Australia is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic backpacker destinations in the world. But, more than that, it is the original home of the working holiday. For decades, young people have been making their way down under in search of employment for a year. But, why Australia? What is it about this island that makes it so perfect for a working holiday? Well for starters, it is one of only five countries that actually offer working holiday visas for Americans. But, there’s more to it than that.

1. The Weather is Sublime

You probably know this already but the weather in Australia is always fantastic. In places like Sydney the temperature rarely drops below about 50 degrees and that’s in peak winter. The eternal sunshine means there is ample opportunity to be outside and to explore Australia’s natural beauty. Think hiking, surfing, beaches etc.  

2. You Can Work Outside

One of the best things about working in Australia is the chance to escape office life for a bit. There is a plethora of farm jobs available for backpackers if you can handle a bit of manual labor. If you’re sick of staring at a computer screen then this is a refreshing break. Plus, manual labor is a great work out and you’ll get a tan. Win-win!

3. It’s Really Easy to Get a Working Holiday Visa

The process for getting a working holiday visa for Australia is really simple. You will need to pay an application fee of around USD $350 and you will need to prove that you have at least USD $4000 in available funds before you go out there. If you’re planning on going to Australia then you should have at least that much in your savings because it is expensive out there. There are very few eligibility criteria for Australia’s working holiday visa, other than that you have to be aged between 18 and 30. Tick that box and it’s smooth sailing from there. It’s not uncommon to have your visa approved within a few hours.

4. Minimum Wage is AUD $17.70

That equates to about USD $14 per hour. That’s more than you’ll earn in most states back home! This makes it easy to earn good money while you’re working in Australia so you won’t need to live in a tent eating nothing but ramen. Even bartenders can make a killing out there. Young people on working holidays in Australia can generally enjoy a pretty good quality of life.

5. Everyone Speaks English

This one might seem obvious but it is actually more important than you might originally think. Having worked in countries where the national language is not English I can tell you, it is hard. Making friends is hard, ordering food is hard and getting a cab is hard.

6. Australia Has Some of the Most Livable Cities in the World

Melbourne, Perth and Sydney are constantly at the top of the ‘world’s most liveable cities’ lists. And, let’s be honest, it’s not hard to see why. People who live here not only enjoy a pretty sweet work-life balance, but they get gorgeous beaches, great weather and an amazing culinary scene all on their doorstep.

7. The People are Fun

Australians have a reputation for being fun-loving and friendly. This makes it really easy to make friends and even life-long friends who you will stay in touch with forever. The culture here is very open and there is no resentment or coldness towards foreigners as there is in some other countries. Author: Jeremy Scott Foster writes for travelfreak.net, he’s an adrenaline junkie, culture vulture, and eater of dumplings. He’s been traveling and working around the world for seven years, jumping off bridges and climbing volcanoes.

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