Backpacker Tips

Organising Your Visa

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TOURIST VISA

People travelling to Australia need to apply for a Tourist Visa or Electronic Travel Authority
(ETA) Visitor Visa. There are a number of visa options for travellers coming to Australia so
click here to find the most suitable.

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA

If you are planning to work and travel in Australia, you must obtain a Working Holiday Visa. This visa is for people 18 – 30 years of age and allows those interested to work in Australia for up to 12 months (any one job for six months).

There are a range of countries this program is open to and you must be outside Australia when you apply, and when your visa is granted. For further information about obtaining a Working Holiday Visa, click here to visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Note: If your primary reason for travelling to Australia is to participate in the work force, you should consider a different visa designed for that purpose.

Employment

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TAX FILE NUMBER

Once you have been granted a Working Holiday Visa, you must apply for a Tax File Number.
Tax File Numbers take between 10-28 days to be lodged and you can apply online at the Australia Taxation Office website, click here.
Working in Australia you will pay between 15-29% tax on your income. At the end of the
financial year (30th June), you must declare any income you earn in Australia to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You will be pleased to know that most temporary workers overpay tax and are normally due a tax refund.
Should you need assistance when lodging your tax return, contact: http://greenhousebackpackers.lnk.taxback.com.au .
Tax Back specialises in income tax returns for Working Holiday Makers and students
living in Australia.

JOB SEARCH

There are plenty of job opportunities in Australia in a wide range of industries. When applying for jobs, ensure your resume is up-to-date and includes your Australian contact details.

Each Greenhouse hostel has a dedicated job board in the communal lounge area which is updated daily with new job announcements. For the more technologically savvy, check out our online job board by clicking here. Reception also has copies of a Jobs Guide publication which guests may borrow. The guide lists numerous recruitment agencies for a number of different industries, and also includes the best places to look for employment and general advice about working in Australia.

Organic Farm Work
If you are willing to work on an Organic Farm during your time in Australia, a popular volunteer project is WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). This program offers a cultural exchange in which you live and work with host farms and learn about the skills of organic growing. Visit Reception and ask for more information about WWOOF, we can provide you with all the tools you need to get started, and we can arrange your WWOOF membership which is $60 per person, or $70 per couple.

Fruit Picking
Each year, thousands of backpackers find work harvesting fruit and vegetable crops around Australia. Harvest Trail provides comprehensive information about harvest work opportunities, harvest locations, working conditions, transport and accommodation. Call the National Harvest Telephone Information Service on 1800 062 332 for up-to-date information on harvest opportunities.

Volunteer Work
Conservation Volunteers believe everybody should be involved in managing and protecting a healthy and sustainable environment. Every month, a number of our guests selflessly give up a day of their travels to plant trees, pull weeds, improve river health systems, conserve coastlines, save endangered species and protect our cultural heritage.

Be a gem and speak to Reception about our next scheduled ‘Green Day.’

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS AND CONDITIONS

For information regarding employee’s rights, e.g. employment conditions, leave entitlements, hours of work and minimum pay, visit Fair Work online.

Education

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COURSES

Responsible Service of Alcohol & Responsible Conduct of Gambling
If you intend to work in the hospitality industry in a position that requires you to serve alcohol, your employer may request that you complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Course. Similarly, if you are involved in gaming-related functions, your employer may ask you to complete a Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) Course.

Construction (OH&S Induction) Card (CIC)
When looking for a job on a building or construction site, the industry requires you to complete an accredited safety training course. Upon course completion, you will be issued with a Construction (OH&S Induction) Card (CIC).

Contact Eclipse Education if you are looking to attain a RSA certificate quickly, easily and on the cheap.

Learning English
Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Studying English in Australia will give you the opportunity to use and improve your English every single day.

Discover English, Melbourne
Kaplan International College
Cairns College of English
Sun Pacific College, Cairns

Banking

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BANK ACCOUNTS

Many Australian banks allow you to open a bank account before you arrive in the country. Ask you current bank, in your home country, if they have any affiliation with an Australian bank as this may assist you in your selection.

If you decide to apply for a bank account once you arrive in Australia, take the following documents into the bank branch – passport, identification, Australian residential address.

Below are links to Australia’s leading banks, they will be happy to assist you in opening a bank account:

• ANZ
• Commonwealth Bank
• NAB
• Westpac

Medical

5

MEDICARE

The public health system in Australia is covered by a Government body called Medicare. If you have been granted a Working Holiday Visa, then you may be eligible for Medicare cover during your time in Australia.

Citizens of the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland* and New Zealand* are covered for the approved duration of time granted in Australia. Citizens of Malta and Italy are covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from the date of arrival to Australia.
click here to download a Medicare Enrolment Form. Once completed, take your application form, passport, visa and one other form of identification to your nearest Medicare office.

* Irish and New Zealand travellers do not need to enrol, to access benefits you just need to show your passport at hospitals or pharmacies.

Miscellaneous

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TRANSPORT

METLINK – Official site of Melbourne’s transport system
TIP – When in Melbourne be sure to download the FREE Metlink Melbourne app for your iPhone.

Check out the Cairns Visitor Information Guide for Cairns transport information.

EMBASSIES

Click here for a list of foreign embassies and consulates in Australia.

GOOD AND SERVICES TAX

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% tax on supply of most goods and services in Australia. The GST does not apply to fresh food, your education and international airfares.
Under the Tourist Refund Scheme, tourists can claim a refund on the GST paid on the purchase of new or second-hand goods with a total minimum value of $300 from one shop, no more than 30 days before you leave Australia. This scheme excludes tobacco and alcohol.

Arriving
Departing
Guests

Northern Greenhouse