Work & Travel Australia

2023 Arrival dates

Arrivals are Tuesdays and your accommodation will be pre-booked until Saturday morning. Extra nights can be easily added before or after this window.

Prior to travel

Try to sign up 2+ months in advance. Prior to traveling we’ll provide a handbook to prepare you for the job search, logistics like buying a car or public transportation, cost of living, accommodation, and much more. We’re also here to answer any questions you have, including about the visa application.

The first four nights

The Work & Travel Australia program provides support when you need it for up to a year but upon arrival, you’ll have at least four pre-booked nights of accommodation and a few activities to help you get your bearings and meet a few new friends and support staff members.

Tuesday

Welcome to Australia! Arrive and catch your shuttle to the WakeUp hostel in central Sydney. You’ll be booked in a dorm-style room (10 share) for the next four nights. Smaller room upgrades may be possible and you’re welcome to add additional nights before or after this itinerary.

Breakfast is included each morning. You’ll also receive a AUD $20 meal/drink voucher for the Side Bar.

Wednesday

After breakfast a program representative will be there at the hostel for a welcome, and to provide you with a AUD $20 OPAL (public transportation) card. You’ll head out for a walk from Coogee to Bondi beach, where you can enjoy a beverage at Salty’s Bar.

Relax on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.

Thursday

You’ll visit the bank to get your account set up prior to orientation at the support office in Sydney. Orientation will cover working in Australia, tax, superannuation, visas, safety, driving, accommodation and general tips about life in Australia. After orientation we encourage you to stick around the members’ lounge for an initial consultation about your job search.

Friday

Regroup for a Sydney city walking tour in the morning. The remainder of the day is open so that you can visit the members’ lounge and pick up more insights about jobs and/or explore the city on your own. Tips for sightseeing are always available and you can pop over to the travel desk in the members’ lounge to book discounted activities.

Saturday

Hostel check out

Ongoing support

Beyond these initial activities your program includes:

• Job offers
• Personal consultations with job staff
• Résumé checking service
• Accommodation information and help
• Mail holding and mail forwarding services
• Discounted travel
• Free Internet access points around Australia
• Members only lounge
• Free CV printing and copying
• Online ‘members only’ web portal

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.

Surf Camp add-on

You probably wouldn’t be going to Australia if you didn’t want to spend some time exploring its stunning beaches. Whether you want to “get good” at surfing or just want to have an amazing time with new people living the beach life for a few days after the itinerary above, adding a Surf Camp is a great option.

The Surf Camp add-on will not be available between June 19 and July 16, 2023

Lessons

Eight 2-hour lessons are included during this 5-day progressive surf course designed for beginners. You can expect to stand up, ride waves & acquire the essential skills and knowledge to continue surfing. Lessons take place at Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa, about two hours from Sydney. Seven Mile Beach consistently delivers conditions ideal for beginning surfers. All surfing instructors are fully trained & qualified. They hold a Level 1 Surf Coaching Accreditation, Bronze Medallion Life Saving & Senior First Aid Certificates.

Meals

Meals during the surf camp are usually buffet style including Aussie BBQs. This includes 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners. Meals are cooked on-site with fresh local produce and served buffet style. Special diets can usually be accommodated.

Accommodation

For four nights during the surf camp you’ll stay in a hostel less than 500 meters from the beach. The site offers an outdoor covered entertainment area, hammocks, movies, hot showers, a swimming pool, internet, laundry & café. All linen provided.

Surf Camp dates

The surf camps begin on Mondays so we include two extra nights in Sydney (Saturday and Sunday nights), before your Monday, 9am transportation up to Gerroa.

Adding a Surf Camp is a great option.