Working in Australia

Australia, the “land down under”, the “sunburnt country” is an amazing place to visit. As home to one of the world’s oldest landscapes and oldest cultures, Australia is a place like no other. Australians are warm, welcoming and friendly. Taking some time to live and work in Australia will give you a true appreciation of this amazing place.

Australia is the largest island in the world and is also the smallest continent. From the tropical rainforests of north Queensland to the long white sandy beaches of Western Australia, there is great diversity and opportunity in this vast country. Whether your tastes lean towards a fast-pace cosmopolitan, urban lifestyle or a more laid-back, rural approach to life, you will find someplace in Australia to call home.

When you are in Australia as a working holidaymaker, it is important that you find a good balance between work that suits your skills and approach to life and holiday / travel time which enables you to experience all that Australia has to offer.

One approach is to base yourself in a larger city like Sydney or Melbourne and then use your time off to explore the surrounding country. An alternative approach is to focus on living and working in one place for 6 or 12 months and then taking a longer trip around the country.

One of the best ways to see Australia is on the open road with plenty of time on your side. The more time that you give yourself to explore Australia the more you will be amazed by what you find in each place you see.

The Australian economy is strong and there is plenty of work available for working holidaymakers. Australia beckons. Comes and experience her majesty.

Visa Summary

Visa: Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
Length of Stay: 12 months
Application Fee: $420.00 AUD online / $500.00 AUD paper application

Restrictions:

• You cannot have a dependent child accompanying you at any time during your stay
• You must have a passport from an eligible country
• You may work with an employer for up to six months
• You cannot apply for this visa if you hold another visa that has a “no further stay” condition
• You may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want during the 12-month period for which the visa is valid
• Time spent outside of Australia is not added to your visa (going somewhere for a month doesn’t mean you have an additional month when you return.

You can extend your visa for up to 12 additional months as long as your first visa does not have a “no further stay” condition attached to it.

Emergency

Emergency numbers:
Police, Fire, Ambulance          000

Embassies of Australia in…

Argentina
Australian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Villanueva 1400
Buenos Aires C1426BMJ
Ph +54 11 4779 3500
F +54 11 4779 3581
Web: www.argentina.embassy.gov.au

Australia
N/A

Austria
Australian Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Mattiellistrasse 2
1040 Vienna
Ph +43 1 506 740
F +43 1 504 1178
Web: www.austria.embassy.gov.au

Bangladesh
Australian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh
184 Gulshan Avenue
Gulshan
Dhaka
Ph +880 2 881 3101-5
F +880 2 881 1125
Web: www.bangladesh.embassy.gov.au

Belgium
Australian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
Guimardstraat 6-8
1040 Brussels
Ph +32 2 286 05 00
F +32 2 230 68 02
Web: www.belgiumembassy.gov.au

Brazil
Australian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil
SES Quadra 801
Conjunto K, Lote 7
Brasilia DF 70200-010
Ph +55 61 3226 3111
F +55 61 3226 1112
Web: www.brazil.embassy.gov.au

Canada
Australian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada
Suite 710, 50 O’Connor Street
Ottawa
Ontario K1P 6L2
Ph +1 613 236 0841
F +1 613 216 1321
Web: www.canada.embassy.gov.au

Chile
Australian Embassy in Santiago, Chile
Isidora Goyenechea 3621, El Golf
Las Condes
Torre B 13th floor
Santiago de Chile
Ph +56 2 2550 3500
F +56 2 2208 0328
Web: www.chile.embassy.gov.au

China
Australian Embassy in Beijing, China
21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
Sanlitun
Beijing 100600
Ph +86 10 5140 4111
F +86 10 5140 4204
Web: www.china.embassy.gov.au

Costa Rica
Australian Consulate in San Jose, Costa Rica
Centro Corporativo Plaza Roble
Edificio El Patio, 3rd Floor
Escazù, San José
Ph +506 2201 8700
F +506 2201 8707
Web: N/A

Cyprus, Republic of
Australian High Commission in Nicosia, Cyprus
Block A, Level 7, Alpha Business Centre
27 Pindarou Street
Nicosia 1060
Ph +357 22 753 001
F +357 22 766 486
Web: www.cyprus.embassy.gov.au

Czech Republic
Australian Consulate in Prague, the Czech Republic
6th Floor, Solitaire Building
Klimentska ul. 10
Prague 110 00 – 1
Ph +420 2 2172 9260
F +420 2 29657 8352
Web: www.austrade.gov.au/Local-Sites/Czech-Republic/

Denmark
Australian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
Dampfærgevej 26
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Ph +45 70 26 36 76
F +45 70 26 36 86
Web: www.denmark.embassy.gov.au

Estonia
Australian Consulate in Tallinn, Estonia
Marja 9
10617 Tallinn
Ph +372 650 9308
F +372 650 9344
Web: www.sweden.embassy.gov.au/

Finland
Australian Consulate in Helsinki, Finland
Museokatu 25 B
00100 Helsinki
Ph + 358 10 420 4492
F +358 40 520 0424
Web: www.sweden.embassy.gov.au

France
Australian Embassy in Paris, France
4 Rue Jean Rey
Paris 75724 Cedex 15
Ph +33 1 4059 3300
F +33 1 4059 3315
Web: www.france.embassy.gov.au

Germany
Australian Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Wallstrasse 76-79
10179 Berlin
Ph +49 30 88 008 80
F +49 30 880 088 210
Web: www.germany.embassy.gov.au

Greece
Australian Embassy in Athens, Greece
Coin Avenue Kifisias et Avenue Alexandras
Ambelokipi, 6ème étage – Bâtiment Thon
PO BOX 14070
Ambelokipi 115 10
115 23 Athens
Ph +30 210 870 40 00
F +30 210 870 41 11
Web: www.greece.embassy.gov.au

India
Australian High Commission in New Delhi, India
Australian Compound
No. 1/50 G Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
PO Box 5210
New Delhi 110-021
Ph +91 11 4139 9900
F +91 11 2687 2228
Web: www.india.embassy.gov.au

Indonesia
Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16
Jakarta Selatan 12940
Ph +62 21 2550 5555
F +62 21 522 7107
Web: www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au

Ireland
Australian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland
Seventh Floor, Fitzwilton House
Wilton Terrace
Dublin 2
Ph +353 1 664 5300
F +353 1 678 5185
Web: www.ireland.embassy.gov.au

Italy
Australian Embassy in Rome, Italy
Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 Rome
Ph +39 06 852 721
F +39 06 852 723 00
Web: www.italy.embassy.gov.au

Japan
Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan
2-1-14 Mita
Minato-Ku
Tokyo 108-8361
Ph +81 3 5232 4111
F +81 3 5232 4149
Web: www.australia.or.jp

Latvia
Australian Consulate in Riga, Latvia
c/o Airtour
7 Vilandes
Riga 1010
Ph +371 67 320 509
F +371 67 320 516
Web: N/A

Malaysia
Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
6, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Ph +60 3 2146 5555
F +60 3 2141 5773
Web: www.malaysia.highcommission.gov.au

Malta
Australian High Commission in Valletta, Malta
Ta’ Xbiex Terrace
Ta’ Xbiex XBX 1034
Ph +356 21 338 201
F +356 21 344 059
Web: www.malta.embassy.gov.au

Mexico
Australian Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico
Ruben Dario 55
Col. Polanco
Mexico City 11580
Ph +52 55 1101 2200
F +52 55 1101 2201
Web: www.mexico.embassy.gov.au

New Zealand
Australian High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand
72-76 Hobson Street
Thorndon
P.O. Box 4036
Wellington
Ph +64 4 473 6411
F +64 4 498 7103
Web: www.newzealand.embassy.gov.au

Norway
Australian Consulate in Oslo, Norway
Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA
Strandveien 20
P.O. Box 33
1324 Lysaker
Ph +47 6758 4848
F +47 6758 4380
Web: N/A

Poland
Australian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland
ul. Nowogrodzka 11, 3rd floor
00-513 Warszawa
Ph +48 22 521 34 44
F +48 22 627 35 00
Web: www.poland.embassy.gov.au

Singapore
Australian High Commission in Singapore, Singapore
25 Napier Road
Singapore 258507
PO Box 470, Tanglin
Singapore 912416
Ph +65 6836 4100
F +65 6737 5481
Web: www.singapore.embassy.gov.au

Slovakia
N/A

Slovenia
Australian Consulate in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Železna cesta 14
1000 Ljubljana
Ph +386 1 234 8675
F +386 1 234 8676
Web: N/A

South Korea
Australian Embassy in Seoul, Korea (Republic)
19th Floor, Kyobo Building
1 Jongro-1-Ga, Jongro-Gu
Seoul 110-605
Ph +82 2 2003 0100
F +82 2 2003 0196
Web: www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au

Spain
Australian Embassy in Madrid, Spain
Paseo de la Castellana 259D, planta 24
28046 Madrid
Ph +34 91 353 66 00
F +34 91 353 66 92
Web: www.spain.embassy.gov.au

Sweden
Australian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden
Klarabergsviadukten 63, 8th floor
P.O. Box 824
101 36 Stockholm
Ph +46 8 613 29 00
F +46 8 613 29 82
Web: www.swedenembassy.gov.au

Switzerland
Australian Consulate General in Geneva, Switzerland
Chemin des Fins 2
Case Postale 102
1211 Geneva 19
Ph +41 22 799 9100
F +41 22 799 9178
Web: www.australia.ch

Taiwan
Australian Representative Office in Taipei, Taiwan
The President International Tower
27th-28th Floors #9-11
Song Gao Road
Taipei 11073
Ph +886 2 8725 4100
F +886 2 8789 9599
Web: www.australia.org.tw

Thailand
Australian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand
37 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120
Ph +66 2 344 6300
F +66 2 344 6593
Web: www.thailand.embassy.gov.au

The Netherlands
Australian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands
Carnegielaan 4
2517 KH ‘S-Gravenhage
Ph +31 70 310 8200
F +31 70 310 8250
Web: www.netherlands.embassy.gov.au

Turkey
Australian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey
Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No: 88, 7th floor
Gaziosmanpasa 06700
PK 32
Cankaya 06552
Ankara
Ph +90 312 459 9500
F +90 312 446 4827
Web: www.turkey.embassy.gov.au

United Kingdom
Australian High Commission in London, the United Kingdom
Australia House
The Strand
London WC2B 4LA
Ph +44 20 7379 4334
F +44 20 7240 5333
Web: www.uk.embassy.gov.au

United States
Australian Embassy in Washington, the United States
1601 Massachusetts Ave N.W.
Washington
D.C. 20036-2273
Ph +1 202 797 3000
F +1 202 797 3331
Web: www.usa.embassy.gov.au

Uruguay
Australian Consulate in Montevideo, Uruguay
Cerro Largo 1000
Montevideo
Ph +598 2 901 0743
F +598 901 0743
Web: N/A

Tax System

If you are taking up work in Australia on a Working Holiday visa, your earnings will be taxed and you will need an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). You can apply for a TFN online or over the phone. You can also apply for a TFN at any Australian Taxation Office – located in most capital cities.

When you have commenced work with an employer, you will need to complete an employment declaration form. This form will assist your employer in determining how much tax should be deducted from your pay.

When completing your employment declaration, you will be asked to indicate whether you are a resident or non-resident for tax purposes. While there is no hard and fast rule for how to answer this question, in essence, you will be a non-resident for tax purposes if your trip is primarily about having holiday with a bit of work mixed in. If the primary purpose of your journey is to work and live in Australia then you are probably going to be considered a resident for tax purposes.

Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
If you are planning to be in Australia for 12 months or longer and will be working for most of that time, then you are likely a resident for tax purposes. The tax rate for that residents pay is lower than the rate for non-residents.

Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
You will need to complete a formal document called an ”employment declaration” each time you start work with a new employer.

As a rule of thumb, your wages will be taxed as follows:

The first $18,200 of income is tax free **
$18, 201 – $37,000 $0.19 for every $1 over $18,200
$37,001 – $80,000 $3,572 plus $0.325 for every $1 over $37,000
$80,001 – $180,000 $17,547 plus $0.37 for every $1 over $80,000
** Note that tax rates may change post 2014 and that non-residents for tax purposes may not be eligible for the tax-free threshold meaning that all income is taxed.

If you earn more than $450 AUD in a given month, then your employer must contribute at least 9% of your earnings into a superannuation (retirement) fund on your behalf. You will be able to elect which fund the contributions are paid into and you can normally claim any monies in your fund when you permanently depart Australia.

For more information about the Australian tax system you can refer to www.ato.gov.au.

Bank Account

It will make sense for you to establish a bank account with a local bank once you have arrived in Australia. This is not a requirement (although this could vary depending on your country of origin) but it will likely make it much easier for your employers to pay your wages and will save you paying overseas bank charges. In fact, if you are planning to be in Australia for more than 3 months, setting up a local account is the best way to go.

Getting an account is reasonably straightforward and in some cases, Australian banks will let you open an account online – before you’ve even arrived in Australia.

Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
According to the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/to-do-first/open-bank-account.htm), you’ll only need your passport as identification if you open an account within six weeks of arriving.

Local banks include: Commonwealth Bank (Australia and New Zealand), ANZ Bank (Australia and New Zealand), National Australia Bank, Westpac Bank, Bendigo Bank and Bank of Queensland. There are also a number of additional smaller local banks and credit unions.

Employment

The Australian job market is among the healthiest in the world. Over the course of the GFC, the Australian economy hardly skipped a beat and unemployment has held steadily below 6% – well beneath what many other parts of the world are experiencing.

There are some signs of the economy slowing down but there is still an abundance of job opportunities right around the country – especially in industries that have seen employees drawn away by the attractions of the resource-based opportunities.

There will be plenty of opportunities in the service industries and if you are willing to live outside of the metropolitan areas then you are even more likely to pick up work.

Some resources for finding jobs in Australia include:

www.jobsearch.gov.au
www.seek.com.au
www.careerone.com.au
www.jobs.com.au

Sometimes, using a recruitment agency or job network can also be fruitful particularly if you are coming with a specific set of skills and previous experience. Some agencies to try are:

www.hays.com.au
www.ranstad.com.au
www.adecco.com.au
www.manpower.com.au

Communication

There are plenty of options to choose from if you want to have mobile phone service while you are in Australia. Service providers include:

Telstra – www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/
Vodaphone – www.vodafone.com.au
Optus – www.optus.com.au
Virgin Mobile – www.virginmobile.com.au

Many tourists and travellers will bring their own handsets from home and simply purchase a prepaid SIM card that can be used in their existing phone. This is one of the most economical approaches to staying in contact locally.
Alternatively, you can also sign up for a plan with one of the local providers. In Australia, phone rental is normally part of the plan and an affordable way to pick up the latest handset.

Workingholidaymaker.com TIP!
In Australia, most mobile phone contracts are for two years and are not advisable if you intend to stay in Australia for 12 months or less.

Internet access can also be easily arranged in Australia. As with many places, you can still find Internet cafes and other public Internet facilities. You will also find that a number of cafes and restaurants now provide free wifi access to their patrons.

If you are living and working in Australia for an extended period of time you can also easily establish an account via a local Internet Service Provider.

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