Work

Many participants work in a retail, hospitality or office role. With so much flexibility you will have more of an opportunity to travel around and explore everything that Australia has to offer. If you would like to enhance your résumé, why not join our ‘Skills and Thrills’ arrival program which includes two one-day courses and a job shop. See “Enhanced Program Opportunities” for more information. More detailed information regarding job hunting is included in the Work Work Australia Handbook.

Finding a job

There is generally plenty of short-term or casual work available and IEP offers participants support and job leads. Be prepared to be flexible and open to opportunities when job hunting and you should be successful.

Australia has a thriving tourist industry and there are always positions available in offices, hotels, shops and restaurants. Career-related work is an option for some participants. Agricultural work is also plentiful. When you arrive, IEP will tell you which crops are in season and how to find such work but be prepared for hard physical work in varied weather conditions!

Remember that the seasons are reversed in Australia. Our winter is their summer and vice versa. Australian students start their summer break in mid-November and are potential job competition until mid-January/early-February.

Australia Living Costs

Previous Work Australia participants earned an average of A$350-400 per week. It could be some time after arrival before you receive your first paycheck so it is vital that you arrive with sufficient funds in-hand to pay for your food, accommodation, travel and other expenses during these initial weeks.

When you find accommodation, you will probably have to pay your first month’s rent in advance along with a security deposit or bond (approx. A$600 in total). Once you have settled in, expect to pay A$175-200 per week for food and accommodation. With reasonable budgeting, you should be able to save enough to finance your travels.