French backpacker sparks debate after saving $15,000 in three months on WA farm

A French backpacker working on an Aussie farm has shared how much he saved in just three months, prompting a huge debate.

A French backpacker, who claims he has saved $15,000 in three months working on a farm in Western Australia, has asked the controversial question: “How can you be poor in Australia?”

While social media platform TikTok has become popular among expats and travellers – where they share their observations of their new homes – the clips don’t always go down well with the locals.

The French backpacker, who runs the account “imaustraliannow”, claimed in a video this week he was working on a farm on minimum wage and yet had been able to save more than he would have working in a professional marketing role back in his home country.

“I do about 50 hours per week. I try to earn a lot of money … in three months I have saved $15,000 in my savings account,” he said.

“So that’s my question, how can you be poor in Australia? Because even if you work on the minimum rate … I earn more money than with my master’s degree in France – that’s crazy.”

A French backpacker claims he saved $15,000 in three months. Picture: TikTok/@imaustraliannow

He said his work on the Western Australia farm involved cutting trees. Picture: TikTok/@imaustraliannow

While some Australians congratulated the man on his strong work ethic, others suggested the backpacker had no idea what financial pressures most people faced Down Under.

“Maybe because there’s a rental crisis and not everyone is able to move to the middle of nowhere to work on a farm, especially full-time parents, disabled etc,” one wrote.

“A lot of people aren’t in a position where they can just up and move to rural WA,” said another.

“Try living in Sydney or Melbourne – then you would understand,” suggested one person.

“You’re young and no dependants, try having children and whole house to pay for instead of one bed and some baked beans,” added another.

“Rent, bills, daycare, petrol, school fees = no money left,” one mum said.

Many pointed out that as a fruit picker the man would likely have also been given free accommodation and food with no bills to pay.

In a separate video, the TikToker fired back, saying he has a car and pays $300 a week rent with his girlfriend.

“About the people who say, ‘Yes, but come to live in the city and have a look’ – no,” he said.

“No, I will not. Why? Because it’s sh*t in the city. You have a lot of places everywhere in Australia, places so beautiful with nobody.”

Australian fruit farms rely on backpackers and seasonal workers.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, an adult casual worker picking fruit or vegetables on an hourly rate should earn at least $26.73 an hour.

Many people commented on the video that the maths didn’t add up for the backpacker to have saved $15,000 in three months.

To one man questioning the truth of his statement, he said he worked more than 50 hours a week.

Originally published as French backpacker sparks debate after saving $15,000 in three months on WA farm