Working my Way Through Melbourne

By Arthur, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Before travelling out to Australia, I had real concerns about the cost of living as an independent student and quickly realised that I would have to work part-time throughout the year in order to make the most of my time down under. Even though my student visa only allowed me to work 48 hours per fortnight, I was determined to maximise what I could earn so that I could travel during the summer break between November and March. I also wanted to experience the Australian work culture firsthand and had heard that the hospitality industry was a great way of meeting travellers from all over the world. So, I spent my first few weeks in Melbourne walking from bar to bar with printed CVs, hoping someone would give me a chance. I was immediately told that before I could even apply, I had to complete my Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification, which was a requirement for anyone hoping to serve drinks to customers.

After I was finally awarded my certificate, I secured a job at Goldilocks Rooftop Bar, a hidden gem tucked just around the corner from Melbourne Central Station. By chance, I noticed an old, daunting looking lift by the side of a Chinese restaurant that took me up to an incredible rooftop with a panoramic view of the CBD. After a successful interview with the friendly manager, I started to work first as part of the back of house team, washing endless stacks of glasses and plates. Soon enough, I started to run food and drink on the floor, darting between candlelit tables high up in Melbourne’s skyline serving such a variety of people. Eventually, I was lucky enough to train behind the bar under an award-winning mixologist, learning how to make proper cocktails and learning the craft behind every drink.

At the same time, I joined a staffing agency which gave me a lot of flexibility and sent me to all sorts of events across Melbourne. The highlight was definitely working at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, where the pay was incredible and the atmosphere kept you on your toes all day. I spent the week serving drinks in the Channel 9 tent, surrounded by the chaos of b-list celebrities mingling with racegoers.

After the long summer, I left Goldilocks and picked up a new role at Juliet Bar, a dimly lit cocktail bar hidden away in the city’s theatre district. The place had a moody, underground charm and a small team that I quickly became close with. This was where I really found my confidence as a cocktail maker- experimenting with ingredients, chatting with regulars and learning the rhythm of a proper night-time bar shift. The real bonus was the people I met throughout my working experience. I met travellers from every corner of the world- most on working holiday visas- and such a variety of customers that had their own stories and unique interests. Ultimately, working in Melbourne made me feel like I was truly part of the city.