Your guide to the Australia working holiday visa

What you need to know about a working holiday in Australia

• You must be outside Australia when you apply and when your visa is granted
• You may not have entered Australia on a Working Holiday visa before
• Be aged between 18 and 35 years at the time of applying
• Be applying no more than 12 months before you intend to travel to Australia
• Not have accompanying dependent children
• You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• You can leave and re-enter Australia any number of times while the visa is valid
• Work in Australia for up to six months with the same employer.
• You can study for up to 4 months
• As a Working Holiday Maker you're taxed at a single flat tax rate of 15% up to AUD 37,000. Your employer must be registered to hire Working Holiday Makers. If not, the tax rate is 32.5%.
• Visas can be extended for a second year if three months (88 days) of seasonal work in regional Australia is completed in the first year.
• If you work six months during your second year you can apply for a third year extension. The type of work you will have to do to be eligible for the third year visa is the same as the specified work for the second year visa.
• The Working Holiday visa application fee is AUD $650

Second and Third year Working Holiday Visa in Australia

To stay in Australia for an additional year or even a third year of your working holiday, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• Visa can be extended for a second year if three months (88 days) of seasonal work in regional Australia is completed during the first year.
• If you work six months during your second year you can apply for a third year extension. The type of work you will have to do to be eligible for the third year visa is the same as the specified work for the second year visa.

Working holiday packages for Australia

We offer packages for working holidays in Australia starting in the following cities:

• Melbourne
• Sydney

The basic package is available for 3, 5 or 7 nights and gives you all the practical help you need to get settled in and ready for your Working Holiday adventure. You will be staying in dorms or twin rooms at modern hostels with state of the art facilities, superior comfort, and friendly service. The hostels are centrally located and have all the facilities and services you need, including kitchens, TV rooms, cafés, Internet access, travel desks, and of course, bars so you can chill out with other young people at the many fun events they organise throughout the week.

If you want to explore the city when you arrive, then join one of our Meet Me programs. You will spend your first week exploring Sydney or Melbourne with a group of new friends, so if a catamaran cruise of Sydney Harbour, a surf lesson or day at the Peninsular hot springs sounds like a good way to start your adventure then this is the programme for you. During the first week you will also receive all the information and guidance you need to get set up for your Working Holiday.

What is included in the Working Holiday package?

Our working holiday packages typically include the following, but may vary depending on location and availability:

• 3, 5 or 7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast every morning during your stay
• Airport transfer to your hostel
• Information meeting
• 12-month membership to the Work and Travel Company
• Job and CV assistance
• SIM card
• Assistance with interview preparation
• Help with bank account and tax set-up, 2nd year visa help and much, much more

Note: Our Working Holiday package services are transferable between Australia and New Zealand, providing you have a valid Working Holiday Visa for both countries. This service is valid for 12 months from the start date of the package.

Useful to know about working holiday packages

The working holiday packages for Australia are only valid for the number of nights chosen. If you would like extra nights, these will have to be booked separately as regular accommodation. Our travel consultants will help you sort this out. Please note that working holiday packages are based on availability and NOT valid for New Year's and Christmas as other rates apply.

Best tips to get a job in Australia

You’ve got the visa – now you need the job! But where do you start?

• Get yourself a Working Holiday Package in Sydney or Melbourne.
• With an airport transfer, accommodation, help setting up a tax file number, bank account, CV help, 12 months access to an online job search and job offices throughout Australia for some face-to-face advice, you have all the essentials for an easy start.
• Think about your skills. Everybody would like to be the cool bartender in the hippest cafe, but what else can you do?
• Work on getting as much experience as possible before you leave and polish up your CV, as the more preparation you do beforehand, the quicker you can get going.
• And if you do have bar experience, remember that in Australia you need to have an RSA Certificate. Our team in Australia can help you with that.
• Make each job interview count. Be on time, do some research and be prepared to convince your future employee that you are the person they need.
• Try something new. There are many opportunities out there if you are willing to give them a chance – ever thought about being a water slide tester?
• Plan your time. Think about how much time you want to work and how much time you want to play. This is your Down Under experience, so make the most of it.
• Have some backup cash. It’s no fun arriving in Australia and feeling stressed about getting a job from Day one.

No worries mate - you’ll be living and working like a local in no time.