The Ultimate Guide to taking a Working Holiday in Australia

// WHERE SHOULD I START MY WORKING HOLIDAY?

Sydney is the most popular arrival city and for good reason. This city has so much to offer with beautiful coastal and harbour beaches as well as famous landmarks and national parks. There’s never ending places to explore in this global city. Since this city is the most popular arrival destination for backpackers, you’ll meet and make friends with backpackers that are from around the world. Sydney also has year-round work opportunities so you can be sure to get a job. Finally, gap year packages offer critical support when you arrive in Sydney. 

// WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR MY WORKING HOLIDAY IN AUSTRALIA?

1. You will want to make sure to have a valid visa. Either a 417 or 462 working holiday visa. 
2. Apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN) and pay the correct tax.
3. Make sure to have a mobile phone number to call employees within Australia. 
4. Update your resume and CV to apply for jobs.
5. Understand your working rights. For example, a maximum of 6 months with one employer rule applies to 417 & 462 visa holders.

// WHAT TYPE OF JOB CAN I WORK IN AUSTRALIA?

There are many options of where to work in Australia. The most popular jobs include: 

1. Hospitality- bars, restaurants, cafes or hotels. 
2. Regional work– farmwork and fruit picking/packaging. 
3. Au Pair/ Nanny– live in, live out au pair work. 
4. Customer service– sales, fundraising, administrative 
5. Construction– trades, labouring and traffic control 

There are many job opportunities in Sydney so it all depends on what experiences you are looking to get during your gap year. There is a job for everyone, so make sure to think about what kind of job you will want to apply for. Update your resume and CV to align with the type of job. You will also want to get any training requirements for the job. For construction or labour work make sure to have a white card. If you want to work in a job that serves alcohol you will need to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and as well as getting trained on bar skills. Learn more about these training programs here.

// WHAT TYPE OF PAY CAN I EXPECT?

WHM are generally employed on a casual basis and have higher hourly wages with no holiday or sick leave. Australian minimum wage is $18.93 AUD, $13.19 USD, £10.14 GBP, €11.80 and $17.80 CAD. 

// HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIND A JOB?

You will most likely find a job in as little as 2-3 weeks and as early as just one week. 10% of people find jobs in 1 week, 40% in 2 weeks, 40% in 3 weeks, and 10% in one month. There are so many job opportunities and if you choose the UltimateOz gap year package Ultimate can provide expert advice to help you seek out the jobs you want to pursue.

// WHAT DO AUSTRALIAN EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR?

Australian employers will appreciate a positive attitude. Be excited to learn and have a can-do attitude and that will take you far! They also look for an outgoing and confident personality; be yourself, be respectful and show that you will add good energy to the workplace. The attire required is often smart/casual & presentable. 

// WHY CHOOSE TRAVELLERS AT WORK?

Travellers At Work (TAW) is a dedicated service for travellers on a working holiday visa. They’ll link you to employment opportunities & help you with perfecting your CV so you stand out to employers. There are thousands of jobs specifically for backpackers that you can browse by industry and location. You’ll also receive daily job alerts and employers can find you through browsing your profile. They make finding the job you want easy and it is also mobile friendly so you can apply for jobs on the go! 

// HOW CAN THE ULTIMATEOZ GAP YEAR ARRIVAL PACKAGE HELP ME?

The UltimateOz Gap Year arrival package has all the information to make your working holiday be extremely productive. We will help you set up an Australian bank account and Tax File Number (TFN). We help with getting you a sim card to have a contact number for your Australian employers and fellow employees. We will also help you with your resume and CV and your job application.

UltimateOz includes an exciting first week in Australia to introduce you to other travellers prior to finding work or travelling.  Find out more of what you’ll be doing here to start your gap year off right.

// WHAT OTHER INFORMATION DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A WORKING HOLIDAY?

• Make sure to apply for the correct working holiday visa (WHV). The 417 visa is for 18-30 year-olds in eligible countries and up to 35 years in Canada and Ireland. The 462 visa is for 18 to 30 year-olds in eligible countries. Find out more about the 417 visa here and the 462 visa here.
• Extend your stay for another year! You can extend your WHV by 12 months by completing 88 days or 3 months of regional work during your first WHV. 
• 9.5% of your wages are paid into a compulsory pension fund in Australia by your employer (when you earn over $450/month). Make sure to claim your superannuation when you leave Australia. 
• 15% is the standard working holiday tax rate on earnings between $18,200- $37,000. The average tax return for backpackers in Australia is $2,600.

You’re ready for your Ultimate gap year! All of this information should help you in planning your working gap year in Australia! UltimateOz will have expert advice when you arrive in Australia but if you have any questions in the meantime Ultimate Travel is here to help. Visit our website and check out the UltimateOz gap year package or call us at +61 29211 7900. We’re sure you’ll have the Ultimate gap year experience!