RyanG91

I'll be heading to Australia in September 2016 after a 4 month detour in Thailand and Cambodia. I'm planning on having £4,000 in the bank when I hit the Australian tarmac. I think this will be ample for a short while but you'll need to work to keep your savings up to a steady level. I'll also have money in an account back in the UK ready to use for my flight home whenever I need to use it.

Trouble is, the WHV forum on here isn't overly busy. The more frequent posters are ones who are in the planning of going them selves. There aren't too many people who regularly post with recent experiences of such things. Sydney is very expensive compared to other cities in Australia, Australia is very expensive compared to the UK (Unless you are working) You'd need to ask yourself if you could guarantee finding work (each) that would pay $900 before tax (33%) a week. That sort of wage sounds quite high unless it is a skilled profession, in which case most employers would not look at employing someone on a WHV for such position. If you can find a job with that sort of money you will be working comfortably 40 hours a week on $23 (I think thats minimum wage?) so another thing to ask yourself would be, why are you going to Australia? Why not do that in the UK, save up even more money and go when you have enough in the bank to enjoy your time there rather than have the stress of a 40 hour week. Another thing to consider is rental term, how long do you have to commit for? And bare in mind you cannot work for the same employer for longer than 6 months on a WHV.

Unfortunately there is a far bigger picture than the fact you will be putting your earnings back into the economy, whatever earnings you have saved in the bank are extremely unlikely to make a difference on the current situation in Australia. The point you make that you are seeing a girl is irrelevant, you want to stay then you apply for PR. You want to carry on seeing each other, don't get yourself a 3 year exclusion from the country (presuming she's Aussie?). Bottom line is don't outstay your visa. It's not worth it.

So what is the overall verdict on Backpack Vs Suitcase? I'm wondering this myself at the moment. I've also been looking at large holdall bags, seems to be the in-between cheap(ish) option. I'm also on the verge of booking a one way flight to Bangkok!! I've decided I want to spend a little bit of time in Thailand to learn to dive and then head to Cambodia for a little while and then finally to Australia. Nervous but excited!! Also.. Managed to find a flight to Bangkok for £290. Involves a 18 hour stopover in Colombo, Sri Lanka but I'm confident I can leave the airport and find somewhere to stay for that night and fly off to Thailand the next day!!

The 32.5% tax will seem incredibly high considering in the UK, Basic Rate tax is approximately 20%, and even a 2nd income tax rate is 23%!! I'm planning to be in Aus from June 2016 so will be just before the new legislation comes in. It will be tough, but certainly not impossible. Based on the idea of working on a farm/orchard/vineyard etc... Earning $20ph working 6 hours a day, 5 days a week = $600. Less 32.5% is $400 p/w. Take away the boarding at the hostel/farm (Average $150) it leaves you with $250 a week to eat and play with which in my eyes is plenty (I have been to Aus as recent as November 13 so understand the cost of food and activities etc..) Obviously that scenario is based on finding a steady job that you can work 30 hours a week. Even still, I'd say its possible to live off of 20 hours a week and not eat into savings, but you probably wouldn't be able to add to the savings.

Good idea too about the 2nd year, I've not considered doing it later on only straight after the first 12 months. I'll be 25 when I go so would have a few years to head back before I'm too old! Hopefully we all get our plans together and stick to them! You especially Stacey! You need to pick a date to go and stick to it! And I'm the same as you Kayleigh, I just want to wake up tomorrow and it to be "the day"!! It can't come quick enough!

Because you're only around 4 months away I'd say any time from now really. If you look at flights now for about 14th June, you'll find one way tickets for around £450 to Sydney. It would depend if you'd want to risk waiting until a few weeks before flying to buy your tickets to save £100 or so...

Hi Kayleigh, Good to know I'm heading there with a similar budget to begin with, make sure you keep us all posted on how you're getting on (when you have wifi) when you are there! Yeah, got a rough plan in my head but like you say, trying not to plan too much as plans always change, as long as you are flexible s to where you go you'll be fine. I noticed that from a month long holiday I had there in 2013, had a plan all worked out, but only did half the stuff on it and a load of other things that were added along the way. Good plan about hitting Sydney for a "holiday" too, its an incredible place. It'll probably help get that bit out of your system too so then you can concentrate on finding some sort of work elsewhere or even in Sydney depending on what you're going to look for.

Hey I'm only planning on taking around £3k myself after flights and visa are paid for. I think I will be okay as long as I manage to find some part time work at least within the first 4/5 weeks. Anything longer than that will be a disaster. I think! I'm the same, I couldn't decide on a date to go but there were a few things to factor in, for example I'm in a training agreement with my job where I'd have to pay course fee's back if I left any sooner than April 2016! So I've set the "fly" date at the week after my birthday in June 2016 so I've got a year to really save and plan! I've done really well at sticking to my plan at the moment. I've lived on my own for a couple of years now so my plan started about a year ago, it involved all sorts of stuff like repaying my loan, moving out of my flat, selling all my furniture and belongings etc... So far so good, I move out of my flat next weekend into a flat share for a couple months and then I can move back home until I fly (long story there) Its really scary how quickly the different parts of the plan are coming around. 12 months ago the thought of moving out of the flat seemed a million miles away! But there is no going back now, most of my stuff is sold so all that I'm left with is my clothes, laptop, iPad etc.. and my car! Hopefully living a "simple" life for a year will give me a good expectation of what it will be like being a backpacker in Aus! Also struggling to think of where I want to fly to initially, I'm swaying towards Brisbane just because of the climate in June and I want to do 3 months regional work asap so I have the option to stay for another 12 months if I want to. Otherwise I'd be looking at Adelaide in particular! Lovely place. Are you going to try and travel all around Aus or settle in one place for the majority? Sorry for the long post, I get carried away when talking about it all because there aren't too many people who I can talk to about it yet!!

Hi Stacey, I know I could probably find it on another thread but out of interest, how much are you planning on taking with you? I think I can recall you saying somewhere that you are scared of running out of money too soon after landing. I'm feeling the same way and won't have a massive pot of money when I land myself so I guess my plan is to work asap to top up the savings. Have you made an immediate plan as to what you are going to do when you eventually go?

Okay so I am finally starting to plan my travels seeing as I am at now almost exactly a year away from beginning this adventure! Firstly, apologies for the long post, thank you for reading if you get that far! I've got to be in England until May 2016 so the obvious choice would be to leave for Australia in June. The original plan was to arrive down under and immediately find regional work so that I would be eligible for a 2nd year visa should I want to take it at the end of the first 12 months. Ultimately, I only want to make a "rough" plan, I know too well from a previous visit to Aus that if you make a solid plan, more than likely you won't stick to it. What I am going to be doing after I complete the three months regional work is a mystery at the moment. I may find myself up in Cairns as doing a PADI course is on my bucket list amongst other things in QLD. Or I may find myself living in Sydney for a few months or even back in Adelaide (where I feel at home). I'm not going to be travelling with much money to begin with, approximately $5,000AUD after everything is paid for. So I'm keen to work to build this a little before exploring the country rather than eat too far into the pot straight away. I know it may be pretty difficult to "save" when/if this new tax law comes in next year but I'm pretty good at living a basic life already so think I will be okay. Seeing as I've picked the start of winter to travel, I've drawn a shortlist of destinations as to where I could fly into and then head to seek work using the Harvest Trail Guide. They are as follows: Adelaide - Head to Berri/Renmark area or slightly further east to Mildura. PRO: Familiar with these areas as have travelled through before. There seems to be quite a lot of harvest work starting in these regions in June (according to the Harvest Trail) and if I can recall correctly, the road between Mildura and Adelaide is pretty much lined with orchards and farms (drove it myself in November 2013) so would be tempted to suggest that work might be easier to find around here. CON: Weather is an average of 15 degrees with approximately 15 rain days a month (living in Bournemouth, this is rather nippy to me). This is concerning seeing as a lot of adverts I've seen state that you can't work in the rain, therefore losing a days pay. Brisbane - After arriving here, head to Byron Bay/Lismore/Carboolture. PRO: Again, seems to be a lot of harvest work starting here in June. Temperature average is around 21 degrees (thats more like it!!) with roughly 7 days rain per month. CON: I imagine Brisbane is very popular with fellow backpackers at this time of year due to the climate and general location. More backpackers there are, less chance of securing work (in theory) Townsville - Doubt I could get here without taking a domestic flight from Sydney or Brisbane (cheapest) but anyway, Ayr, Giru and Bowen seem to have a lot of harvest going on in June. PRO: Again, climate is very good, 25 degrees. CON: Pretty much same as above, imagine it is even more popular with backpackers looking for work than Brisbane area. Perth - Head south to Albany/Frankland/Denmark PRO: Harvest situation looks pretty decent in this areas, temperature is a happy medium between 18-20 degrees. CON: Not sure on popularity, also hadn't planned WA in my travels to far (even though a lot of it is absolutely stunning) So I guess what I am really after is other peoples thoughts? Maybe someone is planning on going this June and has a rough plan of action. Or someone who has been and had the experience first hand? Thank you to anyone who had given me 5-10 minutes to read this

Even though this is my primary destination in Aus, I have been very surprised with how underrated Adelaide is. It seems to be perfect for everything you want around you. Awesome beaches, vibrant areas (Glenelg in particular) great transport links (now the railway is up and running again) easy access to the Hills and probably the best/most consistent weather in Aus.

Google Harvest Trail, download the guide, its 134ish pages long. It's brilliant for identifying what areas nd stated harvest what crops at different times of the year. Well worth your time to do a little bit of homework if planning to go to a particular destination at a certain time of year. Also I think if would be luck of the draw if you can find a well paid job. A lot of farms try to exploit desperate backpackers by paying lower wages than what is regulated. Sorry I cant be any more help as it's something I'm yet to experience although next year I will be in your shoes so will be very interested to find out how you got on. My plans are to work immediately for a few months to A) Save some money up and B) have the regional work in the bank so I can apply for a 2nd year if I want to come the end of the first 12 months. Pretty much the same as yours.

Hi Michael, I am also going to be heading to Aus on a WHV around April-May next year. You are right it sounds a long time away but trust me it will fly by and preparation is so important. I first started making real plans about 6 months ago and they have flown by. I would probably say I'm at a slight advantage because I have been travelling in Aus as recent at November 2013 so I have a bit of a clue what to expect. On to your questions: - What is a reasonable amount of money to take out there? Thinking of around $10,000 excluding flights and 1st week getting settled in. I am planning on taking £4,000 excluding a one way flight. Obviously depending on exchange rate I'm currently looking at between $7-8,000 AUD - Where would be an ideal place to start? I plan on working as soon as possible when I get there? I am planning on flying into Adelaide, I spent 3 weeks there in November 13 and the city is very easy to navigate, great beaches and easy access to Adelaide Hills and other rural areas (Ideal for regional work. Plus you can complete your regional work in any 'post code' in South Australia) My next choice would be Sydney, its an amazing place. A lot of people fly into either Sydney or Melbourne, both are good options for you. Those three cities and Perth will be the cheapest from London. (assuming you are flying from the UK?) - How hard will it be to find a hostel or place to stay when I'm there? Book the first week before you go, I wouldn't book more than one week because you are bound to meet people or want to move around. Other might suggest booking two, its entirely up to you in all fairness. - What sort of things would be seen as a necessity to bring with me? Not including things I can buy when I get there. Bring yourself, a positive can do attitude, respect for Australia and its people, a bit of money and probably some clothes. You can buy anything you can in the UK in Aus, however you will notice how expensive it is compared to the UK until you start earning the dollar. - What do people generally think of it out there? I will eventually live in Australia, that much has been decided already. I was lucky enough to send 3 weeks in Adelaide with a working family so have a better idea of the quality of life than someone who say for example has just been on a holiday there. I want to visit on a WHV first though just to A) get a better idea of Aus life and B) gain the life experience of working and living away from home. - Is my maximum stay 2 years? Yes, although you will need to complete 88 days of regional work (farm/fruit picking) in order to qualify for a 2nd year. - How do people act to English people traveling there? I met loads of friendly Australians on my travels, none of them showed any negative signs to travellers. I think it is also a respect thing though. You respect Australia, its values, natural beauty, countryside, coastlines, people and it will respect you back. Let me know if you want to know anything else or have more questions, I'm always hovering around the forums, just don't post very often!

Depends what you want to do really. I'd say starting in Sydney is a good place to start, you can go north up the east coast to Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Cairns etc.. which I suspect is fairly typical of a backpacker. Or the other way you can go to Melbourne and Adelaide. Adelaide is not as popular with backpackers but still a wonderful city. I wouldn't make too many firm plans now though, just a rough outline of where you want to go. More than likely you will meet people who will help influence where you go and I suppose always be ready to move around. If you are looking for regional work I'd get on the Harvest Trail, plenty of info on the au.gov website. There is quite a few published info packs around to help you get your head around that. When are you flying?