work travel programs australia

• American Summers

Work & Travel Australia

Experience living and working in austrailia.

While a working holiday in Australia is quite a new concept for Americans, it’s a rite of passage, a matter of when, not if, for many young people across the globe. Their friends and family have done it and exclaim ‘you just have to do it’. A working holiday in Australia can offer you so much, it allows you to get out of our comfort zone, experience living and working in a new country, meeting new people, picking up new skills and broadening your horizons and opinions on matters further afield than your front door. A working holiday in Australia is a truly life changing experience that can only benefit you on a personal, and professional level. For an employer, someone that has done a working holiday, demonstrates that they are adaptable, independent, flexible, dynamic, organized, can think on their feet and isn’t overawed by new challenges.

So Why Australia?

Australia has so much to offer. This is a country that is home to:

• The Great Barrier Reef
• Global cities such as Sydney and Melbourne
• K’Gari (Fraser Island), world’s biggest sand island
• Uniquely incredible wildlife such as koalas and kangaroos
• It’s a place where you can surf, ski and scuba dive, all within a week if you want!

So how does a working holiday in Australia work?

Americans are able to get a Work and Holiday visa ($462AUD). Some facts about the visa:

• It is for people between 18-30: This is a pretty big age gap and gives a lot of people the opportunity to participate.
• It lasts 12 months (initially): This is great as it means that you have time to experience working in different places, as well as travel around, ticking off your Aussie bucket list.
• It can be extended: By doing specified work (rural work, tourism and hospitality) in specific areas, you’re eligible to get a 2nd and 3rd year visa.
• The 2nd and 3rd year visas don’t have to be used immediately: This is great because it means you can complete your first year and the specified work within it, then decide whether you immediately extend your visa or return at another time.
• The Wages Are High: Australian wages are very good. The minimum wage is $19.83AUD for full- time work and $25.41AUD for casual work.
• Businesses love internationals: So many different businesses love to enrich their workforce by employing the working holiday participants. This works especially well in seasonal jobs.
• There are so many other people just like you: Over 200,000 a year do a working holiday in Australia.

Watch this video and be inspired by fellow Americans that recently did a working holiday in Australia.

Job Opportunities

In-depth, customized employment help.

Understandably, getting a job is something that is on the front of people’s minds. You’ll be in a new country, with no contacts and no previous work experience there.  Welcome to Travel’s founders were previously working holiday makers and they understand your needs and wants firsthand. They’ve used their, their team’s and all of their travelers’ experience to create in depth, customized employment help for when you arrive.

This includes

• An employment presentation
• CV/Resume Writing Help
• Interview Questions Help
• Australia workplace specific advice
• Access to a live job portal
• A 2-hour employment and travel advice 1:1 meeting (on tour)
• Access to an employer database
• Regular job opportunities emailed
• Monthly Work and Travel Drop in Clinics

Just like the accommodation help, as long as you’re in Australia, our partner Welcome to Travel will be able to help with your employment needs. A lot of people also want to know what they can earn when in Australia.

Hospitality is a hugely popular sector for people on a working holiday. Australia doesn’t have a tipping culture and the tip you’d expect in the US, is already factored into wages in Australia, where wages are high.

The minimum wage is:

• Part-Time/Full-Time: $19.83AUD
• Casual Work: $25.41AUD

We’ve explained more on wages and cost of living in these really helpful blogs and vlogs here:

• The Positive Change to Fruit Picking Wages
• The Big Mac Equation
• How does Australia’s Minimum Wage Compare?

On the IENA Work & Travel Australia Program, you can take any job you are qualified to do, but can only work for the same employer for six months’ maximum. Work and Holiday Visa holders can take casual incidental work to supplement their income while exploring this amazing country. If you would prefer to stay in one location, that is okay too! It’s your choice! We have hundreds of live job listings which are no more than 3 weeks old. Find current job listings .

I think this program is an amazing opportunity for inner growth and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a life-changing experience.

Accommodations

Welcome week.

Our Partner – Welcome to Travel’s Hosts Welcome Weeks which include 7 nights dorm accommodation. Having your first week is such a great feeling as it means you can relax and get used to a Country and City, with that added support. Not only this but they are also able to help organize your accommodation before and after the tour, whether that’s another night in the same hostel, or a week’s accommodation 3500km away. Not only can they do that, they offer advice on longer term accommodation in an apartment/house in Australia. As long as you’re in Australia, Welcome to Travel is able to help with your accommodation needs.

To give you an idea on the cost of accommodation, check out our estimates below:

• Extra hostel night with Welcome to Travel: $35AUD
• Long term hostel: $165-$220 AUD a week
• Room in an apartment: $180-$250AUD a week

Travel Information

What to see in australia.

Enough about working, let’s talk about travelling around this incredible country. The best thing about Australia’s high wages is it means more money to experience more things, in more places!

From surf to desert to city, Australia really does have it all and the list of travelling opportunities is well and truly endless. Australia’s golden trail for travelers is the East Coast. The traditional East Coast route is the 2500km of road stretching from Melbourne to Cairns.

There are thousands of backpackers and students on their own journey but on a similar path, getting the experiences they want to. This journey includes all of those places you’ve heard of such as:

• Surfers Paradise
• Fraser Island
• Whitsundays
• Magnetic Island

On this route you can experience incredible things such as:

• Surf world class surf beaches
• Visit 1 of 2 Everglades National Parks
• Watch sunset in Australia’s most easterly point
• Drive a 4WD around the world’s biggest sand island
• Spend 2 days/2 nights on the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the World’s Best Beach
• Snorkel or Scuba Dive The Great Barrier Reef
• Visit the World’s Oldest Rainforest

With so many travelers in Australia, there are plenty of great options for travelling around. You can choose to travel the East Coast in a car or campervan rental with friends, or by taking the bus. The bus is perfect for solo travelers as the ticket last for 3 months and lets you get off in one town, explore the place for a few days before getting back on the bus to the next town when you’d like to move on. This is called a Hop-On Hop Off bus pass and it’s extremely cost effective.

Once again, this throws up many questions and there are so many different things you can do. Welcome to Travel’s expertise really has no limits and they help with every single aspect of travelling Australia. You may want to book a 5 week East Coast trip, 1 day car hire in Brisbane, a 5 day Scuba Diving Trip on the Great Barrier Reef or a 3 month Campervan hire around the country, they can help with any of it.

Welcome to Travel is a great place to learn more about the East Coast, as well as get in touch for help on the adventure you’d like to take. Don’t worry if you’d like help travelling to somewhere other than the East Coast, they can do that too.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re looking to be inspired whilst also learning about Australia, check out Welcome to Travel’s helpful blogs and videos .

Questions About Traveling

Yes, you do! If you’re coming here just as a tourist to visit Australia, you’ll need a Visitor Visa. If you’re coming here to work while you’re on holiday, you’ll need either a Working Holiday Visa ($417AUD) or a Work and Holiday Visa ($462AUD), depending on which country you’re from. Find more information and a list of the various visas .

Questions About a Working Holiday in Australia

Our Partner – Welcome to Travel will provide exclusive tips, resources, and guidance towards finding a job and farm work in Australia.

They will provide you with all the basic information needed to get started, and give you access to Their huge database of employers and contacts in sectors such as hospitality, retail, construction, sales and marketing and many more. This is all before having a 1-on-1 meeting with them, where they will go over how they can specifically help you find work. They also send out a weekly update email that highlights the most recent job and farm work opportunities they come across.

Do I have to do farm/regional work? No! However, if you are on a working holiday visa ($417AUD) and want to extend your visa to a 2nd or even a 3rd year, then you would need to do some specified work, often farm work/rural work. All the necessary specifications can be found on the government website. How do I get a 2nd year and 3rd visa?

If you are on a Working Holiday Visa ($417AUD) or Work and Holiday Visa ($462AUD) then you need to complete at least 3 months of specified work in a specific area of Australia to earn a 2nd year visa.

The specified work differs between $417AUD and $462AUD visas. $462AUD visa holders have the additional sector of tourism and hospitality (in northern Australia only) added to the specified work list. You can find all the necessary specifications for a $417AUD visa and a  $462AUD visa on the government website.

How do I apply for a visa?

We recommend applying as soon as possible. The application can be completed through your travel agent, or directly through the same Australian Government website as above.

We always recommend checking Australian Government website for any specific inquiries.

What is Superannuation and am I entitled to it? Superannuation is Australia’s pension fund scheme.

Being on a working holiday, you’re entitled to have a superannuation account and your employers have to pay into this account. Do I need a bank account?

If you’re traveling as a tourist for just a few weeks, you don’t need one – a travel card will be great. With cheap rates, tiny fees and a really to use app, we always recommend Wise .

If you’re here for a longer period of time (for example, on a Working Holiday Visa) then it’s highly recommended to open an Australian bank account. It’s an extremely easy process that our Partner – Welcome tours will assist you with. Not only will you save a lot on exchange/transaction fees, but employers will only pay wages into an Australian account. Don’t worry about it now, Welcome tours will help set it up for you in the weeks leading up to your arrival.

What is a Tax File Number?

This is basically a personal identity number created for you by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It is required if you want to work in Australia, so that you can be correctly taxed on your income from day one.

You will provide this number to each employer you have while you are in Australia and your tax will be deducted from your wage accordingly, just as it would be in your home country.

Application and Fees

Stage 1 of the application.

Please set up an IENA account and complete the online IENA Outbound Program application. We will assess your application and then invoice you for payment of our program fee. After payment is processed and you are accepted to the program you will be emailed stage two of the application process.

Stage 2 of the Application

• Applying for your visa – don’t’ worry, IENA will provide step-by-step instructions and guidance on how to secure your visa!
• Booking your flight to Australia – IENA’s preferred travel provider can assist with flights.
• Purchasing travel and medical insurance – it is a visa requirement that you have proof of medical coverage (including medical evacuation and repatriation of remains) on entry to Australia. Note: You will not be covered under the socialized medical system in place in Australia.
• Job reference from a previous or current employer.

Application Deadlines: Please allow 4-6 weeks for application processing.

Program Fees

Essentials: $485

Other costs to consider for all options:

• Flights – Special flight deals are available through our preferred travel provider
• Travel and medical insurance (this is a visa requirement)
• Visa fee currently AU$485
• Support funds equivalent to AU$5,000 (this is a visa requirement)

Cancellation Conditions

If you cancel from the program before your stage two deadline you will be charged a cancellation fee of $100. If you cancel after you have reached stage two, no refund is possible.

Any cancellation must be received in writing and is only effective from the date we receive it. Please note that separate cancellation fees and conditions will undoubtedly apply to any flight bookings you make.

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Work & Travel

Length: 6 - 12 months cost: aud$3,000 - aud$4,200, about this program.

Our Work & Travel program gives you the chance to explore the beauty of Australia for 6 to 12 months. During this time, you will be earning money by working in a guaranteed, temporary job placement that we arrange in advance for you. Most of these positions are in the hospitality industry.

We match your experience and education with the best opportunities available with our host employers. Alliance Abroad works with a network of best-known and reputable employers in Australia. This means you work for industry leaders; brands that are sure to enhance your resume. The positions are guaranteed before your arrival to Australia so you start earning money right away.

What will I be doing?

Most of the positions are within the hospitality industry and include:

• Food & Beverage Service
• Bar S taff / Barista
• Customer Service
• Kitchen Steward
• Front Office

There are many more opportunities and positions available – we can find something that is a perfect match for your own unique skillset and experience.

For people who are interested in coming, being afraid is fine. But, if you live in fear, you won’t experience life! So come right ahead and enjoy life a bit.

What This Program Includes

Guaranteed job.

Job secured before arriving in Australia so you know exactly where you are going and you begin earning right away.

Resume and Interview Preparation

We help you with your resume and interview preparation so you make a great first impression and feel confident and ready for your interview.

Pre-departure Orientation

We work with you in advance to prepare you for your adventure in Australia and provide you with an orientation.

Hostel Accommodations

Complementary hostel accommodation for two nights upon arrival in country. (Extended stays can be arranged at the participant’s expense).

Emergency Support

24/7 emergency support for the duration of the program

Eligibility

Our Work & Travel Plus Program is for people who are eligible for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462)

• Must be 18-30 years old (If you are a citizen of Canada, France, or Ireland the age limit is 35)
• Must be a citizen of any of the countries listed here
• Must speak fluent English
• Must have a clean criminal record

For information on your eligibility, please visit Australia’s Department of Home Affairs website .

Inclusions:

• Application fee
• Applicant profiling and host company matching fee
• Orientation services
• 2-night hostel stay upon arrival
• Set up of bank account and tax file number – Local support and 24/7 emergency support throughout the participant’s stay.

Exclusions:

• Visa application fee
• Return flights to Australia
• Rent, meals, general living expenses
• Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate

Fees specific to your placement will be outlined in the Alliance Abroad Program Disclosure Document.

Alliance Abroad advises that you bring at least AUD $2,00 to cover your initial living expenses prior to receiving your first paycheck. Please note that the recommended amount does not include housing expenses.

Prices can change without notice

Australia is bursting with incredible destinations – the only question is, which ones to pick? Each Aussie spot offers a unique experience, so whether you’re a foodie, beach lover, or adventurer, there’s a place perfectly suited to you . Just let Australia pick for you, there is an amazing adventure waiting to be written.

Budget Planning

The estimated cost of living in Australia depends on your location and lifestyle. The table below gives a general idea of what to expect. Amounts are given in Australian dollars per month.

Estimated Costs

Frequently asked questions.

No. We have a dedicated team that provides you with 24/7 support during your program. Our goal is to make sure you have a safe and an amazing international experience in Australia.

Yes. Because your safety is our primary concern, we will check in with you every month while you are in Australia. But we are also here whenever you need us! We provide you with 24/7 support.

This is a cultural exchange program so, there is a required fee. Each program has different criteria for qualification and different costs. Please see individual programs for pricing information.

Your first two nights in a hostel are sorted and if you require assistance to find long-term accommodation during your stay in Australia, our team will point you in the right direction. We recommend that you start your search once you have received your job offer.

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5 ways to get a job on your Australian working holiday

A working holiday in Australia is sure to serve up once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences, but also unique work opportunities. Here are five ways to get a job on your Australian working holiday.

Use a working holiday support program

Diggies Cafe, Wollongong, New South Wales © Destination NSW

If you’re looking for ongoing support to help you on your working holiday journey, a work program might be ideal. Providers of work programs, such as  The Global Work & Travel Co. ,  Work N Holiday  and  Alliance Abroad , provide guaranteed work opportunities for working holiday makers throughout the duration of their stay. The program can include airport pick-up, an induction to help you get established, support finding housing and social activities.

Meet potential employers face to face

Pineapple Express, Brisbane, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

If you’re comfortable beginning your job search after you arrive in Australia, meeting potential employers face-to-face can be a great way to secure work, especially in the hospitality industry. Hit the streets and stop into bars and restaurants that may need bar tenders or servers. Keep in mind that anyone responsible for serving alcohol in Australia needs to complete  Responsible Service of Alcohol  (RSA) training and receive an RSA Certificate.

Conduct a job search online

BentSpoke, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra

There are several powerful tools – online and otherwise – that can help you secure a job on your working holiday. You can find a range of job search engines in Australia which showcase open positions specifically suited to backpackers, or browse popular employment platforms like Seek  and  Indeed . When using these online job boards, it may be helpful to limit your search to short-term or contract roles, which are more likely to hire applicants on a working holiday visa.

How to set up your life in Australia

Enlist a recruitment agency

Let's Go Surfing, Byron Bay, NSW © Tourism Australia

If you’re looking for some help in your job search journey, a recruitment agency can be a helpful resource. Recruitment agencies can help you search for jobs that relate to your skill set, apply for roles that interest you and secure employment. Some agencies, like The Kingsmen , focus specifically on jobs in fields such as hospitality and construction which are perfect for travellers and working holiday makers.

Get work along the way

Farm work, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Tourism Australia

One of the best things about a working holiday is the freedom. If you have a sense of adventure and you’re keen to move around Australia, then it’s possible to find work as you travel. Leads could come from anywhere, so keep your ears open around your hostel and keep an eye out for job postings. The Australian government has also compiled a  Harvest Guide  for travellers who want to help pick, harvest and gather produce in Australia’s rural – yet beautiful – farming towns.

Note : Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority.  The visa granting authority is the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. For up-to-date information, please refer to their website:  https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder .

The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  Please consult with an Australian qualified immigration lawyer or migration agent if you are seeking legal advice.

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AIFS has been changing the world since 1964. Learn why 55,000 people every year choose AIFS.

The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) was founded in 1964 by the late Sir Cyril Taylor, GBE. Whilst working at Procter & Gamble, Sir Cyril met and later married, French Language teacher, Judy Denman. It was when he helped Judy organise an educational trip for her pupils to France, that AIFS was founded.

From this first group AIFS has grown into one of the world's leading providers of cultural exchange and educational opportunities with a range of opportunities including Camp America, Au Pair in America and AIFS Study Abroad. AIFS currently has 15 global offices including USA, Germany, Poland, United Kingdom and Australia, and works with agents in over 88 different countries. More than 55,000 participants participate on an AIFS program every year.

AIFS first set up its programs in Australia in 1972 and opened its Sydney centre in 2005. This centre serves as the hub for its inbound and outbound programs including Work & Travel, Au Pair, Study Abroad, High School, Volunteer and Internships as well as offering tailored language and travel packages.

Why Choose AIFS?

The opportunity and need for enhanced global understanding is greater now than ever. As the world reopens, AIFS cultural exchange programs encourage young people from all over the world to better understand and embrace each other’s qualities, their similarities and their differences. Participants will learn vital language skills, become more culturally aware, will meet new people, explore new places with the opportunity to add an international dimension to their CV.

In fact, our strength lies in providing AIFS programs with an educational edge that help you succeed in a highly competitive, diverse and interdependent world.

Our staff are experienced and have worked and travel across the world in countless destinations with most having been on one of AIFS cultural exchange programs. This allows us to give you the highest quality customer service as we know exactly what it feels like and can provide supportive and advice for all those on our programs.

Our Goals and Aims

Our goal is to provide the best cultural exchange experience for you! Whether it's your local interviewer, our head offices or your community counsellor, we're all on hand to support you throughout your stay in Australia

Our mission is to:

• Bring the world together
• To provide the highest quality educational and cultural exchange programs
• To enrich the lives of people throughout the world
• Excellence in programs, operations and people
• Exceptional caring support for our program participants
• Honest, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment of program participants, partners, and employees
• Teamwork and collaboration both within the organization and with partners
• Encouragement of employee initiative and professional development
• Responsible financial stewardship
• Support of multi-cultural values

Work and Travel in Australia

Work and Travel Australia! This word group alone awakens dreams of adventure, casual lifestyle, endless sunshine, and lots of seas. Australia has long been the strongest magnet among the backpacker destinations and even today it never lets its visitors down. Kangaroos, the Opera House, and the Great Barrier Reef are still great, and what makes Australia really special, the friendly people and the diverse landscape, even more so. Those who have lived and worked in Australia for one year will surely have found their second home here on the fifth continent.

Australia Remains Fascinating (and) Simple

Australia has simply killed all the birds with one stone: an extreme landscape, cosmopolitan cities, and a fantastic indigenous culture. The copper-red deserted outback is unique in the world; in contrast to this is a picturesque coastal region with a pulsating city bustle. And all this without any culture shock, because Australian cities are as well organized as we know them and the people are as friendly and casual as we like them. The best conditions to work and live here for a while.

Typical Aussie!

Tanned skin, casual sands, and anyway the whole day on the beach! What is really true about the stereotype Australian? What is really typical Aussie ?

Work and Travel Made Easy

The Working Holiday Visa for Australia offers the ideal start into the adventure Down Under for Work and Travellers up to 30 years. It is easy to apply for online and with 100 Euro it is quite affordable. There is also no limited allocation. Simply apply at the Australian Embassy website, print your visa and show it at the airport when you enter the country. There it is already available in electronic form, but the copy is still obligatory. It could not be simpler. Definitely a plus point for Work and Travel in Australia. The only drawback: You are not allowed to work for more than 6 months for one employer. Then you have to move on. But since it is not supposed to be a "Work and Stay", this is quite bearable.

The Start in The Big City

The best way to start the Work and Travel Down Under is to go to one of the bigger cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or Perth. Because first of all, working in Australia should come first, and the chances are good here. And if not there, at least many hostels or job search desks offer tips on where to look for work. Moreover, these cities are a magnet for work and travellers, to which they return again and again. Just a short small talk might be enough and you have already made more job contacts than you would after a night in an internet café. In general, however, backpackers with less job experience have better job opportunities outside the cities. After all, Australia is more than just Sydney, Melbourne, and Co.

Jobs in Australia

Work and Travel in Down Under means gaining international work experience while living Australian everyday life and exploring the diversity of the continent. Of course, this also includes enjoying island life and partying. But this is something you have to work on first. There are plenty of jobs available, especially in the gastronomy, tourism or farm work. Some of the jobs are paid and in others accommodation and food is provided. If you have special experience, you can also find good jobs as a nanny in Australia or in child and youth care. To ensure that you are responsible when serving alcohol, all jobs in bars and restaurants require an RSA certificate, which is best obtained online in advance. It's worth investing the time to plan, as the exam costs only AUD 50 online and AUD 140 on-site!

Expensive? Only at First Glance

That Australia is expensive is in any case no rumour. That expensive is only relative, but also. At first glance, food, restaurants, accommodation and transport may appear to be higher priced than at home and other Work and Travel countries like Canada, but one should not forget that salaries are higher than in Europe and life outside the big cities is much cheaper. More tips on how to calculate costs and save money can be found here!

Travel through Australia!

Australia is huge! Therefore transport - how and what costs are involved - is an important issue. But fortunately the infrastructure is very well developed in favour of the backpackers. During your job, in order to save money, you should preferably walk to your workplace, or in the best case even be accommodated there (like when working on a farm, for example). Otherwise, there are local buses or metro lines in the big cities, which are good ways to get from A to B. For your onward journey to the next town, the Greyhound interurban buses are particularly suitable. But also domestic flights and rental cars are available. If you have planned a lot of time for travelling after work, it is probably best to buy a car. With it, you will be well-equipped for your entire trip and you can sell it before you leave.

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10 Things to Know Before You Work & Travel in Australia

Megan Lee is an international educator, traveler, writer, & SEO. After leading study abroad p...

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Clock out quick—it's time to catch some waves!

Do you dream of work and travel in Australia? Right on! Here are a few things to know before you go deeper into planning your journey abroad.

Sunshine, sandals, and... paychecks. Working in Australia is a popular right of passage for many young expats keen for adventure and sustained world traveling. With dozens of job possibilities, thousands of opportunities, and a little thing called the Australian Work Visa program , it’s no wonder that intrepid globetrotters head south to Oz every year in droves. 

But is it all tan lines and cute animals? What should you be prepared for as you plan your own work abroad stint in Australia? We’re glad you’re asked. Traveling and working in Australia is about as close to a walk in the (very sun-soaked) park as you can get. Read on as we share our must-know tips for those considering work and travel in Australia .

Pro tips for working in Australia

1. there are a lot of different jobs to consider..

Australia’s working holiday visa programs has made it an attractive destination for practical long-term travelers for years. We’re not really sure which came first. The fun, temporary jobs abroad in a variety of sectors? OR the hoards of international travelers looking for fairly low level, low commitment jobs? It’s a real chicken or egg situation (or are we say cassowary or egg situation).

The most popular short term jobs abroad in Australia are in the hospitality (hostel employment, bartending, barista gigs) and agriculture (physical labor like harvesting crops) sectors. You can also find plentiful work as an au pair abroad and in entry-level marketing and communications positions. If you have your sights set on mid-level or advanced positions, there’s absolutely opportunities for you—it’ll just require a more polished resume and more power heels and dress shoes in your backpack than thongs (flip flops!!!). Not to worry though, because companies like Alliance Abroad or InterExchange are here to assist you through every step of the process!

2. Australia is really, really big—and diverse.

You might look at that country populating the southeast corner of your map and think, “Sure, Australia is big, but I can conquer it all pretty easily.” Think again. A flight from Perth to Brisbane—on opposing coastlines—will take you 4.5 hours. The vast Red Center takes hours (if not days) to cross by train. The tropical rainforests of the northeast give way to one of the biggest deserts on the planet. You can find shrubs and low lying grasses across the southern coastline.

Plenty of options in Oz for a more urban experience—or you can plan to go further afield & work abroad in the Red Center!

Mountains more your style? Stick to traveling and working in Australia in Sydney and the east coast. Love feeling “away from it all” (except maybe quokkas?)? There’s an entire state for you: Western Australia. Laid back, artsy, and uber cultural destinations like Melbourne are a nice respite from the dusty, sun soaked, indigenous vibes of Alice Springs and provide yet another unique Aussie experience for the engaged traveler. Moral of the story: Australia is chock full of unique locations to explore, all overflowing with a variety of cultures and customs to experience.

And if you love to spend your time off the clock by the water, you’d be hard pressed to find a destination with more mileage of beautiful coastline. Talk about a good tan!

3. You need to secure your work visa—but not your employment—in advance.

It’d be really awesome if you could just land in Oz after your direct LAX —> SYD flight and get hired ASAP, but alas, the world doesn’t work this way. You need to research and coordinate your application for a working holiday visa in advance of arriving to Australia.

On the bright side, so long as you fulfill the minimum requirements and can fork out the fees, you are close to guaranteed access to this work abroad opportunity. Further, you don’t need to secure your employment in advance, which gives you a lot of flexibility to find opportunities as they arise. However, companies exist to assist you in securing working opportunities before transitioning to Australia, making your Australian journey that much more smooth from the start! 

And one more bright side: Your visa isn’t attached to employment for a single organization, company, etc. You can move about at-will!

4. The fashion culture is unique—it's not all khaki!

Khaki is out! You might be browsing the internet in search of shades of tans and greens to stuff in your suitcase—“To look like the locals, of course!” And while we applaud your interest and efforts to be culturally sensitive, the khaki has got to go. While some might think Australia is simply removed from many common conventions, that simply is not the case. In fact, the land down under is very keen on staying with the trends. You can dress in western fashion for most employment in Australia but will want to bring additional tools or equipment if you’re planning for specific jobs (i.e. leather work gloves for hard labor).

You'll fit right into Aussie's laidback, western fashion sensibilities

Outside of work, showing off skin is fine, as are yoga pants. There’s a very laid back approach to modesty and fashion, which allows you to let your own style dictate your wardrobe.

While we’re on the subject of stereotypes that aren’t quite true: Aussies don’t actually put shrimp on the barbie. They put prawns on ‘em.

5. You’ll earn money in the Aussie dollar.

While traveling and working in Australia, you’ll be earning the local currency—Aussie dollars (or notes)! The Australian dollar is a strong, stable currency. Some jobs may pay you direct in cash, whereas others will set up direct deposits or even distribute checks for every pay period. It would be wise for you to create a system in advance for where you plan to store your income (in a local bank). If you do opt for the local bank, be sure to transfer bulk amounts of cash periodically back to your home bank account. If you do this systematically, you can avoid hefty transfer fees over time! 

6. Eating out will cost you a pretty penny.

There are some destinations where eating out is encouraged, as the food is cheap and plentiful and wonderful. There are others where affordable street food reigns and you can live like a king. And then there’s Australia, where a cup of coffee can cost you $5 and a lunchtime meal can easily be upwards of $20.

While there are certainly budget options out there (*mmm meat pies*), you should be prepared to make a game plan for feeding yourself through home cooked meals whenever possible. A life of white bread and vegemite isn’t one we’d encourage (though you should still try it!), but having some basic pasta dishes or favorite salads in your back pocket is smart planning. Ideally, these meals can be easily made in a shared kitchen!

7. You don’t have to work on land.

Work in Australia on a tourist boat or as a SCUBA instructor!

Do you dream of a life at sea? Then all aboard, baby! Dozens of vessels make daily trips for tourists to the beautiful coral reefs or nearby islands, and working on these boats can be a “salty experience” (in the right way). Become a ship hand, chef, or other crew member. Dream big, captain! 

Tourism is another area of employment that is poppin’ for international travelers. While the pay might be less than ideal, you’ll walk away rich in experience and waterlogged with new skills. Not bad for a trip abroad!

8. For professional jobs, you need to bring your A game.

If you’re looking to add some serious sauce to your resume with a full-time job in Australia, come prepared with your best foot forward. The financial centers of Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra offer dozens of jobs in finance, banking, and business.

These jobs are incredibly competitive and will require you to have that extra “oomph” to hire you instead of a local. You should treat these lines of work with the same earnest and professionalism that you would afford to an application in your home country.

9. You should take your job seriously, no matter what you do!

Finding jobs abroad in Australia is NOT synonymous with backpacking and traveling in Australia. While you can absolutely adventure with your new mates and see some pretty amazing sites (Uluru is a *must*), your focus should remain on the commitments you make as an employee to a company.

True meaningful travelers follow through with their work and do their best to integrate into the local communities, both in their workplace and beyond. They add value rather than only extract, and part of doing this is holding yourself accountable to the job that you have taken. This doesn’t mean that you have to stay forever or that there aren’t bummer jobs out there on the market that you should consider leaving, but we do recommend that you keep your intentions top of mind with every decision you make as expats in Australia.

Don’t give us (traveling Americans and other nationals) a bad rap in Oz, pretty please?

10. There are organizations that can make working abroad in Australia even easier.

Work in a hostel in exchange for free room & board! There are plenty of paid jobs abroad in Australia to choose from—and even more organizations out there that can help.

One way to approach working abroad in Australia is to wing it. Arrive in-country with your work visa, head to that hostel you pre-booked online, and start to network and get a lay of the land. You might end up getting a little desperate after a few weeks with no bites to your resume, and end up taking a job you *did not* envision for yourself (law office secretary?).

For example, if you want to bypass the potential stress of low quality employment, consider hiring an organization, such as Alliance Abroad or BUNAC. They'll secure and coordinate beneficial employment on your behalf (fo' real!). This not only takes the unexpected out of the equation but can hook you up with ancillary services like on-the-ground support or even instant community with other program participants. 

Immediate paycheck, immediate friends, and a person to turn to if you get in a pickle. Not bad if you ask us! This can be the final notch on your to-do list to an amazing experience traveling and working in Australia.

Next steps to work and travel in Australia

Now that you have the inside scoop and know where many would-be expats fail in their job hunt, it's time to choose who you want to work abroad through! Choosing a work abroad program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should work abroad is paramount. Have a short list of Australian cities that sound ideal for your goals. Don't let your experience (or lack thereof!) hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Pick your job. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which type of company or organization—and role within—would best benefit from your time and energy.
• Choose from the best work abroad programs in Australia. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right job program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Learning how to save for jobs abroad is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to work and move abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

Run quick to these temporary jobs in Australia

Get in touch with your wild side while doing farm work in Australia.

The Australian work visa is a magical ticket to adventure in one of the coolest—not to mention the oldest—places on earth. Wash your hands in the world’s oldest river after a long day of apple picking. Share a smile with a weary traveler as you show them their room in the hostel. Tag along with on your new au pair family’s vacation to the Whitsundays. Give a powerful presentation on potential earnings to high brow executives.

Whatever your style and goals for working abroad in Australia, remember this: vegemite and cheese is a delicious combo. We mean, um, just keep swimming. ;-) You’ll have the time of your life while working in Australia!

Get Matched with 5 Work Abroad Programs in Australia for FREE

This article was written with help from Alliance Abroad . Alliance Abroad is a cultural exchange organization that specializes in offering a variety of programs that enable individuals to work and travel in Australia anywhere from six months to four years!

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