Have you been considering doing an Australian Working Holiday for a while but just didn’t know where to start?
I’ve been in your shoes!
That’s why I have created this post to share my experiences and help you plan what’s probably going to be the best experience of your life.
Here you’ll find all the information you need to get your working holiday started. From the process of how to apply for a visa to how to make the most of your stay in Australia.
In this Article:
How much money do I need for the Working Holiday Visa in Australia?
There are a few things you’ll need to take into account when you’re saving up for your working holiday.
Initially, you’ll need the visa application cost and the saving requirement to prove you have enough funds to support yourself.
Next, you have to think about how much your flight will cost.
Lastly, you can consider some extra things you might want to purchase when you get there.
How much does an Australian Working Holiday Visa Cost?
An Australian WHV costs AUD 510 to apply for.
How much money do I need for an Australian Working Holiday?
The amount of money you need for an Australian Working Holiday is AUD 5000 plus enough for a flight home or proof that you have a return flight booked. You can submit a bank statement for this.
How much do flights to Australia cost?
Flights to Australia can cost anywhere up to about AUD 2000 one way, depending on where you’re flying from.
You can use google flights to get an estimate of how much your flight will cost from your city. Here you can also browse what the varying prices are depending on what city you decide to fly into.
More things to consider
Some Working Holiday Makers choose to buy a car when they arrive in Australia. This makes it super convenient to get around and explore.
You can find cars for sale on the Facebook marketplace for as little as a couple of thousand Australian dollars.
If you’re looking to get a 4WD for potential road trips with river crossings or the freedom to drive right onto the beach, you may want to save up a little extra.
How do I apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
Where do I apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa?
You will apply for your Australian WHV on the Australian government’s website; under the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.
There are 2 types of working holiday visas: subclass 417 and subclass 462. The country that your passport was issued will determine which one you are eligible for.
What are the requirements for an Australian Working Holiday Visa?
If you are from one of the following countries you must be between the age of 18-30. You will be applying for the subclass 417 visa.
- Belgium
- Republic of Cyprus
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
And if you are from one of the following countries you may be anywhere from 18-35. You will also be applying for the subclass 417 visa.
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Republic of Ireland
- Italy
If you are from one of the following countries you must be between the ages of 18-30 AND have a certain education requirement. You will be applying for the subclass 462 visa.
- Argentina
- Austria
- Brazil
- Chile
- China, People’s Republic of
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Mongolia
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uruguay
- United States of America
- Vietnam
What documents do I need for an Australian Working Holiday?
To apply for the working holiday visa you will need to have ready your passport and birth certificate, as well as your evidence of funds.
If you don’t have your birth certificate handy there are a few other options.
You can use a scanner app on your phone to get a copy of your documents to upload.
What do I pack?
Weather appropriate
The weather in Australia varies greatly depending on where you are going and what time of year it is.
If you’re somewhere in the north like Darwin, you’re looking at an average high of 34*C (93*F) in the summer and an average low of 19*C (66*F) in the winter.
Whereas if you are somewhere in the south like Melbourne, you’ll be looking at an average high of 27*C (80*F) in the summer and an average low of 7*C (45*F) in the winter.
On the west and east coast it will be somewhere in between so keep all of this in mind.
Work attire
A big thing to consider when packing for your working holiday is what kind of work you’ll be doing.
If you’re heading out bush on a farm or doing farm work, then sturdy boots and clothes that can take a bit of wear and tear are essential.
Although most of the time it will be best to pick these up once you are there and have a better idea of what it is you’ll need.
Overall when packing, think of what’s going to hold up in the heat and washing machines of hostels for as long as possible.
Most of the clothes I brought to Australia ended up dirty, ripped or just worn out before the year was up.
Luckily there’s lots of shopping available in Australia that won’t break the bank and you’ll probably do quite a bit of that anyway.
What not to pack
My advice would be to not overcomplicate the packing process.
Pack things that are easy to pack and versatile, while keeping in mind you’re probably going to buy things while you’re there.
After all, you will be LIVING there and so no matter what you’re going to be buying some things.
There will be things you realize you don’t need, and if it’s something you don’t want to say goodbye to I would suggest leaving it at home because shipping things home from Australia is not cheap.
Type of bag
You may want to use a suitcase or go classically with a backpack. You are going to be a backpacker after all.
I went with a suitcase because I just thought it was easiest for me and I didn’t want to buy a new bag. I didn’t have much of a travel plan and I was expecting to stay mostly in one place.
Your bag will basically be your best friend during your time in Australia. Make sure it’s big enough for everything you need but not so heavy that it will be a huge pain to haul around.
In all honesty, looking back I would rather have packed less to allow for ease of moving around but it all depends on what kind of traveler you are.
Once you start your backpacking journey you will likely become more and more minimalist as well.
How do I find somewhere to live & work?
There’s no need to stress or feel like you have to have everything planned out before you arrive.
I know for me it was tempting to have everything planned out because the unknown is a bit scary. But trust me when I say that the best opportunities will come when you lean into the unknown.
When you arrive in Australia and check into your first hostel, you are going to be all alone and there will be many many people in your same position.
There will be plenty of people who will become your best friends, plenty of people who will guide you, and plenty of people who will be wrapping up their trip and sharing what they’ve learned and inspired you.
So keep a calm mind and know you will find everything you need.
The best information will come from actually being there and seeing where you fit in and seeing and feeling what you want to do.
Here are some possible things you can consider before you go to get a general idea.
Consider farmwork
Many backpackers on a working holiday visa want to earn their second year in Australia.
To be eligible to apply for a second working holiday visa is by complete 82 days of farm work within that first year.
There are tons of Facebook groups accommodating backpackers looking for farmwork so I would highly recommend you join these for whichever city or area you’re considering.
Consider a live-in position
There are some jobs where you will have the opportunity to have food and accommodation covered while you are working.
A lot of farm jobs offer this but another option if you want to forget worrying about your food and accommodation costs in Au Pairing.
If you’re good with kids or have the babysitting experience you can easily find a family in Australia looking for a live-in nanny.
I did this for 6 months and it was a wonderful experience. It not only allows you to cut costs but also to really get to know some of the locals and feel like you have a family away from home.
Consider working at a hostel
More often than not, hostels will have an opportunity to trade work for a bed.
You can ask any hostel if they have work available for accommodation and if they do you will most likely work an hour or two a day in the hostel for a free bed.
I had many friends do this and it was great for them because they didn’t have to pay rent at the hostel. This is an especially good option if you plan on staying in one particular hostel for a longer period.
Consider hospitality
Another common job for working holiday goers is working in a restaurant, bar, or cafe.
If you have experience in any of these areas it will be super easy for you to find a job.
Australia is packed with backpackers and if you speak good English these places are very used to hiring people from all over the world.
Where are the best places to travel with a Working Holiday Visa Australia?
Where to start?
Anywhere you choose to travel in Australia will be beautiful no matter what. The coastline is breathtaking everywhere you go.
I spent most of my time in Western Australia so I will mostly recommend places from there.
The best place for backpackers in Western Australia is Broome. From Broome, you can find a convoy and you can do a road trip called the Gibb River road up north.
This is exactly what I did and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever done. It took about two weeks with basically no cell service and a beautiful gorge to see and swim in every single day along the way.
Another great place to spend time in western Australia is Margaret River. Surrounded by wineries and beaches this is a cute town filled with surfers. Many people live and travel in a van in this part of Australia and that’s what I did as well. It was so laid back and so perfect.
Highly recommend it.
Check out similar articles:
How much money can you make on a working holiday visa in Australia?
Top 28 Places to Travel to in Australia
19 things to do in and around Broome in Western Australia that you’ll love!
