Hey Maverick,
Depends on what you can, and/or want, to do. I don't know what your background is so I've put a few ideas down depending on what type of work you want to do.
1) Expectations
Be flexible in terms of the job and the $ you're prepared to work for and you'll get work anywhere. Be fussy and you'll probably struggle to get something that meets the criteria (unless you're in mining).
2) Preparation
If you can, try and roughly work out where you're going to be at the time you'll want to work, then find out what industry is in that area. No point saying you want to pick grapes when you get to Darwin. Google is your friend-check out local council websites, sites that want to attract workers to an area and tourism sites as a start; most of those will have some info on what industry is around. Books like Lonely Planet are also handy as they have some stuff about work in popular areas the slackpacker set get work.
Nothing works better than word of mouth so fire up your family, mates & colleagues now & start talking about where you're going and what you want to do-you'd be surprised at where your current 'network' has contacts.
If you're thinking about jobs that you'll need to apply for as opposed to walking into say a picking job, don't forget to take copies of your cv with you & make sure you've got access to employer referees that go back 2 years. Nothing worse than getting offered a beaut job subject to references then stressing because your old boss has retired to Bermuda and you didn't get his/her email address.
3) When you get there
Keep your ears & eyes open - when I was backpacking I was offered a job in Mildura while getting a haircut. It's sometimes about being in the right place at the right time. And not asking the barber to do you a mullet.
Check newspapers, signs on the side of the road / in windows. And find the local recruitment agencies-I personally dislike them (I was one for 10 years!) but for short term jobs you can't beat 'em. You'll need your cv and references here.
If you've a trade you'll find it much easier to get well paid work, as you're probably aware most places are crying out for trades. Or why not take your tools and work for yourself? Just put a sign up in yer vehicle, talk to people in the caravan park, put a sign up in a shop or put something in the local rag. If you really did want to go down that route get yourself a couple of car magnets done up now - you can then whack 'em on the 4by when you're up for work, and whip 'em off when you're on holiday.
That's not everything but hope it gives you some ideas.
Cheers…
