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. Our representative, Alex, will be showing you around her hometown whilst helping to find you a job and an apartment.

It's not all hard work either. We put on regular get togethers over a BBQ and beer at Bondi for all the people who have arrived that week, as well as those who have been in Sydney for a while already. It's a good chance to meet new people and share tips on Sydney life. You won't 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!

At the end of the application form for Australia, you will be asked to pay the first £50 of the program fee. Once we receive this, and your application form, we will fix a time for an informal telephone interview with you. If, after interview, we were unable to offer a place we would return the £50 to you

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. Dependent on your flight time you can take up your free dinner that night or wait until another night in the week.

Alex, our rep, will meet up with you the next day to begin your week long orientation around the city.

Supporting you

Alex will be there for you from the beginning, when she picks you up from the airport. You'll get to know her very well during the first few days when she will take you around and give you lots of local knowledge. She will be a friendly support to you during the first two weeks, linking you up with agencies and career advisors and advising on accommodation. Once that's all sorted, she will take more of a backseat, but will still be there if you need her. She’ll be holding weekly consultations, as well as monthly socials at Bondi that you can go along to throughout your time in Sydney.

Oyster representatives are there to be a helpful friend to you and steer you through difficulties of any kind. Alex will be there for you to sort out any problems that you don’t feel able to handle yourself.

Accommodation

You'll spend your first two weeks in a hostel in the heart of the city, within walking distance of one of the main train stations, the supermarket, the main shopping areas and Darling Harbour. The hostel has a huge kitchen, laundry and computer area, with an adjoining bar and restaurant that holds nightly activities. You will be sharing 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.