A young British woman is left feeling financially unwell after being paid for a month’s work in Australia.
British backpacker Rae says she took home $3,900 after working as a waitress for a month.
She did the same job at home and earned only £600 ($1160 AUD) from it.
“Why was I waitressing in the UK for so little money?” she asked on TikTok.
Rae explained that she also works less in Australia, now working 30 hours a week instead of 45 hours.
“Come to Australia. I’m just a waitress, it’s a simple job. I just feed people,” she said.
“I make $30 an hour on weekdays, $35 an hour on Saturdays, and $42 on Sundays.”
Rae explained that in the UK she was paid monthly and in Australia she was paid fortnightly, so she waited until she had received two paychecks from her Australian boss before making the video.
She works in a hotel and lives on site in a shared room with one other staff member.
This costs only $150 a week and is taken out of her paycheck before she sees the money.
“My first paycheck was $1,800 and my second was $2,100,” she said in a second video.
Even after the $600 was deducted from her rent, she still earned three times what she made at home.
“I’m not saying the grass is greener, but,” she said.
‘This video is intended to help backpackers who are considering moving to Australia! I do not intend to brag, spread hate or spread misinformation in any way.’
In other videos she showed that Australia has her whole heart.
But Australians were divided over the short clip, with some criticizing Rae for making Australia seem like a place full of opportunity.
“No, don’t come here, we have a housing crisis!” said one.
“Where can you do that? I’m Australian and don’t have a job that pays that for 30 hours,” wrote another.
In Australia, temporary waiters are paid a minimum of $29.04 per hour
“Yes, it’s easy to earn, but rent is expensive. It’s your rental situation that saves you,” added another.
However, others agreed with everything she said.
“$1000 a week is pretty standard for Australia,” one person wrote.
“For those asking, take a look at our restaurant wage policy. $29.04 per hour is the minimum for an on-call worker,” someone else added.
And other travellers from the UK agreed.
“I’ve been trying to tell my sisters this for 10 years, I’m here. The wages are super good,” wrote one
Another said: ‘Oh my god, I totally agree with you. I take a lot more than I do in the UK, and everything is cheaper here too. It’s a win-win.’