Some Frequently Asked Questions about Working Holidays in Australia
Can I get a visa to work in Australia?
If so, how much does it cost and how do I get it? Australia
has arrangements with 19 countries where passport holders from those 19
countries can get an ‘Australian Working Holiday Visa’. This is a special visa
for 18 - 30 year olds that allows entry into Australia for 1 year (extendable to
2 years) and allows the holder to work with a limitation of 6 months in any one
job.
The 19 countries that have access to this visa are:
United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands,
Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden,
Norway, Hong Kong, Finland, Cyprus, France, Italy, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan.
For more information on visas and how to get them, see the Visa section of this
website.
Do I need a physical visa
sticker in my passport?
No. Your visa is linked to your passport electronically when your application
is processed. This means you do not need anything physical in your passport. However,
you can obtain a visa sticker if you are travelling through Sydney airport. If not, you can obtain a
sticker at any Australian Immigration Office located in all Australian cities.
Some people do this so that they can prove to suspicious employers that they actually
have a visa, however there is now a hotline which employers can use to check
visa status if they have any doubts.
What about 'Sufficient Funds?' How much money do I need to enter Australia on the Working Holiday
Visa? When you go through immigration into Australia you may be asked to prove
that you have ‘Sufficient Funds’. This refers to having enough money to live on
until you find work. There is no set rule here and the immigration officer is
able to assess each person on a case by case basis. It is well known that
AU$5,000 is definitely considered Sufficient Funds, however unofficially they
will accept less.
With this in mind, we believe any amount less than $3,000 could be risky. If
you are travelling on a one-way ticket, you may have to prove that you have
enough money for a return or onward ticket on top of this.
To prove sufficient funds, take documents with you that may include: recent
credit card statement (showing credit limit), bank balance or other document
showing you have access to Sufficient Funds. These documents can be from your
home bank or from your Australian bank.
Should I get a one-way or return flight? If you know exactly when you are going to return home from Australia it makes sense to buy a
return ticket because it is invariably cheaper than buying 2 separate one-way
tickets.
If you do not know exactly
when you are going to return, consider getting an ‘open return’ ticket. This
means you buy a return ticket with a return date that can be altered some time
in the future for no extra cost. This gives you a lot more flexibility for
deciding when to return.
Do I need to book
accommodation in advance?
We recommend you do! At various times of year, hostels and backpackers can get
very full. We have heard countless stories of backpackers having to pay top
dollar to stay in a hotel for lack of anything cheaper available!
Should I transfer some money to Australia
before I leave home?
This is a good idea for two reasons. Firstly, you will get a good exchange rate
by sending your money through the bank at the bank rate. This rate will be
better than the rate you would get exchanging it at the airport for example.
Secondly, you will have Australian money ready to use as soon as you arrive.
You will not have to use a foreign credit card and pay fees while you arrange
for money to be transferred and wait for it to clear...this all would have been
done in advance. To open a bank account in advance see the Bank Account.
Is it easy to get around in Australia? Australia
is very spread out. Public transport such as buses, trains and trams do exist
and are quite easy to use in the main cities. However if you wish to travel to
another city, you will usually find that flying is the best option (Australia
is huge!)
What kind of jobs do working holiday makers get and how do you get them?
Working Holiday Makers will usually get seasonal jobs on farms such as fruit
picking (no experience required) or hospitality jobs such as waitering, bar
work which usually require some experience.
You will not normally find employment in a professional field because you are a
working holiday maker and only allowed to work for one employer for 6 months
maximum (see the Visa section for more).
Jobs for working holiday makers will be advertised on hostel noticeboards,
online and in the local papers. Go Workabout can help you arrange work in
advance (see the Job section for more).
Is it essential to get a Tax File Number (TFN)?
The short answer is definitely. You will need a TFN within 28 days of starting
work or else you will pay around 48% tax on your pay. With a TFN, your pay will
be taxed at a normal rate somewhere between 15% and 29%. See the Tax File
Number section if you'd like Go Workabout to help arrange this for you.
How much money will I earn?
Every job has its own circumstances but most jobs pay between $17 - $22 per
hour before tax. See the Costs of a Working Holiday section if you'd like to
see where this leaves you at the end of the week after costs such as
accommodation, food...
What is superannuation?
Employers in Australia
generally have to pay a compulsory 9% superannuation contribution. This means
that an additional 9% of your before tax pay must be paid into a superannuation
fund.
This is the Australian version of the pension or retirement saving. It
basically forces Australians to save 9% of their gross earnings over their
lives; they can then access this money when they retire. As a non-resident, you
can claim this money back from the government when you leave Australia.
How do I get my tax back?
When you work in Australia,
employers are required to deduct tax from your pay. You can often end up paying
too much tax because of the way this system works. You can claim any of this
extra tax back when you do your Tax Return. These can be done at the end of
Financial Year (July), or when you have finished working, or even after you
have left Australia.
What about insurance?
All employers in Australia
must provide ‘Workers Compensation Insurance’ for their employees. This
insurance covers workers for work related accidents, only while you are at
work. It does not replace regular travel insurance, which covers you for
accidents outside of work. We recommend you purchase travel insurance.
Generally travel insurance must be purchased from your home country.
Will my phone work in Australia?
Yes - as long as it is not locked to a network from your home country. If so,
remember to get it unlocked before you leave (some American phones will not
work in Australia).
Can I drive in Australia?
You can drive on your license from your home country, as long as it is valid
and not expired. You can also drive on an international driver's license.
Remember, in Australia
we drive on the left!
Will I get bitten by snakes and spiders in Australia?
The majority of people who visit Australia survive several snake and
spider bites - shark bites are one to try and avoid... But seriously, this is
not worthy of much concern. Consider yourself lucky if you encounter these
things!
Any further questions?
We are also more than happy to answer all your other questions before, during
and after your trip - after all we live and breathe this stuff and literally
have all the answers. Click here to Contact
Us.
