Fun Stuff > CHATTER

OH HEY, AUSTRALIANS...

(1/8) > >>

blanktom:
I've just applied for a working visa for a years visit beginning July 2012! When I arrive I will have approx £3000 in my bank account, a food hygiene certificate, a qualification in catering a culinary skills, 5 years bar experience and barista training! So I need advice on a couple of points...

- I shouldn't have too much trouble finding work, right? I have a really strong work ethic coupled with a really friendly and outgoing personality, I've been led to understand getting work is a piece of cake, but I'd rather hear it straight from the Oz's mouth.

- Where should I start, and when I get there, whats the best/cheapest way for me to get accommodation? If anyone fancies offering me a couch or spare room with fairly cheap rent as of Summer 2012 I'd be stoked to hear from you.

Please people, help me realise my dream!

Lunchbox:
It hugely depends on where you want to go!

JOBS:

I live in Sydney (as do most of the Australian QCers), and have for 3 or 4 years now.  My boyfriend has been trying to find bar/barista/waitering work for almost a year, however he doesn't have as much experience as you. And I guess when I came here I had quite a lot of experience as well, there were jobs being thrown at me but I was just trying to get barista stuff.

Good job sites are Seek, Mycareer and Jobsjobsjobs, but doing the old walk around with resumes and a smile always helps.

HOUSES:

Housing is EXPENSIVE in Sydney. It is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Your best bet is to hunt for sharehousing before you get here. You can find a room in the Inner West* for around $200AUD a week. Studio apartments go for around $300. Expect to pay 4 weeks bond up front.

Gumtree, flatmatefinders and share-accommodation.net are good resources. Gumtree is also great for finding furniture.

STUFF:

There is tons to do in Sydney and the weather and nightlife is pretty good. Yes, some areas are dodgier than others but I have not had any problems in the time I have lived here.

To finish: Come to Sydney, we're super cool. Although Melbourne is great too. All the other cities are much smaller and quieter but I am sure they are also nice.


*Bunches of suburbs have different names, ie.. the Inner West includes Newtown, Glebe, Marrickville (where est, eris and I live), St Peters, Redfern, Stanmore, Leichhardt, Petersham and a few others. It is probably the best place to live if you work in the city plus it is full of young people. It is about 20 minutes to the city via public transport. Public transport is pretty good and you won't need your own vehicle.

Don't try living in the city, it is full of people crammed 20 in a 2 bedroom apartment and there are very few supermarkets etc.

Tom:
I wish you luck but just so you know, you will never leave this island alive.

Lunchbox:
Here, I made you a cheatsheet:

Tom:
Not only is the Eastern Suburbs TOO EXPENSIVE but there is barely anything there that anyone needs (like transport and other necessary infrastructure).

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page