Episode 2: San Francisco
Essential to remember
In Australia, WHV holders can work in 3 main sectors: hospitality (bars, cafes, restaurants), fruit picking (seasonal, validation for 2nd year), and skilled jobs (depending on your diploma and English). Minimum wage: 24.10 AUD/hour since 2025.
First day, in tourist mode and discovering the activities offered by San Francisco
  ;This time, there is no flight delay nor airport problem, it’s great! cf episode 1, the departure for the US in Chicago for the conditions of my departure!
I arrive at CIVIC center “BART”, the station closest to my hotel, I look for the hotel, I cross the streets, I arrive near “Ellis st”.
I walk up the street, I see a group of black people, I think DAMN, I booked in a ghetto, I’m going to get slashed, I pass by with a bit of fear, they don’t bother me!
I arrive at the hotel safe and sound with some apprehension! I learn that the neighborhood is called “Little Saigon”, a nice name for a predominantly Vietnamese neighborhood! The extra thing is that I talk with the grocer and he scares me even more!
Did you know?
The 88 days of work in rural areas allow you to extend your WHV for a 2nd year. Since 2019, you can even get a 3rd year by doing an additional 6 months in rural areas during your 2nd year.
I go shopping and at 7 pm, I call uncle and aunt to eat!
ps: the neighborhood isn’t as scary as it seems in reality, you just have to avoid going up certain streets!The next day, I discover that this Wednesday morning, the science exhibition at Golden Gate Park is free whereas usually it costs $26, I initially thought of going the next day, fate actually works well.
  ;The good tip to know: the science exhibition is free on Wednesdays!
I hesitated a lot and actually went because there was an event organized by the youth hostel, I will socialize a bit with people to find out why they are in San Francisco!
My experience
My first job in Australia was in a café at Bondi Beach as a “barista trainee” with no experience. 200 AUD on the first day for basic mistakes, but 1,200 AUD/week after a month. Hospitality is the fastest way to get started.
I arrive at the event, I see four people, a German, a Taiwanese, an American, myself and the guide!
| Sector | Salary/h | 2nd year validation |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality (CBD) | 24-30 AUD | No |
| Construction | 30-40 AUD | Yes (rural) |
| Fruit picking | 15-25 AUD | Yes |
| Childcare | 25-30 AUD | No |
| Office (English B2+) | 30-45 AUD | No |
Let’s go, on the way, I socialize with the Taiwanese and the German!
We discover the queue, wait 15 minutes, head towards the planetarium, and take tickets for the queue!
Advantages
- High minimum wage (24.10 AUD/h)
- Many jobs available in summer
- Fruit picking allows 2nd year validation
- Networking among WHV holders
- Possibility to save quickly
Weak points
- Strong competition for nice jobs
- Good English required everywhere
- Fruit picking is physical and poorly paid
- Precariousness of the WHV contract
- Possible refusal if overstaying previous visa
At the planetarium, we discover a film about the Earth, the solar system, and the galaxy! I also saw a demonstration with penguins! I will also stay a few hours to go to the aquarium where you can see quite a variety of fish from California and other countries!
It was a very interesting exhibition but I will not stay until 2 pm because I have other things to do.
The rest of my day, I spend at the University of San Francisco, where I take a little nap, a little tour of the campus, and I discover Chinatown!
The classic trap to avoid
Never sign a “trial unpaid” contract in a café or restaurant. It is illegal in Australia: all work must be paid at least at the Fair Work rate. If it is offered to you, it is a deal breaker.
On the way back to the youth hostel, I discover ‘Union Square’, a fairly festive place, there was salsa! I couldn’t stay long because I had to go to a couchsurfing party, where I talked with French, American, and Dutch people!
  ;On Thursday, I go to Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, which are good tourist spots!
Along the same lines, the article on work info how to provides useful insight. Our feedback on 10 questions to also offers good leads, and the guide dedicated to my various fruit picking adventures nicely completes the picture.
In the evening, I will stuff myself at a Malaysian restaurant with uncle and aunt, he shows us 7 ways to cook beef! It was delicious!
Along the same lines, the article on my various adventures provides useful insight. Our feedback on job info how also offers good leads, and the guide dedicated to 10 questions to nicely completes the picture.
What are the best jobs on the Australian WHV?
Hospitality (quick to find), construction (well paid, validates 2nd year), childcare (stable). Fruit picking if you want the 2nd year.
How to find a job in Australia?
Seek.com.au, Indeed, Gumtree, Backpacker Job Board. Networking in backpacker hostels very effective in hospitality.
How many days to validate the 2nd year WHV?
88 days of work in rural areas (eligible postcode) in specific sectors: agriculture, mining, construction, fishing.
