ChrisJD

Hey, if you end up in Sydney I'll be making my way at the end of October. I'm 22 and I'll basically be going by myself (gonna tag along with a couple friends for a bit as well who are going to be out there) so would be good to meet up with someone in the same boat!

Sorry to bump my own post, but is anyone able to offer some recommendations? Maybe from your own experience? Thanks

Hey guys,

The only thing I've got left to book for my Working Holiday is my travel insurance. I've had a look around and come up with many results, all varying in price.

The cheapest I found was from Outbacker for £180 (1 year worldwide) which seems to provide good cover with reasonable cover for medical expenses and all other essentials. The most expensive I've come across was probably around £400.

Does anyone have any good recommendations, or have experience with some providers? I'd ideally not want to spend an awful, but at the same time I don't want to be out-of-pocket should anything happen.

Also, I see not many companies that offer 'backpacker' insurance come with cover for expensive personal items. I'll be taking my iPhone, MacBook and GoPro with me and, ideally, I'd like them to be covered should they get lost/stolen. Is there any way to get separate cover for these while I'm away?

Thanks,

Chris

Just want to add a bit on to your health check question. You shouldn't have to go for a health check up unless you've been in a country for 3+ months that has a risk of TB within the last 5 years. My cousin applied for his WHV last year and he'd been to Thailand a couple years before for 4 months and they requested he have a chest x-ray before being approved.

But if none of that applies to you, have an amazing time!

Hey Jack, it looks like we both had the same train of thought here! I'm also 22 and pretty sick of my job tbh, and just spontaneously applied for my WHV a couple of months ago!

Where about are you headed first in Oz? I'm headed out in early November to Sydney and plan to stay in and around there for at least Christmas and New Years.

personally i woulndt go with one of these companies. Things like setting up a bank account and applying for tfn and jobs isnt difficult. You can obviously manage to do it in your own country so why think you would need to have someone help you.

 

Make an appointment the day you arrive for the bank, you will get your account details that day and your card either to your hostel or collect in branch within 7 days.

 

TFN is attached to your WHV. It is automatically generated when you are granted the visa. All you have to do to get it is phone the tax office and they will already have it.

 

Jobs really depend on what you want to do. WWW.SEEK.COM.AU is quite a good site. It brings results from other companies and gumtree. Locally, hand your cv out to pubs and shops. Doesnt hurt and in those jobs people like to put a name to a cv and have a chat and get a feel for you.

 

Hostels, google the area you want to stay in and check the reviews. I would book my hostel before I arrive. Mainly because of the travelling and the last thing I want to do is look for a place to stay.

 

The best thing about being a backpacker is that everyone is in the same situation and has asked the same questions you have. Hostels are the best way to meet people and organise trips and find out all the answers you are looking for. Remember there is no right or wrong way to do this so don't let people put you off of any places or ideas you have about travelling. Just because they never enjoyed somewhere or didnt love a trip, doesnt mean you will. Enjoy it and get in to the spirit of the hostel and the events they organise. Mainly, just have fun. Chill out and enjoy the two years. It goes by SO quickly!!

Thanks for saying about the TFN, I wasn't aware it came with my WHV. That's one less thing to do!

I have one question about bank accounts though, is it normal to have to pay a monthly fee? I was looking at Commonwealth, who allow you to apply before you arrive, and they have a monthly fee of $4.

Also, I want to get my 3 months work done for my 2nd year Visa as soon as possible, where would be the best place to look for that kind of work?

I'm about to buy my insurance from Outbacker. Their most comprehensive cover seems to be the cheapest I can find, it works out about £180 for worldwide cover for 12 months with no excess. The cover seems to be pretty competitive with others that are charging more.

Hi Chris,

 

When abouts are you heading out? im going to be in syndey too on my own frmo 26th September. I've given a deposit to OzIntro, but like you i think i might duck out and go to a hostel instead!

 

 

Hey Georgina,

 

I'm not arriving in Sydney until November 11th (decided to take a couple weeks in SEA first). I gave up on the whole package idea a while ago when I realised I could just get everything done myself, it sort of gives you a sense of achievement when you're not paying someone to do it all for you! The hostel WakeUp seems to be quite good for organising little things for guests, for example, they offer a free guided walk from bondi to coo gee beach (or the other way around, I'm not too sure!) so they'd definitely be worth checking out!

In the same way that if an Australian was travelling and needed them, then yes you could get them here but I suspect they will be more expensive. Not all are free in the UK (if you were there) anyway though, different travel clinics can charge different prices too, I.e. Some you can get done at Boots in store.

It is worth making sure your tetanus is up to date anyway before you come if you're planning farm work, in an ideal world.

 

 

edit: looks like it my be cheaper in Aus if the following is correct and depending what you need.

http://www.boots.com/en/Pharmacy-Health/Health-shop/Travel-health/Travel-vaccinations-and-advice/

http://www.headingoverseas.com.au/travel-immunisation-costs/

Those links are really useful, thanks! I was expecting the vaccinations to be a lot more for some reason.

I'm not entirely sure how much I'd be charged here, as I would have to go in for a 'Travel Consulation' first and then they'll tell me what I may need. But unfortunately they don't list individual prices which would be a lot more useful as I'm pretty sure I know what I'll need.

get them from the UK, least they will be free.

I assume you mean on the NHS? I'm not actually from the mainland UK so I won't be covered by the NHS so I'd have to pay for them anyway.

I just wanted to know if it was possible to get them while in Oz under medicare or something?

Hey guys,

I'll be headed off on my WHV in Oz later on this year, but I was hoping for some advice for after I leave.

Once I finish my year in Oz, I plan to go backpacking around South East Asia for around 6 months (funds permitting) and I was wondering if I am able to get the necessary vaccinations while in Australia, or if I should get them before I leave for Oz?

Thanks.

Hey Jonathon, that'd be great! What sort have things did you have in mind for around Christmas? I was looking of heading to Bondi as that seems to be the place to go, especially if the weathers good! Although it looks expensive as hell for anything prepaid, I saw this thing (surfside bondi, or something like that) and they give you accommodation etc and it's like 950 aud for just 14 nights!!!

Are apartments generally quite a good price? I've really only looked in to hostels so far. I'll actually be in SEA for a couple weeks first so I'll be touching down in Sydney on the 10th.

Hey Guys,

I'm headed to Oz in October and will be spending my first few months in Sydney, and spending Christmas/New Year there also.

What sort of things are there to do around Christmas time, e.g. events, parties, activities etc. I've done a google search which hasn't come up with many results, apart from information about last Christmas.

The same goes for New Year, what sort of things are there to do around then?

Another question is about accommodation. What would be your advice on where to stay, hostels or renting a cheap apartment? I was thinking I'd probably be in an apartment by then because it will work out slightly cheaper, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get some comments on how easy it is to find a job over in Oz. I head out later this year and start off in Sydney and will probably look to get a job shortly after arriving.

What is the best route to take when job searching? Do you use agencies or just drop off your CV at various places in the hope of getting a response? Any help would be great, thanks!

Thanks, tingtongman - That was my thinking, I mean the essentials (bank account, TFN, medicare etc.) are all basically free except getting a SIM card. Activities I can do all over with others I meet along the way, and I actually know people who are going to be there around the same time!

How did you find getting a job? Did you go to agencies or just go around handing your CV to anyone and everyone?

Hey guys,

Basically, I'm heading out to Oz later on this year on a WHV and looking to spend at least a year out there. My only concern is that will be my first solo trip (and also my first travelling trip as well) and I was hoping for a bit of advice.

Like many probably have, I've looked at various companies who are offering week long 'intro' packages, for example, gap360, OzIntro etc. I was just wondering if anyone has used them and they found they were worth it? They generally cost from around £450 - £500 and that money could easily go elsewhere. I think my only reason for doing this would be that it would take the initial stress of having to plan things for the first week away from me, although a lot of the activities I could simply arrange myself with people I meet in hostels etc.

Also, money wise, how much would you guys advise taking? I should hopefully have around £6000, give or take, which should be enough to tie me over for a while as the government recommend around $5500 on a WHV.

Any other useful advice would be much appreciated, thanks!!