Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Where to live/work in Australia?

I'm traveling to Australia on a visa that allows me to work for 4 months and could use some advice before I leave.

I know people on this type of visa often reside in Sydney, but I'd prefer to do something a bit different if possible.

I'm tempted by Perth, but I fear it may be difficult to find short-term employment and/or housing there. Does anyone have suggestions?

Also, regardless of where I live, should I try to find a job waitressing/bartending or should I search for an office position, perhaps filling in for someone on maternity leave? I have about 5 years experience in public relations, but am not sure if that will be useful for such a short time.

Thanks for any advice, it is truly much appreciated.

The cost of living is a lot lower in Perth than in Sydney, that is likely to more than offset your earning potential. Perth is much more different from the US, while Sydney has become a world-class city with the resulting homogenization (still differernt from the US, but not as unique as the old Australia is/was, and Perth is probably the best blend of comfort and experience). There is a lot more partying in Sydney, but Perth is nicer, so it all depends what you seek. And while Perth has a population of a million, it feels much like a small town.

As for getting work, PR work usually needs local contacts, so you are unlikely to get that kind of work unless you make an instant impression on people. Waiting tables or bartending is a bit different in Australia (no tips but decent wages). Just be warned that most backpackers wind up picking fruit as their primary work (which isn't a bad job, but not in cities).

Hi BayLeaf,
I can only pass on my wife's experience as a backpacker a few years ago.
Perth is one of the world's most geographically isolated cities, which has helped it keep a very strong (insular?) identity, and the resources boom makes this a boom-time place for jobs. The boom has driven up property prices, but you will need to get a local's opinion on good accommodation options. Perth, as the residential hub of this boom, has a much stronger economy than Sydney at present, so if you don't need to be in a media or PR role Perth may be a good place to stay for a while.
It is very easy to get a temp job in Sydney (through aa temp agency), so look into that, and into something similar in Perth, as well as bar/restaurant work. In NSW/Sydney you need to complete a 1-day course to responsibly serve alcohol.

Have a great time and good luck with the inquiries.

Great. Thank you both for your advice.

I think that Perth's isolation is, in part, what attracts me to it. But as i have to assume that I won't get a job in my field, do you think that i could support myself there for a few months by waitressing?

As for finding work or place to live, are there any good websites you could recommend? I'm in my late 20s - not really a backpacker, but also not looking for anything fancy. Mainly a room (or simply a bed) that is clean and safe. Living with cool people would be a plus.

If you have any other suggestions for cities - or any tips on Australia in general - please send them my way.

Thanks again for the help!

Yes - please note again - waitressing is fine. But your wages will not be dependent on tips. You will get time and a half to double for working after hours, weekends etc.

One place that is 'nice' to consider is Adelaide. It's not too isolated from the rest of the country.

The other is Melbourne. Very cosmopolitan and still cheaper than Sydney anytime.

Waitressing pays well in Australia (as much or more than office work). You certainly can support yourself on that if you manage to sort out where to live (that can be quite expensive in some parts of Australia, such as Sydney -- priced higher than the US proportionately). Perth is a great place but isolated and quaint, quite different from Sydney. Melbourne is my favourite city in Australia and has some of the best restaurants in the world, fwiw. Adelaide is much cheaper to live in but work might be harder to get and pay less, however it is a charming small town and near the wine country. One of the interesting things about Australia is how different the various cities are from each other (for a country of such small population, roughly 10% of the US).

Waitressing pays well in Australia (as much or more than office work).

Wow..so maybe I should give up 60 + grand a year 35 hour per week office job and try waitressing.

Yes waitressing does pay better in Australia than it does in the US, but for most it is a part time job while studying or a second job. You would have to live a very frugal lifestyle to try and live solely on a waitressing income.

Try getting in touch with some reputable temp agencies. A few we get staff from is Select, Adecco or Julia Ross. We get a lot of backpackers etc. which usually work out well. The only problem is they can only stay three months and there is such a high learning curve involved that by the time they get to know the work it's time to move on...oh well that's life :)

Dont discount Hobart - though in winter we all tend to put up our shutters and hibernate. However if you are coming over our summer you would have a good chance of picking up waitressing/FoH etc. Also its very easy to live on 5-600 dollars a fortnight if you are in a share house and dont make many calls etc. (I have done it, but didnt have to pay rent).

If you want to have a great springboard to see some of Australia's real outback go to Perth - and it is booming with plenty of jobs around.

If you would prefer a big city type experience, try Melbourne or Sydney, but neither really give any real idea of the size of the country, or its uniqueness.

I am a Melburnian, but in my younger days in the mining industry, I travelled to Perth a lot, and I have done the same in the past year or so.

Although I speak against my home town, Perth was, and even more so now is a very pleasant laid back city. I certainly wouldn't call it a country town.

And the place is booming. I gave a paper once to a conference where some Americans were present, and to give you some idea of its size, the state government had prepared a map which showed WA as being three times the size of Texas.

Have a great time - I think you will find that most Australians have a very soft spot for the US

If you have any other suggestions for cities - or any tips on Australia in general - please send them my way.



Have a look at this thread which I answered not too long ago (I know it's primarily regarding Sydney but should give you an idea what to expect once in Australia).

Trying to plan a move to Australia? (www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497262)

Wherever you decide to go have a great trip!