Work in Australia or New Zealand for a year

As Americans, we tend to think that we don’t have the same work abroad opportunities that Europeans, Australians, and Canadians do. But did you know that you can work in Australia or New Zealand if you’re under 31 years old?

In Australia, the “Work and Holiday” visa (subclass 462) came into effect back in 2007, and opened up the opportunity to work there for a year if you’re between 18-30 years old. I know personally—in 2003, I worked in Australia under the visa that limited work to only four months (Youth from the U.S. Programme, visa subclass 416).

Consider going! For me, the chance to spend time abroad in one place and get a feel for it through different seasons and interactions made it one of the best experiences of my life. As for work, I started looking for it once I got to Sydney. Rather than going the bartending/waitressing/telemarketing route, I wanted to work in office jobs. Granted, work was a bit difficult to find, considering Sydney was already teeming with other backpackers by the time I got there that January, but I pieced together several jobs through temp agencies and through a lead at a non-profit where I volunteered. After four months, I changed to a tourist visa and traveled up the east coast for another two months.

The “Work and Holiday” visa allows you to stay for up to one year, come and go as many times as you want within that time, study up to four months, and work in any type of casual/temporary job as much as six months for any one employer.

With this visa, you have the flexibility to work in one place for the duration, just travel if that’s what suits you better, or mix the two. I know that some backpackers there soon considered the somewhat low pay a poor alternative to just being out there traveling on-the-cheap. But that’s the beauty of short-term jobs and a visa like this—you have the choice to pick and choose as you go along.

Check out the terms posted online about eligibility. You must be under 31, be a college student or graduate, apply from outside Australia, have a return ticket (or enough money to buy one), and meet health requirements.

You can either apply online for your Australian or New Zealand visa, or complete an application and submit it at your nearest Australian or New Zealand Embassy or Consulate.

Posted by | Comments (9)  | July 15, 2009
Category: General, Notes from the collective travel mind


9 Responses to “Work in Australia or New Zealand for a year”

  1. Paul Says:

    Hey Alexandra ! Thanks for mentioning the age limit.
    Still have 3 more years to go !
    If banana-picking is what it takes to visit Australia, I am in ! That’s how I ended up in US 10 years ago.

  2. susan rocks Says:

    Hi, that was a good read…some other stuff is pretty confusing. Couple of questions if you don’t mind… does it cover both Oz and NZ? Can you only get it once before turning 31?
    Thanks
    Suz

  3. Jignesh patel Says:

    Dear Sir
    I have experience for forklift driver & need job in Australia Melbourne So Show me the path to come Australia For work I have no job letter & and I can’t get myself because i am rich so please help me to reach in Australia.

  4. Job In Australia Melbourne | Australia Information Says:

    […] Rather than going the bartending/waitressing/telemarketing route, I wanted to work in office jobs. Granted, work was a bit difficult to find, considering Sydney was already teeming with other backpackers by the time I got there that January, but I pieced together several jobs through temp agencies and through a lead at a non-profit where I volunteered. After four months, I changed to a tourist visa and traveled up the east coast for another two months. Read more on Job In Australia Melbourne […]