Work and Travel Australia
Since they started in 1964, over a million people have participated on an AIFS travel program with more than 4000 people participating on an AIFS program to or from Australia this year. With many year’s experience in cultural exchange their staff really understand how challenging the first few days can be in a new country.
Even when you have settled into life in Australia you can rest easy knowing the AIFS team are only a phone call away if you need assistance.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What makes WAT Australia Special
- Great JobsOnce you're on the ground in Australia, we make it our job to find you yours. Personal consultations, CV checking, job workshops and onsite recruiting are just a few of the services you will receive free of charge on the program. Want to pick mangoes or find a waiting job in Sydney? We’ll tell you what you need, where the jobs are and when to go. How easy is that!
- Friendly and Expert ServiceAs a cultural exchange provider our business is about people and offering an excellent level of customer service. When you ask a question, we listen. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll make sure we find it for you. We are proud of our customer service and go further to help you.
- National NetworkYou don’t have to just be in Sydney to use our services. Our national internet network ensures you can log on while you travel without paying a cent. Our fortnightly newsletter and members-only website give you current jobs plus the latest news and specials.
- "Insider Information"By having a short cut to the insiders information, you save money and time. Many travellers spend time/money finding the right job, place to stay or even place to eat. The longer this takes the more money you spend and sometime the more confusing it becomes.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Eligibility
Are you eligible?
The Australian government has agreements in place with certain countries to allow their citizens between the age of 18 and 30 years old to participate on a Working Holiday Visa Programme. Therefore we are only able to accept applications from citizens of the following countries:
- UK
- Belgium
- Canada
- The Republic of Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong SAR
- The Republic of Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Types of Jobs
Types of Jobs
There are always jobs available if you want to work in Australia. The following is a sample of the most popular jobs at AIFS” Job Desk…Hospitality
* Pubs/Night clubs* Cafes/Restaurants
* 5 star hotels/Resorts
* Theme parks/Functions
* Music/Sporting events
Hospitality work can be fast-paced and exciting, and is a great way to meet Australians and other travellers. Work is easy to obtain if you have prior customer service experience. For many jobs you'll need a uniform, such as black trousers/skirt and a white shirt. In most states you'll also need a Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate (RSA), for any job where you're serving alcohol. The best times to find hospitality work are September to March, however there is work available all year round in most areas.
Retail
* Sales assistants* Stocktake workers
* Warehouse staff
Retail work is in department stores, boutiques and specialty stores. For positions with direct customer contact, you need excellent English and most employers prefer some experience with sales, customer service or cash handling. Warehouse/stocktake positions are unskilled and easy to obtain. The Christmas period is the busiest time of the year when many stores all around Australia need extra staff - particularly department stores.
Temporary Office Work
* Reception* Data entry/Internet
* Filing/Typing
All Australian cities have a demand for casual office staff for people with some experience and fluent English. Most positions are with recruitment agencies that will test your typing and computer skills and send you for short-term assignments. This type of work is interesting and challenging, and can be a great way to meet Australians. For this work you need neat, office clothes and a professional attitude. Most positions are in the capital cities and work is available all year round.
Fruit Picking
* Picking/Packing* Harvesting
* Pruning
Harvesting fruit and vegetables is very popular with travellers. Jobs are easy to obtain, as there is harvest work somewhere in Australia most of the year. However, this is hard, physical work and often in hot or wet weather. Farmers sometimes pay by the hour, but most pay by the amount you pick - so you'll earn more as you gain experience. You will need to protect yourself from the sun with a broad rimmed hat, long sleeved shirt and sunscreen. The farms often provide hostel accommodation, with basic facilities, at a reasonable price.
Sales
* Call Centres* Point of Sale
If you love to talk and are good with people - this could be the job for you. Working in a call centre involves cold calling over the phone to sell a product. In point of sale jobs, you are based in a location such as a shopping centre, where you try to solicit customers in person. For these types of sales positions, you will need to have an advanced level of English and be confident about your selling skills. Positions are usually for 2-3 months and pay is usually a base rate + commissions or bonuses for sales.
Farm Work
* Animal care* Fencing
* Mustering
* Tractor work
Australian farms or cattle stations are always in need of people with an adventurous spirit and some experience with animals. Most positions are in remote locations, and will give you the chance to experience the real Australian ‘outback’. Farms usually provide meals and accommodation, and wages will vary according to the type of job. As it can be difficult to find farm work with no farming experience, many AIFS participants do a farm course beforehand that covers basic skills like horse riding, sheering sheep, rounding up cattle and mending fences.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: FAQs
What help does AIFS offer in addition to the Job Desk?
While it is often a priority to find you a job, there are many ways we will support you in your first few days and weeks and then throughout the program. We can help you find accommodation, give you advice about buying a car and the cheapest ways to get around Sydney or other cities in Australia.We can advise you about different course, visa options, where to go to get medical advice or buy cheap food.
The team at AIFS is your first point of call from the most simple question to something more complicated. Our job is to help you!
I want to go for only 3 months…is this ok?
AIFS’ Work & Travel Australia program is up to one year however you can sign up for any length of time! If you plan to travel on the Working Holiday visa (valid for up to 12 months) we recommend you plan for a minimum of 3-4 month in Australia. This allows you to experience life in Australia, earn some money and see our wonderful country!Do I need a Working Holiday visa?
You must be eligible for either a working holiday visa or Work and Holiday visa. If you are from the United States and are ineligible for the Work and Holiday visa, you may be able to participate on a 416 visa. Please contact AIFS for further details.If you are ineligible for the program you may be interested in our internship programs which are open to all nationalities.
How old do I have to be to apply for the program?
You must be 18 to participate on the program.I heard that I can work 6 months, is this true?
You can work up to 6 months with 1 employer but many choose jobs that may be only a few day, weeks or months long. The jobs we offer range in duration so you have the flexibility to choose the job you want and the amount of time you want to work. Although some participants work for most of their stay, we do strongly encourage you to allocate time on your visa for travel. Many choose to travel and work their way around Australia. This is a great chance to see the country and earn while you go.Are there jobs in other cities or states?
Jobs are available all over Australia although most jobs are located where the majority of travellers want to go. If you have something special in mind, please speak with our Job Desk who will be able to assist you.I want to travel around Australia. Should I book my travel before I leave?
We recommend waiting to book your travel until after you arrive. Many people find that their travel plans quickly change as they make new friends or find a job that they were not expecting. Often travel is cheaper in Australia and there are more options available to consider.Will I meet other participants?
Yes! More than 3500 people participate of AIFS’ Work & Travel Australia each year and each arrive at our Sydney centre. We hold regular events and there are many opportunities to meet people from your own country and from all over the world.I cannot speak English very well. Will this matter?
You need to understand basic instructions in English for Volunteer in Australia. If you are unsure about your level of English please contact us and we can assess if you will have sufficient English to participate on the program.How much money should I bring with me?
Your working holiday visa requires you to have at least AUD$3000 in your bank account when you arrive in Australia. How much you spend really depends on your travel and work plans, your social activities and the standard of living you want whilst in Australia.Your AIFS Work & Travel Handbook has a detailed guide about the average cost of living including the costs for average daily items and accommodation. This will give you a better idea about the amount of money you will need and also how much you will need to work to support yourself.
Can I do the program in summer?
The program is open all year around. During Christmas and New Year accommodation is subject to availability and over this period you may find that the number of jobs greatly decreased as Australians take their summer holidays.Back to Work and Travel Australia
Go to Application Form
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Apply Now!
All you need to do to register for Work and Travel Australia is fill in the following form.
Once we have received the information, we will check it and contact you to organise payment.
As soon as you know when you are due to travel to Australia you just let us know your flight details and a bit more info (passport and travel insurance details etc.) and we will take care of the rest! Once you've entered all the required information, just hit SUBMIT and thats it!
Please note this is an APPLICATION form for the Work and Travel Australia Programme, and as such should only be used by applicants who have decided they are going.
If you're just looking for general information on the programme, please use the main CONTACT page or email info@istplus.com
Once we have received the information, we will check it and contact you to organise payment.
As soon as you know when you are due to travel to Australia you just let us know your flight details and a bit more info (passport and travel insurance details etc.) and we will take care of the rest! Once you've entered all the required information, just hit SUBMIT and thats it!
Please note this is an APPLICATION form for the Work and Travel Australia Programme, and as such should only be used by applicants who have decided they are going.
If you're just looking for general information on the programme, please use the main CONTACT page or email info@istplus.com
Enter the name for this tabbed section: How much does it Cost?
The fee for Work and Travel Australia is just
£320
Enter the name for this tabbed section: What's included in the Price?
Airport TransferMake your transfer to the hostel easy & hassle-free.
2 nights accommodation & breakfastA short walk from AIFS and in the heart of the city, participants stay in the best hostels in Sydney.- Arrival OrientationComprehensive 4-hour induction with everything you need to know about working, living and travelling in Australia.
- Bank account upon arrivalA safe and easy way to transfer money and have a bank account ready for employers upon arrival.
- VIP Discount cardHundreds of dollars of travel and accommodation discounts across Australia.
- Comprehensive Job SupportFrom working on a fishing boat to pulling beers at the Grand Prix, we have a wide range of jobs around Australia, many only offered through AIFS. Save yourself time and money by having access to a wide variety of jobs and excellent advice about working in Australia.
- Fortnightly e-newsletter & members only websiteFor up-to-date job, travel and what’s-on news look no further than our e-broadcasts. No matter where you are in Australia you will receive current jobs and program information. If you prefer, AIFS’ Member only website contains the same information plus lots of cool tips to make the most of your stay.
- Free internetEquivalent to hundreds of dollars of free Internet. As a program member you will receive 30 minutes every day @ AIFS’ centre and 50 hours free at over 12 other locations around Australia.
- Mail KeepingNo permanent address...not a problem! Free use of use our address for up to 1 year. Mail forwarding as you travel around Australia is also available for a small fee.
- CV ServiceLike most countries, Australian employers are used to receiving a particular CV format. Our staff will check your CV and ensure it is suitable for the job you are applying for.
- "Job Fridays"Unique to AIFS, employers regularly hold recruitment afternoons at AIFS. Great opportunity to meet employers and be hired on the spot!
- 24 Hour Emergency AssistanceAround the clock emergency support wherever you are in Australia.
- AIFS HandbookGreat tool to help prepare for your time in Australia. Includes information about what to expect in Australia, jobs, travel accommodation & lots more!
- Members LoungeJust want to relax away from the maddening crowd. Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, you can watch a video catch up on the latest news or take advantage of our free book exchange.
- Regular Social EventsAIFS runs lots of great social events for you to meet new friends and catch up wit hold ones. Our annual Christmas party on the beach is not to be missed!
- Free Sydney walking tourOur weekly tour takes in all the famous attractions and transport hubs. Get the insider’s tips on Sydney.
- Plus Much More...