Welcome to my travel blog! I’m a wanderlust-stricken traveler who’s always on the move, exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. But as much as I love the thrill of constantly being on the go, I’m also searching for something more – a place to call home. Traveling through Europe, I have wondered what life would be like in Austria, Portugal, and Italy. I’ve discussed life in Israel and want to discuss how to get an Australia working holiday visa.

Home isn’t just a physical location but a feeling of belonging and connection. As I travel the world, I’m constantly seeking out those unique places that make me feel like I’ve found a piece of home. Whether it’s a cozy cafe in Paris, a bustling market in Tokyo, or a quiet beach in Bali, I’m always on the lookout for those moments of connection that make me feel like I’ve found a place where I truly belong.

Join me on my journey as I share my travel stories, tips, and insights – and perhaps together, we can all find a little piece of home wherever we go.

Welcome Back Vagabonds!

Welcome to “Atypical Vagabond,” a portal to a realm where boundaries blur and conventional paths diverge. Here, we delve into the world of unconventional exploration and celebrate the art of wandering without constraints. Join us as we uncover hidden gems, unravel the tales of unconventional nomads, and delve into the transformative experiences that await those who dare to embrace the call of wanderlust.

A strong desire for freedom often arises in a busy world of daily routines and societal pressures. We become fascinated by the exciting appeal of unfamiliar places, the mysterious call of undiscovered destinations, and the life-changing influence of travel. In these instances, we awaken the spirit of the unconventional traveler — the wanderer who desires to explore the world and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal freedom.

Is it a Great Idea to Move to Australia?

Australia is an excellent destination for those looking to relocate for several reasons. First and foremost, Australia offers a high quality of life with a stable and prosperous economy, a robust healthcare system, and a focus on work-life balance. Additionally, the country is home to some of the world’s most beautiful natural landscapes, from golden beaches and lush rainforests to the iconic Outback and the Great Barrier Reef. Australia is also known for its welcoming and multicultural society, with a diverse population that embraces and celebrates different cultures and lifestyles.

Reasons to Move to Australia

There are many reasons why someone might choose to become an expat in Australia, including:

1. High quality of life: Australia is known for its high standard of living, with a strong economy, excellent healthcare system, and a diverse and multicultural society.
2.  Beautiful natural scenery: Australia is home to some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, mountains, rainforests, and coral reefs.
3.  Good work-life balance: Australians are known for their relaxed attitude and focus on work-life balance, with many companies offering flexible working arrangements and generous leave policies.
4.  Robust economy: Australia has a stable and prosperous economy, with a range of industries offering employment opportunities for expats, including mining, finance, and technology.
5.  Multicultural society: Australia is home to people from all over the world, making it a diverse and welcoming place to live.
6.  Excellent education system: Australia has a world-class education system, with many highly ranked universities and schools, making it an attractive destination for students and families.
7.  Safety and security: Australia is considered safe and secure, with low crime rates and a stable political environment.

Overall, Australia offers an excellent quality of life, a strong economy, and a welcoming and multicultural society, making it a popular destination for expats worldwide. 

Finally, Australia boasts excellent education and employment opportunities, making it a popular choice for students, professionals, and families. With a safe and secure environment, stunning natural scenery, and vibrant culture, Australia is an ideal destination for anyone looking for a new and exciting chapter in their life.

What to Know Before You Go to Australia?

Before bounding on the lengthy flight to Australia, guarantee you have everything organized to get through immigration. It would help if you sorted out your admission conditions before your trip. Plan to begin this at least three months before you leave in case of complications. Here are three of the most important things to remember:

Secure a Work Holiday Visa Australia

It may seem obvious, but step one to a working holiday visa category here in Australia is getting the working holiday visa!

While this is an electronic visa (which means you won’t need paper in your passport), bringing your passport, a printed copy, and your visa confirmation is a good idea. You must create an account with the Australia Department of Affairs and complete the visa application online to apply. There are two types of holiday visas for Australia – a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and a Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462). They sound nearly identical, but which country you come from determines which one you apply for, so be sure to research the type of Visa for which you qualify. You can stay and work for up to 12 months with your work and holiday visa.

Do you need an Australian bank account?

You do not need an Australian bank account to obtain a visa. However, having an Australian bank account may be necessary if you plan to work or study in Australia, as it will enable you to receive payments and manage your finances. Additionally, some visa applications may require sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia, which can be demonstrated by providing evidence of your bank account balance. Therefore, while not mandatory, having an Australian bank account can benefit visa holders who plan to live, work, or study in Australia.

Do you need health insurance for the Work Visa?

Yes, it is a requirement to have health insurance when applying for an Australian Work Visa. The Australian Government requires all temporary residents, including those on a Work Visa, to have adequate insurance coverage during their stay. Therefore, this ensures visa holders have access to necessary medical treatment in the country.

The health insurance policy must meet specific minimum requirements, such as covering hospital treatment, emergency ambulance services, and medical repatriation. Additionally, the policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Australia.

It is important to note that the Australian public healthcare system, known as Medicare, is unavailable to temporary residents, including those on a Work Visa. Therefore, it is crucial to have appropriate insurance coverage to avoid significant medical expenses in the event of illness or injury.

You can obtain health insurance coverage from various private providers in Australia. You must provide evidence of your insurance policy when applying for your Work Visa to meet the visa requirements.

Do you need a Retirement Fund?

No, having a retirement fund is not a requirement for the Australian Work Visa. However, if you plan to work in Australia, it is essential to ensure that you have sufficient funds to support your stay there.

As part of the visa application process, you may be required to provide evidence of your financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Australia. Therefore, this can include bank statements, proof of employment, or other financial documents.

While retirement accounts are not explicitly required, having one can provide additional financial security and stability. Additionally, if you plan to stay in Australia long-term or become a permanent resident, having a fund can benefit your future financial planning and security.

It is essential to carefully consider your financial resources and ensure that you have adequate funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia, whether or not you have a retirement fund.

Who can apply for the Australian Work Visa?

You will need some specific qualifications to apply for a long-term visa. However, there are also some tertiary qualifications for those needing to speak more English. 

In order to, get an Australian visa, there are some things you must do:

Applicants from outside the USA must have functional-level English language, tertiary qualifications, and a letter of support from their home government. However, applicants from China and Israel are exempt from providing a letter of support. All countries, excluding the USA, have caps on the number of visas available per year under this program.

What is the Australian Working Holiday Visa?

The Australian Working Holiday Visa program allows young people and adults from participating countries to travel to Australia for up to 12 months while working and studying. This visa program encourages cultural exchange and promotes international relations between young people from Australia and those from other countries.

To be eligible for the Australian Working Holiday Visa, applicants must be between 18 and 30 (or an age limit between 18 and 35 for some countries), have a valid passport from a participating country, and have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Australia. Applicants for work holiday visas must also not have any dependent children accompanying them and must meet specific health and character requirements.

Once granted the Visa, holders can work in any industry in Australia for up to 12 months. They are also entitled to study for up to 4 months during their stay. It’s important to note that holders of working holiday visas are limited to working in specific industries and for the same employer for no more than six months gap year. They cannot work in particular sectors, such as adult entertainment and sex work.

The Australian Working Holiday Visa allows young adults to experience Australia’s unique culture and lifestyle while earning money to support their travels. Australia is home to diverse landscapes and attractions, from the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the stunning beaches of the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.

The program is also a great way to make new friends and connections worldwide, as many other young travelers will be on the same Visa. Participating in the program for a second visa can also provide valuable work experience and language skills you can use in future employment opportunities.

Australian Working Holiday Visa

Applicants’ single employers must submit an online application and pay the necessary fees to apply for the Australian Working Holiday Visa. The processing time can vary depending on the applicant’s single employer’s country of origin and first Visa used, but it typically takes around two to four weeks.

Overall, the Australian Working Holiday Visa provides a unique opportunity for young adults to experience life in Australia while gaining valuable skills and experiencing a new job. With its diverse landscapes, friendly culture, and strong economy, Australia is an excellent destination for anyone exploring the world while working and studying abroad.

Note: You must also pass a healthcare and character assessment when applying for your Visa. Therefore, this commonly includes a chest X-ray and an essential medical examination. They may ask you to provide a background check.

Arrange Your Finances

Have proof of finances for your working holiday. Technically, to enter Australia on a working holiday visa, you’re required to have one of three things:

• A bank statement proving access to a minimum of AUD 5,000 (around $4,000)
•  A booked departure flight back out of the country or enough additional funds to purchase one

Ensure you’ll have access to everything you need by printing proof of the above or bringing a bank statement when you leave for Australia. We recommend having a travel folder with you whenever you travel internationally to guarantee quick access to the required paperwork when asked.

Choose a Location – Regional Areas

A benefit of a working holiday in Australia is the flexibility it provides. Go where you want and enjoy it to the fullest, or stay in one spot and work full-time. For an effective working holiday, settle down in a few places for an extended period. Work your 9-to-5 in Melbourne’s beach suburb, St. Kilda, during the week, then relax on the sun-dappled Luna Park lawn as the sun goes down. Remember that Australia is an enormous country with expansive deserts, so moving from town to town may take far longer than expected.

Here are popular locations where your new friends can enjoy your working holiday in Australia:

• Sydney may not be the capital, but it’s undoubtedly the most expansive city in the country. Bondi and Manly are hip areas with loads of young travelers, and you can easily hit places like the Blue Mountains for a more natural experience.
•  Melbourne is a cultural center with tons of live music, shows, food, and a vibe unmatched by any other city. It’s also home to the Great Ocean Road: one of the world’s best road trips.
•  Brisbane is small and intimate compared to the other cities, but it is modern enough to keep things interesting, and its central location lets you quickly bounce to every other part of the country.

What to Do During Your Stay?

Once you’ve saved enough money, your documents are in order, book flights, and you have a bucket list of Australian destinations to travel to, you’re good to go! You should know four things about the first-ever tourist visa to get started and maintain a positive working holiday visa experience.

To-Do List Upon Arrival

Once you arrive, it is best to fight through the grueling jet lag and get these items done as soon as you arrive.

• Open a bank account: The first thing you should do when you arrive is open a bank account. A few good options include ANZ, Commonwealth, and Westpac. Workers who will eventually travel to New Zealand will enjoy using ANZ, as it is available in both countries.
•  Get a new phone number: A few major mobile networks, including Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus. Only bother springing for a new iPhone when you arrive. Electronics are expensive and will break the bank if you’re on a budget. Bring an unlocked smartphone from home instead.
•  Find Housing: Payment of rent occurs weekly, not monthly. For a bare room, expect to pay around $130-150 AUD ($95-$110) weekly. More sociable rooms, more extensive or in better locations, usually cost between $190-AUD 230 ($140-$170) a week. Look at Gumtree or hostel message boards to find listings; people always look for roommates.
•  Apply for your tax number: You’ll need this for any job you lock down. It’s how the Australian Tax Office keeps track of your finances. Applying is as simple as sending in a form online — use your current accommodation’s location when prompted for an address.

Find a Job

Once set up in the country, you can focus on your working holiday visas. Technically, your access to work and holiday visa will allow you to work any job that hires you. In practice, most businesses know the mercurial nature of travelers who choose the working holiday visa. Some are hesitant to bring travelers into the fold. Additionally, while you’re legally permitted to work throughout your stay in Australia on the WHV scheme, you can only work six months with a single employer (with some exemptions).

Popular Jobs

As such, these are the most popular jobs for WHV holders:

• Restaurants & Bars: These places are always hiring, and it’s one of the few places where your accent is a bonus. Talking to the patrons will likely give you some decent conversation and tips.
•  Retail: While many bigger shops are just as hesitant to hire travelers as any corporation, the more heavily trafficked tourist shops accept the high turnover rate from engaging international travelers.
•  Hostels: A hostel job usually involves reception or housekeeping service, but be careful. Many work arrangements require a few hours daily in exchange for free rent, which isn’t conducive to making money.
•  Sales/Fundraising: Whether telemarketing or door-to-door, these places love travelers. Watch out for people who promise a commission-based salary, as they often take advantage of people desperate for work.
•  Seasonal/Farm Work: These jobs cater to people trying to get their second-year visas and specifically seek out backpackers to fill the positions. It’s grueling work, but they also pay out a lot, including room and board. If manual labor is your thing, check out WWOOF for excellent work exchange opportunities on organic farms.

Personal recommendations, jobs, working holiday programs, and online job boards are often the best way to find jobs. The minimum wage in the country is currently AUD 19.84 (about $15.30) per hour, and you can expect to earn more than that, depending on where you work.

Traveling Within Australia

Australia is a vast country; much of that space is wide open. Getting around can be a chore, but you have options.

• Flying is only sometimes the best budget option, but it can sometimes be necessary.
•  Open buses are a good idea. You buy a ticket to a destination, and you’ll get to hop on and hop off along the way several times. Let them know when you’ll be on the bus so you can explore their route.
•  Rent or buy a car: This is the best way to see the country. You’ll be able to stop anywhere that looks appealing, and if you get a van with a bed in the back, you won’t need to book accommodation. Van rental services are top-rated in Australia and New Zealand, with options that span nearly every budget.

Depending on how much Australia you want to see, you could choose one or a combination of these options to experience your temporary home.

Taking a Holiday

You can’t have a working holiday in Australia if you forego the “holiday” part, right? The continent is a great place to travel, with so much from which to choose! Here are some exciting destinations to enjoy while you’re there:

• East Coast: The most popular route to visit in Queensland and New South Wales. The East Coast is full of beautiful beaches and even more beautiful people. Add Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Atherton Tablelands to your itinerary.
•  The Red Center: Start in Adelaide and work north through the famous opal mines and desert before you reach Uluru/Ayer’s Rock.
•  West Coast: Few travelers make it that far away from the beaches of the East. But if you can get to the Left Coast, you can see a different side of Australia.
•  Tasmania: Tasmania is home to natural beauties like the Bay of Fire, Cradle Mountain, and Wineglass Bay. You can spend weeks here and still have more to see. The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart is one of the best museums in the world.

What to Do at the End of Your Year?

It will undoubtedly be the most challenging part of your working holiday, but all good things must end (to make room for more good things, of course). Here’s what to do at the end of your working holiday.

Cash Out

If you’ve been working holidaymakers for a decent amount, you’ve got some money coming your way. Although there are changes in Australia’s new budget laws, people with working holidaymakers visas are entitled to claim some back taxes they’ve paid over the year.

That means once you’ve left the country or two weeks before you leave the eligible country, you can file a tax return (even if it’s not the end of the tax year) and have extra cash deposited into your account. Claiming that money back is as simple as downloading a form from the Visa Bureau and mailing it in.

How to get a Second Working Holiday Visa?

Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements for a second Working Holiday Visa from the Australian Government in Australia. Firstly, they must have completed three months of specified work in regional Australia while holding their first Working Holiday Visa. Therefore, this includes work in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and mining, among others. The specified position must be completed in a designated regional area, including most of the country outside the major cities. 

Once the required work is done, applicants can apply for their second Working Holiday Visa online, providing evidence of their work and meeting other eligibility criteria. The second Working Holiday Visa allows former working holiday visa holders to stay and work for an additional 12 months, providing an excellent opportunity for young travelers to continue their adventures in this beautiful country.

Extend Your Stay

Can you extend the later date of your Visa if you don’t want to leave? Of course! Here are some ways to develop a second visa during your second-year visa stay:

• Second (or Third) Year Working Holiday Visa: Some working holiday visa holders can earn a second year’s working holiday by doing regional farm work. Therefore, this is great if you want to try and stay in the country for a long time, but keep in mind the work is challenging, remote, and long.
•  Student Visa: Ideally, you’ll use this before considering the working holiday visa. Australia has some fantastic universities and technical schools, meaning you can get a full degree and explore the country while at it. You can get a student visa by signing up for classes at a school. Like sponsorships, this Visa will tie you to a specific location for some time, so make sure you genuinely want to stay there.
•  Partner Visa: This is the hardest to get, not just because of the paperwork. The De Facto visa (aka partner visa) refers to “De Facto Spouse” and means you’re in a long-term, committed relationship with an Australian. You don’t need to be married, but you must be on your way there. The Government will expect documentation of your relationship from beginning to present and testimonies from people who know you. Learn more and apply for a partner visa through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

This section is a brief synopsis of each type of Visa you might be eligible for if you want to stay in Australia. Follow the above links to continue your research and apply if you’re going to try one of these options.

What is the Pathway to Permanent Residency?

Australia is a popular destination for migrants seeking better life and career opportunities. One of the most sought-after achievements for many migrants is permanent residency, which allows them to live and work in Australia indefinitely. This article will explore the various pathways to permanent residence in Australia.

1. Skilled Migration: The Skilled Migration program attracts skilled workers to Australia who can contribute to the country’s economy. Applicants are assessed based on age, English proficiency, work experience, education, and other factors. They can apply for a skilled visa if they meet the eligibility criteria.
2.  Family Sponsorship: If you have a close family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, they may be able to sponsor you for a Family Visa. This pathway is available to partners, children, parents, and other eligible family members.
3.  Business Innovation and Investment: The Business Innovation and Investment program attracts successful business people and investors to Australia. Applicants can apply for a Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188), which allows them to establish a business or invest in Australia. After meeting specific requirements, they can apply for a Business Talent (Permanent) Visa (subclass 132), which provides permanent residency.
4.  Employer Nomination Scheme: The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows employers to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency in Australia. The employer must meet specific eligibility criteria, including demonstrating their genuine need for the worker and offering them a competitive salary.
5.  Regional Migration: The program encourages migrants to live and work in regional Australia. Applicants can apply for a Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187), which requires sponsorship by an employer in a designated restricted area.

Australian Tax File Number

The Australian Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique identification number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to individuals and entities to track their tax obligations. The TFN is a nine-digit number used to manage personal income tax, superannuation, and other government services. It is essential information that employers and financial institutions may require for tax purposes. Everyone who earns income in Australia must have a TFN, including those on a Working Holiday Visa. To apply for a TFN, individuals must be a resident of Australia, have a valid visa, and have an Australian address. They can apply online or by completing a paper application form and submitting it to the ATO.

Atypical Last Thoughts

Now, you should understand everything about working and traveling in Australia. The only item left to do is go out and live it. Australia is a beautiful country to see, and the endless possibilities to work and play are endless. The fact that it is feasible to make money while trekking throughout Australia is a vision come true for many, and by following these uncomplicated steps, you can turn this dream into a reality!

A working holiday is a chance to work, travel throughout Australia, and discover yourself beyond your comfort zone in a stunningly beautiful country.

After a year on the Visa, you can leave Australia. However, after experiencing Northern Australia, you might not want to go. You can extend your Australia working holiday visa if you have specific skills in certain industries.

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