Australia Working Holiday Visa (417)

Working Holiday Visa Australia

In 2022 and 2023 I took part in the Working Holiday scheme Down Under. With a 12 month visa I was able to travel around the entire country with different jobs along the way funding my expenses.

At the time of writing, the cost of the subclass 417visa is about £330, valid for one year and available to passport holders of the following countries –
Belgium Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders), Republic of Ireland, Italy Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports), United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417

There is also another visa with more requirements, the Work and Holiday (subclass 462_ eligble to passport holders of the following countries –
Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, United States, Vietnam

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-462


With the help of Skyscanner, my go to browser for cheap flights, I found a bargain deal with SCOOT from Berlin to the Gold Coast via Singapore. I spent a few nights there and then headed to Brisbane, where I had arranged a live-in housesit with a generous lady through Abroadly, formerly “Adopt a Backpacker”. As it was late November by the time I arrived it was not too difficult to find a Christmas job, although in general it is not normally so easy in Australia as friends who have made the move after me have realised. One thing I can recommend is creating a sharp, to the point CV on ONE PAGE, and printing it out with your email address and phone number (Australian) attached so workplaces can easily get in touch.

In Brisbane I was offered three jobs nearby to where I was living – two clothing stores and a toy store. My first job was in a fast-paced retailer in the UK so it seemed natural to take the one that wouldn’t drag too much, especially around Christmas time. I also compared the rates of pay and working environments. The next job I had was in Melbourne in the New Year, working at an Italian Restaurant in Brunswick where I enjoyed weekly pay and close proximity to home but fell victim to a severe case of micromanaging. I did a few days with Hello Fresh, inevitably you will see this job advert when in Australia. going door to door. I said Goodbye to Hello Fresh to go on a huge road trip to the other side of Australia where I eventually picked up work again in the small coastal town of Exmouth, Western Australia. My arrival coincided with the Solar Eclipse in 2023, a spectacle that was responsible for me finding work. I did some shifts at the local Fish and Chip Shop, with the most delicious curry sauce and began to do some work on a Donut van in town for the eclipse. One thing led to another and I jumped ship, moving out of my tent in a campsite pitch, shared with at-least 6 other backpackers and into a spare room of a home in Karratha. From here I was able to discover so much of the Pilbara region, travelling with the Van and the amazing couple who own it. Besides a bit of freelance Graphic Design on the side, that was the work I did in Australia! I had really wanted to work in the hostels of Melbourne, but the competition is fierce and without experience (at the time) it seemed impossible).

Superannuation

A word we simply don’t have in the UK, Superannuation. When you start working in Australia you will sometimes be automatically added to a Superannuation fund, think of it like a pension plan. This doesn’t cost you extra and you can actually claim it back at the end of your Visa, albeit it is much easier to do while still in the country. I ended up having a fund with REST that my workplace made for me.

Bank

Of course, before you even begin to get thinking about money you need to open up an Aussie Bank Account to receive your pay. I went with Commonwealth bank, which is extremely popular with people on this visa. I was able to make an appointment prior to arriving and collect the card inside the bank on the Gold Coast.

Instead of using my HSBC UK account for payments with my savings, I swear by Monzo to keep track of expenses and avoid international fees.

Medicare + Travel Insurance

The NHS and Medicare are reciprocal healthcare systems. Whilst I lived there I didn’t end up signing up for Medicare, but I have since by simply filling in an online application. I got it back in about a week.. I did have an active subscription however, to SafetyWing. An expat friendly insurance company that you can subscribe to even outside of your home country, plans start from just over 50 USD a month.

Travel Buddies 

Facebook is your best friend when it comes to Australia, I was able to organise a road trip around Tasmania with 4 strangers thanks to the many Backpacker Facebook groups. Including Backpacker Ride Shares + Convoy which is just incredible for finding rides through the country. I also used Couchsurfing hangouts to meet other travellers in the city, an app I definitely could not travel without.

Accommodation 

As I mentioned, Abroadly was a lifesaver for accommodation, but also Facebook was too with Fairy Floss Real Estate being the most popular housing page for Melbourne. I was lucky enough to live with a roster of wonderful people in Melbourne, some who are as close as family now. Couchsurfing seemed to be almost impossible to use in Perth for example, but I’m sure it would be a bit easier on the East Coast. Camping is also an essential part of travelling Australia, the country is home to X National Parks which were the highlight of my time down under.

City Profiles

Melbourne is by far my favourite city in Australia for many reasons, but mainly  because of the people. Fun, easy-going and keen to experience the city in many different ways. Brunswick, Preston and Collingwood are my favourite suburbs, and best enjoyed by bike.

The image of the Harbour in Sydney is what brings most people this far from home, and the journey is definitely worth it. My other favourite things about Sydney are China Town along with the Chinese botanical garden some of the best beaches I experienced in Australia.

When I lived there I enjoyed Brisbane, but there’s a reason I went there first and that is simply that things get better the further south. It has an incredible botanical garden and alternative suburb but besides that its just Casinos and sprawling suburbia.

The time I would recommend visiting Adelaide would be during Fringe Festival, which even then, is still fairly quiet. The city does boast some impressive colonial architecture and is in prime location for visiting the many wineries nearby.

Perth and Darwin’s strengths both lie in their markets. I also found Darwin to be extremely multicultural, when I was there a huge Nepalese festival was happening next to the manmade beach in the city. The proximity of these cities are also in their favour, down in the far West, Perth is neighbour to the Margaret River wine region and a stones throw from quaint town Albany and the pristine waters of Esperance. Darwin is just above two national parks, Litchfield and X and has a unique climate with crocodiles in abundance.

I can’t help but wonder if Australia is paving the way when it comes to the marriage of work and lifestyle balance. It’s a country I’d recommend to anybody who loves being outdoors, experiencing charming cities and saying yes to the spontaneity of travelling around one of the world’s largest nations! There is something for everybody.