Pearling Jobs in Australia
Wanting to have true Australian working experience and earn great money?
Pearling jobs can be hidden gems – literally. Pearling lets you earn bigger bucks while also ticking off the eligible 88 days or 179 years to extend your visa for another year.
In this article, I will be sharing you with everything you need to know about getting a job in the pearling industry in Australia and get you earning great money for your next adventure.
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Pearling Industry in Australia
You may have heard from a friend who is working or has worked in the pearling industry in Australia and made a lot of money. But what the heck is pearling you might ask.
Pearling is the farming of oysters for pearls and associated products. The harvested pearls are mostly used for jewellery but are also used in medicines and cosmetics. You will most likely be working on a boat and assisting with pearling harvesting although there are many other jobs available such as cook, cleaner and machine operator (if you have experience).
The heart of the Australian pearling industry is in Broome, north of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, but there is also work available in the industry in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
1. Why Work in Pearling Jobs?
There are a lot of benefits to working in the pearling industry. Let me share the top 4 benefits that I, along with many other backpackers, have identified:
- Good Wages – Many backpackers have reported making upwards of $250 per day (before tax) while working in the pearling industry.
- Counts towards Visa Days (417 & 462) – Working in the pearling industry is considered farm work and can count towards 88 or 179 eligible days to obtain your second and third-year visa. Great way to earn money while getting your eligible visa days.
- True Australian Experience – Most of the pearl farming jobs are located in smaller towns such as Broome. These towns offer a different way of life compared to the big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
- Work-life Balance – Most of the pearl farming jobs are located on the west coast of Australia which I think offers best beaches in Australia. On your time off you can enjoy the amazing beaches. For some people, it's better than being stuck in an orchard in regional Australia.
2. How Much Can You Earn?
The average salary for working on a pearl farm is around $60,000 to $80,000 a year. However, most backpackers work on a casual basis during the season. Many backpackers have reported making upwards of $250 (before tax) per day while working on a pearl farm based on a 10-hour day.
According to the National Aquaculture Award Rate 2020, a casual employee award rate is between $27 – $32 per hour (including casual loading). This rate varies depending on experience. There are also penalty rates that are applied to this if working in the evening and at different times throughout the day.
See here for more information about the Award Rate
In case you are wondering what are the top jobs for backpackers? Here’s our list.
3. Where Are The Pearling Jobs?
As you know Australia is huge, if you want to work in pearling you need to know where to go. Here are the top destinations.
Western Australia
Broome, Western Australia is a favourite destination for backpackers looking for pearling work. Paspaley Farms is one of the biggest farms in Australia and hires a lot of backpackers and also produces some of the best pearls in the world.
Broome is a top tourist destination because of its superb weather and amazing beaches. Around the peak harvest time, the weather is around 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 18 degrees Celsius at night. The beaches in Western Australia are some of the best I’ve seen anywhere in the country. It is a great place to work, explore and enjoy.
Queensland
Currently, there are less than fifteen pearl culture leases operating in Queensland waters. Spat hatcheries producing shells for pearl farming have also been established in three Queensland locations: Albany Island, Turtle Head, and Fitzroy Island. But these islands do not offer much in the way of affordable accommodation.
Northern Territory
Pearl culture operations in the Northern Territory are centred on the Cobourg Peninsula to the northwest of Darwin. After Broome, Darwin is the second most popular place for backpackers to find pearling jobs. Pearl cultivation also occurs in Darwin and Bynoe Harbours.
4. How to Get a Pearling Job
It’s actually very pretty easy: Casual work can be picked up all year round but the busiest season is the harvest season from April/May through to September/October when most places double their amount of staff (most of which are backpackers).
During the season, you can generally pick up work quite easily as there are constantly workers coming and going. Here are my best tips for getting a job in the pearling industry.
4.1 Best Tips to Get a Pearling Job
- Just Arrive in the Pearling Towns – As simple as it sounds many backpackers just arrive in the pearling towns during peak season, start making enquiries and get a job straight away.
- Contact Companies Directly – It is best to contact the companies by phone. Sending an email or resume is less likely to get you the job. (I provided some phone numbers in the next section)
- Talk to Other Backpackers – I have noticed that backpackers love to help each other out, since we are all going through similar experiences. Talk to other backpackers on the way to the pearling towns or when you arrive. They may have already made enquiries or are already working or just finished working in the industry. They may also know which companies are hiring, which pay better and have better conditions!
- Visit the Companies –If you’re already in the pearling towns, showing up at the pearling farms and asking for a job can be useful; especially if you’re having trouble getting through on the phone or you’re having trouble understanding the thick Aussie accent over the phone (we’ve all been there). The company can see you’re keen and ready to work and may even employ you on the spot. I’ve gotten many jobs in Australia using this strategy.
4.2 Contact Details
I have listed below some phone numbers I found so you don’t have to. Be prepared to be polite and patient, many of these numbers are general phone numbers and you may need to ask for a mobile or another number. Good Luck!
4.2.1 WA - Western Australia
In WA the biggest pearl cultivators are Paspaley Pearls, Cygnet Bay Pearls and Clipper Pearls.
Willie Creek Pearls is tourism-based so they may employ you for tourism-based jobs.
Cygnet Bay Pearls – (08) 9192 4283 has a pearling department, tourism and retail side.
If you are a pearling company or backpacker with an alternate number, please contact to help keep this list current.
4.2.2 NT - North Territory
Paspaley Pearls – (08) 9192 2203 (only employ from Darwin)
Clipper Pearls – apply via the website www.clipperpearls.com.au Clipper Pearls’ main farm is located in the NT, near the town of Nhulunbuy (Gove).
5. When Is Pearling Work Available?
The busiest season is the harvest season from April/May to September/October. During the harvest season, work can be found very easily as the companies double their staff numbers and generally employ a lot of backpackers during this time.
Outside of harvest season, you can pick up some casual work but most companies tend to employ fewer new staff in this period and fill their jobs through their regular employees.
6. Work Conditions
Pearling is hard work and is not for everyone. You’ll need to like the sea and early mornings! Boats usually leave around 6 am and finish at around 4:30 pm. The work is physical and can be quite monotonous, dirty, and smelly. Many females work on farms and can take jobs that are less physically demanding.
With some companies, you can work and live on boats. This can be a great way to save money as there is nowhere to spend your hard-earned money. However, comes with the downside that you may not set foot on land for a couple of weeks.
Some boats don’t stay out at sea overnight and you can sleep on land and work on the boats during the day. Most farms are in sheltered and protected waters so you don’t have to worry about getting seasick (but check with the company how far out they go!).
Here you can find a Blog of another backpacker who details their experience in pearling in Western Australia
6.1 Advantages of Working on a Pearling Farm
- There is a great social aspect to this job as there are a lot of travellers or backpackers. The time off after work can be spent swimming, fishing and socialising. Plus, its a great way for me to save a lot of money whilst getting my eligible visa days signed off for your 2nd and 3rd year visa
- Experience being out at sea and the many travellers who go pearling seeing some of the incredibly diverse and beautiful Australian marine life. I get to see sea snakes, turtles, dolphins, sharks, whales and all different types of fish.
For more information – Government of Western Australia, Department of Fisheries.
