Working Holiday Maker program to Australia

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 180,000 working holiday makers every year!

Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, Italy, Belgium, Estonia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the US.

People who hold valid passports from most of the countries are able to apply for a Working Holiday visa from any country (except Australia).

Working holiday makers are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or causal nature. As the main purpose of the visit is for holiday and travel, work for longer than six months with any employer is not allowed. Work in some rural industries brings eligibility to a second year.

For further general information about the WHM visa scheme and online applications, please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website.

If you are applying for a WHM Visa through your local Australian Embassy or Consular Office it will take up to five weeks to be approved. In some cases, the Department of Immigration may contact you before they reach a decision to:

• Request additional information
• Ask you to undergo a health check
• Arrange an interview at an Australian Diplomatic office.

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, 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 the Health Insurance Commission's website http://www.hic.gov.au.

Tax/Super

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.

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.

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 phone is the only way (as long as it 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.com.au
       mycareer.com.au

Fruit picker
• 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 please call the National Harvest Labour Information Service on 1800 062 332 or visit www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
• Always check the local papers for classifieds
• If applying for qualified skill jobs such as nursing, please ensure you bring proof of your qualifications
• 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, you are helping future Working Holiday makers - what goes around comes around!

And finally, be flexible! Remember you are a Working Holiday Maker, the most casual of the casual, and there are 100s of you all looking for the same job at the same time. Be creative, sell yourself and be persistent.