Axel Hay - Jai Fernandez

Jai Fernandez, played by Jordan Rodrigues, first appeared during the episode transmitted on 19 May 2008. Rodrigues joined the cast in 2008 and he told Carolyn Stewart from TV Week that it had been a "whole new experience" for him because he was used to stage work. He added that he was excited about being recognised by viewers. Jai has a back story in which he lost his entire family in Phuket during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and he met the established character of Miles Copeland (Josh Quong Tart) who had also suffered the deaths of his relatives. Rodrigues told Stewart that the character's loss created a "connection" between them and it made Miles bring Jai to Summer Bay. But as Miles previously left Jai in Phuket, this creates problems between them. Rodrigues explained that "Jai's angry at the world after Miles ditched him in Phuket. Miles is now trying to help Jai because he knew he was going through a tough time living in a refuge. But Jai is from the city and doesn't really fit in with the surfy town."

In 2009, Rodrgiues left the serial to join ABC's Dance Academy. For his portrayal of Jai, Rodrigues was nominated in the category of "Most Popular New Talent" at the Logie Awards of 2009.

Jai first appears at a refuge in the city when Miles tracks him down at a refuge in the city. He is cold and distant towards Miles who said he would always look after him following the deaths of his parents William and Nadieen in a tsunami. After initial reservations, Jai takes Miles up on his offer and returns to Summer Bay with him. Jai struggles to settle into Summer Bay House and struggles to connect with people at school. He makes a friend in fellow outcast Axel Hay (Trent Dalzell) and they get into various kinds of trouble and take a joyride on Matilda Hunter's (Indiana Evans) scooter. The boys are knocked off the Scooter by a drunken Larry Jefferies (Paul Gleeson) and Axel dies in hospital. In the aftermath, Jai becomes convinced he is invincible. He jumps from Jump Rock to prove so, much to the shock of Annie Campbell (Charlotte Best). When Matthew Lyons (Ross Pirelli) throws Jai's school rucksack on the roof of the school, he goes up to retrieve it, despite the danger. Annie, in retaliation tries Jai's stunt but hurts herself. After Jai feels guilty, they share a kiss and become a couple. Jai and Annie's respective guardians Miles and Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger) try to keep the couple apart but they relent.

Jai and Annie end up in further trouble when Annie is stuck down a storm drain. Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) is able to rescue Annie. Trey Palmer (Luke Bracey) begins bullying Jai and harassing Miles and Kirsty Phillips (Christie Hayes). When Trey's lies about a sexual relationship with Kirsty spiral out of control, Jai obtains some information that Trey had weight issues and threatens to use it unless the charges are dropped.

Jai's relationship with Annie takes another turn when he drunkenly reveals at Ruby Buckton's (Rebecca Breeds) 16th birthday party, he wants to sleep with her. Annie promptly breaks up with him. Shortly after, Jai and Xavier Austin (David Jones-Roberts) find an old shotgun at Martha MacKenzie's (Jodi Gordon) farm, which results in Jai being accidentally shot. Jai keeps the injury secret but collapses several days later while on a school trek with Annie. He later recovers. Dexter Walker (Tom Green) takes an interest in Annie which does not sit well with Jai who wants to get back together with her. He is further upset when he finds Annie and Dexter kissing and refuses to listen to their explanations.

Jai's spirits are lifted when Romeo Smith (Luke Mitchell), an old friend from foster care arrives to stay at Summer Bay House. He asks Romeo for his help to win Annie back but the plan backfires when Romeo allows Annie to believe he is responsible for the love poems Jai has been sending her and Jai realises Romeo wants Annie for himself. Jai then accepts a place on the student exchange trip to Japan in order to get away from them both but opts out after Kirsty miscarries Miles' baby and offers to support them and suggests Annie take his place. In the end, both Jai and Annie leave for Japan after a farewell with their friends.