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The Ultimate Guide to taking a Working Holiday in Australia

Do you want to meet new friends from all over the world while going on new adventures? What about living in Australia for a year and experiencing the new culture? Or how about travelling around Australia’s top iconic destinations? Yes, yes and yes? Well, you can do all of this while gaining valuable work experience & Making some cash for your travels. Over 300,000 backpackers choose to be working holidaymakers (WHM) every year in Australia and it is obvious to see why. Here’s everything you need to know (+ some top FAQs) to have an easy and successful working holiday gap year in Australia. 

// WHO SHOULD I GO WITH?


Go solo! 60% of WHM travel solo so there’s no reason to delay the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally!  


Base camp at UltimateOz Gap Year

// WHERE SHOULD I START MY WORKING HOLIDAY?


Sydney is the most popular arrival city and for good reason. This city has so much to offer with beautiful coastal and harbour beaches as well as famous landmarks and national parks. There’s never ending places to explore in this global city. Since this city is the most popular arrival destination for backpackers, you’ll meet and make friends with backpackers that are from around the world. Sydney also has year-round work opportunities so you can be sure to get a job. Finally, gap year packages offer critical support when you arrive in Sydney. 


The Sydney Opera House! - UltimateOz Gap Year

// WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE FOR MY WORKING HOLIDAY IN AUSTRALIA?


  1. You will want to make sure to have a valid visa. Either a 417 or 462 working holiday visa. 
  2. Apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN) and pay the correct tax.
  3. Make sure to have a mobile phone number to call employees within Australia. 
  4. Update your resume and CV to apply for jobs.
  5. Understand your working rights. For example, a maximum of 6 months with one employer rule applies to 417 & 462 visa holders.

// WHAT TYPE OF JOB CAN I WORK IN AUSTRALIA?


There are many options of where to work in Australia. The most popular jobs include: 

  1. Hospitality- bars, restaurants, cafes or hotels. 
  2. Regional work– farmwork and fruit picking/packaging. 
  3. Au Pair/ Nanny– live in, live out au pair work. 
  4. Customer service– sales, fundraising, administrative 
  5. Construction– trades, labouring and traffic control 

There are many job opportunities in Sydney so it all depends on what experiences you are looking to get during your gap year. There is a job for everyone, so make sure to think about what kind of job you will want to apply for. Update your resume and CV to align with the type of job. You will also want to get any training requirements for the job. For construction or labour work make sure to have a white card. If you want to work in a job that serves alcohol you will need to complete Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and as well as getting trained on bar skills. Learn more about these training programs here.


Getting an RSA Qualification - UltimateOz Working Holiday

// WHAT TYPE OF PAY CAN I EXPECT?


WHM are generally employed on a casual basis and have higher hourly wages with no holiday or sick leave. Australian minimum wage is $18.93 AUD, $13.19 USD, £10.14 GBP, €11.80 and $17.80 CAD. 

// HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO FIND A JOB?


You will most likely find a job in as little as 2-3 weeks and as early as just one week. 10% of people find jobs in 1 week, 40% in 2 weeks, 40% in 3 weeks, and 10% in one month. There are so many job opportunities and if you choose the UltimateOz gap year package Ultimate can provide expert advice to help you seek out the jobs you want to pursue.

// WHAT DO AUSTRALIAN EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR?


Australian employers will appreciate a positive attitude. Be excited to learn and have a can-do attitude and that will take you far! They also look for an outgoing and confident personality; be yourself, be respectful and show that you will add good energy to the workplace. The attire required is often smart/casual & presentable. 


Sydney Beaches - UltimateOz Gap Year

// WHY CHOOSE TRAVELLERS AT WORK?


Travellers At Work (TAW) is a dedicated service for travellers on a working holiday visa. They’ll link you to employment opportunities & help you with perfecting your CV so you stand out to employers. There are thousands of jobs specifically for backpackers that you can browse by industry and location. You’ll also receive daily job alerts and employers can find you through browsing your profile. They make finding the job you want easy and it is also mobile friendly so you can apply for jobs on the go! 

// HOW CAN THE ULTIMATEOZ GAP YEAR ARRIVAL PACKAGE HELP ME?


The UltimateOz Gap Year arrival package has all the information to make your working holiday be extremely productive. We will help you set up an Australian bank account and Tax File Number (TFN). We help with getting you a sim card to have a contact number for your Australian employers and fellow employees. We will also help you with your resume and CV and your job application.

UltimateOz includes an exciting first week in Australia to introduce you to other travellers prior to finding work or travelling.  Find out more of what you’ll be doing here to start your gap year off right.


The Ultimate Crew - UltimateOz Gap Year

// WHAT OTHER INFORMATION DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A WORKING HOLIDAY?


  • Make sure to apply for the correct working holiday visa (WHV). The 417 visa is for 18-30 year-olds in eligible countries and up to 35 years in Canada and Ireland. The 462 visa is for 18 to 30 year-olds in eligible countries. Find out more about the 417 visa here and the 462 visa here.
  • Extend your stay for another year! You can extend your WHV by 12 months by completing 88 days or 3 months of regional work during your first WHV. 
  • 9.5% of your wages are paid into a compulsory pension fund in Australia by your employer (when you earn over $450/month). Make sure to claim your superannuation when you leave Australia. 
  • 15% is the standard working holiday tax rate on earnings between $18,200- $37,000. The average tax return for backpackers in Australia is $2,600.

Farm Work - UltimateOz Gap Year

You’re ready for your Ultimate gap year! All of this information should help you in planning your working gap year in Australia! UltimateOz will have expert advice when you arrive in Australia but if you have any questions in the meantime Ultimate Travel is here to help. Visit our website and check out the UltimateOz gap year package or call us at +61 29211 7900. We’re sure you’ll have the Ultimate gap year experience!


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Plastic Stools and Phở Bò: A Guide to Vietnamese Street Food

Vietnam has made quite a name for itself in having some of the best street food around the world, and usually at a fraction of the cost of what a normal meal in the west would cost. When you can get a hefty dinner for $6, the temptation to try it all is very high. But before you jump in blind, it’s worth knowing a few of the best dishes to get started with. Below we have outlined some of Vietnam’s most iconic street food to help you get started if you head to the land of the Ascending Dragon. (Psst – read until the bottom for a special offer…)

Bánh Mì

We’ll start off easy with a fairly recognizable item – the Bánh Mì. This sandwich is a visible remnant of French occupation, but with Vietnamese flair. It consists of a baguette filled with your choice of meat, egg or tofu accompanied by a range of items but most commonly a spreading of pate, grated carrots, cucumber, cilantro and chili sauce. Many vendors have their own style, with some opting for a saucy bread layered in meat sauce and mayo and others presenting a lighter, crispier version, perhaps heavier on the veggies. Our suggestion? Make your own tour-de-báhn-mì to find your favorite stall in the city.


Bánh Rán

Round little “donuts,” these delicious little treats are fried dough balls, coated in sesame seeds and filled with mung bean. Take a bite into one of these sweet donuts, and let your mouth salivate over the crispy fried coating and soft inner paste. You’ll find many different varieties of these delicacies, with both sweet and savory fillings. They all have their own charm, so go ahead, be adventurous and try them all!

A word to the wise: don’t get your donut fix from the ladies selling out of baskets on the streets, but rather find a place serving them up freshly fried for the best texture and taste.


Bánh Bao

While not originally Vietnamese, these traditionally Cantonese fluffy steamed buns are so popular in Vietnam that we simply had to add it to the list. They can be grabbed on the go for a quick snack or make for a light meal and feature a wide variety of fillings. Choose, for example, from tasty ground pork, Chinese sausage and hard boiled egg, chicken, chay (vegetarian), or sweet options, such as the purple taro (a root vegetable) or green bean. No matter what flavor you choose, you’re sure to get satisfaction from ripping open your bun and savoring the contrast of the melt-in-your-mouth dough with the textured stuffing.


Phở

No guide to Vietnamese street food could be complete without mentioning the ever famous phở (pronounced “fuh”). The locals generally eat this noodle soup for breakfast, meaning the vendors are awake at the crack of dawn to prepare it in time for those on their way to work. You can enjoy this dish at any time of the day, however – in fact, the wait time may be shorter if you wait until the community has gotten their morning chow. Go for the classic phở bò (thinly sliced beef), which pairs well with the veal bone broth, rice noodles, herbs, and spices that personify this dish. Don’t forget to add chili slices and kumquat juice for a complex array of flavors in an otherwise simple meal.


These are just a few of the many, many options available to you on the busy streets of Vietnam. In this part of the world, the best food doesn’t usually come from a fancy restaurant. They actually come from unassuming carts set up on the sidewalks or the ladies squatting by a pot of coals, grilling up some meat on a stick outside a convenience store.

Get involved in an integral part of daily Vietnamese life and sit down on a minuscule plastic chair. You won’t be disappointed.

SPECIAL OFFER:

There is no better way to experience Vietnam cuisine than on our Ultimate Vietnam group tour. Save 25% when you travel on any tour before 30 September 2019. Enter Promo code STREETFOOD when processing your booking to save an additional $50AUD. Book before 30 June 2019. Offer not combinable with any other discount codes.

Ultimate Vietnam - Book Now!
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5 Reasons Why Group Travel is the Way to Go!

Whether you are traveling for the first time or you’re a seasoned traveler, group travel has many benefits that should be considered for your next holiday. Here are 5 reasons why group travel is the way to go from the inside perspective of a Group Leader and Travel Guru herself.

1. IT WILL SAVE YOU HOURS OF PLANNING TIME

Maybe you are working long hours, have a stressful job, or let’s be real, you’re feeling a bit lazy when it comes to finding time to plan and organize your entire holiday. Booking through group travel can save you hours (and I mean HOURS!) of planning and research- both before and during your trip. First of all, it saves you the headache of booking your own accommodation, which is the part of travel that takes the longest but also a very important part of any trip.  Especially during your holiday, reading review after review, comparing prices, and trying to figure out just how far away you will actually be staying from the city center is the last thing you’ll want to do. If you book through group travel, your itinerary, activities and schedule are already planned, so all you need to do is book your flights, pack your bags, and voila, ENJOY! (Bonus: Ultimate Travel offers assistance with arranging your visa, flights, and pre and post tour extension packages.)

2. YOU WILL MAKE FRIENDS FOR LIFE

I know the drill…you find an amazing destination, you ask for the time off, but you can’t get a SINGLE friend from back home to come with you no matter how many insta worthy travel photos or blog posts you send their way. Traveling alone can be daunting and group travel is the perfect way to take the leap and get on an adventure with the assurance you will have a group of new friends waiting for you once you arrive. Group travel is also perfect for couples or groups of friends who still want to branch out and meet more travelers without the hassle of booking everything for themselves (see #1 and #4!). In my experience, travel friends are friends and adventure buddies for LIFE and I am certain you will walk away already planning your next adventure with your new group mates!


3. YOU HAVE A PERSONAL EXPERT SHOWING YOU AROUND

It’s like when you go to a new restaurant and ask the waiter to recommend the best dish on the menu…when you sign up for group travel you are getting firsthand tips and recommendations from someone who knows what they’re talking about, something you won’t get if you try to go at it alone. Tour guides are experienced, qualified leaders whose job is to provide you with an unforgettable itinerary, complete with expert tips, hidden gems, and local food spots that the average tourist would never know about. Your guide will be able to answer all of your questions from “where is the nearest pharmacy” to “what’s the best place for a local beer” and everything in between. They will be with you every step of the way to make sure you leave your tour with more than just the “tourist” experience and make the most out of your holiday! I might be a bit biased but usually, your tour guide will be TONS OF FUN!


5. YOU WILL CREATE LIFELONG MEMORIES AND GAIN NEW PERSPECTIVES

You are experiencing new sights, tastes, smells and activities, as well as a completely new culture.  Every day you will be a little bit outside of your comfort zone, navigating language barriers, trying new things, and adjusting to different climates and time zones. With the support and friendship of your group and tour leader, there is no doubt you will leave your trip with broadened horizons, a more open mind, and an understanding and compassion for people who did not grow up in the same place you did. You will leave this trip with a thousand new memories, stories to share, and a desire to start booking your next trip because traveling really is the best!


Group travel is beneficial for SO many reasons. It will save you the stress of planning when you book through a tour company like Ultimate Travel. Also, you will be set up to experience the country to its fullest and your tour guide will make sure you are making the best memories with your new mates.

So what are you waiting for?! Ultimate Travel has group travel tours to Bali, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand! Check them out here.

See more from Lindsay’s adventures here!

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10 Tips for a Backpacker Travelling Australia

My Top 10 Tips for a Backpacker Travelling Australia!

As a backpacker travelling Australia,  I am always looking for tips to make my time out here easier, cheaper and more fun – so here are some of my tips to save you money and help you get the best of your time out here in Oz.

Keep your travel dates flexible!

I know this can sound scary, but personally I think it’s the one of the best options when you come out here is to be flexible. It is a great idea to have a general idea of what you want to do and even book your trip so you can budget properly, but don’t set dates. You never know, you may come out here with the intention to start travelling the East Coast at the end of your first month in Australia, but end up meeting people in your first week and want to head off earlier with them.

Keep your travel plans flexible

Go it alone!

So, if like myself, all your friends back home would rather start working and being proper grown-ups, go travelling alone! I did a group tour when I first got here and I can honestly say it’s the best decision I ever made. I’ve made some of the best and closest friends whilst travelling. In fact, I still speak to the people I met on my very first day in Australia in my hostel in Sydney!

Cure your hangover the backpacker way!

The ONLY way to cure a hangover (no it doesn’t include a bloody Mary although that does help!) is to get up and do something adventurous. Let’s face it, there will be lots of drinking opportunities as you travel so you might spend the majority of your days feeling a bit worse for wear but get up and go explore! Also, I find being in water the perfect hangover cure- so refreshing!

Do the 'hair flick' at Millaa Millaa falls in the Atherton Tablelands

If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

As a backpacker, I love a good freebie. Who can say no to free wifi or a cheap meal? Most hostels have great cheap meals  and drink deals. Happy hour is my favourite time of day – I recommend downloading ‘The Happiest Hour’ for all the happy hours and cheap deals near you.

Be a patient backpacker!

Yes, your bus might be late, or has decided to take a detour, or you might have taken a wrong tour in your campervan but it isn’t the end of the world. Use it as an opportunity to explore something off the beaten track that you wouldn’t necessarily see otherwise. Don’t sweat the small stuff and you’ll enjoy your trip even more! 

Ear plugs are your friend!

Believe it or not, you may actually fancy a decent night of sleep during your travels, especially if you are getting up early the next morning for your skydive or scuba dive. These bad boys are handy when you have a snorer in your dorm.

Write your travels down

I found that I had to write down what I’d done during my trip or I knew I’d forget with time, whether it be in a book or on my phone. It also helps if you’re trying to remember that awesome bar you want to recommend to your new friend.

Travel off the beaten path

As much as I love doing the popular tourist things (there’s a reason they’re so popular!), I love finding new places to explore and things to do. Grab a map (by map, I mean Google maps – obv!) and find somewhere you haven’t heard of. Hike through national parks and watch the sunset from a secluded beach. Australia has some amazingly beautiful areas that you wouldn’t see unless you’re prepared to go off the beaten path a little! 

Switch off

Turn your phone off and step away from Facebook. Sometimes I feel like people are too busy trying to get that perfect photo for Instagram that they aren’t experiencing where they are fully.

Say YES!

This is my own personal travel mantra. I say yes to as much as possible! I’m all for trying anything once (tell that to the deep fried crickets I ate in Cambodia!). So far the only thing I’ve not said yes to yet is Skydiving and Bungy, but unfortunately my fear of heights wins there! Say yes to as much as possible and have no regrets, this way you get to experience so much and make the most out of your time travelling.

Want to travel Australia but not sure where to start? The crew here at ULTIMATE love talking about our travels and experiences so get in touch for help planning!

Ready to start your trip to Australia? Check out our UltimateOz package & Ultimate East Coast package!

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