Any helpful information about work opportunities in Australia/ NZ ??

I had a look at this - quite a long time ago though - and got the impression that any paid work with institutes would be very limited for non-residents. I'm sure, however, that if you work at it you will be able to get shadowing or unpaid placements. Professional sport might well be more different. I'd focus on communicating what you can do for them that is worth them paying you for - in fact even if you are prepared to work for free.

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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com

Thanks Rob for your comments. I was thinking of writing to Australia House and seeing what advice they had also. I am however willing to work for free, that will just mean a bar job on the side to keep the pennies coming in, which suits fine. So did you not make it to Australia?

If you're going to work in Australia then there are specific visas you need, unless you have residency or citizenship. If you're under 26 you can get a working holiday visa which entitles you to a year in Oz, but you usually can't work in your field, as that requires a different visa (this may have changed in the last couple of years, so it's worth checking).

If you're looking for paid work in your field, that may be tricky unless there's a specific demand for your skills. Even then, jobs normally have to be advertised to local people before employers can go abroad. Most of these jobs are manual, like chefs, mechanics etc. Volunteering to gain experience is something quite different, and it may be dealt with differently. On a visitors visa you can't work, but I'm not sure about volunteering.

There's lots of info at http://www.australia.gov.au/, and Australia House in London will be able to advise you on your particular case (I would call rather than write).

Keep us updated - I'm sure others (including me) have considered this as well. I spent a year in Australia a while back and it's a great experience if you get the opportunity.

Thanks Gary, A working holiday visa was the type i intended to get. Thanks for the advice, ill keep you posted with what happens.

There shouldn't be any restriction on shadowing, etc. You might be able to pick up some mroe general work around a sports organisation, which is always good experience.

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Rob Robson
Co-founder, iStadia.com