The Working Holiday Australia Visa, also called the WHV Australia, is a great way to work and travel Australia.

The working holiday Australia program is hugely popular for gap year students and backpackers, as it gives them the opportunity to experience a new culture, gain new skills, and it’s a great way to fund your travels for an extended stay.

By participating, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the people and their day to day lives, you’ll get a real feel for the heartbeat of the country, and you’ll get out of your comfort zone by trying different and unusual jobs.

How to Get the WHV Visa…

First of all, you must be between the ages of 18 – 30 years old, and you must come from a qualifying country. And depending on where you come from, there are actually two visa categories.

For all the details on who qualifies for what, please see our working holiday Australia visa page.

 

Moving to Australia Tips…

So you’ve decided to move to Australia…That’s the easy part, now you’ve got things to organize.

Moving to Australia Tips:

• Open a Bank Account Pre-Arrival….Sorting out your finances before you leave should make your move a little easier. Three banks that have international services can help you achieve just that. Try the HSBC, the Commonwealth Bank, or the ANZ.

• Get a Tax File Number (TFN) - Before you start working in Australia, you need to get a tax file number. You can only complete this application once you are in Australia. To learn more visit the Australian Government Taxation website .

• Do You Have to Lodge an Income Tax Return? – If you are working in Australia you need to determine whether you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. Non-residents pay tax differently from residents. Learn more here.

• Healthcare Agreement – The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the following countries: United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta and Italy.

To enrol in the Australian Medicare System you will need:

• your passport with a valid visa

• to provide, in some cases, identification showing you are enrolled in your country’s national health scheme.

If your application to enrol in Medicare is approved, you will receive an Australian reciprocal health care card in the mail. Learn more here.

• Leaving Australia Tax Overview – If you have been living in Australia, intend leaving Australia soon, or have recently left Australia, there are things you need to do to get your tax affairs in order. Learn more here.

• Get Travel Insurance – Whilst you are moving to Australia and whilst you are traveling in and around Australia, it’s a good idea to have travel insurance for peace of mind. Check out World Nomad’s Travel Insurance who also come recommended by Lonely Planet. Learn more here.

Finding Cheap Flights to Australia…

You should have several websites bookmarked for finding cheap flights to Australia and RTW (round the world flights).

All of Australia’s international airports have regular public transport such as bus, train and taxi connections to the city centres.  For more detailed information on all the airports, see the Australian Airports Guide

Here is a list of websites and search engines to start searching  for your cheap flights to Australia:

Flights to Australia:

• Kayak
• Skyscanner
• Cheap Flights
• V Australia
• STA Travel
• Hotwire – last minute deals

Flights within Australia:

• Skyscanner
• Adioso
• Virgin Blue - Low cost airline
• Jet Star – award winning low cost airline
• Qantas – Spirit of Oz
• Cheap Flights .com.au
• Skywest – Flies in WA, the Northern Territory & to Bali

Finding Australia backpackers hostels, a flat-mate, a budget hotel, or other cheap accommodation is an important part of your working holiday Australia trip.

Depending on your budget, your comfort zone,  your travel style, and your relationship status, there are many options for finding the right accommodation to suit your short term and long term needs.

1. Stay in a Backpackers Hostel
2. Find a Flat or a Flat-Mate
3. Find a Cheap Hotel
4. VRBO – Vacation Rentals By Owner
5. Mind My house

1. Stay in a Backpackers Hostel:

If you need budget accommodation when first arriving or cheap accommodation whilst traveling, a great place to start is a Backpackers Hostel. They are cheap, everywhere, and a great place to meet other travellers.

• Hostel Bookers – To find a great hostel online in Australia with the lowest price guarantee, check out Hostel Bookers. You pay no service charge or booking fee!

• YHA (Youth Hostels Australia) – If you want to travel Australia on a budget and receive 10% off hostels plus discounts on transport, tours, and activities, then get yourself a YHA Membership.

2. Find a Flat or a Flat-Mate:

• Flatmate Finder – is a great resource to advertise yourself if you are looking for a room, or to find rooms that are already being advertised. And the great thing about it is that membership and advertising on Flatmate Finder is FREE!

• Gum Tree – another fantastic site for finding flats, units, apartments, and houses to rent  is Gum Tree.

• TNT Downunder – This site has a database of more then 8,500 accommodation listings in Australia and NZ!

3. Find a Cheap Hotel:

There are several Hotel booking sites to compare hotel prices and facilities. Here is our favorite:

• Hotels Combined – allows you to search all the best sites at once.

4. VRBO – Vacation Rentals By Owner:

Vacation Rentals By Owner – Do you or a group of friends need a week away? Sometimes, staying in a vacation property is cheaper than a hotel. Compared to hotels, vacation rentals offer more value, space and privacy.

VRBO provide an online space for homeowners to advertise their vacation properties and make it easy for travelers to search 150,000+ rentals in over 100 countries worldwide.

6. Mind My House:

Mind My House – is a global house sitting matching service. They provide all the online tools for home owners and house sitters to find each other from around the globe (or around the corner). House sitters provide their house sitting services for free in exchange for the privilege of accommodation in the owner’s home.

Finding Work…

Travel Jobs and backpacker jobs in Australia come in all shapes and sizes.

If you want to work and travel Australia we’ve got you covered. Job agencies in Australia are plentiful and travel jobs for backpackers is a large industry.

Whether you want farm jobs, retail, hospitality, construction,  nursing, engineering, childcare, or you want to go fruit picking Australia, chances are the opportunity is there for you.

Below is a list of websites, job agencies, and jobs boards:

• GumTree – Great job site for travelers. There is a Gum Tree site for every city!

• Alseasons – Hospitality Recruitment

• Octopus Hospitality – Catering and Events

• Helpx – Listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation!

• Fruit Picking – a great place to find fruit picking Australia work!

• Harvest Trail – this site links job seekers with harvest jobs and fruit picking Australia seasonal info!

• Jobs 4 Travelers – One of Australia’s Premier Backpackers jobs board!

• Aussie Jobs – For a REAL Australian work experience check out this site!

• Thumbrella – Jobs for travelers around Australia

• Travellers at Work – Job search club for working holiday visa holders and backpackers!

• WWOOF – Willing Workers On Organic Farms. Work in exchange for your meals and accommodation!

• Work Stay Australia – for working holiday makers in Oz!

• People for People – Childcare and families seeking Au Pairs and Nannies.

• Hospitality Jobs – Bar work, Kitchen Jobs, House Keeping, Security Guards etc

• Extra Man – For Mining, Marine, Engineering, Automotive, Construction & Hospitality Jobs they can help!

• Hays Trades and Labour jobs – Construction jobs Australia wide.

• Hays recruiting professionals. – If your a professional check out Hays!

• Linddales - Building & Construction jobs and labour hire!

• Men at Work – Labour hire on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland!

• The Largest Online Classified Job Sites are… Job Search, Seek, MyCareer, and CareerOne

• Anywork Anywhere - jobs and resources for work around the world.

• Conservation Volunteers - a diversity of important projects to protect and enhance our environment.

Nursing Jobs: Nurses with overseas qualifications will first have to register with the Nurses Registration Board in the state you want to work in.

Visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for all the info.

Nursing Agencies: There are loads of agencies out there to help you find a job including:

• Medistaff, Nursing Australia, Malvern Nurses Agency, Nursing Agency Australia

Teaching Jobs…As with nursing, teachers are required to register with the Teacher registration Board in each state they hope to work in.

• NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory

Getting Around…

Australia is a big country, and how you get around depends on factors like your budget, the amount of time you have, and your traveling style.

Thankfully, there are options to satisfy all scenarios…

Cars and Campervans for Sale & Rent:

• Traveller’s Autobarn – Australian Campervans & Cars – BUY SELL RENT HIRE
• Car Market - Located in Woolloomooloo
• Gum Tree - Community Classifieds Site
• Cars 4 Backpackers – Buy & Sell Campervans & Cars
• Campervan Relocation Deals – One Way Rentals
• Vroom Vroom Vroom – They compare all the car rental companies

Backpacker Bus Companies:

• Oz Experience – Hop on Hop off Bus Company for Travelers
• Greyhound – Another Hop on Hop off Bus Ticket

Train Travel:

• Rail Australia – Discover Oz by Train