Visas - The Australian working holiday maker visa scheme now covers many countries around the world so check before you arrive - you may be eligible if you're under 30 years old. It is only issued once in a lifetime so don't get it if you're not sure. You will find everything you need to know under www.immi.gov.au.

Work Expectations - The visa only allows you to work for any one employer for a maximum of 6 months, so finding a career or more professional job like you might have back home or what you might have been trained for at university will be very difficult to get. Most of the jobs I see backpackers getting are labouring/construction for the guys and hospitality/retail for the girls.

Qualifications & Training Courses - You naturally must bring a copy of your CV/resume. Also be prepared to do Australian industry "work-safe" type courses when you arrive.

Don't Run Out of Cash - The main thing to remember is don't come to Australia without a float or back up money at home, because it might take time to find work and then time moving between other jobs. Also don't think that you will earn $1,000's which will pay for your holiday in style.

Most work will get you about $80 - $120 per day and if it's not paid "cash-in-hand" then 30% tax will be deducted. But you can claim tax and super annuation back!
End of the financial year is the 31st of June not the 31st of December. 

Seasonal Work Availability - I mentioned before the seasonality situation, which usually creates huge flows of backpackers arriving in certain parts of the country at certain times. If you're looking for work you want to be arriving before the masses do. For example nearly every backpacker arrives in Sydney in November/December looking for work and readying themselves for the summer's activities - this is a bad time to look for work in the City. It is better to go fruit picking up the east cost and come back later to the big Cities. 

Where To Find Work in Australia - It is usually the bigger cities like Sydney NSW, Melbourne VIC and Brisbane / Gold Coast Qld that have the best work opportunities and pay rates, and to a lesser extent the smaller state capitals Perth WA, Adelaide SA and Canberra ACT.
If you are fortunate enough to go fruit picking - know where you are going to- not every farm and "working hostel" will pay you enough. Whilst pay might be lower, things are cheaper regionally. For these reasons it is better to "work in the south, spend in the north".

Extended Work Visas - A recent change to the working holiday visa scheme is the possibility of a second year subsequent to the first, dependent upon having worked as a "seasonal worker in regional Australia for a minimum of three months" whilst on the first year's visa. The definitions of both "seasonal work" and "regional Australia" are quite strict - see Working Holiday Visas on the Australian Government website for more details...

Tax/Super

If you have a working holiday visa, or are a student intending to work, you should obtain a tax file number (TFN). You can apply for this in person, or online at the Tax Office's website.

If you start work before getting your TFN, you have 28 days to provide it to your employer.

When you stop work, ask your employer for a payment summary showing your total income and the amount of tax withheld, as you will need this to complete your compulsory tax return.

Backpacker Jobs

Jobs generally available include:

• Waiter/Waitress/Bar Person
• Labouring and building work
• Shop Assistant/retail jobs
• Nursing
• Nanny and cleaning services
• Office and clerical work ('temping')
• Horticulture and Agriculture work i.e. fruit picking, jackeroo

Helpful Tips

When searching for employment in Australia:

• Mind how you dress, and how you approach prospective employers
• Make sure you can leave them with your contact details. You must be contactable! A cell phone is the only way (as long as it is switched on).
• Have copies of your resume printed or make some calling cards, include you name and contact details and leave with everyone you speak to.
• Get a copy of your resume on disc or the web so you can email it to companies.
• Register with online employment services such as: www.downunderjobs.com.au

Fruit picker 

• The Harvest Trail Website provides jobseekers with important information about harvest work opportunities, working conditions, transport and accommodation options in the key harvest areas around Australia. For the latest up-to-date information on harvest labour opportunities please call the National Harvest Labour Information Service on 1800 062 332 or visit www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
• Always check the local papers for classifieds
• If applying for qualified skill jobs such as nursing, please ensure you bring proof of your qualifications
• Don't be afraid to revisit or keep in touch with prospective employers or agencies.
• Be honest and fair to employers by letting them know how long you are available for and give them notice when you plan to leave. It is important to be considerate in this way, you are helping future Working Holiday makers - what goes around comes around!

And finally, be flexible! Remember you are a Working Holiday Maker, the most casual of the casual, and there are 100s of you all looking for the same job at the same time. Be creative, sell yourself and be persistent. If you would like to know more and find a job straitaway, than register now. www.downunderjobs.com