, depending on their commission and the cost of the items/services they're selling.

Key skills:

  • Goal-orientated: global sales representatives work towards monthly targets, requiring drive and focus.

  • Persuasion: reps are responsible for negotiating sales terms and prices. An awareness of successful marketing techniques, such as upselling, is therefore key. You may also sell directly to customers at trade shows and events, making communication a must-have skill.

  • Leadership: many sales representatives are responsible for coordinating and training sales consultants around the world to sell the products they represent.

Career path: TAFE qualifications are required to start selling in specialist industries such as pharmaceuticals or automotive sales. A marketing or business bachelor's degree can be useful, but most global companies provide on-the-job training.

Pros and cons of travel jobs

Every job type has benefits and drawbacks – even the best travelling careers in Australia. Here are some factors you should consider before choosing a career in travel.

Advantages

  • Financial benefits. High-paying travel jobs that cover expenses allow you to save on certain living costs (like meals and utilities), plus you get to see the world for free. Reward points also accrue quickly when you travel for work, making personal travel cheaper.

  • Personal adventure. If you love to travel then every day at work can be another adventure.

  • Job prospects. Experience working with people from different backgrounds can enhance future career opportunities, especially in global companies. Worldly knowledge, interpersonal abilities, and adaptability are also highly desireable in an employee.

Challenges

  • It's tiring. Imagine a work commute of 20 or more hours. Travelling careers that often see you flying to new destinations can be exhausting, especially if you have to work in transit or as soon as you arrive.

  • It can be complicated. Sometimes you may need to research your destination's employment laws and in many cases you have to apply for a visa before you fly. For many countries, a work permit may be necessary, which is a complicated process.

  • Work-life balance. Long travel days, missing friends and family, recovering from jetlag - all these factors and more affect your work-life balance. You may find yourself spending lots of time on planes, in hotels, and in conference rooms – not always out seeing the sights.

  • Lack of stability. Travelling all the time, with no routine, can be disorienting and lead to strained relationships, poor mental and physical health, and feelings of isolation.

Travel jobs in Australia allow you to experience new cultures and build skills that significantly boost your future career prospects. While long travel days and demanding schedules are challenging, they can unlock high salaries, transferable skills, and once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities.

If you're looking for a travel job that pays well, consider one that allows you sufficient down time betwen trips, so you can maintain work-life balance and make the most of every new destination you visit.

FAQS

What jobs require travel and pay well?

Some of the best travelling careers in Australia that pay a high salary include skilled jobs such as nursing, commercial piloting, and management consultancy. Freelance jobs such as content creation and photography can also be lucrative and offer plenty of global travel opportunities.

Do companies pay you to travel for work in Australia?

Many careers in Australia provide travel opportunities. Some examples include journalism, sales, PR, events and many roles in hospitality. Whenever someone is required to travel, an employer should cover the costs of travelling away from home to perform work duties. Valid expenses include accommodation, meals, and transport. 

Are travel jobs in Australia worth it?

Travel-related jobs are worth it for people who want an exciting or adventurous career that allows them to experience different cultures and meet new people. They may not be worth it for people who value routine and predictability in their day-to-day lives, or who have commitments outside of work that make it hard for them to be away from home. 

How can I find high-paying travel jobs in Australia?

Discover a range of the best travelling careers in Australia using SEEK's job search engine. Enter keywords, job classification, location, and salary range to find the right high-paying travel job for you.

Do travel jobs offer a good work-life balance?

Travel jobs can be tiring as they require long hours, and you’re expected to work around travel times (or work and travel at the same time). It is hard to maintain good work-life balance, as most downtime is spent in transit – though some companies may offer time in lieu for hours spent travelling. If you’re a freelancer, you might enjoy more work-life balance, if you schedule breaks between projects.

Can travel bloggers and influencers make a living wage in Australia?

Yes, successful travel bloggers and influencers can make a good salary through various income streams. This includes brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, consulting services, and merchandise sales. It is a very competitive landscape that requires a high level of skills and commitment to make money.

What job travels the most?

Airline piloting is a travel job that pays well and requires frequent travel, with the average yearly salary between $105,000 and $125,000. Pilots for large airlines often have more variety of routes and destinations than those for smaller companies. Flight attendants also travel extensively as part of their job, with the average salary in Australia being from $55,000–$65,000.

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