Kaitaia barman topless in Australia

A young Northlander has found a novel way to pay for his studies and avoid the jobs drought at home - topless barwork across the Tasman.

Kaitaia's Jordan Jujnovich is one of six topless barmen treating the ladies to a bit of eye candy at the Ambassador Hotel bar in Mackay, a city in northern Queensland, every Friday and Saturday night.

Mackay's Daily Mercury newspaper reported that the Kaitaia lad used bar work to pay his way through Waikato University, but was new to the topless scene.

"It's hot in Mackay, I'm having trouble with the heat so it's easier to work with a shirt off," he said.

Jordan said he and his colleagues gave excellent service and got good tips.

"It's not something I thought I'd ever do ... I was surprised how relaxed I felt working as opposed to the start of the [first] night."

Manager Jody Firth said the men had been good for business.

"We've got Showbar for the guys, but there's nothing for the ladies. We're looking after the ladies," she said.

Jordan and three university mates earlier spent six months working in the mines in Western Australia to pay for a six-week dream trip following the All Blacks around the country during the Rugby World Cup.

They bought an old Kaiwaka school bus, replaced the seats with beds, a dining table and sound system, and dubbed it Jake the Buss.