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Once you have your Working Holiday Visa (WHV) in hand, you now have 12 months to land in Australia. It’s time to decide when you’re going to fly Down Under and start your adventure. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key factors to consider when making your final decision.
When should you start your Australian WHV adventure?
As with deciding where to start your WHV, many working holiday makers also need to think about when to arrive in Australia.
For some of you, it’s easy to figure out when you want to go; your job, studies, or lease in your home country may be coming to an end, for example. For others, especially those who have a permanent job, picking a set date (or at least a month) may be trickier.
Here are some criteria to consider when making your decision:
The seasons
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, keep in mind that the Southern Hemisphere’s seasons are opposite. Looking forward to sunny Oz? You’ll want to plan your arrival according to the regional climate and season.
Depending on your arrival month, here are the weather conditions in Australia:
June/July/August: Winter
Even in Australia, winters can be harsh. In the southern part of the country, temperatures are relatively low and snow is not uncommon. But Australia is a huge country. When winter starts in the south of Australia, the rainy season ends in the north so the weather turns dry and the climate becomes mild—perfect to avoid buying a winter jacket!
In Sydney and Melbourne, for example, temperatures are generally cold at this time of year. In Darwin, Cairns and Brisbane, on the other hand, the weather is nice. If you’re planning to arrive in Australia in June, July or August, it’s probably best to aim for the north of the country.
September/October/November: Spring
The weather is slowly getting better in the south of the country, however, in the north of Australia, the rainy season is fast approaching. At this time of year, temperatures are fairly mild everywhere. In fact, it’s a very popular travel season for backpackers, and it’s easy to see why: it seems to be the ideal season for nice weather.
December/January/February: Summer
How about spending the Christmas holidays in a swimsuit on the beach or sipping a cocktail by the pool? If that sounds tempting, you’ll love Australian summer!
Note that in the north, rainfall can be heavy. So, if you want to avoid torrential downpours, you’ll have to give Darwin and Cairns a miss at this time of year. Or, you might consider going there despite the possible rain, as there will be less competition for jobs while many working holiday makers spend the summer in the southern part of Australia!
March/April/May: Autumn
The sun is still shining, but winter is on its way. This is still a very pleasant time of year weather-wise, so you can plan to arrive just about anywhere in the country.
In the end, whatever month you arrive in, you’ll be able to find a place to meet your expectations. If you like, you can even follow the sun all year round, moving from one state to another as the weather changes. Australia is THE destination for nomadic working holiday makers looking for warm weather and sunshine.
Airfare prices
If you’re flexible about your arrival date, the best thing to do is to plan ahead and compare airfares. You’ll find your departure date may be a no-brainer if a certain time of year is particularly cheap. Generally speaking, airfares are higher at the beginning of summer in Australia (i.e. December and January). Arrive before the festive season to experience Christmas and New Year’s Day in Australia, or fly afterwards to save some money and enjoy your last Christmas with your loved ones before your big adventure.
Must-do seasonal tourist activities
If you’re coming to Australia to travel (and you’re right to do so!), some activities that might be on your bucket list are seasonal. Factor these into your travel plans so that you don’t miss out! Here are some examples of must-do seasonal activities:
- Whale watching: May to November
- Swimming with whale sharks: May to October (mainly in Western Australia)
- See the Sydney fireworks: December 31
- Baby quokka season on Rottnest Island: August to September
- Hiking in Kings Canyon and Uluru: April to October (certain hikes close due to high temperatures outside of these months)
- Canberra Balloon Spectacular: March
Learn more about the best places to visit in each state and when.
Job market competition
September is a popular time for backpackers to arrive and look for work, but don’t panic, there’s work for everyone in Australia! We cover the job market in Australia in more detail in Working in Australia — Opportunities, tips for backpackers and job search advice.
If you arrive before the summer season, you’ll have a better chance of finding a job in Australia’s major cities (especially Sydney) in the hospitality and tourism sectors. But beware—while there are plenty of vacancies, there are also plenty of applicants. Between backpackers and Australian students on their summer vacation at this time of year, competition will be fierce!
Periods when the cost of living is high
You may want to try and avoid arriving at certain times of year that will stretch your budget. The summer holidays (December to January), especially in big cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth, will be extra expensive in terms of accommodation.
If you want to travel at Christmas, consider instead a smaller arrival city like Cairns, Adelaide or Darwin. To avoid excessive expenses, book your accommodation well in advance of your arrival.
Learn more about planning a budget and booking accommodation in Departure preparation for your working holiday (the full guide).
Whatever date you pick will be the right one
Don’t waste too much time wondering when the best time to go will be. Most people stay for a minimum of 12 months on their WHV, so you will live through every season anyway. Your Australian adventure is waiting for you—just buy your plane ticket and commit to going Down Under!
When are you leaving for Australia? Tell us in the comments!
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