Intermediate horse handling skills needed for safety but you don’t have to be the best rider in the world! This opportunity is designed for confident, experienced horse riders and handlers looking to take their equine skills to the next level while earning money abroad. Whether you’ve worked in stables, competed, or cared for horses recreationally, this programme gives you the chance to expand your hands-on experience in a professional, fast-paced stud environment.

You’re a great fit if you:

✔️ Have intermediate to advanced horse handling or riding experience (paid or unpaid)
✔️ Are 18–35 years old and eligible for a Working Holiday Visa 417 or Work and Holiday Visa 462 (includes UK, USA, Canada, and most of Europe)
✔️ Have a strong command of English and can communicate confidently
✔️ Can provide a reference and if possible, short riding videos to demonstrate your ability
✔️ Are in good physical condition and fitness

If you love horses, want to live the Aussie rural dream, and are ready for a unique paid placement, this programme could be the perfect fit.

Once you’ve completed your Sydney arrival week, you’ll head to a paid groom position at a professional, high-quality stud farm — usually within driving distance of Sydney. These roles are pre-arranged before you leave home, giving you peace of mind and a clear plan from the outset.

This is a hands-on job for confident horse people who know the physical demands of stable life. While riding isn’t guaranteed, there may be opportunities to ride horses out of work during downtime. Your days will be fast-paced and rewarding, surrounded by elite horses and experienced equine professionals.

🛠️ Typical Daily Duties Include:

• General stud work: feeding, mucking out, rugging, barn cleaning

• Leading high-energy thoroughbreds

• Rehab tasks like hosing, weighing, and observing injuries

• Assisting with foal watch, vet routines, and daily health checks

• Occasional riding opportunities (varies by placement)

• Working closely with trainers, handlers, and stable staff

🕘 Roster & Routine:

• 5 working days per week + 1.5 days off

• Typical hours:
  🐴 Mon–Sat: 6:30am–12:30pm & 2:00pm–4:30pm
  🐴 Sun: From 7:00am, variable finish

• Example schedule:
  6:10am – Depart for the farm
  6:20am – Morning team meeting
  6:30am – Start feed & stable duties
  10:30am–12:30pm – Rotating tasks
  2:00pm–4:30pm – Afternoon duties

🏡 Accommodation:

You’ll live in a shared house on or close to the farm, with:

• Private bedroom

• Fully equipped kitchen

• Wi-Fi, utilities, bedding, and cleaning service

• Shared vehicle for commuting and days off

✅ What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Solid horse experience and confidence handling horses

• Good spoken English

• Strong work ethic and physical fitness

• Flexibility, observance, and willingness to learn

This role is an incredible way to gain paid experience in the Australian equine industry, build your CV, and work with top-level horses in a beautiful rural setting. And you’ll still have full access to city job support if you decide to make a change later on in your working holiday.

You’ll be supported by the Oyster team every step of the way — from application to arrival and throughout your placement.

• You need to apply at least 2 months before you go, but we recommend booking at least 4 – 6 months in advance of departure
• Work visas can take anything from between 1 and 8 weeks so it is best to start the process as soon as you can

Australia is best known for its hot, dry climate. However it can also get very wet and cold. Inland areas are often chilly in the winter at night, even if day time temperatures rise. It’s best to bring layers and be prepared for the changes. Whenever you are going, make sure to pack for rain and cooler temperatures.

Australia is larger than Europe and thus the climate can vary dramatically depending on where you are. Spring is September to November, summer is December to February, autumn lasts from March to May and winter begins in June and lasts through August.

Typically the northern parts of Australia are warmer and tropical all year round because these regions are closer to the equator. In the north, there tends to be two seasons; wet (summer) and dry (winter). Southern Queensland experiences what’s known as subtropical, with a combination of wet and dry but also following the general rule of four seasons. Sydney and the rest of New South Wales are fairly mild in the winter with minimum temperatures often staying above 10°C. The summers are beautiful but can often reach scorching temperatures.

You should be warned that there are some instances where Australia may become very cold during the winter, especially at the higher elevations in Tasmania and Victoria, snow may be abundant and temperatures are below freezing. It is much more seasonal down south so wrap up in winter! In saying that, Melbourne is known as the city with four seasons in one day and has experienced some of the hottest days in Australia on record.

The weather dictates a lot of the what happens in rural Australia and everybody is always talking about it. You may find yourself getting hooked on following weather forecasts such as BOM (Bureau of Meteorology).

We predominantly work with studs in the Sydney and northern New South Wales area.

City work will mostly be in Sydney but the team can help you find work in some of the other major cities and some work in rural locations too.

You can expect to start on or above Australia’s national minimum wage, with most placements offering around $900 AUD per week before tax — plus free accommodation included as part of your package. With no rent, energy bills or council tax, you’ll have a great opportunity to save.

Under the Fair Work Act, pay rates are age-dependent:

• Age 18: 80% of the adult wage

• Age 19: 90% of the adult wage

• Age 20+: Full adult wage

The current national minimum wage is $882 AUD for a 38-hour week, though your total may be higher depending on hours, overtime, and penalty rates for weekends or holidays.

🛏️ Accommodation is free, and food is usually self-catered — giving you the flexibility to manage your budget.

All employment conditions are protected by Australian law. Everyone working in Australia, including visa holders, has the same workplace rights. If you ever have questions about pay or working conditions, help is available via the Fair Work Ombudsman.

To be able to qualify for a 417 or 462 work visa, you must be between the ages of 18 and 35, and hold a passport from one of the eligible countries stated by the Australian Embassy. 

It is important that your level of English is sufficient to be able to operate safely with horses. When working, it is vital that you understand verbal instructions to ensure that you and others are safe.

Life on the farm comes with its rewards — and that includes your downtime. Whether you’re winding down after a day of work or enjoying a weekend off, there’s no shortage of things to do.

🐎 Spend time with the horses – many grooms enjoy hanging around the yard or watching training sessions even when they’re off the clock
🧑‍🌾 Make friends with fellow grooms – placements are social and you’ll quickly connect with others on the same journey
🍻 Relax at the local pub – a staple of small-town Aussie life
🌊 Escape to the coast – enjoy weekend trips to nearby beaches for sun, surf and a change of pace
🌲 Explore national parks – go hiking, spot wildlife or simply enjoy Australia’s incredible natural beauty
🏙️ Take a trip into Sydney – for shopping, shows, and sightseeing at the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and more
⛰️ Visit the Blue Mountains – just a short drive away, with dramatic views, waterfalls and walking trails

And when your job finishes, you’ve got the whole country at your feet. With savings in your pocket, admin already sorted, and 12-month job support available, you’re free to keep working or explore Australia on your own terms.

Yes! We’d love for you to enjoy the orientation and job with your friend.

The Sydney programme runs throughout the year with up to 30 travellers from all over the world taking advantage of this introduction week and set up in Australia.

You will join other grooms and take part in a 2 week trial – these are real jobs and you’ll need to work hard and prove yourself! You may start with 1-2 other grooms but there will certainly be others already working there.

You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what vaccinations you will need. Typically you will need your routine travel vaccinations to be in date and it is essential that your tetanus is up to date. Australia does not require any additional vaccinations to Europe.

For any more information, including entry requirements related to Covid-19, please see the Fit for Travel website or the UK government’s travel advice page for Australia.

This will vary depending on the exact location of your job but there will always be medical facilities in a town or city near by. The studs that you will be working on will have procedures for emergencies. It is possible to get an air ambulance to remote locations but most of our studs are not remote.

Usually the day after leaving Sydney you will travel to the location of your job. Occasionally you may have to wait a couple of days in between.

Most jobs last for about 3 months, sometimes longer. It is possible to work for one employer for up to 12 months on a working holiday visa.

It is likely you will meet lots of people in the equine world and subsequent jobs could follow if you want to continue working throughout your visa.

You will have extensive information on your job offer before you depart for Australia. We want to manage your expectations before you arrive so that you know exactly what you are going to be doing. In unique circumstances, it may be possible to find you another job, but you must be prepared to wait at your own expense for us to find you something suitable.

If you walk out on the job then it is unlikely that you will be offered another. Communication is key and if you aren’t getting on well with your job you must let the team know in order for them to help you.

The Aussies love their meat. Expect fairly simple meals that will fill you well for all the hard work you will be doing. There is usually a beer to accompany most of what you eat! Other than that, you will find all the typical western foods with a few extras thrown in such as vegemite and milo!

In saying this, there are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options available, and places on the coast are very accommodating with dietary requirements. In many cases you will be cooking for yourself in groom’s accommodation so you will be able to eat exactly what you like.

All dietary requirements can be met at the training farm and in Sydney.

It is usually limited in rural areas but WiFi is accessible in most places. Telstra is the network to sign up with to increase your chances of rural signal.

Eastern Australia is 10 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +10) but if your job is located slightly further afield then this might vary

Providing you follow all instructions given by your employer, you should feel secure working in Australia as you would be at home. Probably more so.

Whilst Australia is developed country, it is important however, as in any big city, to be aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings in sight and keep your wits about you. Crime levels in Australia are low.

Australian electrical appliances operate on 240v at 50hz but the socket outlets are not compatible with the other countries’ plugs. This means you will need a specific Australian adapter.

This paid work abroad programme aims to help you hit the ground running once you arrive in Australia. It therefore involves support and advice, rather than supervision. You will have a lot of interaction with our UK rep (Georgie) and the team on the ground during the first week or so. When you get to your job, you will probably feel able to do most things independently or with the help of your employer. However, you will still be able to to call on us at any time for support.

Oyster has responsibility for your safety on all activities directly organised by us. However, during your free time, and after the first week of intensive support, we will not be in control of your activities and you will need to take responsibility for making safe decisions. We will provide plenty of guidance about this. We will also be able to provide help in an emergency for up to 12 months.

Take a Gap Year in Australia to one of the most popular destinations in the world for work and travel. Some of the greatest attractions for people wanting to work there include that the English language is spoken, the laid back culture is very appealing, the weather is great and there is a variety of work on offer.

This Gap Year Program gives you the opportunity to embrace life down-under, safe in the knowledge that you have support and a group of young like-minded people around you.

Travelling in Australia is safe and easy and by obtaining an Australian working holiday visa, you can get a paid job to keep the cost of living down. Start by getting a job in Australia on this gap year program to kick start your Aussie Adventure.