Very imformative post, thanks.
I've only just started thinking about spending a year working in Australia, so I only have a rough idea of what I am going to do. First week with Oz Intro, week or so in a hostel looking for work in Sydney. Probably work for around 3 or so months until I do some East Coast exploring, before heading to Western Australia for some fruit picking or something like that.
Anyway, I was thinking if I got a job in Sydney for a few months, what's your opinion on flat sharing? I'd much rather have my own little space than living in a dorm with strangers all the time (Something I want to experience, but not long term). I've been looking on gumtree to get a general idea of price, and there's not a massive difference between what you'd pay per week.
Cheers.