Should You Work While in Australia for an Extended Period of Time?
The journey to the southern hemisphere is on many people’s bucket lists, but what will you do with your time once there? Is it possible for you to plan your life so that you spend all of your time having experiences? Should you instead apply for a visa that allows you to work while you’re there, giving you more financial flexibility?
On the one hand, working in Australia is something that many visitors do, but if you don’t work, you’ll have more time to enjoy the stunning landscape of the land down under.
Would You Like to Work in Australia During Your Vacation?
The sun sets over Sydney’s Opera House
There are a few different options for obtaining financial assistance for an extended trip to Australia. Certain opportunities will be geared specifically toward college students taking a gap year, but if you are a little older (but still under 30) and want to fulfill your wanderlust, you have plenty of options.
Obtaining a Work Visa and Other Important Employment Information in Australia
To enter Australia, you must have a visa, regardless of whether you intend to work there; in fact, children must also have a visa. It is strongly advised that you apply for your Australia visa well in advance of your trip, as the approval process typically takes a few working days after the application is submitted.
There are many to choose from, and the best one for you will depend on how you intend to spend your vacation. Before applying, you must decide whether or not you will be working. The eVisitor visa is probably the most common, but if you get it, you won’t be able to work while you’re in the country. To be able to work while traveling, you will need either a Working Holiday Visa or a work permit.
The Working Holiday Visa allows for a wide range of employment opportunities
Cows grazing in a field at sunset
Those who visit Australia on a working holiday have the option of working on farms.
When traveling on a working holiday visa, you can do whatever you want. Some visitors decide to stay longer and thus require a second visa, which has its own set of restrictions. Consider that in order to qualify, you must have worked for at least three months in one of the following industries: agriculture, fishing, tree farming and felling, mining, or construction.
Opportunities for employment that can be considered
A large number of people who take gap years choose to work on farms because this type of work is available all year in a variety of locations. The work is only available at certain times of the year, but because each state’s weather is different, you can plan your trip around the appropriate agricultural season.
Nannying is a popular choice among travelers looking for work because it can be both a temporary and flexible occupation.
Some travelers, particularly those who have been planning their trip for a long time, may be able to teach English as a foreign language over the internet while on the road. All that is required is a laptop, WiFi access, and the necessary credentials. To obtain a TEFL qualification, you will typically need a degree as well as a brief training course.
If you do not wish to put forth any effort,
Make a detailed itinerary for your trip around Australia during your gap year.
It is understandable if the only aspect of your trip plans that involve traveling is sightseeing, because there are other options if that is what you are trying to avoid. If you own your home, you have the option of storing all of your valuable possessions and renting it out on an as-needed basis. Alternatively, if you live in a desirable area near a lot of activity, you could make some money by renting out your home through the website Air B&B.
Depending on your level of discretionary income, you may be able to save enough money to cover your year away. Despite the fact that it is one of the more reasonable options, this one is likely to be the most difficult.
You simply need to conduct some research to learn about the various other options available to you if you want to take a gap year without incurring debt.
Programs for the interim year
Because of the gap year programs available to you, you will be able to plan every aspect of your time in Australia. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises along the way. Do your research because the length and cost of each program will vary. Because these programs do not have a “one size fits all” approach, you should not base your decision solely on the recommendations of others. Your neighbor’s mother’s cousin’s idea of a fantastic gap year may be completely different from yours.
Do some research to learn more about the program, where it will take you, and how long you will be in Australia. Affordable gap year programs may require you to make fewer arrangements, resulting in a lower overall cost. It is critical to determine the level of support you anticipate receiving before making a commitment.
After you’ve decided to spend an extended period of time in Australia, the only thing left to do is make a list and do some research. In an ideal world, you would have planned thoroughly, obtained your visa quickly, and saved as much money as possible before departing. Have a pleasant and safe journey!
