Work Australia is one of several work and travel programmes available to young people through BUNAC. Taking part enables participants to work and travel for up to 12 months in Australia and choose from a variety of exotic locations on your homeward journey including Los Angeles, Bangkok, Singapore and Hawaii. The BUNAC package includes a visa service, group departures, organised stopovers en route and the first few nights accommodation on arrival. Back-up support is available throughout your stay from IEP, BUNAC's subsidiary organisation 'down under.' For many young people, Work Australia often proves to be a trip of a lifetime allowing participants the freedom to explore this fascinating country while secure in the knowledge that BUNAC acts as a safety net if necessary.

Sarah Delaney, aged 19 and a student from Nottingham, took part in BUNAC's Work Australia programme during her year out from university. She found that it gave her the opportunity to do something constructive with her gap year and came home with solid work experience, a bunch of new friends, a fantastic tan and a host of stories to take to university with her.

"As an avid fan of Neighbours, Home and Away and the outdoors kind of lifestyle, I'd always wanted to go to Australia since I was young. When I found out that I could spend up to a year working and travelling on BUNAC's Work Australia programme, I jumped at the chance, especially when I knew I wouldn't be on my own. I flew out with about 30 other participants to Sydney via Hong Kong, where BUNAC had arranged a fantastic two-night stopover. As I'd never been to Hong Kong, it was a fantastic chance to experience this exciting place. The BUNAC guide was great and very informative and it made such a difference, having someone there who knew where to go and what to see.

I was really worried about finding somewhere to live once we got to Australia, but within a couple of days I'd moved into a flat with five people I'd met on the plane. It really is true - you do make new friends so easily especially as you're all in the same boat. Finding a job was fairly easy too. I was surprised at the amount of casual work available and how much there was to choose from. My first job was working as a waitress on a tour boat in Sydney Harbour. I was in a team of six and although we spent many evenings working hard, we still had time to enjoy yourselves. I met lots of stars - one of my guests was Crocodile Dundee himself!

By the time I came back to Britain, I'd seen virtually everything there is to see in Australia - you name it, I'd done it! Ayres Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Harbour É the list is endless. Although BUNAC was there to point me in the right direction, ultimately I made the experience happen and had great time in the process. It was really helpful though to have the IEP staff at hand to point you in the right direction, if necessary. They just had so much local knowledge which was a huge perk of the programme. I'd definitely recommend the BUNAC programme to virtually everyone I meet now. You've just got to do it while you've got the chance!"

For further information on Work Australia or any other BUNAC work and travel programme, contact;

BUNAC,
16 Bowling Green Lane,
London
EC1R 0QH

Tel: (020) 7251 3472