The decision to pack up your entire life and move to the other side of the world is a big one.
Yes, it’s exciting. Yes, you’re going to have the time of your life. And yes, this is going to be an experience that, not only will you remember forever, but you never know, could actually end up changing the course of your life from here on out.Pretty dramatic, but true.
There’s plenty to think about and lots to arrange. Lucky for you, here at STA Travel, we’ve been sending eager young people off to work in Australia for years – and we are good at making sure they have the best time possible.
Whether you decide on an internship, externship, or simply want a working holiday, we’ve put together this handy guide on all things work abroad to help you take those first steps toward a new life Down Under.
Tip 1: Secure a work visa
If you’re planning to work in Australia, then you’re going to need a work visa.
- What are the requirements? You’ll need be 18-30 years old, hold a U.S. Passport with at least six months validity remaining after your proposed return to the U.S. or high school diploma, be a U.S. citizen and meet the health criteria.
- How much does a working holiday visa cost? You can pick one up from our partners BUNAC who can also help you with every aspect of the application process and take the stress out completing the long forms yourself.
- How long does it take to process? A working holiday visa can take up to 4 weeks to process – so leave plenty of time before you want to go!
- How long to I have to use it once I have it? Once you have been granted your working holiday visa you can travel to Australia as soon as you like to start your working holiday. Bear in mind you only have 12 months to enter the country and activate it, so if you don’t use your visa within 12 months then you’ll have lost the right to use it altogether, and you don’t get another chance – so be sure you’re ready to go before you apply!
Once you step foot in Australia, you then have another 12 months to work. If you take part in certain specified types of work such as fruit picking, farm work, fishing or mining (among others) in selected regions of the country, you’ll be able to extend your visa by another year, giving you two full years of working holiday fun!
Tip 2: Score the cheapest flight to Australia
If you’re looking to keep costs down as much as possible, the cheapest months to fly to Australia are April, May, June and November so book your flights for these times and help make your travel budget go that bit further. Check out our cheap flights to Australia and once you’ve found a price you’re happy with – grab it!
Most return flights have to be completed within one year, so as long as you know for sure you want to come back within a year, and don’t want to apply for the 12-month extension, you could book a return flight.
However, bear in mind that a flight to Australia is a great opportunity to stop and explore another area of the world on your way there, such as India, Thailand or Malaysia and often you’re able to stop for free! Check out our multi-stop routes and remember many of these can also be done as one ways.
Tip 3: Save your money
This step is pretty obvious, but let’s just reiterate that fact that you will need some money! If you’re traveling to Australia on a one-way ticket, the Australian government asks that you have proof of funds totaling AUD $5,000, plus additional funds to cover a return ticket (which is approx. AUD $1,000) so AUD $6,000 in total which works out to be approximately $4,800 based on current exchange rates.
Alternatively, if you have a return ticket, you’ll require AUD $5,000 (so approximately $4,000 based on the current exchange rate).
You may be asked to provide evidence of this in the form of a recent bank statement.
Tip 4: Finding work in Australia
Once you’ve arrived in this gorgeous new place you’re going to be pumped and ready to explore, meet friends get out on the beers. The last thing you’re going to be wanting to think about is how you set up your bank account, sort out your tax code (essential if you don’t want to end up paying half your wages to the Aussie taxman) and finding a job – snoozesville!
STA and BUNAC can help arrange your work abroad package with group flight options (ready made friends), orientation, access to our Australian recruitment agency and job placement services, weekly ‘ice-breaker’ welcome drinks, accommodation advice and assistance, tax expert to provide advice and information about tax and superannuation refunds – and so much more!
Tip 5: Don’t forget to have the time of your life
A working holiday in Australia is a once in a lifetime opportunity take your life, shake it up and inject a dose of fun, adventure and independence.
Prepare to discover a new and more extreme way to enjoy life – in the most beautiful of settings.