To move to Sydney on a working holiday, book a hostel near Central Station for your first 1 to 2 weeks, sort your Tax File Number, bank account and phone, then find a room in a share house while you job hunt. Bondi, Coogee, Manly, Surry Hills, Newtown, Glebe and Kings Cross are popular with backpackers. Sydney has the highest rents in Australia, so a share room is the way to go, but it also has the most jobs and the beaches are free.
Last checked: 7 November 2026
Your first week in Sydney
- Get from the airport. The airport train gets you to Central in about 15 minutes, but the airport stations charge an extra access fee. A bus or a shared ride can be cheaper for groups. Hello Sydney includes airport pickup.
- Check into a hostel. Our pick is Wake Up! Sydney Central, opposite Central Station. See all our Sydney hostel picks.
- Get a SIM or eSIM. See our eSIM guide.
- Apply for your Tax File Number. Free and online. See how to get a TFN.
- Open a bank account. See our bank account guide.
- Get a mailing address. A TAW Mailbox gives you a real Australian address for your bank card and letters before you have a lease.
- Build your CV and start applying. Use the TAW CV builder and apply on TAW jobs.
Let us sort your first 4 days
Hello Sydney gives you airport pickup, 3 nights at Wake Up! Sydney Central, a guided city tour, a Harbour cruise, a welcome dinner, and a session on your TFN, bank account, super and CV, with a group of other working holiday makers.
Best areas to live in Sydney for backpackers
| Area | Why people like it | To the CBD |
|---|---|---|
| Bondi | The famous beach, cafes, a big backpacker community | Bus, or bus and train, 30 to 45 minutes |
| Coogee | A smaller, friendly beach suburb | Bus or light rail and bus, 30 to 45 minutes |
| Manly | Beach and surf, a relaxed village feel | Ferry, about 20 to 30 minutes |
| Surry Hills | Cafes, bars, walkable to the city | Walk, or 5 minutes by train |
| Newtown and Glebe | Live music, cheap food, vintage shops, a uni crowd | Train or bus, 10 to 15 minutes |
| Kings Cross and Potts Point | Nightlife and lots of hostels | Train, about 5 minutes |
| Marrickville and the Inner West | Often cheaper share houses | Train, 15 to 20 minutes |
How much is rent in Sydney?
Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia to rent. The median asking rent for a whole unit was about $750 a week in the March quarter of 2026 (Domain). Most working holiday makers rent a room in a share house, which costs far less and often includes bills. Rooms near the beaches and the CBD cost the most. See our living costs guide for a weekly budget.
Finding a share house
- Use flatmate websites and local Facebook groups.
- See the room in person or on a live video call before you pay anything.
- Ask whether bills, wifi and furniture are included.
- If you pay a bond, it should be lodged with NSW Fair Trading through Rental Bonds Online, and you should get confirmation.
- Never send money to someone who says they are overseas and will post the keys. That is a common scam.
Getting around Sydney
Tap on and off trains, metro, buses, ferries and light rail with a bank card, phone or Opal card. Fares depend on distance, but there are daily and weekly caps: under $10 a day from Friday to Sunday, and $50 for the whole week. Use the same card or phone every time so the caps work.
Jobs in Sydney
Sydney is the biggest job market in Australia for working holiday makers: hospitality, cafes, bars, tourism, events, retail, construction labour, warehousing and office temp work. Summer, from December to February, is the busiest season, with New Year’s Eve the peak. Get an RSA certificate for bar work and a White Card for building sites.
Browse TAW jobs, read our interview tips, and see hiring in Sydney.
Sydney weather
Sydney has warm to hot summers and mild winters, with most days sunny. Summer storms can be heavy, and the sun is strong all year, so wear sunscreen. You can swim from about November to April.
Your days off
Sydney is full of free things to do. Start with our list of cheap things to do in Sydney. Further out, the Blue Mountains, the Royal National Park, the Central Coast and Port Stephens are all easy trips. Still deciding where to base yourself? Read Sydney or Melbourne.
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Is Sydney good for a working holiday?
Yes. It has the most jobs in Australia, famous beaches, great weather and easy trips up the East Coast. The trade-off is that it has the highest rent.
Where should backpackers live in Sydney?
Bondi, Coogee or Manly for the beach, Surry Hills, Newtown or Glebe for an inner city feel, and Kings Cross for nightlife. The Inner West is often cheaper.
How much money do I need to move to Sydney?
Enough for a couple of weeks in a hostel, a bond and 2 weeks rent for a share room, plus food and transport while you find work. Sydney costs more than other cities, so plan a bigger buffer.
How long does it take to find a job in Sydney?
Many working holiday makers find work in 1 to 3 weeks, especially in hospitality and events. A local phone number, an Australian style CV and an RSA or White Card all help.
How do I pay for public transport in Sydney?
Tap on and off with your bank card, phone or an Opal card. Fares are capped daily and weekly, and Fridays to Sundays are cheaper.
Do I need a car in Sydney?
No. Trains, buses, ferries and light rail cover most areas. A car only helps for regional work or road trips.
What address do I use before I find a share house?
Use a TAW Mailbox. You get a real Australian address for your bank card and letters, and we scan your mail so you can read it anywhere.
Sources: Transport for NSW: Opal benefits and caps, Domain rental report, March quarter 2026, NSW Fair Trading: renting.
