r/workingholiday

I'm thinking about doing a WH season in Australia - I was backpacking for over a year in SE Asia and being back in Europe, I got a bit fed up with life here tbh. I've heard about many people, especially backpackers that doing a WH in Australia was the best time of their life. But I also hear a lot that finding a job is not easy at all, the market is overly saturated and the government is slowing down the visas processing cause there are so many applications. So I would like to ask to anyone who's already there, is it worth even trying at this time? Or is it better to wait a couple of years and see how things will evolve?

Also, as I've mentioned I have done a lot of backpacking, I'm over 30 years old and I'm kinda done with the party hostels young vibes. My idea would be to go to a quiet town, find a job in a chill cafe and enjoy the nature as much as possible. Anyone has any advice, experience or remarks about that? That would be very much appreciated, thanks!

Hello! I’m about to send WH visa application, but I’m wondering will it be worth it. How bad is the low entry job market (fruit picking farming etc). And how about housing? Can I easily find short term housing and is it how expensive?

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Buenas, tengo 19 y estoy laburando de administración en un frigorífico, la verdad que me gusta pero siento que no voy a llegar a nada si sigo así, un amigo me sugirió está posibilidad ya que el también quiere ir y íbamos a intentar poder ir juntos para no sentir la soledad tan de golpe, estoy estudiando inglés cada vez que tengo un rato y intentando entender su forma de hablar, también trabaje de albañil y tengo un curso hecho de Electricista en inmuebles de 2 años, que dicen? Igual me postularía en 2027 para viajar en 2028..

I've been struggling to find work back in my home country (USA) for a few months, including simple entry level stuff. I just finished working in New Zealand.

I finally got some interviews this week and in one of them, the interviewer said they weren't sure if I was a New Zealand citizen or a US citizen. I got that interview because technically the job allowed for seasonal workers on J-1 visas.

So that was 80ish applications that were probably thrown in the trash. I thought that my many years of work in the USA would make it clear, but it obviously didn't. I had to spell it out. Even when I put it on cover letters it wasn't enough.

I've now put a section on my resume that says I returned to my home in United States after spending a year on a working holiday.

This may be more common for Americans, but still, make it clear everyone! Don't be like me!

28f Australian looking to quit my job in marketing to pack up and go on a WHV. Being in my late 20s, I’d be undoing a lot of the groundwork I’ve built over the past 10 years in my career, I’d be taking a massive pay cut, taking away stability, etc… all that said, the adventure still calls to me and I desperately feel like I need to hit the reset button. Has anyone done a WHV in their late 20s and regretted it?

Buenas, tengo 19 y estoy laburando de administración en un frigorífico, la verdad que me gusta pero siento que no voy a llegar a nada si sigo así, un amigo me sugirió está posibilidad ya que el también quiere ir y íbamos a intentar poder ir juntos para no sentir la soledad tan de golpe, estoy estudiando inglés cada vez que tengo un rato y intentando entender su forma de hablar, también trabaje de albañil y tengo un curso hecho de Electricista en inmuebles de 2 años, que dicen? Igual me postularía en 2027 para viajar en 2028..

Hi all :-) I'm almost sure that I want to do a working holiday visa next year. I am 28 which means I am just in time to set myself for 3 years abroad if I decide to do so.

However, I am conflicted on which one to pursue. I've heard some mixed reviews about NZ's WHV and have heard overall better things about OZ so I am unsure if doing a full year in NZ is worth it. I'm hearing that OZ has more of a backpacker culture, better opportunities for getting a job, and seemingly just a little more energy (correct me if I'm wrong!)

I'm wondering, for those of you who have already done both countries, do you think it is worth using one of my WHV years in NZ or would I probably be satisfied just visiting the islands for a few months from Australia?

I have always been very interested in NZ and would love to spend around 3 months in a campervan exploring the country. As for Australia, I've never been particularly drawn to it but I think that the lifestyle of the WHV there will introduce me to like-minded people and still be a very worthy and adventurous chapter in my life. I don't doubt that I will enjoy the country now that I have this opportunity to really get to know it.

Thank you <3

Hey yall, I’m about to finish my undergrad degree in bio and environmental science this December and I’m really wanting to take some time to travel before landing into another career or going to graduate school.

I’m trying to find an affordable way to travel around NZ and Australia. Optimally I would love to do something in biology or environmental science but I am keeping my options open. I would prefer only temporary employment so then I can come back to the states in the late spring/ early summer.

I’m thinking I would leave the US in January and be back by May or June.

If anyone has experience with this PLEASE let me know or provide some of your best leads.

Thanks! 🙏

Hello! I’m currently on my final semester of college and am looking into/planning to do a work holiday visa within the next year but the more I look into it the more anxious I get. It not my first time solo traveling since I did a semester study abroad in Korea but I had my university to rely on and had that security.

As an American there aren’t that many countries to choose from but my first choice had been Ireland until I saw everything about the housing crisis and difficulty in securing a job but when I started looking into Canada, I was getting relatively the same thing. My goal was to get the visa for a country with a city with decent public transportation and a job centered in tech writing since it’s what I graduated with and could possibly do remotely if I got lucky considering I’d be a recent grad but I’m also beginning to think that might be a stretch.

I guess I kind of wanted advice on whats realistic for me and if this is really something I should go for? I can’t really drive/don’t like to so a walkable city is very important to me and I want to BE in a city since I’m not much of a backpacker either. Are there any other options I can look into or even countries I should put more consideration into?

I’ve been waiting 35 days, no medical required, no complications and wait time went down to 25 days? My job and my partner are waiting for me in Sydney. What do I do?

Hey guys, I’ve been travelling SE Asia for the last 6 months and in less than a week I’ll be moving to Melbourne to live for a year on my WHV.
My plans have suddenly changed as I was originally going to Perth, so I don’t really know much about Melbourne. My two main concerns at the moment are finding somewhere to stay and getting a job.
A friend of mine stayed in a hostel in Perth for a few months and I was planning on doing the same in Melbourne. Is this pretty normal there? I know I’ll probably look into house shares further down the line, but ideally I’d like somewhere I can stay for a while when I first arrive and get myself sorted.
My money is getting pretty low after travelling for 6 months, so I’m going to need to find work pretty quickly. What’s the best way to go about finding a job ASAP? I’ve worked as a mechanic and labourer since leaving school, but honestly I’ll do pretty much anything at this point.
I also don’t drive, so I’ll be relying on public transport/walking. Are there any areas I should avoid staying in because they’re too far out or difficult to get around without a car? Or any areas that would be better for finding work without driving?
Any advice on hostels, areas to stay or finding work would be really appreciated!

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to come to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa later this year.

I’ve been reading a lot of posts recently about how competitive the job market is for WHV travellers. It seems like many people are applying for similar types of jobs, and I’m wondering how much my own background could help.

I speak Mandarin, English and Japanese, and my previous experience has mainly been in office-based roles. I’m used to communication, dealing with people, and working in international environments.

I was wondering if language skills are actually useful when looking for WHV jobs in Australia, especially in places with lots of international visitors.

For example, hotels, tourism businesses, tourist shops, visitor centres, retail jobs in popular travel areas, or other roles involving international customers (especially Asian customers).

I understand WHV workers usually have a limited time with each employer, so I’m not sure how realistic these kinds of jobs are. I’m also not expecting to avoid typical WHV work, but I’m curious whether it’s possible to find roles where language skills and international experience are useful.

Would love to hear from anyone who has used their language skills while on a WHV, or anyone who has advice about where to look. Thanks!

Hello, im from Austria and trying to get my Education recognized for a working holiday! I have a diploma in social work and work as a site manager at a day center for people with disabilities. I lead a team of support staff, coordinate daily activities and provide support to ensure our clients can participate in meaningful work and everyday life as independently as possible.

Is RPL Australia a good Option for recognition? Any help is appreciated!

Hi,

I’m 28M, UK

I’ve wanted to move to Canada for a while now, I’ve done research a plenty and have an idea of what needs to be done/ my chances.

Recently I’ve consider signing up with the company Global Network and Travel and taking part in a two year working holiday trip in Canada.

I see this as a great way to get me over there and live, work and explore!

However, my intention would be to see this as a chance to lay down foundation to then go on to apply for permanent residency (PR), again I’ve done my research and know what to expect.

My main concern is, if I derail my life, quit my job, move out, lose my car etc to go work away for two years that if it doesn’t work out and I have to come back home when the two years is up, I fear I’ll come home broke, with no job, potentially nowhere to live and no means of transport.

I know really I wouldn’t be homeless as I’ve spoken with friends and I’m sure they’d put me up but I know really that can’t be sustainable long term and I know I’ve also struggled to find work in the UK when I’ve had a job let alone be unemployed and not have been in the country for two years.

I’m so torn, I feel like if I didn’t try and go for it, and I suppose this is where any Canadians may be able to help, initially I’d be looking to work abroad in the hospitality sector, I’ve got extensive experience in the UK and from my research the hospitality sector in Canada is a booming industry but also one that relies a lot on foreign nationals coming to work in it. And I know it’s classed as unskilled work and when trying to move to Canada they value skilled workers, but I have extensive experience in hospitality management/ events management and I’d see that as my pathway, as management roles in hospitality are seen as tier 0/1 skilled work which may improve my chances!

But again I’m so torn, I’ve do extensive research on everything I can think of, from Canadian employers not favouring foreigners for management roles as they know they aren’t permanent, to the flip where I’ve seen they employers don’t discriminate based on ability to remain.

Then currently I believe my immigration score is quite low but I’ve researched that if I worked in Canada for two years, and especially if I was in a skilled role (hospitality management) that this can massively increase my score then I may be able to apply for PR through the provincial nomination programme.

I’m just very torn, about if I even try it, I know what my odds are if I do go for it and I suppose any Canadians who may see this is be grateful on your opinions, but also anyone from UK or anywhere who tried something like this but it didn’t work out and had to come home, how was that?

The current things holding me back is that fear that after two years I can’t get PR and have to come home and face the risk of no job, no car, no fixed residence etc and that scares me more into not doing this!

On the flip side, I could do it and it could all work very well and I could get PR but honestly who knows.

Any advice/ others experience would be great!

I'm 25F, turning 26 this year from Norway and I've been traveling for 2 years now and have done seasonal jobs in Norway. I'm exploring the idea of going to Australia for work to try it. I have Bacherlor in International Management and have worked in marketing, content creation, and the travel industry. I would love to find work that is within the industry I have experience in. Do you have any reccommendations? Thank you!

Hey everyone! For my Working Holiday I'm staying in Toronto from March next year till at least the end of July. Has anyone had the experience of moving to Canada and maybe especially Toronto, and what are your thoughts about it? Any advice is welcome! Thank you in advance and greetings from Amsterdam :)