Going to Australia with a WHV(Working Holiday Visa), it's getting ready. Between the excitement of leaving and the challenge it represents, you don't know where to start. And you know what ? This is completely normal. Know that it is essential to organize your departure as little as possible. Everyone is different and there is no one right way to prepare for it. However, based on our own experience and feedback from travelers, we have created this step-by-step guide to going to Australia. This guide has been made for a comfortable situation where the first preparations are made 6 months before departure. But be aware that it is obviously possible to do all these steps in less time. Some prepare everything in just 2 months. On the other hand, you may have a little more stress and benefit from lower prices for your plane tickets, for example.
To help you even better, we have also produced an infographic that summarizes the steps mentioned in this article. It can be found at the end of the article.
First steps (-6 months)
Budget evaluation
Let's talk little talk well. The angry subject! With what minimum budget should I go to take advantage of a one-year WHV in Australia? The Australian government requires a minimum budget of $ 5,000 per person (or approximately 3,090 euros) to be able to live in the territory. And we strongly advise you to have this budget, or even more!
Admittedly, Australia is a country which pays relatively well but do not forget that it is also expensive to live there . Everything has a cost! And you will have a harder time asking your loved ones to help you financially. After that, it all depends on how you travel and how you start your adventure.
If you arrive, do directly from Helpx and find a job afterwards, $ 5,000 will be more than enough. If, on the contrary, you book a room in a backpack, Airbnb or other, eat out and buy a car, you might as well say that you will not even last a month and that you will urgently have to find a job. Stay lucid and realize the value of things. A 4 × 4 can be worth $ 3000 as more and generally a van is not below $ 5000. Also remember that it is not enough to buy the vehicle, it must be maintained. So be sure to keep a margin in your accounts .
Passport application
That's it, your decision is made, you go! The very first step in preparing for your adventure is to request your passport if you do not have one yet. You will need it on the one hand to enter Australian territory , but also to carry out certain procedures such as the purchase of your plane tickets and your visa application. If you already have one, make sure it is valid for at least as long as the length of your stay. We recommend a validity of at least four months after the end of your visa, in case you wish to travel a little before your return to France.
You can get your passport from your administration within a few weeks to a few months . This is the reason why we recommend that you start there. Allow 86 € to obtain your passport.
Application for an international permit
To drive or rent a vehicle in Australia, you must have an international driving license in addition to your French license. So be sure to leave with these two documents. If you go without an international license, don't panic. You can still have your French license translated by agents approved by the Australian authorities, but the procedure will be more expensive.
Airline ticket research
The distance between France and Australia is substantial and you will have several route options. Count at the shortest 20 hours of flight with a stopover . And who says long flight, says expensive flight. However, the price of your plane ticket will depend on the period and city in which you choose to arrive, as well as when you make your reservation.
So take your information in advance to choose the flight that suits you best and buy your plane ticket at the best price .
Visa and info about Australia (-5 months)
Obtaining the visa
Applying for a WHV (WHV) is very easy and is done online through the official Australian government website.
Choice of arrival city
Considering the size of the country, you may be spoiled for choice for your destination city: Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin or Cairns. Here are some questions to ask yourself before making that decision:
- what is my arrival date?
- will I buy a vehicle?
- do I want to work quickly?
- do I plan to tour Australia?
- what lifestyle do I want?
Seasonal research in Australia
If you thought it is always hot and dry in Australia, think again: the country's climate varies with the seasons and regions. The country is huge (more than 14 times the size of France) and each region is very different in terms of climate. It is therefore important to focus on precisely the areas of the country you want to visit.
The country is cut in two by the Tropic of Capricorn. Whatever the period, the climate is warmer in the north of the country and more temperate in the south . To visit the northern half, we recommend the months of March to August. To visit the southern half, it's the other way around. And if you want to travel around Australia for a year, aim to be at the northern tip in the dead of winter, and the southern tip in the middle of summer.
Then, since Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe. When it's summer in France, it's winter in Australia and vice versa. A detail not to be overlooked!
Plane ticket and itinerary (-4 months)
Purchase of the plane ticket
Buy your one- way ticket only ! A lot can happen in a year and your desires in a year will certainly not be the same as they are today. It is important to know that Australia is located not far from very beautiful continents. Something to take into consideration, because as long as you are located a few hours from New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Bali, New Caledonia, etc ... why not stop there?
We therefore advise you to book only the one-way ticket, on the dates that suit you. These dates will depend on your plans and will allow you to determine the best arrival city for you. Several things must be taken into account in order to choose your city of arrival:
Case n ° 1 : Are you traveling in search of warmth and good weather? In that case, take a look at this article dedicated to the seasons and climate in Australia .
Case n ° 2 : Are you traveling with a view to quickly starting your farms? In this case, follow the seasons calendar available here .
Case n ° 3 : Are you traveling according to the best price? Use a flight comparator. Sydney is often the city with the most attractive prices.
To find your tickets, you therefore have the opportunity to use a large number of flight comparators such as Skyscanner . These will allow you to get the best price. If you are looking for security and want the best possible experience, go through a travel agency that will concoct tailor-made tickets for you. Some of them are 100% active online . These will ensure you the best airlines and the best stopovers.
Finally, if you have the budget and the possibility, we strongly advise you to make a stopover of several days. What could be better than to treat yourself to two trips in one ?
Preparation of a list of must-sees in Australia
You are about to visit an immense country rich in exceptional places . You will therefore have to make choices since you will not be able to do and see everything in a limited time. To get the most out of your experience, make a prioritized list. National parks, beaches, cities and many iconic places await you, but which ones?
Insurance and administration (-3 months)
Travel insurance research
When you leave France within the framework of a PVT / WHV, you will be considered expatriate. You will therefore no longer be covered by social security . As a result, all costs related to an accident or medical treatment will be at your expense. This is why it is highly recommended to take out health insurance for your WHV. This is also part of the conditions of the immigration office to travel to Australia.
Medical costs in Australia are expensive, higher than in France . Whether it is for an appointment with the general practitioner, for a consultation with a specialist or even hospitalization, you will quickly realize that it can be very expensive.
So do some research to find the insurance that's right for you. For more information on travel insurance, see our dedicated article: Insurance PVT / WHV Australia
Administrative procedures
Once the visa and tickets are in your pocket, it's time to get down to business: the administrative procedures! Submit your resignation request or your sabbatical request to your employer . The more you notify in advance, the more chance you will have that your request will be accepted as soon as possible and under the conditions.
In the same vein, if you stay in a house via a rental contract , you traditionally have a notice of 1 to 2 months to respect.
Regarding your different subscriptions (internet, TV, insurance, mutual) check the conditions of the contract and the expiry date. You generally have 2 months notice to respect. In addition, we advise you to keep your French telephone number. Indeed, you will sometimes need it in order to confirm banking transactions.
Also check the validity date of your French bank card . It must be valid for the entire period of your WVH. It may be time to change banks and get closer to those with the most advantages abroad. Take a look here: Online banking and mobile banking .
Apply for a power of attorney from one of your parents so that they can access your account if necessary. Also, don't forget to increase the withdrawal limit for your bank card for the first month.
Apply for an international permit at least three months in advance! Depending on the period, the administrations can sometimes accumulate a lot of delay.
Finally, we advise you to make photocopies of important documents such as passport, identity card, health insurance, etc., but also to scan them and send them to your mailbox.
Phone plan research
Getting an Australian phone number is one of the first things to do when you arrive. You will need it to reach your loved ones, to carry out your administrative procedures or to look for a job. It is therefore interesting to find out about Australian operators and their offers before leaving, and ideally to make your choice.
There are 4 main operators in the country:
- Telstra
- Optus
- Vodafone
- Virgin
Prepare for arrival (-2 months)
Medical appointments
This trip will be the opportunity to make an appointment with your attending physician in order to make a small inventory of your state of health . This will allow you, on the one hand, to reassure yourself that all is well and on the other hand, to update your vaccinations !
Even if you are not planning a trip to Asia, still get your hepatitis A and B vaccines just in case. It will always be cheaper than doing them in Australia. There are "International Vaccination Center - Consultation of the traveler" services in all the CHUs in France which carry out the necessary checks and vaccinations before your departure abroad. The consultation is around 35 euros.
List of business to plan
Going on a WHV in Australia is a bit like going on vacation, but on a larger scale! To make sure you don't forget anything, make a take-out list . Making this list ahead of time will allow you to identify what you are missing and to shop on time.
Beyond your clothes, think about what you are going to do during your stay. Do you plan to explore? Bring a good water bottle, your best shoes and a raincoat. Do you want to immortalize your moments in Australia and photograph its incredible flora and fauna? Make sure you have an appropriate camera. Are you planning a road trip? Make sure you have a portable speaker to liven up your evenings.
Also keep in mind that you will have a weight limit to respect and that you will travel better light. If you devote a little time to it, you can ultimately buy everything on the spot.
CV preparation in English
From France , you can already take a step towards your job in Australia. At your own pace, start writing your Australian CV and take advantage of your long flying hours to finish putting it in shape.
Facebook groups registration
Subscribe to the different groups of pvtists on Facebook. It is interesting because you will find a lot of information there , and you can ask your questions there .
Registration on volunteering sites
Register on sites such as Helpx , Workaway, and Couchsurfing . Create a great profile for yourself and send in requests! Sometimes the waiting lists are long. Especially in the most interesting helpx.
Helpx and Workaway are sites that allow you to stay with locals for free and receive food in exchange for your services . These can range from household to childcare. Couchsurfing allows you to be accommodated for free with nothing in return . This service is based on the principle of sharing and cultural exchange.
These experiences will allow you to save money from the start, while immersing yourself in the culture of the country and practicing your English.
Finalization of procedures (-1 month)
Pre-opening of an Australian bank account
If you want to save time when you arrive , you can open your Australian bank account online from France with some banks. This is particularly the case of Westpac , one of the most active banks in Australia.
Opening your bank account in advance will also allow you to send money there even before you arrive in the country. A reassuring way to start your journey. The process is very simple and will not take you more than an hour. On your arrival, go to the branch to finalize the process and activate your account.
Subscription to health insurance
Even if it is expensive, do not ignore health insurance for your PVT because it can still be useful . You can never know in advance! It can save a lot of money, especially in Australia.
Reservation of arrival accommodation
Australia offers a lot of housing options. However, don't really count on finding long-term accommodation before you arrive. Australians will much prefer to meet you in person . In any case, never send a deposit from France, because you could be dealing with scams.
We recommend that you book a bed in a youth hostel (cheap) or an Airbnb room (more comfortable) for your first 2 or 3 weeks. This solution will give you time to discover your city of arrival and find accommodation there for a longer period (via Flatmates or Gumtree for example).
Search for money transfer
Once your Australian account is open, all you have to do is send money to it! Rather than going through your bank, we recommend that you go through a company specializing in international transfers which will cost you less. The transfer fees International and the exchange rate applied by specialized companies are more advantageous effect.
Packing
Constitution of a first aid kit
In the event of an injury or bite, a first aid kit may be useful. If you're the forward-thinking type, you'll love the idea of having one with you. However, purchases of drugs and tools can be done at a pharmacy upon arrival. So there is no need to load your bag before departure, unless you are already undergoing a specific treatment.
For seasoned foresighters, here is the content we recommend for a first aid kit:
- mosquito repellent
- sunscreen and after-sun
- dressings (pre-cut, hemostatic, hypoallergenic if necessary ...)
- disinfectant (cream, spray, single doses, etc.)
- bands
- sterile compresses
- scissors (round tip)
- thermometer
- an Aspivenin-type device
- Pain killer
- medicines for stomach aches or vomiting
- all you usually need
Preparing the bag
Suitcase or backpack? Here again, we are faced with a fine dilemma. It just depends on the trip you are planning .
Celebration
Now that all this is settled, it's time to organize a beautiful evening , party to enjoy the last moments with your families and loved ones but also to savor the last baguette of bread at the so sweet Caprice des Dieux!
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