Work & Travel Australia Sydney Welcome Week

4 minutes

In addition to job support for a full year, seven nights of accommodation at Wake Up! hostel, long-term housing referrals, and assistance with logistics such as setting up a local bank account and taxes, the Welcome Week includes an activity each day so you can make new friends and start exploring as soon as you arrive.

Day 1: Arrival, Meet & Greet

Welcome to Australia! You will already have a voucher from us covering your transportation from the airport in Sydney to the funky Wake Up! hostel on Pitt Street right in the center of town. Take the time to settle in, rest up after a long flight, and if you’re up for it meet your guide for an informal meet-and-greet. If not, you can connect with the group the next morning.

If you have the time and energy we recommend visiting Paddy’s Market, strolling the Botanic Gardens, or having lunch at Darling Harbor.

Day 2: Info Session and a City Tour

After breakfast (included each morning at the hostel), head over to orientation where you’ll learn about living and working in Australia, the job support available, and logistics like getting your tax ID as well as safety. In the afternoon you’ll meet your guide for a city walk in Sydney with great local advice.

Day 3: Glebe Markets and Pub Night

In the morning you’ll venture out to one of Sydney’s best loved Saturday markets for a look around.

In the evening, join the group pub crawl with your new mates. This includes 4 free drinks, 4 different bars and some light snacks!

Day 4: Harbor and Beach

Chill out on Sydney Harbor, grab some fish and chips if you like, and then head to Manly Beach for some relaxing or beach volleyball if you’re up for it.

Day 5: Blue Mountains Day Trip

A trip to Sydney isn’t complete without a visit to the beautiful Blue Mountains, famous for exhilarating bushwalks and giant waterfalls. You’ll learn about the culture and history of the region from expert guides, while exploring the famous national park. In the evening pizza will be available at the hostel.

Day 6: Pylon Lookout & Lunch, Optional Job Search Seminar

Start the day climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Pylon Lookout and check out the exhibits on the way up. You’ll have lunch at Sydney’s oldest pub, so save some appetite!

Attend a job search seminar for tips on finding work, resumes, cover letters, interviews, and finding specific types of jobs. Join the travel information session going over the highlights of Australia, how to get around and other tips for planning your excursions.

Day 7: Costal Walk + Beach BBQ

Enjoy one of nicest stretches of coastline in Australia on the Bondi coastal walk. Be sure to wear your favorite “budgy smugglers” out to the world-famous and fabulous Bondi Beach! Take a dip in the ocean, catch some rays, and eat up with the most classic of Aussie meals: the barbecue!

As a participant on the Welcome Week, you will be offered a free online Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course, recognized in the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. You may want to work on this in the afternoon if you haven’t already completed it! (Note that if you want RSA certification for Melbourne or Sydney you’ll have to do a separate course.)

The activity week has ended but your adventure will be just beginning! Consult the jobs team about finding work and enjoy your working holiday!

Sydney Welcome Week Arrival Dates

If you hope to travel in 2020, please let us know. We’re monitoring travel restrictions and the public health situation and will take bookings with late 2020 start dates if possible. Depending on circumstances it may be necessary to plan for a 2021 arrival.

We suggest signing up at least two months before your start date and preferably more if possible. Keep in mind that visa processing times can vary (we’ll walk you through the visa process as well).

Don’t see the start date you’re looking for? It’s all good! If you’re open to Melbourne, you can also check out our Melbourne Welcome Week dates. We can also set you up with additional nights of accommodation if you’d like to arrive earlier than your Welcome Week start date.

We aim to adhere as closely as possible to the above schedule but unpredictable factors such as rain can sometimes have an impact on the exact itinerary.