Finding accommodation in Australia

Funds running low and you need to watch your budget? Volunteer for bed and board! You will work for a few hours a day and, in return, you won’t have to pay for accommodation and meals. It’s also a great way of meeting other people, both backpackers and locals. For non-native speakers, it’s a good way of practising your English before entering the job market.

The main three volunteer work networks are:

• WWOOF (homestays on organic farms)
• HelpX (more work options, such as volunteer opportunities on farms, backpacker hostels, lodges, horse stables, etc.)
• WorkAway (like HelpX, a wide range of opportunities)

Not all volunteer opportunities will be on remote farms in the Outback, especially with HelpX and Workaway. You could be asked to supervise children, help a senior citizen, help renovate a house, share your designer or web developer skills, perform the daily housekeeping in a hostel, work as a landscaper, manage studio apartments, teach a language, tutor kids after school… There are plenty of options if you’d rather stay in a city or a suburban area.

Tip: if you’re looking for an urban setting, use the keyword “inner city” when you’re searching for opportunities.