For Kiwis, Brits, Americans, or anyone else, a working holiday in Australia is an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Offering you the best of both worlds, you can earn good money doing something you love or are good at. Then, when you are not working, you can explore any one of its 10,000 beaches, fabulous cities or regional areas, and its many natural wonders.
They don’t call Australia “The Lucky Country” for nothing. And if you are one of the 321,000 people who were issued one last year (according to the Sydney Morning Herald), you are very lucky indeed.
So, why not make the most of your time Down Under? Here is how you can best enjoy your working holiday while you are there.
Why is Australia One of the Best Countries for a Working Holiday?
Australia is considered by many industry experts to be a top working holiday destination for several reasons. To start with, it offers a high minimum wage of $24.95 per hour. It also offers abundant job opportunities across many sectors, especially hospitality and agriculture. And, of course, has a famously laid-back, outdoor-focused lifestyle.
Between them, the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) are available to around 40 countries. Some of these include Chile, Mongolia, Peru, much of Europe, the USA, Canada, and the UK. New Zealand nationals can live and work in Australia indefinitely.
When they are not working, anyone granted a visa can enjoy easy travel, especially if they have access to a vehicle. (You can find out more about Tradie Ute Hire here.) This allows them to explore diverse landscapes at their leisure, including beaches, the Outback, cities, coastal towns, and regional areas.
What Are The Best Places in Australia To Start a Working Holiday?
If you know someone you can stay with for a while, it is a good idea to do so initially when you first arrive in Australia. This way, you’ll be able to adjust to your new surroundings, get your bearings and possibly even be introduced to a connection or two who might need to hire someone with your skill set.
Should you not know anyone, you’ll most likely end up flying to one of the capital cities of its six major states or two territories. They are:
- Canberra (ACT
- Sydney (New South Wales)
- Brisbane (Queensland)
- Melbourne (Victoria)
- Adelaide (South Australia)
- Perth (Western Australia)
- Hobart (Tasmania)
- Darwin (Northern Territory)
Whether you remain in them or not will be largely influenced by what type of work you are after. For instance, if you want to work in cattle farming, you will need to head out to regional areas in Queensland. Should you want to do corporate work, Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane is your best bet.
You can get a better idea of where your skills and experience might be most in demand here.
How to Balance Work and Travel on a Working Holiday
The key to enjoying a working holiday in Australia is to fully understand what you want from it.
For instance, is it more important for you to work for a company that will advance your career? Or do you want to enjoy and explore a destination, at a moment of your life, that you’ll never be able to do again? Once you know this, you will be able to approach your time in Australia accordingly.
Either way, you can still work and travel. But the decisions you’ll make will be influenced by your mindset. For instance, if you want to explore as much of Australia as possible during the 12-month to three-year period in which it is valid, you should prioritise seeking casual work. This will enable you to move around the country and see as much of any given area as you want in between shifts and jobs.
Should you want to secure employment, such as a corporate role, that might help you climb the career ladder, then it would be a good idea to set strict work-life boundaries. This could involve travelling to certain places or enjoying iconic parts of Australian life, such as bushwalking in the Blue Mountains or bbqs on Noosa beach, during weekends and public holidays.
How To Settle Into The Australian Way of Life
Many people on an Australian working holiday are thousands of miles from home. So, if you do make the move Down Under, it is important to settle into the local way of life as quickly as possible.
A good way to do this is to try to make friends. If you play sports, joining a local football, rugby, netball, or cricket team will introduce you to new people. You can also participate in your local church group or sign up for programs based on your hobbies or interests. Other ways to connect with people include volunteering, community meet-ups and joining local social media groups.
Even if you don’t make friends at first, it is worth embracing the Australian way of life. Find a regular cafe to enjoy a latte. Go for regular walks. Join a gym. If you are in a small town or regional area, definitely visit the local pub or RSL club.
Australians are a friendly bunch. So, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make friendships when you put yourself out and about.
Should I Apply For a Working Holiday Visa For Australia?
At the end of the day, only you can answer this. There are plenty of advantages to living and working in Australia for a while, including the great weather, wonderful work/life balance, and, of course, the chance to experience the country’s charms.
For some, it might require stepping out of their comfort zone. They may also need to recognise that it may test their self-reliance. But the opportunity to visit the Lucky Country for an extended time on a Working Holiday Visa won’t be available to you once you turn 30. So, why not take advantage of it now, whilst you can?