Tag: overseas

“Don’t worry about the world ending today, it’s already tomorrow in Australia.”

Charles M. Schulz

This time last year, I was ringing in the New Year at the Sydney Opera House, watching the night sky over Circular Quay fill up with Fireworks being shot up from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding area.

As I stared up at the sky, I felt a voice within me say, “it’s time” and I finally gave myself permission to follow my dream of living in Australia for a year, which I have since dubbed my “Radical Sabbatical.”

Many people have been messaging me and asking about how they would go about preparing for a Working Holiday in Australia, so I’ve put together all of the things I could think of to help you prepare.

First and foremost:

1. Be certain. Packing up your life and moving to the other side of the world is not for the faint of heart. I have family here and it still took me five years of contemplating the big decision and to be emotionally, mentally and financially ready to come here.
   
2. Get your finances in check. If you have debt in Canada like a car or a massive credit card bill – you won’t be doing yourself any favours by moving to the other side of the world while your debt accumulates. Pay it off, then come over – I did and it was the best decision!

Once you are ready, you need to follow these steps:

1. Apply for your Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417) by following this link:
   
   • You must be within 18 – 35 years old and cannot bring children or come here if you have had a visa rejected in the past.
   • You must pay $485 AUD just to lodge your request.
   • With this visa, you can stay in Australia for 12 Months.
   • Do short-term work in Australia to help pay for your holiday.
   • Study for up to 4 months.
   • Travel to and from Australia as many times are you want.
   • Do 3 months of specified work to become eligible for a second Working Holiday visa.
   • Bring $5,000 AUD (Department of Home Affairs can bar you from entering the country if you do not have proof of funds) upon arrival in Australia.
2. Once your visa is granted, make sure you get a Tax File Number (TFN) by following this link:
   
   • Your tax file number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the tax and super systems.
   • Your TFN is an important part of your tax and super records as well as your identity, so keep it secure.
   • Your TFN is yours for life. You keep the same TFN even if you change your name, change jobs, move interstate or go overseas.
   • You don’t have to have a TFN, but without one you pay more tax. You also won’t be able to apply for government benefits, lodge your tax return electronically or get an Australian business number (ABN).
3. You need to attain a Unique Student Identifier by following this link. This will allow you to attend nationally recognized training courses which will allow you to work in:
   
   • Hospitality/Tourism (serving/bar tending/hotel/casino work), you must have a valid Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) in the state in which you reside in.
   • Trade/Construction (general labour, carpentry, electrical, plumbing etc.) requires you to have a valid White Card.
   • Children/Youth (child care centres, youth homes, recreation work) requires you to have a valid Blue Card.
4. Superannuation (or ‘super’) – you are encouraged to get a Super Account from a designated holder so all of your funds will go into a central place vs. an employer nominated provider. I use Vision Super which is very user friendly, just follow this link:
   
   • Superannuation is a form of saving for retirement in Australia.
   • When you visit and work in Australia, your employer may be required to make super contributions to a super fund on your behalf.
   • When you leave Australia, you may be eligible to claim that super back as a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP). There are requirements you will need to meet to claim your DASP.
   • Your DASP is taxed before you receive it. The DASP tax rate is different for working holiday makers (WHM). If you hold (or held) a 417 (Working Holiday) or 462 (Work and Holiday) visa you are classified as a WHM.
   • To go directly to the Australian Taxation Office page for Temporary Residents and Super, follow this link
5. Choosing a Bank
   
   • If you do not bank with them currently, HSBC has an International Account which you can research by following this link. Opening an account prior to coming will save you a lot of grief:
     
     • If you are moving abroad you can open your new chequing account before you leave so it’s set up when you arrive. Please allow up to 30 days to process your application. You must meet all HSBC qualifying criteria and document submission requirements.
     • Open an account in 37 different countries including U.S.A., China, U.K., and Hong Kong. Subject to qualifications, status and local country laws and regulations.
     • They’ll review your international needs to ensure your banking needs are met.
     • By transferring your HSBC credit history, it’s even easier to continue your banking relationship with us. Subject to qualifications, status and local country laws and regulations.
     • Due to local country laws and regulations, it can take 30 days to process your application. Their Global International Banking Centre team will keep you regularly updated on the progress of your application through telephone and email. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Case Manager during Canadian Business Hours.
       
   • The best bank to open up an account with while on a Working Holiday is with National Australia Bank (NAB) Classic Banking account, which you can look into by following this link:
     
     • Once you get your TFN, you can open up your bank account.
     • You will need a home address prior to opening up your bank account.
     • There are $0.00 Account Fees.
     • There are $0.00 Overdrawn Fees.
     • There are $0.00 Withdrawal Fees at over 7,000 ATM’s nationwide.
6. Choosing a Phone Carrier – Australia has some pretty great phone plans with generous data packages; don’t forget to unlock your phone prior to arriving!
   
   • When you clear customs, there are several places where you can get a phone plan. This is my go to:
     • Telstra Pre-Paid Max offers the following, click the link to compare:
       • Cost: $300.
       • Expiry: 365 Days from purchase.
       • Data: 150g.
       • Access to Telstra Air (similar to Shaw Open) which gives you FREE WiFi in several eligible spots.

Now that the logistics are out of the way, consider the following:

1. Understand the best time to go:
   
   • The Australian Financial Year is July to June whereas Canada’s is January – December. I recommend coming here in June so you can take the month to settle in before you go about finding work and deciding what you want to do.
   • Another reason why June is the best time to go is because the climate is more moderate. You are encouraged to do your specified work (farming, fruit picking, labour) which is a total of 88 Work Days in a rural area of Australia between July – October while the weather is bearable to work in.
2. Decide where you want to settle:
   
   • Australia is vast, there are many places people with a Working Holiday will settle.
   • Sydney, New South Wales is of course the most popular City to live in, but it is also one of the most expensive. Here are some great cities to start in other than Sydney:
     • Melbourne, Victoria
     • Gold Coast, Queensland
     • Brisbane, Queensland
     • Cairns, Queensland
     • Perth, West Australia
   • Look up where you want to live:
     • Hostels
     • Shared accommodation
3. Finding Work – if you aren’t picky, it shouldn’t be difficult to find work! One way to do it is to just walk up to different cafe/restaurants with your CV on hand. In hospitality jobs, one thing to be aware of is they may ask you to have a “Trial Shift” which is two hours of unpaid work in which they assess your skill-set and fit for the job.
   
   You can use the following links below to look at some of the most common job boards:
   
   • Seek
   • Indeed
   • Jora
4. Culture Shockers:
   
   • Avoid cash in hand jobs – you will want pay slips as they are required by law; if you are caught breaking tax laws, you can be denied any future entry.
   • Some employers pay weekly and others pay monthly – if you have never been a “budgeter”, start learning.
   • Rent is often due weekly – depending on how you are paid, you will need to make sure you can afford your accommodations.
   • While taxes are included in many prices, things are expensive here! In fact, Australia has one of the highest costs of living in the world; while the average wages are higher to accommodate the cost of living, be mindful of how quickly money can go (and how much is taxed on it).
   • It isn’t always hot in Australia – yes, while the climate can be warmer, it can also be quite chilly; especially at night. Pack for all temperatures.
   • You need to claim the money that you earn in Australia with the CRA prior to you filing your taxes in Canada (yup, that’s right – not a lot of people know this one).

Well that’s what I can think of, I hope it can serve you!

Happy Planning and listen to the song below as you do it – it’s so perfect!

Onwards,
-Zaighum