There is perhaps nothing more satisfying than being able to enjoy a holiday and getting paid for it. And that is exactly what a working holiday visa in Australia will let you experience. Known for its natural magnificence, this country is a traveler’s delight; the perfect setting for hundreds of adventure-hungry students. Getting a working holiday visa is easy when you are between 18 and 30 years of age; have no dependents accompanying you and a resident of an eligible nation. You can apply and pay for this electronic visa online. To get it approved, it is necessary for you to have either a credit card with minimum $5000 AUD limit, a booked return flight, or a bank statement showing access to the amount mentioned above. With the visa, you can enter Australia within a year from the data this visa is granted. You can stay for a period of 12 months from your entry date. It is possible to leave and re-enter during this period. Visa holders can do any work of a casual or temporary nature (cannot be employed with a single employer for more than 6 months) so that they can travel during their stay.
Tips to plan your working holiday in Australia:
Planning Ahead: It is important to plan your stay in Australia smartly. Traveling to popular cities is just going to be like any regular holiday. Your job will be to plan to stay in a few places for a reasonably longer time to experience the Australian way of life. During such short term stays, you need to include travel plans to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding areas. When you can travel often, you get to meet many others like you. Networking of this kind will help you get jobs and accommodations faster.
Planning for Another Year: When you get a working holiday visa, you should try to earn a second year’s visa through regional farm work. This may help you to get sponsorship later but the task is long and challenging. Americans are not eligible for a second year but they can get sponsorship.
Opening Bank Accounts: You get to choose from many popular big banks here which will offer you basic services for hardly any fees. In case you wish to travel to New Zealand however, it may be a good idea to look up ANZ Bank. You need to set up superannuation accounts instead of a savings account. Alternately, your employers will create an account for your needs. In case you work for multiple employers, there may be some resultant confusion.
Get a Tax File Number: This will allow the Australian Tax Office to track your funds. Without this, you are not legally listed as an Australian Resident and you may have to pay higher rates. To apply, all you need is an address which can be your hostel address.
Get a Phone: You can choose from the more popular telecom companies like Vodafone, Telstra, and Virgin etc. With their basic plans at $10 AUD, you cannot enjoy unlimited text messaging or calling. It is better to choose a costlier option that includes better call minutes, unlimited text messages and exciting subscriptions. Investing in high-end smartphones is a big no-no here.
Find Accommodation: Finding apartments is not hard in Australian cities and rents are paid on a weekly basis. You can search for these in traveler-friendly localities. Roommates are much in demand in such areas and you get to make many new friends in the process. It also helps to lower rentals which can be between $190 and $230 AUD for a week in apartments orhome stays with better locations.
Get a Job: Your next task to get you through a working holiday is to a good job. The visa lets you do any job but many employers are not keen to hire temporary staff. So, jobs at popular bars and restaurants, retail outlets that get a lot of tourist traffic, hostels as housekeeping staff are some options. Telemarketing jobs are great for travelers as are less-paying jobs like “flyering” where you just pass out papers for free stay or drinks, and seasonal or part time work.
Searching for Jobs: Traveling when you first arrive in the country is always beneficial. It gives you the chance to interact with fellow travelers and make friends who can then recommend you for jobs. You not only get to apply to these places before others can; you also get an idea about the workplace before making commitments. You can also apply for working holiday programs before you land here. These will help with your accommodations and finances and will assure you of placements in exchange for an upfront fee
Submitting Resumes: This traditional approach pays off because you can get jobs faster in places which are keen to meet you in person before they hire. You can search for jobs in classifieds on websites, street posts and hostel job boards. You should be wary of places which are known to hire travelers to get their jobs done for measly rates.
Choosing Jobs: Everyone is aware that this country is expensive and wages are commensurate. But it is always better to opt for full-time jobs that pay more. Part-time jobs give you the freedom to work in different places. It is important to stay away from companies that hire employees on commission-based salaries
Traveling in Australia: Since you are on a working holiday visa, you get to travel. Flying is not a budget-friendly option but it is faster. You can choose economy airlines for your long distance travels; else, you can drive down to the destinations. Hop-on and hop-off trips on buses are a cost-friendly option and it gives you the freedom to explore.
So, a working holiday visa is perhaps the best way to discover this amazing country at your leisure. You can learn to stay independently, make new friends and relationships, earn valuable job experience and fulfill your thirst for adventure, all at the same time. What could be more rewarding for a student than this?
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