Australia is part of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa scheme. This program provides opportunities for resourceful, self-reliant and adaptable young people to holiday in Australia and to supplement their funds through incidental employment. The visa allows a stay of up to 12 months from the date of first entry to Australia, regardless of whether or not you spend the whole time in Australia.

Currently, Australia welcomes over 85,000 working holiday makers every year!

Australia has reciprocal working holiday arrangements with 19 countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malta, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Cyprus, Italy, Belgium, France, Estonia. Only applicants from these countries who are aged between 18 and 30 years and without dependent children are eligible to apply for a Working Holiday visa.

People holding valid passports issued in one of these countries are able to apply for a Working Holiday Maker visa to Australia.

Working holiday makers are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature. As the main purpose of the visit is for holiday and travel, work for longer than six months with any one employer is not allowed.

A second working holiday visa is available to people who have completed three (3) months of 'specified work' in a 'regional area' as defined by the Department of Immigration. View all postcodes classified as regional Australia.:

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship has further information about the WHM scheme, for both first and second-time applicants, including how to apply online.

Alternatives to WHM Visa

Work and Holiday Visas may be available for tertiary-educated people from Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey or the USA. These visas provide similar opportunities to the WHM visa scheme, but have different requirements. Please note that residents from the USA are exempt from the tertiary education requirement. View further information on how to apply for a Work and Holiday Visa.

Alternatively, if you plan to undertake study, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has a range of Student Visas available, depending on the type of study to be undertaken.

Tax, Superannuation and Banking

If you have a working holiday visa, or are a student intending to work, you should obtain a tax file number (TFN). You can apply for this in person, or online at the Tax Office's website.

If you start work before getting your TFN, you have 28 days to provide it to your employer.

When you stop work, ask your employer for a payment summary showing your total income and the amount of tax withheld, as you will need this to complete your compulsory tax return. For assistance with your tax return, YHA recommends taxback.com.

Temporary residents are able to access their retirement savings (superannuation) upon permanent departure from Australia. For more information please visit the Australian Taxation Office's website.

Most employers won't pay into an overseas bank account, so you will need to set up an Australian Bank account. If you can, do this before you leave home, transfer some funds into it and then collect your bank card when you arrive.

Backpacker Jobs

Jobs generally available include:
•	Waiter/Waitress/Bar Person
•	Labouring and building work
•	Shop Assistant/retail jobs
•	Nursing
•	Nanny and cleaning services
•	Office and clerical work ('temping')
•	Horticulture and Agriculture work (i.e. fruit picking, jackeroo)

Helpful Tips

When searching for employment in Australia:
•	Mind how you dress, and how you approach prospective employers.
•	Make sure you can leave them with your contact details. You must be contactable! A cell/mobile phone and email address are the best options. Make sure your phone is switched on!
•	Have copies of your resume printed or make some calling cards, include you name and contact details and leave with everyone you speak to.
•	Get a copy of your resume on disc or the web so you can email it to companies.
•	Register with online employment services such as: Seek or My Career.
•	The Harvest Trail Website provides jobseekers with important information about harvest work opportunities, working conditions, transport and accommodation options in the key harvest areas around Australia. For the latest up-to-date information on harvest labour opportunities, visit the website or call the National Harvest Labour Information Service on 1800 062 332.
•	Always check the hostel noticeboard for job advertisements, as well as the local newspapers.
•	If applying for qualified skill jobs such as nursing, please ensure you bring proof of your qualifications. Be aware that for some professions, registration or licensing may be required (in particular for health professions and construction work). You may also need to undergo health and/or character checks (particularly for jobs that involve working with children).
•	Don't be afraid to revisit or keep in touch with prospective employers or agencies.
•	Be honest and fair to employers by letting them know how long you are available for and give them notice when you plan to leave. It is important to be considerate in this way, because you are helping future Working Holiday Makers - what goes around comes around!
•	If you have any questions or concerns about your pay or working conditions, you can contact the Workplace Authority, the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Department of Education, Training and Workplace Relations.
•	Consider what fixed (permanent) mailing address you are going to use in Australia. You will need a mailing address to apply for your tax file number, Medicare card and Australian bank account. There are several organisations that can help you get established - Travellers Contact Point and 1st Contact are just two of them!

And finally, be flexible! Remember you are a Working Holiday Maker, the most casual of the casual, and there are hundreds of you all looking for the same job at the same time. Be creative, sell yourself and be persistent.

Health Care

Medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive and it is advisable to have both travel and health insurance. It is strongly advised that you take out private health insurance to cover yourself in Australia.

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the governments of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta, Italy, Republic of Ireland and New Zealand which entitles you to limited subsidised health services for immediately necessary treatment while visiting Australia. For more information visit Medicare Australia's website.