Working in Australia

You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.

In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in Australia but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!

1. What type of visa do I need?

Australian Working Holiday Visa

If you would like to obtain paid work during your programme you will need to obtain an Australian Working Holiday Visa. UK citizens aged 18-30 are eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which enables holders to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months.  It costs around £150 and can take up to 4 weeks to process so we recommend getting the paperwork sorted well in advance of your departure. 

Australian Tourist Visa

If you don’t want to work in Australia you can get an Australian Tourist Visa. For more information see the Travel & Visa section in the Need to Know area of our site.

2. Do I need to be an elite player?

Absolutely not! We cater for players of all abilities. We will obtain further information on your sporting ability once you have submitted your booking form. This will allow us to match you with a suitable club.

3. How can I find out more general information?

Hopefully, most key pieces of information are available on the website where you can download programme notes, prices and dates.  Our Need to Know section also contains lots of useful information.  If you have other questions or just want to have a chat, we’re always available either on the phone or via email.

We know that planning a trip overseas can be scary at times and there’s loads to think about. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need to discuss anything at all.

Club structure

Australian rugby clubs have lots of teams. You can expect:

- 5-7 senior men's teams

- 2-3 women's teams

- 3-4 Colts teams (U19 in Brisbane)

- In addition, there are active junior sections.

Top teams play in the highest state leagues, giving you the chance to play and train alongside Super 14 and international players.

Matches and training

You’ll train 2-3 times a week with matches played at the weekends. Most Sport Lived participants play Colts rugby in Australia. The Colts competition is very strong and taken seriously by clubs. Youngsters at Australian international level and Super 14 academy members all play First Grade Colts rugby so, if you’re an elite player, you’ll have the chance to compete at a very high level. The senior and Colts sections also have lower level teams, so don’t panic if you’re not planning a career in rugby, our clubs cater for players of all abilities. Additional gym and fitness sessions during the week are optional and your club might also offer a gym pass as a perk of membership.

Off the pitch

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and matches plus social events throughout the season - new players’ night, pub crawls and an end-of-season dinner. Some clubs also arrange pre-season tours - a great chance to get to know your teammates whilst exploring a new part of Oz.

Rugby development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much-improved player. If your performances are noted, you could also find yourself selected for a State representative squad – highly prestigious!

…and finally

What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!