Seasonal work: 600+ casual jobs waiting to be filled for Christmas
No surprise that retail, hospitality top Illawarra vacancies
There’s just five weeks until Christmas - but if you thought the seasonal job boat has left the wharf without you, think again.
Part-time employment is a significant part of the Illawarra workforce. According to regional data, almost 34% of employed people in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven district worked part-time in the past two years.
Based on current job ads and labor-market data, there are about 600 casual and/or part-time job listings for the Wollongong/Illawarra & South Coast. Retail is the most dominant sector while casual hospitality jobs are relatively common.
There also are a number of casual roles in aged care, medical reception and pathology.
From retail to fashion and beyond
There are still are number of opportunities available for the 2025 Christmas-summer season, from retail to fashion, homewares, and a few specialty stores.
Many seasonal roles initially specified availability through to January or early February, and some may explicitly offer above-award pay and penalties. As always, check the fine print.
Some roles do mention a requirement for full availability over key dates (Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s) while others mention the possibility of converting to longer-term roles once the season ends.
Christmas casuals
Here’s 10 casual jobs advertised for Christmas this week across the Illawarra:
Peter Alexander, Shellharbour
Rebel, Wollongong
Jay Jays, Dapto and Shellharbour
MyHouse, Wollongong and Shellharbour
Neverland Store, Shellharbour
Supercheap Auto, Dapto
The Reject Shop, Albion Park
dusk, Blackbutt
Connor, Wollongong
Goldmark, Shellharbour
Summer hospo roles
There are a few hospitality-based casual roles in Illawarra that could work for Christmas/summer, but they’re a bit more limited than retail. If you’re flexible, proactive, and have relevant certifications, you’ve got a decent shot.
The work is short-term, high-intensity and seasonal, so even if there are no vacancies now, there might be in a few weeks.
The Sebel Kiama’s hospitality crew recruitment day starts at noon, November 26, 2025. Roles will be available at Yves Social (F&B, bar & events), The Sebel Kiama (hotel reception) and Kitchen (chef & kitchen hands). You can walk in on the day or pre-register by hitting “quick apply” on Seek.
“Bring your CV, RSA (if you have one) and a quick intro about yourself. We’ll show you around the venue, then have a relaxed, informal chat with our management team and you’ll have the chance to ask any questions along the way,” management says.
There are more chef jobs at Kiama - Cin Cin Wine Bar and Kiama Leagues Club, for instance - and a variety of roles at the small, family-owned eco retreat and restaurant Paperbark Camp at the summer-friendly South Coast location of Jervis Bay.
Meanwhile, among The Feros Group’s 10-strong portfolio is Shellharbour’s Ocean Beach Hotel and the Berry Hotel. There’s bar and floor staff roles at both pubs with additional positions at Berry.