What you’ll learn from Zac’s story
Meet Zac
My name is Zac, I’m 26 years old and I'm a full-stack software developer and a digital nomad. Over the last few years, I've embraced a lifestyle of remote work and travel, which has allowed me to explore various parts of the world. I was born in New Zealand, but moved to Australia when I was young, growing up in Brisbane and losing the Kiwi accent in the process. My family and I moved around a lot, living in places like Singapore and Australia, which instilled in me a love for a nomadic lifestyle.
What I do for work
Currently, I work as a freelance software developer. I prefer freelancing because it offers flexibility and higher pay compared to being a full-time employee. Although freelancing lacks job security, I find the freshness and the feeling of making direct contributions to be very rewarding. In contrast to big corporations where I felt like just another number, working with startups allows me to see the immediate impact of my work.
Most recently, I've been involved in the cryptocurrency industry. My background also includes traditional finance, education technology, and telecommunications. I began coding at 13, starting with Minecraft mods, and by the time I graduated high school, I was already a proficient developer.
Freelancing typically involves working around 40 hours a week, though it can sometimes extend to 50 or 55 hours, especially when dealing with American clients who tend to work longer hours. While some freelancers juggle multiple contracts, I prefer focusing on one contract at a time to avoid stress. This means I can dedicate myself fully to each project, ensuring high-quality work and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Financially, freelancing, especially internationally, can be more lucrative than full-time positions in Australia. However, the market for contractors has tightened recently, leading to a reduction in rates. Despite this, contracting in the U.S. still pays well, particularly when converted to Australian dollars. In peak times like 2022, rates were exceptionally high, but the market has since contracted, and I had to lower my rates by about 20% in 2024 to continue securing contracts. Typically, a freelance software developer with a few years of experience might start at around $50 AUD per hour, with the potential to reach $100 AUD per hour or more with extensive experience.
In terms of finding these opportunities, I utilise a mix of methods. I've previously contracted through platforms like Toptal, though their rates have recently declined, making them less appealing at the moment. Industry connections and responding to job ads are other effective ways I find new opportunities. Remote contracting can be competitive, as you are up against candidates from around the globe, but the sheer number of available jobs also increases your chances of landing a role. It’s a numbers game—apply to as many positions as possible, and eventually, something will stick. The biggest hurdle is often the visa requirements, which can be tricky to navigate.
Welcome to my “office”
My nomadic lifestyle means I don't have a permanent residence. I work from various locations like hotel rooms, hostels, libraries, and co-working spaces. One of my favourites is WeWork, which offers a global pass allowing access to their spaces worldwide. This flexibility enables me to land in a new city, find a nearby WeWork, and start working immediately. WeWork spaces are great because they provide a professional environment, reliable internet, and the opportunity to meet other professionals. It also gives me a really cool opportunity to meet local people who work in that country.
Join me on a typical work day
A typical day for me depends on the local time zone. For instance, when I was in Korea, I had to start work at 3 AM due to the time difference with my clients in the U.S. My day involves early morning starts, working from co-working spaces, and engaging with local colleagues. I usually wake up around 2:30 AM, have a quick breakfast, and head to the nearest WeWork or similar co-working space. By 3 AM, I'm logged in and ready for my stand-up meetings and to start my coding tasks.
My workday is structured but flexible. I might take a break around 7 AM for a coffee or a light snack, often from a local convenience store like 7-Eleven, which is one of the few places open that early. I then continue working until midday. Lunch is a great opportunity to explore local cuisine and socialize with other co-workers or locals. I often go out with people I meet at the co-working spaces, who can show me the best local spots.
After lunch, I might work for a few more hours if needed, but typically I finish up my work by early afternoon. This leaves me with the rest of the day to explore the city, engage in local activities, and immerse myself in the culture.
What I do outside of work
The thing I like most about travelling is meeting people. Seeing tourist attractions is nice and I make sure to do all the typical tourist stuff like visiting the city and trying the food, but I prefer spending times going to local spots with locals. Since I meet so many locals from WeWork I usually join whatever plans they have after work. Also, social events organised by hostels which I try to go to as well.
Struggles of remote working
The hardest part is the lack of stability in your life. There is a certain level of comfort associated with having friends to hang out with, your family nearby, a place to stay, all that. Because travelling is expensive, the lifestyle I live isn’t that lavish. I’m staying at hostels, not eating amazingly unless it’s something really special. You also need to deal with different currencies, local laws, different languages, and all of this alone. You have to deal with all of these things yourself, which can be a bit scary.
Another struggle is staying motivated to complete a high workload, especially with all the distractions of being in a completely new country. It can be really tempting to just take a break or slack off especially when something more interesting is right in front of you (for me it was the beach in Hawaii).
To stay focused, I use a pomodoro method of working in small intervals and weaving in short breaks in between work sessions. A schedule also helps a lot, and I often start my day by writing a to-do-list which sets an agenda for the rest of the day.
How I got started
My journey into the remote working lifestyle began long before I fully committed to it. It was a gradual progression with several key milestones along the way. The pivotal moment that set everything in motion was when I landed a job at Telstra, one of my early jobs. I was 18 years old, working as a network technician and security analyst. This role required a mix of programming and hands-on hardware tasks, such as installing servers.
My job at Telstra involved frequent travel within Australia, particularly to Sydney and Melbourne, where I often had to perform server installations. At the peak of this role, I was flying to Melbourne approximately every fortnight, spending about a week there each time. While some of my colleagues found this frequent travel disruptive, I personally liked it. This experience was my first taste of working remotely, as I had to balance my job with university studies, often completing my coursework online while on the road.
I enjoyed the travel and the flexibility of working from different locations. However, the real turning point came later when I started working for a subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank, a startup environment where I began to see the value of working in smaller, more dynamic teams. This role didn't involve as much travel, but it was crucial in building my confidence to transition into contracting.
After gaining experience in the startup space, I ventured into freelancing, primarily contracting for companies in the United States. This new phase of my career involved international travel for work, paid for by the American companies I contracted with. My first trip to the U.S. was for a company conference, and it reignited my passion for work-related travel, reminiscent of my days at Telstra.
On these trips, I often negotiated with my employers to extend my stay beyond the conference dates, arguing that it was inefficient to fly halfway across the world for just a few days. They agreed, allowing me to extend my trips and cover the additional accommodation costs myself.
This flexibility allowed me to immerse myself in the local culture and work environment, making each trip longer and more enriching.
The defining moment for me was during one of these extended stays in the U.S. I was working in a WeWork office in San Francisco, when I realised “F*ck I love this”. It was then that I realized I wanted to fully commit to the digital nomad lifestyle. I had been dreaming about it for years, but this moment solidified my resolve. I decided to take the plunge.
Within 24 hours, I made several drastic decisions. I called my landlord to break my lease, listed all my belongings on Gumtree to sell, and informed my parents of my plans to leave the country permanently. I booked a ticket to Mexico and returned to Australia for a brief period to tie up loose ends. Over the next month and a half, I sold my possessions, sorted out necessary visas, and prepared for my new life on the road. Once everything was in order, I left Australia and didn't return for nearly a year.
I embarked on a journey across the Americas. I started in Canada, then moved through the United States and Mexico, eventually making my way across various South American countries. Each location offered unique experiences and challenges, enriching my journey as a digital nomad.
Throughout my travels, I've found certain countries particularly memorable for various reasons.
For instance, Canada and Ireland stand out for having the nicest people. It's a stereotype, but Canadians truly are incredibly friendly, as are the Irish. In terms of food, Mexico was a revelation. The authentic Mexican cuisine is vastly different from the Mexican food available in Australia or the U.S., offering a rich and diverse culinary experience. I also enjoyed the food in Turkey and Georgia, each offering unique and delicious local dishes.
For freelancing and co-working, Colombia, specifically Medellín, was my favourite. Medellín has a vibrant digital nomad community and excellent co-working spaces. It's an affordable city with a high quality of life, making it ideal for remote work. The city's thriving freelance scene allowed me to meet numerous digital nomads and local entrepreneurs, creating a dynamic and supportive environment.
My plans for the future
Having recently returned to Australia after an extensive period of travel, I'm in a transitional phase, reevaluating my plans and looking towards the future. Currently, I am in between contracts and have been out of work for about a month. While the market has contracted significantly, making it a bit more challenging to find new roles, I am not overly concerned. I have been taking it easy, enjoying the end of my travels and relying on my savings. Now, I am actively seeking a new contract, specifically focusing on opportunities in Europe.
My goal is to secure a contract in London, Berlin, or Prague. While the pay in Europe is generally lower than in the United States, I am drawn to the region for its diverse travel opportunities and different time zones, which better align with my desire to explore Europe and Africa.
My message to the world
In terms of advice for aspiring remote workers or those considering a similar path, I have a few key pieces of wisdom to share:
You don’t have to jump right into the deep end right away, you can dip your toes first: While when you look at my life, it seems like this whole thing just happened, but in reality it was a slow progression, with shorter side trips before I committed to full time travel. Don’t feel like you have to jump right in and start small to get used to the feeling.
Hire a Good Accountant: This might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about remote work, but it is crucial. The tax implications of earning foreign income can be incredibly complex. My first year of international contracting was a nightmare due to tax issues. A knowledgeable accountant can save you a lot of headaches by helping you navigate the intricacies of tax laws, especially when dealing with multiple income sources and countries.
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