Everything you need to know about the WHV in Sydney

Sydney is one of the most popular cities for WHV-makers looking for work. Be prepared for competition!

To get started, we recommend you read:

• Working in Australia – Opportunities, tips for backpackers and job search advice
• Important tips for your job search on a working holiday abroad

The two biggest job sites in Australia are Seek and Adzuna. On these sites, you will find everything from permanent to part-time jobs, including volunteering, across a range of industries.

Gumtree is also popular, but beware of scams and illegal work being advertised on this site. Read Common scams to avoid during your working holiday abroad to learn more.

There are several recruitment agencies in Sydney, such as Adecco or Hays. If you are looking for a job in a cafe, shop, restaurant, etc., it can still be beneficial to walk around and look for “hiring” signs posted in the window. Be aware that these businesses are receiving CVs from multiple backpackers each day, so be patient with your job search.

Many people wait until summer to visit Sydney. There are pros and cons to this approach. On the plus side, many businesses hire Christmas temporary staff, or need extra staff for the peak tourist season. Sometimes, however, it can be beneficial to arrive in the off-peak seasons. Then, there is less competition (both with other backpackers and students) for temporary or part-time roles than you face in the summer.

Important: some sectors require you to complete certain training modules before you are allowed to work in these fields in Australia. For example, in the construction sector, it is mandatory to train to obtain a white card (often a first aid certificate is required, too). To work in bars and serve alcohol, you must obtain an RSA certificate for the state you intend to work in.

Other types of work

Volunteering

Voluntourism is growing in popularity and is a great way to immerse yourself in Australian culture during your WHV. Conservation Volunteers, for example, is a volunteer organisation focused on protecting the environment.

You can find hosts in Sydney through sites like WWOOF, Workaway or HelpX. To learn more, read Volunteering with WWOOF, Workaway, or HelpX.

It is also possible to volunteer at Sydney’s festivals.

Internships

While internships in Australia are not common, some Australian companies are increasingly recruiting foreign interns. Specialised agencies such as Boomerang Australia can help you land internship positions; they may be able to help secure accommodation, too.

Specified work to qualify for a Second or Third WHV

For many working holiday makers wanting to stay in Australia past the initial 12-month WHV, there is the option of completing specified work to qualify for an extension. To understand the details of what counts as specified work, read:

• Fruit picking jobs in Australia – What, where, how (and why!)
• Finding farm work in Australia

Work completed in Sydney will not count, as it is an urban area. However, you may be able to stay within the state if you land a qualifying job in one of the eligible NSW postcodes.

To check which postcodes are eligible, read either ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Specified subclass 417 work​ or ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Specified subclass 462 work​, depending on which subclass your current WHV falls under.