Written by Matt Browne
Posted, 26th November 2021
No need to rub your eyes in disbelief, or pinch yourself to wake up. It’s all true! Australia is opening their arms, and its borders, to travellers as of 1st December 2021. The dust is only just settling after the highly anticipated announcement, which was music to a lot of hopeful travellers ears. There’s quite a lot to digest, but don’t worry because we’ve put it all together in a neat package for you.
Want to understand what this means for you, and what you need to do in order to make your dream a reality? We’ve got you covered.
Who can go?
Any lucky holders of a Working Holiday Visa (417), Work and Holiday Visa (462) or Student Visa (500) are permitted without the need to quarantine. Yep, you heard that right! Anyone concerned by the prospect of quarantine will be ecstatic to hear this is out the window. There’s no need to be worried about spending a small fortune to be held up in a hotel for 14 days.
While Australia is opening for the above, those waiting for a regular tourist visa will have to sit tight just a little while longer, unfortunately.
What is a Working Holiday Visa?
Quite simply, a working holiday visa enables you to visit Australia for 1 year, with the option to extend to 3 years maximum. During this time you are able to work as you travel, which makes for an incredibly effective way to fund your trip.
What are the caveats? Well, both working and travelling are core pillars of this visa. You cannot work for the same company for longer than 6 months, which is a rule that is strictly enforced. This ensures anyone using this method to enter Australia makes the most of both aspects of working as well as travelling. By working for up to 6 months you can easily earn enough money to fund the next 6 months of exploration, and so on.
Still on the fence? There are options that suit everyone! Concerned about keeping your career aspirations alive? No problem! You can still do a similar job, or work in the same industry you do now. Fancy a change of pace? Try your hand working on a vineyard for a few months.
Read More: 18 reasons to start your Gap Year in Melbourne
What do you need?
Now that Australia is open any potential VISA holder must be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine (Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson). Next up you need to start the application process, which is just like you would have done previously.
Prior to entering the country, you will need:
- Proof of vaccine
- An Australian travel declaration
- Pre-departure covid test taken 72hrs before flying.
Click here to create an account and get started on your application now…
When can you apply?
Immediately! With the number of applicants higher ever, you will want to try and be as close to the front of the queue as possible. The Australian government has said it could take up to 4 months for applications to be approved, however, it’s very much a guessing game at this stage. The best thing you can do is take care of everything you can now, and then sit back and wait to hear the good news!
Once approved your ‘Working Holiday Visa’ is valid for 12 months. You’ll need to enter within 12 months of approval and your visa will expire 12 months after the point of entry.
Why should you get a working holiday visa?
A working holiday in Australia means experiencing all the unbelievable things that only Australia has to offer, combined with a great way to fund the trip of a lifetime. The beauty of a trip like this is that it’s perfect for solo travellers, pairs or groups. What better way to make new friends than all pitching in and working on a farm together? It’s an incredible way to meet new people, and also a great way to hear other travellers’ amazing experiences. Listen and use these experiences to help build your own must-see list of places to visit!
When is the best time to visit?
Australia is a funny old place where the weather ranges from quite hot to very hot. If you’re planning on going for a year or longer, then the time to enter the country depends on your personal situation. If you want to work on a farm and earn the money to travel first, then make sure you arrive and are settled before the harvest season starts. This typically sits between September to December, but make sure to arrive before this to find a place to work. If you plan on travelling first then the most popular times tend to be between September to November, or March to May. These months are when the temperature sits at a happy medium of neither too hot… nor too cold.
What’s so great about Australia?
Australia is globally renowned and revered for its natural wonders, beaches and laid back lifestyle. In fact, if you decided you wanted to visit a new beach every day then it would take 27 years to do so! That would still only just scratch the surface of what there is to do in this incredible place. Watch wild turtles hatch in Queensland, drive the breathtaking ocean road, visit the wonderful Whitsundays’, skydive over Sydney and swim in the Great Barrier Reef. You really are only hindered by your imagination in this wondrous country.
Read more: The Best Bits: East Coast of Australia
When are we starting trips again?
Now that we’ve got you excited about the prospect of travelling to Australia, you may be overwhelmed wondering where to start and what you need to do? Paying tax, setting up a bank account, finding accommodation and how to get a sim card might all be playing on your mind. We get it! That’s exactly where we step in to help alleviate all that pain. Feel Free Travel and our Aussie pals have put together 2 ‘Starter Packages’ in both Sydney and Melbourne. These trips are perfect for solo travellers, and those who are eager to experience this amazing country but don’t quite know exactly where to start. On top of all the above, the packages cover activities, local experiences and have a bunch of meals included. The best part about it all… these trips will be fully up and running again from February 2022!
Click here to start booking your trip today!!
What are you waiting for?!
Since Australia is open again it is now the single best time to pursue any dream you have of living life down under. The last few years have taught us all that life can change in an instant, so don’t put it off any longer! Fund your dream by working as you move around, and enjoy everything this glorious country can offer. Make friends that will last a lifetime, and enjoy experiences you will never forget! Get in touch with us today so we can help turn this dream into a reality now.
Are you planning a big trip to Australia and need some help or advice? Slide into the DM’s and chat with one of the crew via Whatsapp or Facebook.
If you’re looking at jumping on one of our Sydney or Melbourne welcome packages we’ve updated all our booking policies to give you ultimate flexibility from start to finish. We are confident that our new and improved ‘Book with Confidence’ promise is the easiest and most hassle-free way to travel. We’re now offering unlimited date changes, deposits starting from £1 and our super popular flexible payment plans with secure online transactions.
