Departure preparation for your working holiday (the full guide)

Prescriptions and contraception

If you take medication for an ongoing health condition, go see your doctor to find out the generic and trade names of your medicine abroad or to get a prescription covering the entire period of your stay. Don’t forget to check the expiry date when you collect your supply from the pharmacy!

Check the rules for importing prescription medicines to your destination.

If you’re wearing contact lenses, note that you may need a prescription to buy new pairs. You will have to pay to see an optometrist for a prescription abroad, insurance companies don’t cover contact lens renewal.

If you take the pill, you may be able to get a prescription for one year. Read this article about contraceptions for more info.

Checkup

Before you leave, make sure to get a complete check-up—and don’t forget to go see your dentist because travel insurance isn’t very generous for dental treatment. Take care of this small cavity now while you’re (hopefully) covered by your national healthcare system to avoid a bigger problem and bill later on during your trip.

Vaccines

Regardless of your destination, it’s important to leave home up to date with the routine immunization schedule, e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Check with your GP.

You can go to a travel vaccination centre to find out about any additional vaccinations you may need for your WHV destination. Don’t forget to consider countries you may explore on side trips during your year abroad.