Australia is one of the favorite destinations for an unforgettable year-long experience: amazing beaches, surf, wild nature, temporary work and a relaxed lifestyle. If you are thinking about doing it, here is a practical guide with the key steps to organize everything.
1. Choose the right type of visa.
Most people opt for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 or 462), which allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months, work legally and travel freely around the country.
- Basic requirements:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old (35 in some countries such as Canada, France or Spain).
- Valid passport.
- Proof of sufficient funds (about 5,000 AUD + departure ticket).
- Do not travel with dependent children.
- Meet certain health and background requirements.
🔹 Alternatives if you do not meet the requirements:
- Student visa (allows you to study and work part-time).
- Tourist visa (for non-working stays, maximum 3 months).
- Sponsorship (company-sponsored work visa, more complex).
2. Apply for the visa online.
Once you have chosen your visa, apply for it through the official Australian Government website:
👉 https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
- You will need to scan documents such as your passport, proof of funds, photo, and in some cases, X-rays or medical certificates.
- Pay the fee (Working Holiday: approx. 635 AUD in 2025).
⏱️ The visa can take from a few days to several weeks, do not leave it to the last minute!
3. Buy your flight in advance.
Once the visa is approved, look for flights at a good price. Recommendations:
- Use comparators such as Skyscanner, Kayak or Google Flights.
- Fly to cheaper cities such as Melbourne, Sydney or Perth.
- Consider making long stopovers to save money.
🧳 Tip: buy a flexible or one-way ticket if you are not sure when you will be back.
4. Take out compulsory health insurance.
Australia requires international medical insurance with full coverage.
- Make sure it covers hospitalization, repatriation and activities such as surfing.
- Options: HeyMondo, IATI, Chapka, World Nomads.
📌 Do not contract the visa without reading the exact insurance requirements.
5. Organize your finances.
- Open an Australian bank account (you can do it online from your country): Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac or NAB.
- Apply for an international card without fees: Revolut, Wise, N26….
- Bring some cash (AUD) upon arrival.
💸 Make sure you have at least 5,000 AUD to prove funds (you may be asked for it at the airport).
6. Prepare your résumé in English (summary)
If you are going to work, adapt your CV to the Australian format:
- Clear, direct, without photo or age.
- Focus on practical skills.
- Use search engines such as Seek, Gumtree, BackpackerJobBoard or Indeed.
🧼 The most common jobs for WHV: hospitality, cleaning, construction, farms, tourism, delivery or events.
7. Reserve temporary housing upon arrival.
- You can start with hostels like YHA, Airbnb, Couchsurfing or use platforms like Booking.
- Some travelers prefer to stay for a few days and then look for a shared apartment.
- Use websites such as: Flatmates.com.au, Domain.com.au, realestate.com.au
- Check areas with fewer insects: more urban neighborhoods, without dense vegetation or near rivers.
📍 In cities like Gold Coast, Byron Bay or Perth it is easy to find places near the beach and with less bugs than in rural areas.
8. Get your TFN and local SIM.
- Tax File Number (TFN): Necessary to work legally. Apply online upon arrival.
- Australian SIM: Telstra, Optus or Vodafone are the most common. You can get them at the airport or supermarkets.
9. Plan your trip around the country.
Australia is huge and has everything:
- Surfing beaches (Byron Bay, Noosa, Margaret River).
- Vibrant cities (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney).
- Wild nature (Uluru, Great Ocean Road, Tasmania).
- Rural areas for temporary jobs.
🚌 You can travel by campervan, Greyhound buses or low cost flights.
10. Enjoy the experience and expand your network.
- Use apps like Meetup to meet people.
- Look for local events, markets and festivals.
- Consider volunteering with Workaway or WWOOF to learn more about the culture.
Useful apps for everyday use:
- Gumtree (buying/selling)
- Airtasker (odd jobs)
- Surfline (sea conditions)
- Seek / Indeed (job search)
- BOM Weather
🏁 Conclusion.
Going to Australia for a year is a transformative experience, both personally and professionally. It requires some preparation, but once you get there, you will have the opportunity to live in an amazing environment, earn money, learn English and make friends from all over the world.
✨ With organization and an open attitude, your year in Australia can be the best of your life.
