Working & studying in Sydney & NSW

Constantly topping student lifestyle surveys, Sydney has one of the biggest international student populations in the country and is ranked in the top 10 best student cities in the world for studying abroad in the QS Best Student Cities 2023.

Sydney ranks in the top five QS Graduate Employability Rankings and offers internationally recognised qualifications, lecturers and teachers, as well as access to first-class facilities and resources.

NSW isn’t just an incredible place to live, it’s also a great place to study. Six out of 11 NSW universities are featured in the top 200 of the QS World University Rankings 2023. NSW is also home to the oldest university in Australia, which was established in 1850. The universities in Sydney and Regional NSW offer a range of study options for international students.

Sydney and NSW’s colleges and universities offer internationally recognised English language courses for all ability levels. From short courses to ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), completing an accredited English course may help you enter into higher-level study in NSW.

Choose to study at one of Sydney and NSW’s world-class universities or higher education providers for excellent teaching, facilities and support. NSW higher education options include courses from bachelor degrees to postgraduate diplomas and masters degrees.

Choose between NSW’s public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and private Vocational Education and Training (VET) for the best vocational courses. Vocational learning is focused on becoming job-ready and is based on practical skills. VET certificates and diplomas offer training over the course of one or two years.

The Working Holiday Maker Program is a great way to explore NSW, working and travelling at the same time for up to 12 months. Travellers worldwide use this visa as a way to experience the beauty of Australia and fund their future travels.

If you're aged between 18 and 30 (or 35 years old for some countries) and hold a passport for a country or region participating in the program, you may be eligible to apply.

You must apply for your visa before you arrive in Australia. If you are eligible and your visa is granted, you will be able to work here for up to 12 months and study for up to four months. You can leave and re-enter as many times as you like while the visa is valid.

To apply for the Working Holiday Maker Program, go to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

Sydney's restaurants, cafes, hotels and bars are always on the lookout for motivated staff, and recruitment agencies are a good place to find office, IT or call centre work. If you’re heading to the bush, you'll find seasonal fruit picking work on offer; check out the Harvest Trail or Willing Workers on Organic Farms to find jobs around NSW.

Useful websites for job searching include:

• Work & Travel Company
• Backpacker Job Board
• Base Backpackers Sydney
• Travellers at Work

If you’ve been granted a working holiday visa, a work package is a cost-effective and convenient way to get settled in Sydney or NSW. Pre-purchased arrival packages usually include your first few nights’ accommodation, as well as job-seeking assistance including orientation, membership to online job search sites, help with banking and tax, and discounts on training courses and travel products. Fun social activities to help you meet new people and make friends are often an added bonus.

Popular work packages include:

• UlimateOz
• Conservation Volunteers Australia
• Work n Holiday