Australia is a great place to spend an extended amount of time abroad, what with its amazing beaches, superb nightlife and great accommodation options. A full year in Australia is a great idea, but keep in mind that costs can be high so cooking food from the supermarket rather than eating out and looking for great travel deals should become second nature to keep costs down. Because the country can be a bit on the expensive side, so you might consider working while you spend your year abroad. All the information you need to you’ll find here.
Visas
A typical Australian tourist visa will get you 3 months in the country. Obviously, you want to stay longer. The best option for you will be the Working Holiday Visa, which allows a stay of up to 12 months. It costs $270AUD and must be applied for and received while you’re still in your home country. You have to be between the ages of 18 and 30, and you cannot have previously received this type of visa. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has an online application that you can fill out. For other types of visas, the same website above offers a visa wizard. It’s simple; all you have to do is fill out the information on the drop-down form and click “find visas”.
Employment
There are many ways to work and stay in Australia during your time. First of all, you should know that the Working Holiday Visa allows you to work for any one employer for a maximum of 6 months at a time. There are only very special cases that that length can be doubled. But why spend all the year at one employer when you can get a whole variety of experiences? Just like anywhere else, there are popular job sites in Australia that can help you find employment and no doubt you’re sure to find something you like. You can also expect to find jobs in backpacker hostels . Ask the staff and other backpackers if they know of any jobs going or keep an eye on the hostel notice board. Sometime companies do visit local hostels looking gap year travellers who are seeking part time jobs. Another option is to work as a volunteer. There are many options for volunteering throughout Australia. Many of the jobs provide you with room and board. Check out WWOOFing , the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms website, for a myriad of job posting on farms. You’ll have to purchase the country guide to unlock the contact details of any listing that sparks your interest.
Accommodation
From cheap hotels in Sydney to affordable guest houses in Perth, finding accommodation is made easy by the multitude of options you have. Since you’re planning on staying in Australia a full year, your accommodation is dependent on your employment. However, one thing we might suggest is that you don’t commit yourself to a lengthy contract. In fact, some hostels are cheap enough that you might just choose to stay there for the duration of your stay instead of dishing out on an apartment.
If that is the case, you should at least be sure that you find a hostel that has Wi-Fi and the option of a safe to protect your things. Hostel throughout Australia run between $20 and $30AUD per night in a dorm room, which in many cases is more affordable than a single room apartment. In any case, one of your major considerations is that you’re a traveler, and you’ll want to be around other travelers to get more ideas for the road. You can always move.
Banks
You will need to set up an Australian bank account if you plan on working during your year abroad, and it is advisable to set this up before you leave, though it can be done up to six weeks after arrival. Find out more information here .
Medical
Australia’s health services are world class, so any concern you may have you can feel at ease in the knowledge that you’re in good hands. Hopefully you will decide to purchase traveler’s insurance before leaving. Most travel health insurance should last the whole year, so you’ll be covered if something goes wrong.
A great site that many Australian travelers use is here . It’s particularly useful if your journey is an onward one to another country that might require vaccinations.
Travel
Moving around Australia is not only easy, but beautiful. It is a huge country that boasts an expansive landscape stretched thousands of kilometers east to west and north to south. Australia is well-serviced by cheap airlines and of course bus and train, though that would take a long time.
Great article. Some years ago I spent a year working In Adelaide. Great place, great people and good times. I would recommend it to anyone