WHV in Oz

Hey Olly -

I think it really depends on how shoestring you're willing to be. I challenged myself to something ridiculous - like $500 - but I managed to get a job and start making money before I spent that! However, if you're plan of attack is to head over and live in a hostel while you try to find work, you're going to need more than that.

Here's my advice to new WHVers:
http://halftheclothes.com/australia-working-holiday-visa-checklist/

Hope that helps!

Hi Olly, and one of the problems many backpackers face is that getting work is not always that easy and so you always need a plan B for it is not going to be too much fun if you are stranded without enough money to pay for your accommodation and food besides all the other niceties that go with making travelling an enjoyable experience.

The amount that is stipulated in the Visa application is A$5000 but that could quite easily be used up in 10 weeks and so getting work is a priority for even people with a reasonable amount of money.
Some people do stretch their funds out by doing wwoofing - www.wwoof.com if they cannot find paid work and wwoofing may even lead to some paid work being found.

Fruit picking.
About end of Nov, the early ripening fruits will be ready, or some zones in Aust will have fruits ready for picking, I have done a long time ago, all year round, (my stint wasn't too long), of mandarin orange picking in the Riverland of SA/Riverina of NSW/Vic, then Dec/Jan will be stone fruits, and summer based fruits.
You just need to be in the right spot and at the right time, and also be willing to move ASAP around.
19% tax, yes, that is a downside, and no tax free treshhold, but there is still money to be made.
You can also in the city, raise funds for charities, by charity chugging on street corners, or charity call centre work.
Bar/hospitality work is also possible with an RSA.
Aud$500 a week is a bit tight, maybe $700 is ok.
Unless you are lucky enough to get work (for eg) in a bar linked to your hostel, or walkable from where you are staying, you have to get at the least a public transport smartcard or have car and overseas licence.
The work is there, its more so if and can you get/convince the employer/payer to take you on as an employee.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm planning on getting farm work asap when I arrive in WA, so fingers crossed I find work sooner rather than later. If that fails, I've found a hostel or two who offer work for free accom - so that's an option in the meantime. I'll look into wwoof Trav - thank you!

:)

Check out the job shop for regional WA work!

Cheers backpackblogger! I've also came across http://www.fruitpickingjobs.com.au which seems credible!
Does anyone know if farm work is easy to come by in WA? I've heard mixed reviews with some people saying that the East Coast is better for farm work which is worrying me slightly since my intentions are to fly to Perth.

It'll really depend on just what work is about and how many people there are looking as to how easy it is to get a job.
As well as specific sites, some by state ( so do a google on stuff like WA followed by fruit picking, farm work etc. ) there are facebook pages like https://www.facebook.com/groups/backpackerjobsaustralia/ , that one seeming to cover everywhere, most showing for eastern states but there could also be ones for WA.

That one seems to show that there are people continually looking but also farmers etc. putting up notices re work too and if we've not mentioned it yet, also keep looking at Gum Tree, maybe some jobs like Au Pair work in both cities/towns as well as more remote farm locations for some mixed function work rather than straight farm work.

Does anyone know if farm work is easy to come by in WA? I've heard mixed reviews with some people saying that the East Coast is better for farm work which is worrying me slightly since my intentions are to fly to Perth.

I would say that the ratio is the same. Yes, numerically, there is more work on the east coast. But, yes, numerically, there are more people trying to get this work on the east coast. There is plenty going on in WA. Arguably, there is less competition, because things are more remote which makes it harder to find workers.

Finding work is almost always a challenge - as I explain in #3 here - but never impossible for the most tenacious!

If you think if it, I'd love to have your story in my pocket as another anecdote to pass on to others. Let us know what happens?

Cheers and good luck!

Thank you backpackblogger, and of course I will!

Is anyone able to give me any information on how to extend your WHV for a second year? What are the requirements?