Applications to become part of the AO Team for Australian Open 2025 are now open.
It takes a workforce of thousands to successfully deliver the Australian Open, affectionately known as the Happy Slam, and job opportunities range from retail to court services, ballkid operations, official drivers, player services, scoring operations and many more.
“The AO Team is essential to the success of the Australian Open and we are looking forward to welcoming new members of the team, alongside so many who return each year,” Kate Nuttall, Tennis Australia Chief Diversity & People Officer said.
“Our workforce comes from all walks of life and is dedicated to providing an outstanding experience for our fans and players, where everyone feels welcome, included and represented.
“Many members of our team return year after year – some for decades now, which is testament to what a unique and rewarding experience it is being a part of Australia’s biggest sport and entertainment event and to see all the Grand Slam magic up close.”
Vanessa Larkins is one of those returning team members, having celebrated 20 years at the AO in 2024. After training at Melbourne Park in the Australian Open Junior Academy in the 1990s, Vanessa secured a job as a statistician aged just 15, which was the ideal role for a tennis-loving teenager.
“As a massive fan of the game, the job to watch tennis couldn't have been more perfect,” she said. “I've worked on so many incredible and memorable moments over the years and I've been so lucky to be here to watch some absolute legends of the game through their careers.
“I was fortunate enough to work on Ash Barty's final in 2022, when she won,” she added. “That was the most incredible night at the Australian Open, where we had Ash win the singles and Evonne (Goolagong Cawley) present the trophy, followed straight after by Kokkinakis and Kyrgios in the doubles. It was one of those moments when you walk out and you're like, 'Did that just happen?’
“January will always be blocked out in my calendar for the Australian Open.”
Australian Open 2024 workforce fast facts
- More than 12,000 team members from Tennis Australia, Melbourne & Olympic Park and partners helped deliver AO 2024
- The team ranged in age from 12 years old to 86 years old
- 75 per cent of the workforce were retained from the 2023 tournament.
Learn more and apply here; applications close Sunday 14 July 2024 at 11pm AEST.