Australia Sydney

Something for everyone

If you want to experience working and travelling abroad but don’t want to make the first step on your own then this placement is perfect for you. You will join an instant group of friends and be shown around the city, getting all the insider local knowledge that you’ll need. You’ll be helped to sort out your tax file number, get your Medicare cover, open a bank account and get an Australian SIM card and phone card. You will also do an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) course which is vital if you want to work in a bar or licensed restaurant or café. You'll be shown the local hotspots, get insider knowledge on the best of what Sydney has to offer and get help finding you a job and an apartment with a whole day dedicated to property viewing.

It's not all hard work either. For the first two weeks you will be staying in a hostel the centre of Sydney, and while looking for jobs you enjoy many exciting activites including a three day beach escape with sandboarding, a dolphin watching cruise and koala spotting, coastal tours, city tours, a fantastic private cruise around the harbour, a cocktail course and much much more.

See the Comprehensive Itinerary for more information.

You won't get the time to be bored: Sydney always has something new to offer and you will struggle to see and do it all, no matter how long you stay. Just don't be tempted into spending all your travelling money while you're there!

What will I be doing in Sydney?

The work available to you in Sydney is plentiful, with the majority of the jobs in retail, bars, restaurants, cafés or offices. The pay is pretty good, with wages around $15 per hour if you have no experience, up to around $25 per hour for those with relevant skills.

Working in a city abroad definitely helps your CV and gives you excellent preparation for going away to university or starting a future job. And what better city to work in than Sydney? You will be working with Australians and most likely other backpackers too, so you’ll instantly be making friends in the workplace and adding to your social life. You can work for each employer for a maximum of 6 months. By that time you will have the skills and know-how to find yourself another job if you want it. Read our blog for more information.

Getting there

You will be met upon arrival at Sydney international airport and taken straight to your hostel where you will have time to get over your jet lag and get to know the rest of your group. The fun begins with a social with the others in your group offering your first taste of life in Sydney.

Throughout the run up to your trip you will receive help and support from the UK-based office. Once overseas, our team are on call to help out with settling in to life in Sydney- from organising socials to helping set up admin, from offering help on accommodation to showing you round the city- there will be someone there for you.

Supporting you

You will meet the rest of the group at the airport (or maybe even on the same flight as you!) Here you will be collected and make your way to the hostel in Sydney where you will be spending your first two weeks. Throughout the two weeks, trips and events are organised for you to help you get to know Sydney, the rest of your group and what life in Australia will hold for you. You will get help and support on the job hunt through being linked up with a leading recruitment agency, as well as accommodation help with a property viewing day. Help is also on hand for CVs, interview technique and other work related or Sydney related queries.

Accommodation

You'll spend your first two weeks in 'WakeUp' hostel in central Sydney. The hostel has great facilities, including a bar, tv lounge, clean and secure bedrooms and 24hr wifi. Expect to share an en-suite room with the rest of your group. During that time you will be helped to search for an apartment for the rest of your time in Sydney. However, you might like to continue staying in the hostel for a weekly discounted rate. Shared apartments in Sydney are around A$230 per week.