I give out a lot of advice and information about working holidays in Australia on this site, but why should you listen to me? Well, I’ve been there and done it myself.
I don’t usually talk much about my own experience – I prefer to focus on helping you with practical tips and advice – but I thought it might be interesting (and maybe a bit reassuring) to share my story.
In this post, I’ll take you through what my working holiday was really like: the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. Hopefully, you’ll learn a few things from my Australia working holiday experience, and get to know me a little better while you’re at it.
My Working Holiday Experience in Australia
Planning and Arrival
Way back in 2009 (I know!) When I decided to take a working holiday, I went through a travel agent because I didn’t know any better at the time. They charged me a small fee, which seemed fine at the time, but looking back, I wish I’d just done it myself online. It’s cheaper, and the process is pretty straightforward once you know where to look. Lesson learned!
I saved up a bit of money, packed my bags, and headed off in January 2010. My first stop was Sydney, just in time for Australia Day. Let me tell you, arriving in summer and being thrown into the deep end straight away was unreal. It was summer, the weather was incredible, and it felt like the start of something big.
Accommodation Challenges
My first big challenge came almost immediately. I’d travelled with someone and assumed we’d sort out long-term accommodation together. But a few days in, she told me she’d already found her own place with a group she’d met, leaving me to figure things out solo. It was daunting, to say the least.
At first, I stayed in a hostel. It was cheap and cheerful, but I didn’t love it. Everyone seemed to be moving into apartments and settling into their routines, and I felt stuck in limbo. After a few weeks, I found a shared apartment in Sydney’s World Tower, which was… let’s just say, an experience.
This was a three-bedroom apartment with eight people crammed in. One person was living in the laundry, and I shared the sunroom with another guy. It was chaotic, but it worked – for a while. There were some colourful moments, like someone randomly calling me the “Prince of Ireland” or walking in on a group watching Paris Hilton’s tape at the dining table…
Honestly, it was bizarre, but it gave me some hilarious stories to look back on.
Finding Work
Getting a job was tougher than I expected. Back in 2010, the market for casual work on a working holiday visa wasn’t great, and it took me a few months to find something. The internet wasn’t as helpful back then as it is now, so resources were limited, but I managed.
In April, a friend suggested I do a Bronze Medallion course to become a lifeguard. It turned out to be a brilliant idea. The course covered basic swimming skills, CPR, and first aid, and within a few weeks, I had a job at a pool in Hurstville, about 30 minutes from the city.
Lifeguarding was a great gig. The pay was decent, about $28 an hour at the time, which has only gone up since, and the hours were flexible. I could work mornings or afternoons and still have plenty of time to explore Sydney. Once I started working, the stress of budgeting eased up, and I could enjoy the experience a lot more. For this reason, lifeguarding is one of the top working holiday jobs I recommend!
Budgeting and Life on a Working Holiday
When you’re waiting to find work, budgeting can be tough. Those first few months were tight. I was sharing meals with friends, living off one meal a day sometimes, and stretching every dollar. Rent was $120 a week for my spot in the sunroom at World Tower, so I had to keep other expenses as low as possible.
Once I started lifeguarding, things got a lot easier. The steady income meant I could cover my bills and still have money left to explore Sydney. Even with a bit of breathing room, I stayed budget-conscious: cooking at home, sharing groceries, and sticking to free or cheap activities. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked.
Sydney had plenty to offer, even on a tight budget. I’d spend weekends wandering around the city, visiting iconic spots like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, or heading to Bondi Beach for a swim, and taking day trips. I also found free events and activities happening all the time like outdoor markets and festivals. There was always something going on!
Sharing these moments with friends made it even better. It was proof that you don’t need loads of money to enjoy everything Australia has to offer – you just need to get creative.
Making Friends and Building Community
I’ll be honest: being on my own in a new country was overwhelming at first. But once I started meeting people, things turned around. I joined a group for working holidaymakers, and through that, I managed to make friends in Sydney. Those connections opened doors to even more social circles, and suddenly I wasn’t alone anymore.
It’s one of the best things about a working holiday – you meet people from all over the world, and there’s this instant sense of camaraderie because you’re all in the same boat. The friends I made not only helped me feel at home but also made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
Deciding to Leave and What Came Next
By July, I decided it was time to head home. A lot of the friends I’d made were leaving around the same time, and I started to feel like I’d be left behind if I stayed. That, and I had this sudden realisation that I wanted to go back to studying.
I’d already completed a business degree, but I felt like I needed to take the next step. Leaving Australia wasn’t easy (it had become a second home in those few months) but it felt like the right call. I spent the next year and a half saving up and planning my return to Australia, this time as a student at the University of Wollongong.
Lessons Learned and Advice for Others
Looking back, my working holiday was a crash course in independence. There were plenty of challenges, like my accommodation falling through, struggling to find work, living on a tight budget… But every bit of it taught me something valuable.
My biggest lesson when moving to Australia was not letting the tough moments discourage me. There’s always a way to figure things out, whether it’s leaning on new friends, finding creative solutions, or just keeping your head up and pushing through. If I had one piece of advice for anyone considering a working holiday, it’s this: embrace the unpredictability. It won’t all go to plan, but that’s where the best stories come from.
If you’re on the fence about doing a working holiday, I’d say go for it. It’s an experience like no other, and even the tough parts will shape you in ways you don’t expect. Plus, you’ll come away with a few tales of your own – and maybe even a nickname like “Prince of Ireland.”
