Australia Working Holiday City Selection Complete Guide

"Should I go to Sydney or Melbourne?"

The first decision for Australia working holiday is which city to settle in. Each city has completely different jobs, living costs, weather, and atmosphere, so choosing the right city for you is very important.

This guide compares Australia's 5 major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) by jobs, living costs, weather, transport, and second visa accessibility.

💡 Decided on a city? Check Australia Working Holiday First Week Guide for essential procedures after arrival!

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1. City Comparison at a Glance

City	Population	Jobs	Living Cost	Weather	Korean Community	Recommended For
Sydney	5.4M	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Expensive	Warm	Largest	Construction, logistics
Melbourne	5.1M	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Moderate	Variable	Large	Cafe, culture
Brisbane	2.6M	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Moderate	Hot	Medium	Serving, tourism
Perth	2.1M	⭐⭐⭐	Expensive	Dry	Small	Mining, construction
Adelaide	1.4M	⭐⭐⭐	Cheap	Mild	Small	Farm, quiet life

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2. Sydney

2.1. Characteristics

Australia's Largest City:

• Population: 5.4 million
• Economic center
• World-famous tourist city

One-Line Review:

"Many jobs but most expensive living costs. Abundant construction/logistics jobs and largest Korean community."

2.2. Jobs

Strengths:

• Construction: High demand for White Card holders
• Logistics/Warehouse: Advantageous with forklift license
• Cleaning: Many office buildings, high demand
• Serving: Tourist area restaurants

Average Hourly Rate:

• Construction: $30-50
• Cleaning: $28-35
• Barista: $26-32
• Serving: $26-32

Job Hunting Difficulty:

• Construction: ⭐⭐ (Easy)
• Cafe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Competitive)
• Serving: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)

2.3. Living Costs (Monthly)

Minimum Living Costs:

• Rent (shareroom): $1,000-1,200
• Food: $300-500
• Transport: $150-200
• Total: $1,450-1,900

Pros:

• Many jobs → Good for earning

Cons:

• Expensive rent

2.4. Weather

Seasonal:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 22-28°C (40°C+ during heat waves)
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 8-17°C

Characteristics:

• Warm with lots of sunshine
• Beach lifestyle possible

2.5. Transport

Public Transport:

• Train, bus, ferry
• Opal Card
• Sunday: $2.80 (unlimited)

Cons:

• Buses inconvenient (poor timing)

2.6. Second Visa

Accessibility:

• Outer farms: 2-3 hours away
• Orange, Griffith, Coffs Harbour

2.7. Korean Community

Size:

• Approximately 100,000 (largest in Australia)
• Strathfield, Eastwood

Pros:

• Many Korean jobs
• Active information sharing

💡 Want to know more about Sydney? Check Sydney Working Holiday Complete Guide for detailed area information.

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3. Melbourne

3.1. Characteristics

City of Culture & Arts:

• Population: 5.1 million
• Developed coffee culture
• Street art, festivals

One-Line Review:

"Rich in cafe jobs and cultural life. Weather is unpredictable but many rate it as great for living."

3.2. Jobs

Strengths:

• Cafe/Barista: Australia's best coffee culture
• Serving: Many restaurants
• Retail: Shopping centers

Average Hourly Rate:

• Barista: $28-34
• Serving: $26-32
• Construction: $28-45

Job Hunting Difficulty:

• Cafe: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very competitive)
• Serving: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)
• Construction: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)

3.3. Living Costs (Monthly)

Minimum Living Costs:

• Rent (shareroom): $800-1,000
• Food: $300-500
• Transport: $150 (unlimited pass)
• Total: $1,250-1,650

Pros:

• Cheaper than Sydney
• Good public transport

3.4. Weather

Seasonal:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 14-26°C
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 6-14°C

Characteristics:

• "Four seasons in one day" (unpredictable)
• Frequent rain
• Colder than Sydney

3.5. Transport

Public Transport:

• Tram (free zone available)
• Train, bus
• Myki Card

Pros:

• Convenient trams
• Free tram zone (CBD)

3.6. Second Visa

Accessibility:

• Outer farms: 1-3 hours
• Shepparton, Mildura

3.7. Korean Community

Size:

• Approximately 15,000
• Box Hill, Glen Waverley

💡 Want to know more about Melbourne? Check Melbourne Working Holiday Complete Guide for detailed area information and cafe job info.

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4. Brisbane

4.1. Characteristics

Warm and Relaxed City:

• Population: 2.6 million
• Near Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast
• Developed tourism industry

One-Line Review:

"Warm weather and relaxed atmosphere. Many serving/tourism jobs and good beach access."

4.2. Jobs

Strengths:

• Serving: Tourist area restaurants
• Hotels: Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast
• Farms: Outer areas (strawberries, vegetables)

Average Hourly Rate:

• Serving: $26-32
• Hotel: $26-30
• Farm: $25-30 (piece rate)

Job Hunting Difficulty:

• Serving: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)
• Farm: ⭐⭐ (Easy)

4.3. Living Costs (Monthly)

Minimum Living Costs:

• Rent (shareroom): $700-900
• Food: $250-400
• Transport: $100-150
• Total: $1,050-1,450

Pros:

• Cheaper than Sydney/Melbourne

4.4. Weather

Seasonal:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 21-29°C (humid)
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 11-21°C

Characteristics:

• Warm year-round
• Humid summers

4.5. Second Visa

Accessibility:

• Outer farms: 1-2 hours
• Stanthorpe, Bundaberg

4.6. Korean Community

Size:

• Approximately 10,000
• Sunnybank

💡 Want to know more about Brisbane? Check Brisbane Working Holiday Complete Guide for Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast information too.

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5. Perth

5.1. Characteristics

West Coast City:

• Population: 2.1 million
• Mining center
• 5-hour time difference from east

One-Line Review:

"Many mining/construction jobs but feels isolated. High wages but expensive living costs."

5.2. Jobs

Strengths:

• Mining: FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out)
• Construction: New development projects
• Serving: Tourism/local

Average Hourly Rate:

• Mining: $40-80+
• Construction: $30-50
• Serving: $26-32

Job Hunting Difficulty:

• Mining: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Experience required)
• Construction: ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)

5.3. Living Costs (Monthly)

Minimum Living Costs:

• Rent (shareroom): $900-1,200
• Food: $300-500
• Transport: $150-200
• Total: $1,350-1,900

Pros:

• High wages

Cons:

• Expensive rent
• High cost of living

5.4. Weather

Seasonal:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 18-32°C (dry)
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 9-19°C

Characteristics:

• Dry and warm
• Rarely rains

5.5. Second Visa

Accessibility:

• Outer farms: 2-5 hours
• Northern mining areas

5.6. Korean Community

Size:

• Approximately 5,000 (small)

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6. Adelaide

6.1. Characteristics

Quiet and Affordable City:

• Population: 1.4 million
• Wine region
• Relaxed atmosphere

One-Line Review:

"Most affordable and quiet city. Good farm access but fewer jobs."

6.2. Jobs

Strengths:

• Farms: Wine, vegetables
• Serving: Local restaurants

Average Hourly Rate (2025-2026):

• Serving: $25-30
• Farm: $25-28

Job Hunting Difficulty:

• Farm: ⭐⭐ (Easy)
• Serving: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Competitive)

6.3. Living Costs (Monthly)

Minimum Living Costs:

• Rent (shareroom): $600-800
• Food: $250-400
• Transport: $100-150
• Total: $950-1,350

Pros:

• Cheapest in Australia

6.4. Weather

Seasonal:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 17-29°C
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 8-16°C

Characteristics:

• Mild and dry

6.5. Second Visa

Accessibility:

• Outer farms: 1-2 hours
• Barossa Valley, Riverland

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7. City Recommendations by Profile

7.1. Choose Sydney

For These People:

• ✅ Want construction/logistics jobs
• ✅ Want to earn lots of money
• ✅ Korean community important
• ✅ Love beach life

Pros:

• Most jobs
• High wages
• Largest Korean community

Cons:

• Most expensive living costs

7.2. Choose Melbourne

For These People:

• ✅ Want cafe/barista jobs
• ✅ Love culture & arts
• ✅ Public transport important
• ✅ Want cheaper living than Sydney

Pros:

• Best coffee culture
• Rich cultural life
• Good public transport

Cons:

• Unpredictable weather

7.3. Choose Brisbane

For These People:

• ✅ Love warm weather
• ✅ Want serving jobs
• ✅ Want to live near beaches
• ✅ Prefer relaxed atmosphere

Pros:

• Warm weather
• Close to Gold Coast/Sunshine Coast
• Affordable living costs

Cons:

• Fewer jobs than Sydney/Melbourne

7.4. Choose Perth

For These People:

• ✅ Want high-income mining/construction
• ✅ Love dry weather
• ✅ Want different experience from east coast

Pros:

• Highest wages (mining)
• Good weather

Cons:

• Feels isolated
• Expensive living costs

7.5. Choose Adelaide

For These People:

• ✅ Second visa goal (farm)
• ✅ Want cheap living
• ✅ Prefer quiet environment

Pros:

• Most affordable
• Good farm access

Cons:

• Fewer jobs

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8. Sydney vs Melbourne In-Depth Comparison

Item	Sydney	Melbourne
Population	5.4M	5.1M
Weather	Warm, sunny	Variable, 4 seasons
Rent (shareroom)	$220-300/week	$180-250/week
Living Cost	10-15% more expensive	Affordable
Jobs (Construction)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Jobs (Cafe)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wages	Average $2-5 higher	Cafes pay more
Beaches	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Bondi etc)	⭐⭐⭐ (St Kilda)
Korean Community	Large (100K)	Medium (15K)
Public Transport	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (trams)

Conclusion:

• Construction/logistics → Sydney
• Cafe/barista → Melbourne
• Beaches/sunshine → Sydney
• Culture/arts → Melbourne
• Affordable living → Melbourne

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9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Which city is best for first settlement?

A. Sydney or Melbourne recommended. Many jobs and Korean community make them good for beginners.

Q2. Which city can I find jobs without good English?

A. Sydney is best. Many Korean businesses so even beginners can find construction/cleaning jobs.

Q3. Should I go straight to farm for second visa?

A. Recommended to adapt in city for first 1-3 months then go to farm. Prepare English, bank, TFN first.

Q4. Can I move cities later?

A. Yes, anytime. Many working holidaymakers experience multiple cities like Sydney → Melbourne → Brisbane.

Q5. Which city is best without car?

A. Melbourne is best. Well-developed tram and train network makes it convenient without car.

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10. Final: City Selection Checklist

Ask Yourself:

Jobs:

• What field do you want to work in? (Construction, cafe, serving, farm)
• Is earning lots of money your top priority?

Life:

• What's your living cost budget?
• Is Korean community important?
• Are beaches important?

Weather:

• Do you prefer warm weather?
• Can you handle cold weather?

Goals:

• Is second visa your goal?
• Is earning money and traveling your goal?

There's no right answer. Choose the city that matches your goals and preferences!

Next Steps:

1. Create professional resume with Free Resume Builder
2. Read detailed guide for your chosen city (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane)
3. Australia Working Holiday First Week Guide - Essential procedures after arrival

Detailed City Guides:

• Sydney Working Holiday Complete Guide - Detailed area info, jobs, accommodation
• Melbourne Working Holiday Complete Guide - Cafe culture, area characteristics
• Brisbane Working Holiday Complete Guide - Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast

Related Guides:

• Australia Accommodation Complete Guide - Finding sharehouses
• Australia Resume Writing Guide - Job preparation
• Australia Barista Job Guide - Melbourne recommended

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Was this article helpful? WHRESUME genuinely supports Australian working holidaymakers. Start your successful Australian life with our Free Resume Builder! 🇦🇺✨

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About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

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