---
title: How do I prepare for Work & Travel Australia before I leave?
description: Once you're accepted, book flights, send us your itinerary, download WhatsApp for AIFS, read the pre-departure resources and sort travel medical insurance.
---

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1. [Working Abroad - Participants](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us)
3. [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)

# How do I prepare for Work & Travel Australia before I leave?

## Flights, AIFS resources, insurance and travel info to review before you go.

Once you're accepted, you can book your flights and send us your itinerary. Then work through the resources and checklist below so you arrive ready.

**Your accommodation:** Your welcome email lists how many nights of accommodation you have and your start date at WakeUp in Sydney.

**Your program provider:** Our partner organization, AIFS Australia, will be your point of contact while you're in Australia. They're experts on the seasonal job markets there. Download WhatsApp, because AIFS will contact you about joining your orientation's group chat in the weeks before your start date.

## Read your pre-departure resources

We'll send you these resources from AIFS. Read each one thoroughly:

1. Work & Travel Handbook
2. Arrival Week Itinerary
3. Airport Transfer Info Page
4. How to Open a Bank Account

## Before you go

**Program completion date:** Send us your best estimate of when you'll finish the program. It isn't set in stone, but it helps us know when to send alumni information. Your visa lets you stay in Australia for up to a year, with the possibility to extend.

**Insurance:** See our suggested [travel medical insurance providers](https://www.interexchange.org/article/working-abroad/travel-medical-insurance-providers/). If you can't find a suitable policy, contact us.

**STEP:** We encourage you to enroll in the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs' [Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)](https://step.state.gov/step/).

**Jobs:** AIFS will share great resources during your orientation. If you're after something more outdoorsy, look at [Worldpackers](https://www.worldpackers.com/search/oceania) or consider [WWOOFing](https://wwoof.com.au/).

## More about Australia

- **Reading, viewing and listening:** Travel Access Project has a [great Australia resource](http://www.travelaccessproject.org/australia).
- **U.S. Department of State:** Check its [Australia-specific information](https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/australia/) and [Traveler's Checklist](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html).
- **Health and vaccinations:** Talk to your doctor and check the [Centers for Disease Control](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/australia?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001) guidance for Australia.
- **Visiting New Zealand:** To visit as a tourist, you'll need to [pay a tax/levy](https://www.interexchange.org/articles/travel-abroad/registration-and-fee-required-for-new-zealand/). It helps fund conservation, tourism infrastructure and more.

- [General](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/general?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [After You Apply](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#after-you-apply)
    - [Costs & Payment](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#costs-payment)
    - [Second Year & Young Professional](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#second-year-young-professional)
    - [Arriving in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#arriving-in-canada)
    - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#getting-started)
    - [Applying](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#applying)
    - [Living & Working in Canada](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-canada?hsLang=en-us#living-working-in-canada)
- [American Summer Exchange](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/american-summer-exchange?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Germany](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/germany?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)
- [Work & Travel Australia](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#main-content)

    - [Visa](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#visa)
    - [Program Basics](https://knowledge.interexchange.org/working-abroad/work-travel-australia?hsLang=en-us#program-basics)

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