Hi everyone,

I'm currently thinking of applying for a working holiday visa and am wondering if anyone who has already done it can give me some advice. Basically I want to know how easy it is to find a decent job in Sydney or Melbourne - owing to the fact that you can only stay in a job for 3 months as a condition of the visa?

I'd also like to know if these jobs pay enough to allow a good standard of living and what people think is a good amount of savings to take with you initially.

Thanks in advance!

Helen

Hi Helen,

Firstly you can stay in one position for up to 6 months, not just the 3. We employ a lot of backpackers as tractor drivers etc and provide free accommodation and plenty of opportunity to earn/save money (helps being in the sticks!). Depending on where you want to work and what you want to do will depend on ease of work.

I've heard January is a bit of a nightmare as so many people are over here for the big summer break etc. Some guys haven't wanted to work much so have needed big credit cards/savings and others have ended up going home with loads of money having worked hard.

Good luck and have fun

I have met people in surprisingly good jobs on WHVs here in Melbourne. I thought people on WHVs would only be able to get bar work or fruit picking but I have met many people doing office work in the city which would be comparitively well paid.

BB

Much of it depends on whether you have a profession or trade that's in demand.

I have a BA and MA in literature from a red-brick university in the UK.

I lived on the Central Coast NSW when I arrived on a WHV in June 2009, couldn't find any work so worked from home for 63336, the UK text Q&A service.

Moved to Sydney in July this year, applied for 135 jobs, the only job I could get was a receptionist. My hourly rate is lower than I got in my part-time job at the Post Office back in the UK.

You may of course be luckier than me, but I'd advise you to be prepared to take a job that has less prestige (and pay) than you would ideally like.

In my Australian backpacking days I did electrical engineering for ABB in Liverpool, Sydney. It was great as I was earning nearly $30ph (this was in 1995 and was a very good salary for that time) and all my flatmates were getting $8ph labouring, waitressing etc. My travel funds were looking flash when I left Australia!

This question has been asked before several times and you often get many replies saying "you'll only find bar work/companies don't want to take you on for 3months/ they think you'll up and leave".

But in keeping with this thread, I'd say that's not true at all. If you've got the skills, companies will employ you in an office environment and depending on your skills, you can earn good money. Also if you impress your employers, you stand a chance of being sponsored for permanent residency.

Yeah its not always the case that you are stuck picking berries, I came on a WHV back in '04/05 and was making $1600 a week and in the end the Employer sponsored me to stay. Most of my friends were making well over $1200 pw in construction on a WHV.

It all depends on what you are experienced in and prepared to do.

Hi Helen

I was on a WHV in Oz 2007-2008. I found it difficult getting work in Sydney at first but found a job through a friend doing casual shop work. I've heard of WHV holders getting office work and a decent pay/sponsorship and I think out in the suburbs and outback it can be relatively easy to find fruit picking work etc but I'd definitely say try and mix with as many people as possible and network. A lot of the employement market out there seems to be 'its not what you know its who you know.'
Also, I absolutely loved my time out there and my only regret is that I didn't get a second WHV (by doing my 3 months agriculture/primary industry work) so be prepared to try and fit this into your schedule somewhere so it gives you the option of a 2nd year if you so wanted it.
Absolutely enjoy-its an amazing experience!

I did a whole heap of stuff on my WHV.
At first I couldn't get a job and things were getting tight. Then I got a job in a nightclub doing bookings for bands etc. Then I registered with a temp agency and got heaps of work... I ended up doing legal work in the city for a legal firm.
One of the (slightly dodgy) clients of legal firm asked me if I wanted some evening work so I said yes and ended up doing reception in a massage parlour for a few weeks. The pay was great.

After that I booked some serious travel, paid for a bus ticket all over Aus and a flight to NZ. I worked at the top end in a backpacker's place in Cairns I think - picking backpackers up from the bus station and settling them in and also in a cafe up there and had a small stint on a farm helping out for a few weeks. I picked up restaurant work in Sydney too ...
Friends of mine worked for Darling Harbour doing cleaning, others worked in David Jones on the Christmas stores that popped up here and there. There's lots of work if you want it... bring a suit and update your cv. : )

Its possible but no longer easy like it was two years ago. Same as for Aussies going to Britain, many used to walk in to professional jobs now with the state of the market many would be in bars.

Like others have said, it entirely depends on your qualifications and skills. I'm a social worker and have had no probs finding work, earning a fair whack more than I was in the UK. Try and find a specialist agency if there is one for your occupation and sign-up with them just before you leave the UK so you can have an interview soon after arriving. Bring enough money to tide you over - you may be unemployed for a few weeks once you get here. Otherwise be open minded and see what's out there!