Working Holiday Visa: Work and Travel in Australia

Are you wondering what life is like when you work and travel in Australia? Considering adding it to your bucket list? These two photos do a pretty good job of summing up what you can expect…

The first photo was taken at Port Douglas (Queensland) at sunrise and the other at Byron Bay (New South Wales) at sunset. Both photos have perfectly captured the addictive energy of every single place that we visited along the East-Coast. People of all ages and nationalities come together to soak up every ounce of nature and adventure that they can. There is an undeniable feeling of appreciation for life and a ‘young and free’ mentality that resonates no matter where you go. Each person that I know who has visited Australia has instantly felt a strong and irreversible attachment and has craved to return ever since.

Australia seems to have got a memo that the rest of the world is still waiting for. Work is a small part of life. Spending time with friends and focusing on your serenity is made a priority.

The country offers everything that a traveller’s heart could desire. One day, you can be feeling the weight of a breath-taking waterfall pummel your shoulders; the next you’re driving a 4×4 across vast sand dunes; then trekking through humid rainforests or burning your feet on the white sand of paradise beaches.

Australia offers such a wide variety of natural landscapes, exotic animals and unforgettable opportunities that it attracts millions of backpackers and travellers each year. Hostels are littered throughout every town and thousands of campervans take to the roads to explore the country’s many offerings. (Read more about our Road-Trip (with your FREE map) HERE!)

Not only that, if you are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, you can earn much-needed travel funds as you spend time exploring Down-Under. Spending your days serving tables or frothing the perfect latte means that you can live life like a local long-term in your favourite Aussie place of choice and become one of the many working backpackers that form communities that very quickly feel like family.

I headed to Australia because I had some family members there that I wanted to get to know. I wasn’t quite expecting to leave a piece of my heart behind there too!

SO, if I have officially sold this incredible country to you, start checking off this list of criteria in order to continue…

• Are you aged between 18 and 30?
• Do you hold a passport from one of the eligible countries? (e.g. Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Korea, Malta, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom – phew)
• Are you child-less (or not planning to have your dependent child accompany you on the trip at any point)?
• Do you have sufficient funds to last your entire trip, purchase adequate health insurance and be able to buy a flight back home?
• Are you currently outside of Australia?

If the answers to all of the above questions are a big fat YES, then we have a winner! You may be eligible to start the best adventure of your life with the Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)….

CLICK HERE  to access the Australian Government website and begin your application.

It costs approximately $500AUD to apply and once granted, you are able to work in Australia for up to 12 months (6 months max with one employer)!

Once you’re in Australia, it is very easy to set up everything else you need to be able to work with your new employer such as Social Insurance Number, Bank Accounts, Tax Refunds, etc (Read more about your ‘Adulting’ Responsibilities HERE!)

And if you fall in love with the country and your new life Down-Under (which I’m telling you, you most definitely will…) there are options to extend your Working Holiday Visa for a 2^nd year if you complete 3 months or 88 days of specified work in Regional Australia (e.g. Agriculture work on a farm).
So your Aussie adventure can keep on goin’!  You’re welcome.

COMMENT BELOW
What is your favourite Australian City?
What Aussie animal would you love to meet?