So you are thinking about a working holiday visa in Australia?
Well, good news with our brand new website revamp we will be covering a lot of aspects related to moving to Australia and updating older articles.
This list will guide you through a smooth transition into Aussie life.
- Getting your Working Holiday Visa
How to get your working holiday visa in Australia
Our Australian working holiday visa process was super easy. Moving from Ireland, the application process literally can take minutes answering few questions over the phone.
If you are planning to head to Australia, we do recommend to go there spring time September-November. You will arrive just before the high season, and it will be easier to get set up as there aren’t as many backpackers around.
The busiest times for backpackers/travelers alike are the summer months when everyone decides to move over.
We recommend starting with bigger cities such as Melbourne, Sydney etc.
Unless you have a job set up before arrival, it might be harder to find a job in small towns.
To give you an idea it took us a month to find a job in Perth and only a week in Melbourne.
- What to bring and pack before you start your working holiday visa in Australia
What to bring before you start your working holiday visa in Australia
Depending on the season you are going the clothing selection will vary.
After packing into suitcases and backpacks several times, we now know that suitcases are the way to go. Unless you are going for a few months of travel around Oz first, then a backpack is your friend.
You will probably end up travelling a lot and visiting close by countries, so it just makes sense.
We did suitcases first but after a first trip back home returned with backpacks.
- Know how much money you will need
Working holiday visa in Australia and just how much money to bring before you get there
You have to be financially prepared for going to Oz.
Also, you will likely have many sessions when you first arrive along with an occasional visit to crown casino
Australia’s guideline of ‘sufficient amount is $5000; the amount may vary however depending on how long you are planning to stay.
You are also required to have a return or onward ticket or money to purchase one.
You may also be asked for a bank statement when entering the country and an air ticket.
Australia is also pretty expensive and getting a job might take a while so be prepared and budget wisely.
- Get travel insurance for your working holiday visa in Australia
Australia recommends having adequate travel insurance however it is not one of the rules for obtaining the visa.
Regardless of what your plans are, GET SOME travel insurance. You never know what might happen, it’s just not worth taking the risk.
We never go without travel insurance, and there are so many companies to choose from depending on your budget.
Make sure to purchase one prior to your trip, although some can be purchased even after you leave.
For More Detail About : Australian Immigration Website
- What to do when you arrive in Oz?:
What to do when you arrive in Australia
Lovely Melbourne
First arrived in Perth and after a few months moved to Melbourne and discovered that getting a job and finding accommodation was so much easier in comparison. Read our epic road trip guide from Perth To Melbourne.
There is no need to worry or stress about pre-preparation, as long as you have the funds you can get everything setup upon arrival.
So please don’t get bought into those offers which give you a “sim card, bank account” etc.
It usually doesn’t take long to set up a bank account but try and open it within six weeks of arrival as otherwise additional documents might be required.
If you are thinking about doing some travelling when you get the East Coast of Australia is amazing.
- Finding a temporary place to stay for your working holiday visa in Australia
It is important to know where you are going to stay well in advance. If you don’t have any firm plans yet, that’s ok but book something in advance, even a hostel.
Make sure to have a confirmed accommodation at least for the first couple of days or weeks.
Sooner you book better price you might get as most of the time hostels tend to be the most popular and get booked up fast.
- Getting long-term accommodation in Australia:
Finding long term accomodation for your working holiday visa in Australia
It can take a while to find a nice apartment, but it’s worth it.
Finding accommodation is one of the trickiest and most stressful things you just have to go through.
Most accommodation comes unfurnished with a minimum of 6 months or a 1-year contract.
It is hard but not impossible to rent a furnished apartment in Australia.
It might be different for you if you are travelling as a couple or a group. We were also looking for our own space whereas if you are happy with the shared accommodation, it can be a lot easier.
Melbourne or Sydney property rental is much bigger compared to Perth, and it is easier to find a suitable place, not necessarily the one you are looking for though
- Getting yourself an Aussie phone number for your working holiday visa in Australia:
There is no need to worry about getting a SIM number until you arrive. There are a lot of options to choose from, and first, we went with Optus (great data plans).
After few months, however, driving through the outback, we quickly realised that Telstra has the best coverage.
- Opening your bank account in Australia:
Working holiday visa in Australia, opening a bank account when you get there.
There are two options; you can either set up an account before you arrive or wait until you get here. There is no advantage to open Australian bank account from abroad other than your debit card is ready for collection upon arrival.
We went with the Commonwealth Bank, but you can choose other banks like Westpac, NAB etc.
Most of the banks offer low-fee accounts, but some have better deals than others. The deals do change on a regular basis so we would strongly recommend checking your options before signing up.
- You have your bank account, now how do you get your savings
After getting your bank account, you are probably looking to transfer money from your home account to Australian. There are few ways to do it, and the cheapest options we found are Currency Fair and OFX(for larger transfers $5k+)
Since we signed up with them a few years back, we easily saved probably over a thousand dollars between us on fees and exchange rates.
Make sure to sign up here to reserve your first five transfers for free.
- Getting tax file number for your working holiday visa in Australia:
It can take up to a month to receive your TFN.
You can apply for your Tax File Number as soon as you land in Australia.
If you find a job before you get your tax file number that is fine as long as you can give the number to your new employer within 28 days.
- Finding a job in Australia:
How to find a job in Australia after you move to Australia on a working holiday visa in Australia (1)
Finding a job for your working holiday visa in Australia can be super easy for some and much harder for others.
Depending on your skills, work experience, and of course location, it can determine whether you get a job within a day or a month.
Getting a job on a WHV can be more difficult as you can only stay with any given employer for a maximum of 6 months. Unfortunately, some employers don’t like that.
- Securing your 2nd-year visa in Australia:
After spending a few months in Australia, you probably figured out whether you wish to stay or leave after the one year.
Most people decide to stay on and to do so; they have to complete farm work.
There is a lot do’s, and dont’s when it comes to your regional work, and it usually isn’t as easy to find it as it seems.
- Sort out your driver’s licence and other forms of ID:
In most cases on a working holiday visa in Australia, you can drive using your home country driving licence.
Some states, however, have different rules.
You might be required to carry with you an international drivers licence as well as your home licence.
If you are planning to stay long-term in Australia, you might want to get an Aussie ID.
It is much easier to carry small plastic around than your passport.
- Taxes and Superannuation while on a working holiday visa in Australia:
The Australian government recently changed tax rules for working holiday visa makers.
The tax year in Australia runs from July 1 to Jun 30. If you work in Australia, the tax will be withheld from your pay, and you will have to lodge a tax return every year.
Conclusion on what you need to know about a working holiday visa in Australia:
We hope you will enjoy your experience as much as we did. If you haven’t done so yet make sure to check out our 101 Things We Wish We Knew before Moving To Australia.
If the above points have helped be sure to give this article a share with friends or family that are moving to Australia.
For More Information : Apply Australian Visa Online