Français
English
A Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a unique opportunity to have an extraordinary adventure in a foreign country for a year or more (depending on the destination). The WHV gives you access to dozens of countries, depending on your nationality—it’s sometimes hard to pick a destination because there’s so much choice! If you haven’t yet made up your mind and are torn between several destinations, here are 12 (excellent) reasons why you should choose Australia!
1. The Australian WHV is accessible and easy to get
Australia is one of the most popular working holiday destinations (along with Canada and New Zealand). Every year, nearly 200,000 travellers from all over the world fly Down Under to start their WHV adventure.
Obviously, Australia is a great country to visit, but its popularity with working holiday makers is also due to the Australian WHV being so easy to get. For the majority of nationalities, there are only 3 requirements you have to meet to submit a WHV application:
- Be 18-30 years old (up to 35 years old for some citizenships)
- Own a valid passport
- Have proof of funds of AU$5,000 (or the equivalent in another currency)
Most applications are processed in 7 days or less, so you don’t have to wait too long to make the move. Unlike the WHV in Canada, you are not subject to a random lottery to be allowed to apply, either.
Note: There are quotas and extra requirements for some nationalities applying to the WHV Subclass 462, but these are usually attainable, especially if you apply as soon as the season opens. Most nationalities qualify for Subclass 417, which is not subject to any quota.
2. An easy way to fund your travels
The concept of a WHV (travelling around a country and picking up work along the way to help fund the adventure) really comes to life in Australia! It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate; all working holiday makers in Australia will have the same chance of securing work in a variety of sectors.
The country is constantly looking for workers (both skilled and unskilled) in industries such as farming, catering, hospitality, tourism, nursing, etc. It’s reasonably easy to find a job, whether you want to work for a few weeks, months, or even for your whole 12-month visa. (Note that in Australia, you can’t work for the same employer for more than 6 months, unless you follow these legal exceptions).
Compared to other WHV countries, the wages in Australia are rather high. Working conditions are strictly regulated and designed to benefit workers, and access to employment is a priority for the country. All in all, you should be able to pick up work to fund your travels if you need to.
Another perk of the Australian WHV is that you don’t need to find a job before you leave. The best thing to do is wait until you land, tackle the required paperwork (which we cover in Your first steps in Australia with a Working Holiday Visa), and then start applying for jobs.
3. A perfect opportunity to learn the Aussie lingo (or practise your English)
If you’re a native English speaker, you can enjoy a change of scenery, fun adventures, and potentially rewarding work opportunities, without any language struggle. Get ready for the accent, though. It may take you a few weeks to master the local slang and unique way of abbreviating everything!
And if English is your second or third language, what better way to improve your skills than practising it every day? Australians are welcoming and friendly. They are used to foreigners and they make every effort to help and put you at ease.
4. A destination with year-round warm weather and sunshine
Spending 12 months in the sun sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But it’s true—Australia is so big that, if you time it right, you can move with the seasons and spend your whole year living in warm places. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen; you’re going to need it in Australia.
5. Diverse landscapes
Stunning beaches, wild islands, tropical rainforests, the Outback… Australia is a country with diverse landscapes. This destination, full of priceless natural treasures, is a backpacker’s dream.
During your WHV in Australia, you can watch the sunset over Uluru, swim in Lake Mckenzie on Fraser Island, fly over the “heart reef” on the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays, hike in the Blue Mountains, and much more.
Here’s a selection of our must-see spots.
6. Unique flora and fauna
Unique flora and fauna thrive in Australia. No, we’re not just talking about spiders and scorpions; the country is home to much more than the world’s deadliest creatures. You’ll be able to see kangaroos, koalas, quokkas, wombats, and so much more. It’s also a land of eucalyptus forests, sand dunes, deserts, mangroves, rainforests, etc. You will be amazed and surprised at what you can find Down Under!
7. A rich Aboriginal culture
Travelling is, above all, about learning more about the culture and origins of a territory and a people.
Some parts of history in Australia are still controversial and highly sensitive, especially for Aboriginal tribes, who suffered under colonization and still experience the impacts of the past.
Australia has been inhabited by indigenous people for over 50,000 years. British colonization started in 1788 and it meant violence, massacres, loss, and disease for the Aboriginal people. Their population declined dramatically. Today, many Aboriginals are fighting to preserve and share their culture and beliefs and heal from the colonial trauma.
A WHV in Australia can be a chance to discover this amazing culture, as well as to learn about their ancestral ways of being and knowing. Through dance, music, and painting, Aboriginal art shines, and it’s passed on to the most curious and fortunate among us.
To discover this culture, start at Uluru, a powerful sacred and spiritual site for the Aboriginal people. You can’t help but feel moved by the spirituality that emanates from this red earth.
8. The perfect place for backpacker culture
During your trip, you’re bound to cross paths with other working holiday makers, often while staying in hostels. Hostels are always lively and friendly places where backpackers get together to share their experiences and bond with other travellers from all over the world. The atmosphere is unique.
Meeting new people is an essential part of any trip. Locals and backpackers alike will help you create lasting memories on your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Strangers can leave a lasting impression—this is especially true in Australia, a country with a thriving backpacker culture.
9. A chance to try van life
Australia is designed for van life. In fact, many working holiday makers choose this destination for a unique nomadic experience.
It’s relatively easy to buy a vehicle, van, or converted 4×4, and road trip as you please for the perfect custom WHV adventure. You won’t be alone because this lifestyle is very much part of Australia’s culture. Many Australians are nomadic, experts in wilderness, or fans of luxury camping. There’s something for every taste and budget.
If you’re dreaming of van life, discovering new landscapes every day, driving without knowing where your end destination will be, the freedom of travel with no ties and no schedule… go for it! Australia is waiting for you.
10. A gateway to other destinations
A WHV in Australia allows you to discover other must-see destinations in Asia and the South Pacific for much less than if you were flying from Europe, Canada, or South America. Don’t forget that the Australia WHV is a convenient multi-entry visa—you can leave and return as many times as you like for the entire duration of your visa.
If you’re going to Australia on a WHV, you can also take side trips to relax on New Caledonia beaches, enjoy delicious Balinese dishes, learn Thai boxing, or discover the fabulous landscapes of New Zealand. This could be a great reward after weeks of tough farm work, for example!
11. It’s an escape far, far from (most) homes
Australia is far away from pretty much anywhere in the world (except New Zealand). It’s the land Down Under, after all. Although you’re likely in for a long flight to get there, it will be worth the trip, because it will be a true change of scenery and escape from reality. Let’s face it, you’re never going to fly all that way to spend a long weekend in Australia—you may as well stay for a year (or more)!
12. It could be for more than a year
Unlike most WHVs, which allow you to visit once and for 12 months only, Australia offers the unique chance to apply for a second and even a third WHV (as long as you meet the requirements). So, if you fall in love with the country, you can extend the adventure and enjoy up to 3 years Down Under. Pretty cool, right?
Why not try a WHV in Australia? It could be a life-changing experience!
0 comments
{{like.username}}
Loading...
Load more