Australia has a unique visa programme that allows you to work in Australia while you explore the country. The working holiday visa programme allows you to do that without the usual issues associated with working while on a holiday visa.
Australia is a great destination both for work and for holidaying. With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world, higher average pays, shorter work hours and a shortage of skilled workers, you are sure to find a job that suits you and pays you enough to explore the country. The visa programme does require the traveller to fulfil a few criteria like age and whom they will be travelling with to Australia, apart from that the process is straightforward. You can work in Australia for 6 months or up to a year while on holiday.
Before booking a flight, have all the entry requirements for your working holiday visa sorted out and in place long before you plan your flight itinerary. Among the most important is to make sure you have your working holiday visa to Australia in hand before progressing with other arrangements. To obtain your working holiday visa you need to apply for it by filling out an application form available online with the Australia Department of Affairs. Depending on the country you are applying from determines if you are eligible for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462). The work and holiday visa allows you to work for up to a year. The application requires the applicant to provide details such as the results of a medical examination, a background check and a character assessment.
Next, you need to arrange your finances. What this means is that you have to show proof of your financial capability to finance your working holiday. You will be required to submit bank statements with a stipulated balance to qualify for the visa along with a booked flight out of Australia and any other documentation as required by the Australia Department of Affairs. Once you have the documentation in place, you should be choosing where you want to work/visit. You can choose to work in one location for the duration of your visit or move around to explore the country.
After you have sorted out the departure documentation requirements, you are pretty much ready to head out. Once you get to Australia there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your working holiday is as wonderful as you had anticipated it to be. Once you’ve arrived and settled down in Australia in the location of your choosingstart working out your job opportunities. Know that some employers are not keen to hire travellers and your visa allows you to work with one employer for no more than six months. Popular jobs for working holiday visa holders would be in bars and cafes, sales, merchandising, farm work and so on. You can check out what is available in your area via online job boards.
