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| Is this feasible?; Looking to visit AUS and work ? | |
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| Topic Started: Nov 9 2008, 02:00:49 PM (610 Views) | |
| rys | Nov 9 2008, 02:00:49 PM Post #1 |
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Anklebiter
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I'm so glad a forum like this exists!! I'm a recent college grad in the US. Due to financial issues, I wasn't able to study abroad as I had wanted to. However, I've been working and saving, and am devising a new plan, but I am unsure as to the feasibility. My goal would be to visit Australia (Sydney, specifically) for 3 months, renting a studio apartment. I'm unsure if I should try to find a short-term flat or try to locate someone who is leaving the country for the holidays. (I've done a lot of online research, but I've also heard about some of those websites being scams.) I'd also like to work while I was down there, at a coffee shop, or something simple, to assist in offsetting the costs and absorb the local culture. I'm not sure of the legalities of this, the paperwork involved, etc. How would I go about this? Thanks so much.  |
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| natasha_alena | Nov 9 2008, 02:19:15 PM Post #2 |
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True Blue Mate
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Hi Rys- You'll find this is quite a common thing to do here, so you'll have no problem finding a short-term place to stay and a job. You'll need a working holiday visa: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/index.htm. There are several threads on this already on this Board, or ask away- there are several of us that are/have been on this visa! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| rys | Nov 9 2008, 02:34:30 PM Post #3 |
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Anklebiter
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Awesome Natasha, that is good news. I will peruse the site a little more, but I'm looking some recommendations for where to find a place to stay/a job. Would I need to secure a job before leaving or would I be fine to try once arriving? Is the working holiday visa the only Australian paperwork I'd need to fill out before departing? thanks |
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| natasha_alena | Nov 9 2008, 02:38:10 PM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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If you're just looking for casual work, I'd wait till you got here. Try gumtree.com.au or domain.com.au for finding apts (gumtree would be better for your situation, I'd think). You should be able to apply for the WHV online and that should be it, I think! |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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| pastrycook-136 | Nov 9 2008, 10:42:50 PM Post #5 |
True Blue Mate
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Why stay only 3 months when the visa lets you stay for 1 year! However you may only be employed for a maximum of 6 months per job and must be under 30. Many people on this visa live in hostels (called backpackers in Australia) during their stay and visit and work in several locations around the country. Mostly Europeans and Canadians travel on this visa as it only has just recently become available to Americans.The money earned is enough to fund their stay. Many backpackers have a job posting board and can assist their guests in getting work. Look at www.thewordaustralia.com.au for information and links. Be sure to visit Melbourne too!! |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| rys | Nov 10 2008, 03:29:26 AM Post #6 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks for all of the info and for all of the links - they are extremely, extremely helpful. I would love to travel to different cities while down there - are employers open to only hiring someone for a month? Is there any specific time of year I should go? I was thinking spring (sept-dec)? |
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| TerritorianTori | Nov 10 2008, 08:18:56 AM Post #7 |
It couldn't happen here
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Hi rys!  I first came to Australia in 2003 via BUNAC's 'Work Australia' program (before there was a proper 'working holiday visa' for Americans). You can read more about it here. There's a bit of a fee attached, but they literally help you with every step of the way - from applying for your visa to finding jobs and accommodation. Personally, I had a great experience with them. Just thought I'd throw that option out there. Good luck with all your research. What an exciting adventure! 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| pastrycook-136 | Nov 10 2008, 10:27:31 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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Much of the work that travelers do is temporary in nature and some jobs might last only a few days. Some people pick fruit and vegetables for a while to experience a farm and the countryside. There is a big industry here in budget travel and accomodation for young and not so young people. I stayed in backpackers hostels during my first 2 trips here and met many people. It is usually easy to meet people in the kitchen that is usually provided for travelers to cook their own meals. I have had quite a few free meals from food left on the "free food shelf" found in these kitchens. People leave the food there because they don't have space in their backpacks for it. |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| rys | Nov 11 2008, 01:18:15 PM Post #9 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks so much. My roommate mentioned something about needing to get shots before venturing to Australia... is this true? |
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| elsja | Nov 11 2008, 01:42:20 PM Post #10 |
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aussie pilot lover
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if you've visted certain countries before coming here (within a few weeks) you do need shots, but that's only if you've visted parts of south america, africa, etc. If you are coming straight from the US (and you haven't traveled to these rural areas within a short time of your trip) then you won't need shots. |
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Elsja's Bloggity Blog | |
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| rys | Nov 13 2008, 03:01:21 AM Post #11 |
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Anklebiter
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Great! That'll be easier on the wallet  Is there any time of the year that you guys would recommend going? |
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| TerritorianTori | Nov 13 2008, 12:22:11 PM Post #12 |
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It couldn't happen here
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Between November and February is "peak season" in Sydney - lots of things to do, but also lots of other backpackers around and more competition for jobs & accommodation. On the other hand, I arrived in Sydney in June and it was great, not as crowded, lower prices, but soooo cooooold! LOL Sorry, that's probably not helpful at all! 
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| rys | Nov 15 2008, 06:43:56 AM Post #13 |
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Anklebiter
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At this point -- any kind of information is helpful! My last question (as of right now...hehe) pertains to the safety factor when backpacking around Australia? I'm a gal in my early twenties, and I'm probably going to be venturing Down Under by my lonesome. The more I read up on it, the more likely I'll stay at hostels and work in various cities for 3-4 mos. However, I'm an only child and my poor parents would probably be freaking out the entire time I'm away. (Re: Natalee Holloway.) But should I seriously try to coerce a friend of mine into going with me, or will I be fine on my own? I've travelled in a big city alone before, including London, and lived to tell about it. |
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| natasha_alena | Nov 15 2008, 07:47:05 AM Post #14 |
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True Blue Mate
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I came here backpacking with a friend, and that definitely helped calm my parents down, even though we were two girls who probably couldn't have stopped something bad from happening if we tried. I don't think you'll necessarily be unsafe, but it's always a risk being in places you don't know, staying in hostels with hundreds of people you don't know. There are other pros and cons of bringing a friend, aside from the pleasing your parents aspect. You won't get lonely, two people to spilt a lot of costs, another person to share every expierence, and so forth. But there's also two people to please, and one person inevitably ends up taking the lead in planning, organizing accomodation and travel, etc. Plus, that's a long time to spend in close quarters with one person. Our last month together (after six), we hardly said a word to each other. Nothing bad happened, we just needed our space. |
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| i<3sydney | Nov 15 2008, 08:37:35 AM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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i came to sydney alone.. however, i had been here previously to study abroad, so maybe that made my parents feel a bit better. also, i'm a very independent person. i was only alone a few weeks though, because i met my now husband and moved in with him after 3 weeks. i was staying at a hostel in the cbd near darling harbour/chinatown. i'm really glad i traveled alone, it was a great oppurtunity and experience. and i really suggest it. you can always travel with a friend and family down the line, but there probably isn't many chances when you'll be able to do something so independent. i loved the feeling of it. gave me a lot of confidence and made me feel more "grown up" in a sense. i just recommend you always think of safety first. i never went out at night alone. and i always wrote down my travel plans and where i was staying/going in a diary plus left numbers ith my family/friends. i did a lot of research before hand too. wanted to stay in a safer area (for example, i didn't chose a hotel in kings cross or somewhere farther away from the city) if traveling to another city besides sydney, i'd try to get recommendations for hotels and areas or look for ones highly rated. always made sure i had maps, phone cards, money, etc.,. and when traveling alone, try to meet someone or if you know someone in the area have a contact. at least you'll get to know people here.. and that's a huge plus! good luck with whatever you decide! |
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| pastrycook-136 | Nov 15 2008, 01:15:48 PM Post #16 |
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True Blue Mate
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Although bad things can happen anywhere I have found Australian cities to seem less threating and safer than American cities but I am a 41 year old man and not a young person. Keep in mind that Australian people your age happily live here and their parents would be very afraid if they were to travel to the US and visit where YOU live. Our country has a bad reputation for guns and violence. The St Kilda area of Melbourne where I live is a good area to stay in and there are many hostels around. Most hostel staff are very concerned with the well being of their guests and can recommend the "safe" thing to do. If you stay in hostels you will certianly meet people to hang out with and join you on evening outings. Start planning your trip and once you experience Australia you may not want to leave!! |
| "If you want to gather honey don't kick over the beehive!" | |
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| rys | Nov 20 2008, 04:17:30 AM Post #17 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks so much for all of the input! This is a great board and everyone's quite friendly. I've searched around a TON on the web and have found dozens of people setting out to do the same thing, which is a relief. Most of them are from the UK. Is that usually the case? Well, I'm pumped and wish I could leave tomorrow! Haha. I'm planning on coming early August and staying till mid December, although freelance work + the recession may be an unfortunate combination. I'm sure you'll hear from me again in the coming months; in the meantime, I'll probably lurk around and chip in occasionally... Thanks again guys! |
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| elsja | Nov 20 2008, 09:02:10 AM Post #18 |
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aussie pilot lover
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Just don't get drunk at go home with random guys from bars. There was another story recently (not sure if you heard about it) about a girl named brit lapthorne. Seems that being drunk and leaving with strangers is not the best thing to do. |
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| NurseJules | Nov 20 2008, 10:02:46 AM Post #19 |
True Blue Mate
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wasn't that in Croatia though? |
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| natasha_alena | Nov 20 2008, 10:38:54 AM Post #20 |
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True Blue Mate
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Yea, but that advice is applicable anywhere! It could have just as easily happened here. Just be smart. |
| "You can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather" | |
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8:13 PM May 19