OP if you have qualifications and solid experience in something useful then the WHV is no bar to getting a decent job over here in Oz, but I must say your imagination is second to none.

I reckon you should forget about the mining etc and stick to something you are good at like the old journalism or writing fiction because you can't half write a great story.

Why can't you contemplate fruit-picking? I'm 63, female and have just finished picking a few tonnes of avocados (we grow them). It's hard but not exactly impossible and it keeps me fit rather than cause physical damage. I enjoy doing it despite having a degree in physics and I should think it's much less tiring than cooking in a hot kitchen.

I love your generalisation that elderly Australians are illiterate in technologies and would welcome your input into their lives. How arrogant you appear to be. Good luck with your venture. Hope you acquire some humility on your journey x

I take your point, but to be fair, if my Dad lived in Oz she'd have steady employment.

Why would my grey nomads provide food and lodging or even cash payment for a computer techie when we have a 12 year old in the house who can sort their computer issues for them

My mum uses her 'phone a friend' card which is either me or my brother - but having got her first pc for her 60th, she's pretty good now and knows quite a bit

I was polite until I re-read this diatribe.

You might have training in journalism but your written English is abysmal. Your attitude to other people is condescending, rude, arrogant and ignorant. Having become a part-time farmer later in life I have not yet forgotten how to use a computer - something I have been doing for over 40 years, starting with formal training at university. I have interviewed graduates from all over the world for high-tech jobs and I can tell you that anyone with your attitude and lack of skills would not get a second look, let alone an interview.

If you took the trouble to listen to (not talk to) older people you may be surprised at the wealth of knowledge, experience and innovation to be found in rural Australia. You might make better progress if you didn't insult the very people you think should employ you.

I don't think road train drivers would be happy with nut cutlets and lentils...

Beginning to suspect this is a wind up....

I did from the start

well thanks a LOT for filling me in before I wasted my valuable time answering it... MATE

Wind up or not - as someone who has first hand experience of rural living and some would class us as remote (very loosely outback) and as someone who employed getting on to a hundred backpackers into the role of general farm hands .... I wouldn't touch you with a barge pole.

a) I always ask my guys/gals to commit to three months, it can take a month to learn the job and lay of the land

b) If someone thinks they are above the job ... let them be hungry/bored/skint for a while

c) I'd expect a better (more realistic) approach from someone approaching 30!!

There are people that make the move to Australia as Perm Residents, that are prepared to do anything and everything to make ends meet in order to support themselves and their families if they have them.

You are making it sound as though Australia is lucky to have you and you will 'cherry pick' the creme of the crop in the way of jobs, your 'requirements' are so specific I am surprised you havent hired out someone to do the running for you.

Backpacking should be a fun experience, you should be willing to turn your hand to a few things - not just for the money but for the experience as well.

Step down off that pedestal that you appear to have put yourself on because whilst it is good to have standards, you are coming across as snobby and arrogant, not to mention being exceptionally unrealistic.

Wake up because unless you move your goalposts, my guess is you won't be going anywhere or if you do, you could well be finding yourself going a bit hungry.

Lets he honest here, at the end of the day you will be a backpacker.

For someone with no experience or skills, on a backing visa you can't afford to be too picky. You seem to not want to do anything involving hard work, working with other people, working in an office, working below people, and by the sounds of your post you sound a bit socially awkward.

Don't assume all backpackers are drunks having beach parties getting minimum wage and not being independent. Your plan for a normal job and independent travel on a backpacker visa is far from unique.

Why do you shoot down picking and assume it pays bad? I have friends who were doing cotton picking for $1600 a week with accommodation included. Why do you think you have to drink/be drunk with a bar job?

There are many skilled Aussies and Migrants who can offer more and commit to a decent amount if time.

Wake up and realise, like it or not, you are a backpacker on a backpacker visa.