The Australian Working Holiday Visa provides young people the opportunity to visit Australia while working at the same time. The Australian Working Holiday Visa program gives young people the chance to experience all that Australia has to offer from world famous beaches to cuddly Koalas while still having the opportunity to work and fund their continued travels around Australia. This guide is designed to help young backpackers on a working holiday in Australia to make the most out of their Australian working holiday.

Young people aged between 18 and 30 years of age from eligible countries are offered the opportunity to apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa which will allow them to work and travel around Australia for a period of one to two years. For backpackers on a working holiday in Australia about to enter their second year they will be required to work in certain designated locations to be eligible for the Second Year Working Holiday Visa.

The Benefits of Working during the Backpackers Holiday

When young people come to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa they initially seem to get tied up in the holiday part of their trip. While this is a natural reaction for a young person arriving in a new an foreign country, its still worth reminding backpackers on a working holiday that the idea of the visa is to balance holidaying with working.

The ability to work in Australia provides young people on an Australian Working Holiday Visa with a great opportunity to learn new skills meet new friends and also provide additional finances to fund their journeys around Australia. What’s more is that by working in Australia, backpackers on a working holiday will be able to experience the Australian culture and way of life.

Many backpackers in Australia think that what they experience in places like Bondi and Airlie Beach is what Australia is about. However, Australia is far more than this and backpackers who take the time to work in the suburbs and regional Australia have a true opportunity to experience all that Australia has to offer.

How Much Do Backpackers on a Working Holiday Get Paid?

Backpackers on a working holiday may be surprised to learn that they are in actual fact entitled to the same earnings as their Australian counterparts. Generally backpackers can expect to earn between $16 and $25 per hour for most jobs that they will gain employment in.
These hourly rates compare favourably for backpackers from the United Kingdom where the minimum hourly wage is £6 per hour and the United States of America where the minimum wage is just $7 USD per hour. Backpackers in some industries such as tourism and hospitality also have the opportunity to earn penalty rates for working on a Saturday, Sunday or a recognised Public Holiday. These penalty rates can see a backpacker earning up to $38 per hour.

Backpackers who are working in the agricultural sector are sometimes paid a piece rate as opposed to an hourly rate. This sees the backpacker paid for the actual work they do as opposed to the hours they work. Sometimes backpackers being paid by the piece for fruit picking sees them earning more than the standard minimum wage however, it also has its downsides if the farms they are working on have had a bad season and there are limited crops.

Gaining a Second Year Visa

Some backpackers on a working holiday in Australia enjoy it so much that they decide to stay another year. However, it’s not just as easy as deciding to stay in Australia for another year as backpackers are required to satisfy certain government requirements to be eligible. It is a good idea for backpackers to make a decision on staying a second year early into their working holiday to provide them with sufficient time to meet the requirements of gaining a Second Year Visa.

It is not an onerous process for backpackers to satisfy the requirements of obtaining a Second Year Visa as all they have to do is work for a period of three months in a designated industry such as agriculture and undertake this work in locations which are designated by particular postcodes. The areas in which backpackers are required to work are found in regional Australia and are locations where there is a high demand for labour and employers are unable to source thee necessary labour for their business needs.

Most backpackers looking to fulfil the requirements usually undertake employment such as fruit picking, labouring or working in the fishing industry. One of the greatest benefits for backpackers meeting the requirements to obtain a Second Year Visa is that they get to experience the beauty of regional Australia, something not all backpackers have the opportunity to experience.

Backpackers looking to obtain their Second Year Visa should ensure that they obtain evidence that they have met the necessary requirements to obtain the visa. Evidence can come in many forms from payslips, letters of employment, accommodation receipts and even travel documents. The evidence will be needed by the backpacker during the process of making application for the Second Year Visa.

Administrative Matters for Newly Arrived Backpackers on a Working Holiday

While an Australian bank account is one of the most important things that a backpacker will need in Australia, it is often overlooked. For backpackers to get paid from their employers they will need a current Australian bank account for their wages to go into. It can sometimes take a while to organise an Australian bank account and receive a key card. For this reason backpackers on a working holiday in Australia should make arrangements to open an account as soon as they arrive in Australia.

Backpackers working in Australia are also required to have a Tax File Number. A Tax File Number is a unique identifier that the Australian Tax Office uses to identify tax payers in Australia. Backpackers have 28 days from when they commence employment to provide their employer with their tax file number. If a backpacker fails to provide a tax file number to their employer then they will be taxed at thee highest tax rate which means less take home pay each week. The tax file number is also of utmost importance for the backpacker to apply for as soon as they arrive in Australia.

In Australia, employers are required to pay 9.5% superannuation into a fund for employees as soon as the employee earns $450 or more within a month. Backpackers on a working holiday in Australia are well advised to open a single superannuation account up with a superannuation fund. By having just the one superannuation account backpackers on working holidays in Australia will be able to keep track of their superannuation to claim it back when they return home. By having only the one superannuation account, backpackers will see their superannuation accumulate quicker as well.

Employment Rights for Backpackers on Working Holidays in Australia

No matter where you are in the world there will always be employers who are willing to take advantage of employees. Australia is no different and while these employers are a minority they can still be found throughout Australia. Thankfully in Australia, backpackers are entitled to the same employment rights and entitlements as their Australian work colleagues.

The most important thing that backpackers on working holidays in Australia should know is what minimum wage and entitlements are they provided with. This is where it is advantageous for backpackers to consult with a specialist who can advise them of what they can expect in Australia. By backpackers knowing exactly what they are entitled to there will be less chance that they will be taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers.

Unfortunately there are some stories of shoddy employers taking advantage of working holiday makers. Thankfully the dodgy employers are the minority and can be avoided by knowing your rights.

General Safety for Backpackers on a Working Holiday in Australia

Australia is generally a safe country for backpackers on a working holiday. But just like anywhere in the world backpackers need to exercise common sense to avoid any dangerous situations. To increase their safety, backpackers on working holidays in Australia should never travel to isolated locations on their own, always try and travel in groups, and be wary of any strangers they meet on their journeys.

Travelling through remote parts of Australia provides an idyllic experience for backpackers but there are also lots of hidden dangers. If backpackers intend to travel through remote locations in Australia they should ensure they have emergency supplies, advise someone where they are going and when they expect to return, and most importantly never leave their vehicle if something goes wrong. Each year in Australia a number of people pass away after leaving their vehicles in remote Australia. By staying with the vehicle authorities who may undertake a search will have a greater chance of locating any missing backpackers.

Conclusion

Young people who come to Australia as backpackers on a working holiday are provided with a great experience. The Australian Working Holiday Visa has been implemented by the Australian government to allow young people from eligible countries the opportunity to come and experience Australian culture while still having the opportunity to work. The ability to work allows backpackers on a working holiday in Australia a greater opportunity to explore all that Australia has to offer.

Backpackers who intend to come to Australia on a working holiday should be aware of the things that will affect their working holiday. While this guide has provided a basic overview, backpackers should also obtain specialised advice to ensure that they can make the most of their working holiday in Australia. Backpackers do not need to obtain separate advice from tax agents, superannuation or travel agents as some companies in Australia provide all of these services under the one roof. This ensures that backpackers are able to receive all the advice they require conveniently and efficiently.

Australia is a unique destination for backpackers on a working holiday and provides experiences that backpackers are unlikely to experience anywhere else in the world. For those backpackers who are prepared to meet the requirements there is also an opportunity for them to have a two year working holiday in Australia. For backpackers who obtain a Second Year Visa there is extensive time available to ensure that they have the opportunity to travel and experience all Australia has to offer.