10 reasons to do a working holiday in Australia

G’day, future adventurers! Whether you're keen on soaking up the sun, exploring vibrant cities, or diving into nature's wonders, Australia is the ultimate destination where you can work and wander.

It’s no secret why young travellers flock Down Under on a working holiday —Australia has it all. So let's break down why this sun-soaked, adventure-filled country should be top of the list for your next big move.

1. The high minimum wage

Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world, currently sitting at AUD $24.10 per hour. Even with Australia’s fairly high cost of living, working full-time hours on this wage should leave you with more than enough money to make the most of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or any of Australia’s other big cities in your free time.

2. The beaches

In Australia, life really is a beach. In fact, there are over 12,000 beaches across the country - that means, if you visited one a day, it would take a staggering 32 years! Australia’s best-loved beaches include Whitehaven in the Whitsundays, Jarvis Bay (which officially has the whitest sand in the world), Bells Beach (of Point Break fame), dolphin-spotting paradise Monkey Mia and of course, Sydney’s world-famous Bondi Beach.

3. The weather

The Aussie weather is world-famous - it might not be dazzling sunshine all year round but it comes pretty close. The climate does vary and some cities like Melbourne definitely have four seasons. But, in general, the summers (November to March) are long and hot, and the winters (June to September) are mild. Northern Hemisphere travellers are always going to struggle to get their heads around spending Christmas Day on the beach in their bikini or boardies - but most people prefer it to the cold, wind and rain of the UK!

4. The job opportunities

The joy of an Australia working holiday visa is that it gives you the freedom to work in so many different jobs and sectors. Employers are used to taking on backpackers for casual work in hospitality, retail, tourism, construction, farming and more. If you know where to look, it isn’t too hard to find work. When you book your working holiday with us, we’ll help you find work and accommodation – not just when you land, but for as long as you have your Australian work holiday visa.

5. Earning on the move

On an Australia working holiday visa, you can work anywhere. You can go travelling around the whole country, stopping to work when you need to. Temporary or seasonal jobs you can do on the move include live-in hostel and pub work, fruit picking and packing, as well as other farm work. These short-term ‘gigs’ often come with subsidised staff accommodation and few outgoings, making them a great way to save money, meet other travellers and see more of Australia.

6. Two year visas

Initially you’ll be granted a 12-month working holiday visa. If you do three months of agricultural work on this visa, you can apply for a second working holiday visa in Australia. Best of all, this can run immediately after your first visa period is up to extend your stay or be used to return to Australia at another time, as long as you still meet age requirements.

7. The landscapes

Australia is almost 50% bigger than Europe, with eight climatic zones and some of the most diverse scenery in the world. What other country do you know that simultaneously boasts tropical rainforests bursting with life, scorched red outback deserts, vast canyons and rugged ravines, lush green wineries and Alpine trails, and white sand islands fringed with coral reefs? And not to mention snow and ski fields in winter! Yeah! Pretty amazing right? Going to Australia is literally like having all your holidays in one - it’s totally unique.

8. The friends

Australia is the ultimate working holiday destination, with an estimated one million UK nationals living and working down under. And with all those people taking working holidays, you’re never too far from finding like-minded travellers to spend time with. Working in Australia gives you the chance to meet other people just like you, as well as mixing with and getting to know Aussie natives. Taking a working holiday in Australia is a great way to make lifelong friends.

9. Boost your CV

Getting international work experience is a great way to make your CV stand out. Working abroad shows future employers that you have the initiative and confidence to live abroad, and it’s a great talking point in an interview. Any job, however casual, will teach you vital people, analytical and problem-solving skills. And if you don’t want to do backpacker work, your visa allows you to apply for more professional and career-related roles, such as in marketing, design, finance, beauty, recruitment, fashion, accounting etc.

10. The lifestyle

The Aussie lifestyle is legendary. Surfing before work, barbecuing after work, lazy weekends at the beaches/wineries/mountains… life is just more laid-back than in other parts of the world. Which begs the question, why wouldn’t you swap a board room for a surfboard, or a work suit for a wetsuit?

11. The visa options

Australia welcomes nationals from all over the world, so there are plenty of visa options to suit all types of travel. Different working holiday visa options in Australia include:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa - Allows skilled workers to work for an approved business for up to 4 years
• Training Visa - For those who want to take part in workplace-based training or professional development
• Temporary Graduate Visa - Allows recent graduates from Australian institutions to work in Australia temporarily
• Working Holiday Visa - Allows young people (aged 18-30, or 35 for some countries) to work and holiday in Australia for up to 12 months

12. Personal safety

Australia is considered a safe country to live in, with low crime rates compared to a lot of other countries. The quality of life in Australia is high, with a well-functioning legal system and strong public services. While moving to a new country is always intimidating, you can rest assured that Australia is one of the countries out there.

13. The rich Aboriginal culture

Australia’s Aboriginal culture dates back over 60,000 years. It’s characterised by deep spiritual connections to the land, intricate art forms, storytelling and music. Aboriginal traditions emphasise the importance of family, community and respect for nature. While you work and travel in Australia, you should certainly take some time to learn about the fascinating Aboriginal culture.

If you've ever dreamed of swapping your daily grind for beach vibes, kangaroo sightings, and epic road trips, then a working holiday in Australia might just be calling your name. To get started, contact us today and take the first step of your working holiday journey.