18 years old, $50 in my bank account after purchasing a plane ticket, way too much luggage, and an experience that I had no idea was going to change my life forever. From the bright blue oceans filled with surfers, the gorgeous snowy mountains covered in blue gum trees, and the countless kangaroos and wombats that pass next to your car, Australia was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It was my first time in another country, the first real job I ever had, the first time living away from my parents and yes, I packed up and went all alone. Most people my age were moving into a dorm and I was getting ready to fly 17 hours to the other side of the world but I just knew that this is what I wanted to do and I didn’t have a lot of money to do it. So this is what I did:
I got the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) for Australia!
What is a Working Holiday Visa?
A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is an electronic visa that allows travelers to undertake employment to help fund their extended travels. It’s perfect for those that want to take a gap year, spend an extended holiday in Australia and it’s a great way to travel if you don’t want to deplete all your savings or if you don’t have a lot saved up to travel.
What are the requirements?
There are a few requirements that you must fall under in order to qualify for the Working Holiday Visa (WHV).
1. An eligible passport
The first step I would start with is making sure you have an eligible passport with at least 6 months until renewal. There’s two different WHV (subclass 417 & 462). The difference between the two just depends on where you hold a passport from. Check below for which visa you will apply to based on your country of origin.
WHV Subclass 417 (AUD $485) grants access to those with a passport from: Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, and The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
WHV Subclass 462 (AUD $485) grants access to those with a passport from: Argentina, Austria, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, United States of America, Vietnam
*Depending on your country of origin, you may need proof of:
- completing a certain level of education
- English language competence
- home government support
2. Age limits: Be between 18-30 years old (or 18-35 for Canadian, French and Italian citizens)
Next, I’d make sure you fall into the age range they require you to fall into. You have to be between 18 and 30 years old. Although, if you apply for the visa while you’re 30 and then turn 31 before it is approved, you will still be granted the visa.
3. Apply outside of Australia
For both the (417 & 462) visas, you need to be outside of the country to apply for. If you are in Australia, head to a neighboring country such as Indonesia or New Zealand while you wait to get approved.
4. No dependent children allowed
You’re not allowed to bring dependent children with you during your stay in Australia. Partners can come with you, but they must have their own WHV.
5. Have not previously entered Australia on a subclass 462 or 417 visa
You can not apply for the same visa again. There are other options if you’d like to stay longer than one year. You can do three months of mining, farm and animal cultivation, fruit picking (most popular), bushfire recovery work, fishing and pearling, construction, or tree farming work to qualify for a second-year holiday visa. And if you want to do one more year, you just need 6 more months of work in one of those areas. So a total of 9 months can earn you a total of 3 years living and working in Australia.
6. Proof of Sufficient Funds: $5,000 AUD
While this is listed as a requirement for entering AUS on a WHV, it’s really put in place for your own security. It’s not often checked upon entering but it’s a good starting point since Australia is expensive and if you’re arriving without a job it may take a few weeks to find one and even longer to get a paycheck. It would be recommended to at least have a credit limit that is equivalent to the requirement.
How to apply:
Make sure your passport is up to date
Choose the type of visa you want
Create an ImmiAccount & fill out the application
Upload your documents & Pay the fee (AUD $485)
Wait for the email!
How fast you hear back depends on many different factors. I remember hearing back within just a few days which seems to be common among most travelers applying for the WHV, however, to be safe, give yourself at least 4 weeks. AKA don’t wait for the last second to apply if you’re trying to get there at a specific time!
*Don’t forget you must enter within 12 months of your visa being approved! But once you enter, you may re-enter and leave as many times as you want. The time clock for the 12 month day starts the day you enter the country on the WHV.
What to do once you arrive:
1. Open a bank account!
You’ll need a bank account to get a job. Commonwealth is widespread and easy to open an account with. If you plan on also living in New Zealand, use ANZ as they’re offered in both countries.
2. Purchase a SIM card.
SIM cards can be purchased at most grocery stores and are easy to use so that you can pay as you go. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you arrive so that you’ll be able to use the SIM card.
3. Apply for your tax number.
This is also a requirement for starting any job. You can easily apply online. The best part is, you’ll get most of the money you paid in taxes back when you leave the country. For me, this was an extra few thousand AUD!
4. The next step, FINDING A JOB!
What jobs can you do with a WHV and how do you find them?
Best jobs to do on a Working Holiday Visa:
- Barista, Bartending, Serving, Cook
- Fruit picking, Farm work
- Retail, Sales
- Receptionist, Concierge, Housekeeper, Porter
- Au pair
- Travel agent (lots of people do this working for hostels in Cairns and earn commissions as well as free trips)
- Scuba instructor
- Yoga instructor
- Deckhand
- Ski instructor, Lift Operator
- Office work
Best places to find work online:
There are so many resources where you can find a job online. However, sometimes it’s best to roam the streets and look for hiring signs. This is how I found most of my jobs! Another option to traveling cheaper is to find a job with employee housing. There’s lots of hospitality work in Perisher or Thredbo (ski resort) that provide food and housing with your position. Another option is working at Kings Canyon, El Questro Wilderness Park, or Lizard Island all of which provide room and board.
*Reminder: you can only work for one employer for 6 months.
The best thing to do is get the visa, set up all the basics on arrival and the job hunt will follow. Book a week at a hostel or hotel before arrival to give yourself time to set up all the basics and to decide if where you are is where you want to stay to work. There are tons of jobs out there. Some places that I really enjoyed visiting are Bryon Bay, Cairns, Perisher, Melbourne, and I’ve heard Tasmania is beautiful. The WHV was one of the best experiences of my life and I’m so glad I was able to do it. I hope you get to as well!
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