Australia Working Holiday Visa Program
Looking to extend your vacation to Australia? Want to make some money to replenish your travel budget? A working holiday visa to Australia may be the perfect solution for you. It’s a wonderful opportunity to spend up to 12 months Down Under and gain a different perspective than if you were traveling through a different place every few days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Working Holiday Visas to Australia
Am I eligible?
You are eligible for a working holiday visa for Australia if you are a US resident or a resident of one of the following countries. You must be 18-30 years old at the time of your application. The visa application takes as little as 48 hours and can be even applied for by phone if you have your passport handy.
How can I apply or receive more information?
BootsnAll has partnered with the world’s largest working holiday visa provider, VisaFirst, to provide travelers with everything they need before leaving for Australia.
Apply for an information pack or book a visa
Check out a video of the VisaFirst working holiday centre in Sydney:
Do I need to have work organised before arriving on a working holiday visa in Australia?
No. 99.9% of people simply land in a gateway city like Sydney, stay in a hostel until they find an apartment to stay in, go looking for work and begin working in a week or two. Most people will only offer you work after having met you so you will need to check the papers and online job sites when you arrive and call into employers and recruitment companies.
Do I have to work when I arrive?
No, you don’t have to work at all! However, most people will want to work to have funds to keep traveling. Even if you’re coming to Australia just to work, it’s wise to bring money to fund your first few weeks until you can find work. Setting up an Australian bank account before you arrive will allow you to transfer some money over before leaving. Setting up an account is something we can assist you with.
Can you give me an example of how the year typically flows for most working holiday makers?
Before leaving for Australia
Book your working holiday visa. It’s also a good idea to set up your Australian bank account, apply for a tax file number, and arrange airport pick-up before leaving. Luckily, this can all be done along with your visa application. More information »
On the way to Australia
Knowing that you’re going to be working in Australia, why not take advantage of some travel time before you arrive Down Under? BootsnAll has a wide range of small group adventures to choose from whether you’re heading to South East Asia, South America or anywhere inbetween as part of a round the world trip.
Arriving in Australia
As part of your working holiday visa package, you’ll receive airport pick-up and 2 nights accommodation in the heart of Sydney. This is very handy as airport pick-up is there even if you arrive in from Vietnam at 2am in the morning. The hostel is an award winning hostel in Sydney with over 300 working holiday makers just like you, a nightclub and bar downstairs and is a great place to meet people.
VisaFirst will also provide you with an arrival orientation in their state-of-the-art working holiday centre in Sydney. Here you can enquire about finding apartment accommodation, listen to staff giving a presentation on living in Australia, get help with taxes, finding work and many more services that will help you on your stay.
As a bonus, you’ll also receive a 12 month free internet gold card for VisaFirst’s working holiday centre. This is the only free internet in Sydney and will save you a small fortune emailing, updating your blog, phoning home and applying for jobs.
Most travelers tend to either live in the city or by the beach eg: Bondi, Coogee beach or Manly. Beach living is great as you have it on your doorstep every day so you can spend your whole weekend surfing, sunbathing etc.
After typically spending up to 6 months in Sydney, many working holiday makers rent or buy a car and travel up the east coast towards Cairns passing through Byron Bay, Surfers’ Paradise, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Frasier Island, Airlie Beach and more. The east coast is the party coast, full of working holiday makers traveling and partying.
If you have a chance, be sure to hit the west coast. One way to do this would be traveling across the Top End of Australia from Cairns through Darwin to Broome and down the west coast. Perth is an excellent city and a nice place to stop and work for a few months. If work is tricky to come by, or you feel restless, shoot across the bottom of Australia via Alice Springs or Adelaide to Melbourne which most people find has a much more laid back feel than Sydney.
Is it strange to apply and travel alone?
Although it may seem intimidating, just make the move. As soon as you arrive you’ll be alone only as much as you want to be. Hostels are a great place to meet other travelers and you won’t have trouble finding someone eager to chat about where they’ve been and where they are travelling to next. Don’t let travelling alone stop you going as plenty of working holiday makers do it.
Will I pay tax in Australia?
Yes, you will pay income tax at 29%. However, when the tax year ends you are entitled to claim a lot of this tax back, which can replenish your travel budget. The average tax refund is AUD$2,000 but again this depends on how long you work and what you earn.
You will need a tax file number (like a social security number) to work in Australia. Without it you will either not be able to work or will have to pay tax at 48% an no one wants that! We can help you with your application before you leave for Australia.
What will I get out of spending a year in Australia?
As much as you put into it and so much more. Many describe it as a once in a lifetime experience. Just book your flight to Australia and come on over. Thousands of travelers land every week and just go for it. It is a truly amazing experience.
If I like it can I stay in Australia?
Yes, this is possible. If your employer wishes to offer you sponsorship to stay on for up to 4 years or longer, VisaFirst can organise a sponsorship visa for you.
So what are you waiting for?
Work in a different country
Select another country
