How to Make the Most of Your Australian Working Holiday

Elizabeth Murphy • November 8, 2015

With some of the strangest indigenous wildlife on the planet and some of the best surfing beaches in the world , it's no surprise that Australia attracts people who are craving adventure. A working holiday is often the perfect choice for those of us who dream of exploring unknown lands and want to gain work and life experience. If you have your working holiday visa sorted and your bags packed, you should probably try to plan some of your trip. Listed below are some useful tips you can keep in mind when heading to the land down under. These tips should help make your life easier and ensure you get the best out of your time in Australia.

Organise accommodation

You might think it's better to wait until you get to Australia to find a place to stay, but be warned! You might not have heard about the queues of backpackers forced to pay hefty sums to stay in hotels. Booking accommodation in advance is the best way to avoid this. Accommodation in Australia isn't cheap, especially in the cities, so you should research good value hostels before you leave. There are plenty of websites that can help – all you need to do is search! Make sure you read the reviews and find out what facilities they offer.

Get a TFN

Don't know what a TFN is? As a future working holiday maker, it's time for you to come to grips with some basic Australian tax terms. Anyone who works in Australia should provide their TFN (Tax File Number) to their employer within the first 30 days of employment. Your TFN is a unique number, and it prevents you from paying taxes at higher rates than you need to! It also helps you change jobs easily, and, once you have it, it's yours for life. So you should get one before you leave for Australia to save time when you get there.

File your taxes

Here is when most of you would stop reading, because tax topics are usually too boring. However, filing your taxes in Australia could give you a serious boost to your budget and bring in some extra money for travelling! How is it possible? If you're staying in Australia for more than six months, you could be entitled to a tax refund. The good news is that you don’t have to waste your time filling out complicated tax forms! You can rely on an authorised tax agent, such as Taxback.com , who helps thousands of working holiday makers obtain their tax refunds without even lifting a finger. All you need to do is register here and they do all the hard work while you continue your epic road trip and explore the spectacular landscape of Australia. Please keep these tips in mind and enjoy your Australian adventure!

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