Summer 2011 Is Coming! Work and Travel Around Australia

Australia and New Zealand are just two of the fabulous destinations yuo can choose from with SWAP.

Whatcha doin’ this summer? How about working and travelling your way around (the hopefully unflooded and headed into recovery) Australia?

If you’re a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30, you can apply for a working holidaymaker visa to a few different countries, including Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. (For Ireland and New Zealand, you can apply up to age 35.)

A working holiday visa allows you to live and work in a country, just like a local, usually for up to a year. Instead of living in hostels and tour buses, you’ll have a chance to settle in, get to know your neighbors, and develop a deeper understanding of a place.

There are no bad destinations, but for now let’s concentrate on Australia. It’s beautiful, slightly exotic, has great weather, friendly people, plenty of opportunities for adventure and is more affordable than some European destinations.

You’ll be working and earning some money, which is a responsible thing to do, and you might even find a job that will give you experience that can be applied to a future career. You’ll also be in a country full of backpackers who are looking to have a good time. It’s the best of both worlds, really.

If you’re ready to apply, or if you have some questions about working holidays, visit swap.ca.

Don’t Work to Travel, Travel to Work with a SWAP Holiday!

If you’re a student, you have lots of options to study abroad. But what about after you graduate? Do you have to become a tourist like everyone else?

Nope.

If you’re a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30, you can apply for a working holidaymaker visa to a few different countries, including Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. (For Ireland and New Zealand, you can apply up to age 35.)

A working holiday visa allows you to live and work in a country, just like a local, usually for up to a year. Instead of living in hostels and tour buses, you’ll have a chance to settle in, get to know your neighbors, and develop a deeper understanding of a place.

There are no bad destinations, but for now let’s concentrate on Australia. It’s beautiful, slightly exotic, has great weather, friendly people, plenty of opportunities for adventure and is more affordable than some European destinations.

So if you’re in your mid-20s, having a bit of a quarter-life crisis and trying to figure out what to do next (quit your job? go back to school? have a little more fun while you’re still young and unattached enough to enjoy it?) working in Australia for a year could be a great next step.

You’ll be working and earning some money, which is a responsible thing to do, and you might even find a job that will give you experience that can be applied to a future career. You’ll also be in a country full of backpackers who are looking to have a good time. It’s the best of both worlds, really.

If you’re ready to apply, or if you have some questions about working holidays, visit swap.ca.

Find Part-Time Work in Australia

Australia and New Zealand are just two of the fabulous destinations you can choose from with SWAP.

If you’re going to study in Australia, or if you’re going on a working holiday visa, then you’re going to need to find a decent job once you get there. Where to look?

Universities: Most universities have a job placement centre that has listings of available positions. You might also get help through whatever office assists international students.

Hostels: For really temporary work, maybe a few days at a time, check bulletin boards at hostels. They’re a great resource in cities and more rural areas alike, especially if you’re looking for seasonal work doing fruit picking or other labour.

Windows: Found an area of town you like? Job hunt the old fashioned way and look for help wanted signs in shops, cafes or whatever interests you.

The Internet: While most job sites online are geared toward people looking for full-time, long-term work, there are some that list temp positions. Or if there’s a specific place you’d like to work – a museum, theatre, sporting arena – check their website directly to see if they’re hiring.

Temp agencies: If you can type pretty well, answer phones, run errands and prefer to work in an office environment, sign up with a temp agency or two. Julia Ross is one of the largest agencies, but there are plenty to choose from.

Consider interning or volunteering: No, it doesn’t pay cash, but it could give you some great experience. Check out volunteering.com.au to see what kind of opportunities are available.

No matter what kind of position you’re looking for, be ready to make a great first impression at an interview and have the following things ready to go:

• Your tax file number (apply for a TFN as soon as you arrive) or the application receipt from the tax office that proves you’re getting one soon
• Your Australian bank information to arrange for direct deposit (get an account when you arrive, too)
• A paper copy of your resume
• An electronic version of your resume, in case a recruiter wants it available to email to clients
• A list of at least three references and their contact information, including email addresses for those further away than a local phone call
• The results of any skill tests (typing, computer programs) you have taken at temp agencies

Dress as you would for any professional interview, even if you just want work as a telemarketer. The more responsible you look, the better your chances of getting steady work.

Good luck!
Lisa

Where Should I Live in Australia?

Map by Lonely Planet

If my last blog post about working holidays in Australia made you at least consider doing it, and I really hope it did, then the next step is to start making plans about what to do after you get there.

The first question you should ask yourself: Where am I going to live?

As far as picking a town to settle down in, do you want the urban excitement of Sydney? The casual cool of Melbourne? Someplace close to adventure, like Cairns? Or maybe you want to pick a dusty little outback town and see how the ranchers and miners used to – and sometimes still do – live.

This is where guidebooks and other travelers can come in handy. I chose Sydney when I did my working holiday, mostly because I had friends there, but also because it’s a beautiful place near both beaches and mountains and with lots of nightlife and activities.

Other things to consider:

1. What kind of work are you looking for? If you have the skills and experience for an office job, then the big cities will have more opportunities and pay higher wages. If you’d rather pick fruit up and down the east coast, then you might look into smaller, rural towns.
2. What kind of adventures do you want to have? If you’re into scuba diving or boating, head north, around the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to hike and rock climb, take a look at cities around the Grampians.

There really aren’t any bad parts of Australia to live in, and you might want to try more than one area out. Be flexible with your expectations, and your itinerary, and you’re sure to have an amazing experience.

So where are you headed?
Lisa

Start Planning Your Australian Working Holiday

If you’re a student, you have lots of options to study abroad. But what about after you graduate? Do you have to become a tourist like everyone else?

Nope.

If you’re a Canadian between the ages of 18 and 30, you can apply for a working holidaymaker visa to a few different countries, including Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. (For Ireland and New Zealand, you can apply up to age 35.)

A working holiday visa allows you to live and work in a country, just like a local, usually for up to a year. Instead of living in hostels and tour buses, you’ll have a chance to settle in, get to know your neighbors, and develop a deeper understanding of a place.

There are no bad destinations, but for now let’s concentrate on Australia. It’s beautiful, slightly exotic, has great weather, friendly people, plenty of opportunities for adventure and is more affordable than some European destinations.

So if you’re in your mid-20s, having a bit of a quarter-life crisis and trying to figure out what to do next (quit your job? go back to school? have a little more fun while you’re still young and unattached enough to enjoy it?) working in Australia for a year could be a great next step.

You’ll be working and earning some money, which is a responsible thing to do, and you might even find a job that will give you experience that can be applied to a future career. You’ll also be in a country full of backpackers who are looking to have a good time. It’s the best of both worlds, really.

If you’re ready to apply, or if you have some questions about working holidays, visit swap.ca.

Who Do You Want to Visit in Australia?

“Every country is like a particular type of person. America is like a belligerent adolescent boy, Canada is like an intelligent thirty-five-year-old woman. Australia is like Jack Nicholson. It comes right up to you and laughs very hard in your face in a highly threatening and engaging manner.”

-Douglas Adams, “The Salmon of Doubt”

I love Douglas Adams (“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” guy) and find most of his observations to be pretty accurate, but I’m not so sure about this one.

For one thing, summing up all of Australia by comparing it to an American actor seems a bit off. There are plenty of strong Aussie personalities that you could use. For another thing, I don’t think Jack Nicholson would last a week in Australia on his own, so he doesn’t deserve to represent this fabulous place. Oh, sure, if he was holed up in some swanky hotel he’d be alright, but drop him off in Coober Pedy with a swag and no cell phone and he’d be toast.

I’m also not so sure about Australia being “threatening”. A bit scary maybe, with all the poisonous and carnivorous animals that would happily kill you, but overall I’d have to say it’s far more exciting and welcoming than anything else. Much more Baz Luhrmann than Jack Nicholson.

Each part of Australia is a little different though, so here’s my human map of the country:

The Gold Coast: This is Kylie Minogue territory. You’ve got sun and beaches, clubs, pubs, lots of opportunities to dance and party and have a great time.

Sydney: Like any big, metropolitan area, Sydney is a hub of culture but that doesn’t mean it’s hoity-toity. It’s approachable and playful, kind of like Portia de Rossi, but also edgy, like Silverchair’s Daniel Johns.

Melbourne: Clearly, this is Nicole Kidman. A little posher than Sydney, a little calmer, and a great place to shop.

Canberra: It’s important, being the capital and all, but nobody really wants to go there. I’d say Canberra is author Peter Carey – his books are well respected, probably something you should read, but not exactly fun.

Alice Springs: It’s rugged, it can be dangerous, and you have to pretty tough to make it here, but with sweeping views and massive skies Alice Springs also has a sexy, romantic side, like the American Old West. This is Hugh Jackman.

Brisbane/BrisVegas: Cheesy fun? Olivia Newton-John.

Northern Territory: This has to be Steve Irwin. Most of it is wild and untamed, but there’s a lot of heart in the people who live here and love it.

Perth: It’s the only major city in Australia I haven’t been to, so I have to speculate a little bit, but since it’s occupied by people who don’t mind living in the most remote part of an already remote country, I’d have to say Guy Pierce. He’s a great actor, but not one of the first names that springs to mind when I think about famous Aussies. He’s sort of out on the edges.

And now that I’ve got you all excited about the multiple personalities of the Land Down Under, are you ready to start planning your trip? Learn all about a SWAP working holiday in Australia.