Cronulla Beach YHA Sydney Backpacker Hostel specialises in helping backpackers with working visas to find a job.  We specialise in not only helping you locate a job but getting yourself setup with the Australian Authorities so it is quick and easy for Australian Employers to employ you.  Whether you plan to work for 1 day or 1 year we can help you.

Getting an Australia working visa is only the first step in becoming a person who can easily be employed in Australia.  We help you through the process of setting up all the requirements necessary to work in Australia for a small one off fee.  It is extremely important to be a legal worker in Australia as you will then be covered by the appropriate State’s Workers Compensation Scheme which will compensate you should you have an accident at work.  This is extremely important and the best safety a worker can have.

We will also help you determine if you are eligible to create your own business whist in Australia in order to maximize your employability whilst in Australia.  This is a definite advantage if you come to Australia with work experience, a trade or a professional background.  You can earn very good money in Australia which will make your holiday more affordable.

If you are a skilled tradesperson (plumber, electrician, forklift driver, brickie, welder, machinist, carpenter etc) you are in high demand in Sydney and you can earn great money.  We are confident in finding you work almost immediately and in most circumstances we can have a job ready for you when you arrive in Sydney. If you are unskilled there are still various opportunities for you and we have a very high success rate of getting you a job.

What exactly can we do for you?

Cronulla Beach YHA will provide the following services for our one off fee of $150 AUD

• 2 nights Accommodation at Cronulla Beach YHA

• 1 year membership to YHA Australia that provides large accommodation discounts worldwide plus other travel and tourist discounts locally and hands on information from Reception

• Priority access to current jobs.  When a job comes in we will ask our premium service members if they want the job before asking other backpackers .

• Help you set up a Tax File Number (TFN) so you are registered with the Australian Taxation Office.

• Help you setup an Australian Bank Account so you can be paid. This will also give you the security of not having to travel with large amounts of cash on you.

• Determine if you can operate your own business.  If we determine it is a viable option we will help you get an Australian Business Number (ABN) and provide you with training on how to run your business.

• Information about how to claim your tax back at the end of the trip and claim your superannuation.

• Information on what courses you may need to do in order to be employed within certain industries. These are mandatory courses that are short and very cheap to do but will get you into industries that pay very well.

• Help you transfer your trade qualifications so you can work in Australia.

• We will provide an Australian Postal Address for you to have correspondence sent too.

Advice to Skilled Workers:
To have your trade skills recognised in Australia can be very rewarding, but like anything worthwhile there is effort and cost involved.

What you need to prove or have evidence showing is that:

• You have worked in a particular trade for at least 4 years

• You have completed an apprenticeship or other trade training

• You have completed a recognised industry assessment program.

The Skills and knowledge you need are:

• Read and respond to work instructions, specifications and technical drawings

• Plan, mark out, lay out and set up trade work.

• Select and use appropriate materials, tools machines and equipment.

• Carry out trade work independently

• Check, test and perform trade work to required standards and in accordance with the relevant industry regulations

• Supervise other staff including apprentices

We can forward all the appropriate forms for you to complete. Remember the more details and proof you have the more likely your trade will be recognised. Apart from this the following Government fees are due:

Application fee for lodgment $150.00
Trade test $275
Further trade test on appeal $275
Work based assessment $275.

Note further trade test fee will be refunded if you pass on appeal.

At this stage depending on what trade and what level of skill and experience you have the Government authority might make you attend work safe classes and / or Technical and further educational college TAFE to do bridging classes to meet Australian Standards.


After passing this process you will obtain a certificate of Proficiency which allows you to go to the next step of licensing. In NSW a further government body has to assess the whole application again with a fee of $243.00

Once you pass this you are licensed after paying another fee of approx $150 depending on what trade license is being sort.

This whole process is really for the overseas traveller who wants to stay in Australia for more than 8 months and is looking to extend their visa. Fruit picking for three months gives you an automatic 1 year extension or sponsorship can have you stay up to four years.

If you are not sure about doing all this before you leave home at least fill out the forms and obtain references. Then if you find suitable work upon arrival and wish to persue the license required at least you have a majority of the requirements with you.