Finding a job in French Polynesia

To look for work in Tahiti, job seekers check the SEFI, the recruitment platforms of the Territory, the State and the municipalities, classified sites such as Petites-annonces.pf, and business coverage from Tahiti Infos or Radio1, mostly in French.

SEFI, the Polynesian public employment service

In French Polynesia, employment falls under the Territory's authority rather than France Travail. The SEFI, the service for employment, training and professional integration, publishes vacancies, hiring incentives and internship schemes for registered job seekers in Papeete.

Three separate public services

The public sector recruits at three levels: the Territory's administration, State services headed by the High Commission, and the 48 municipalities. Each one posts its own vacancies, so candidates must monitor several websites rather than a single central job board.

Territorial exams and recruitment

The Aravihi platform and the French Polynesia civil service website announce competitive exams, vacancies in the Territory's departments and exam timetables. These notices are often picked up by Tahiti Infos and read out on the Polynésie la 1ère news bulletin.

Municipalities and the management centre

The Centre de gestion et de formation, or CGF, centralises municipal vacancies from Papeete to Rangiroa or Nuku Hiva. The Emploi-collectivités site also lists local government posts, useful for candidates willing to work in the remote archipelagos of the territory.

University and State service positions

The University of French Polynesia, at Outumaoro in the municipality of Punaauia, advertises its teaching and administrative posts. The High Commission publishes vacancies in State services, some of which are open to transfers from mainland France.

Classified ads and local networks

In the private sector, many jobs circulate through Petites-annonces.pf, IA ORA NA or word of mouth. Hotels, restaurants, construction and retail often hire quickly there; our page on Tahiti classified ads details the main sites and their sections.

What does the business press report?

Tahiti Infos, Radio1 and TNTV cover salaried employment figures, often drawn from publications of the ISPF statistics institute, as well as layoffs and business start-ups. Reading these sections helps you target the sectors that are actually hiring.

Tourism, a major employer

Bora-Bora hotels, Moorea guesthouses, cruise operators and airlines such as Air Tahiti Nui rank among the private employers followed by the press. Our page on Tahiti tourism media presents the key players and the latest news from the sector.

Checking local employment conditions

Polynesian labour law has its own rules, including its own minimum wage and measures that favour local employment in certain professions. Before signing a contract, consult the Territory's Labour Directorate and the explanations published by the local press.

Useful languages at work

French is the everyday working language, but Tahitian is valued in public-facing services, community activities and teaching. English matters in hotels and tourism, where American and Pacific visitors make up a large share of the clientele.

Following the market from mainland France

Overseas media such as Outremers360 and France Info Outre-mer regularly cover employment in Polynesia. To compare with New Caledonia or the French Caribbean, our page on the French overseas territories press gathers the titles of the other territories.

Cost of living and housing before applying

A Tahiti salary is quoted in CFP francs and must be weighed against housing costs, which are high in Papeete, Punaauia or Arue. The business sections of La Dépêche de Tahiti and Tahiti Infos help you estimate this budget realistically.

Searching for a Tahiti job remotely

1. Check SEFI vacancies every week, along with the recruitment platforms of the Territory, the State and the municipalities.
2. Set up alerts on Petites-annonces.pf and IA ORA NA with precise keywords such as hospitality, accountant or nurse.
3. Read the Tahiti Infos business pages and listen to Radio1 bulletins to spot hotel openings and announced construction projects.
4. Check the eligibility conditions for each post, especially local employment protection rules and any required length of residence.
5. Tailor your CV to the Polynesian market by mentioning the languages you speak, your availability and any island experience.
6. Confirm the application deadline and the recruiting body directly on its official website before sending your documents.

Job vacancy sources and access conditions

Key facts for candidates in Polynesia

• Employment service: SEFI, in Papeete
• Statistics: ISPF, the French Polynesia statistics institute
• Municipal recruitment: Centre de gestion et de formation (CGF)
• Languages: French, Tahitian valued, English for tourism
• Time zone: UTC-10, useful for remote interviews
• Salary currency: CFP franc (XPF)

Common job search mistakes in Tahiti

• Applying for an expired vacancy found through a search engine: territorial exams have strict closing dates, often already past on copied pages.
• Assuming a France Travail listing automatically applies in Polynesia, when employment there is handled by a separate service, the SEFI.
• Answering a fake ad that asks for payment to secure a job or staff housing in Bora-Bora.
• Underestimating housing costs in Papeete by comparing a CFP franc salary with a euro salary without converting.
• Overlooking local labour law, which differs from the national Labour Code, particularly on contracts and the minimum wage.

Questions about working in Tahiti