---
title: How does Work & Travel Australia work?
description: Work & Travel Australia gives you pre-departure help, a Sydney arrival orientation, and local jobs and housing support while on a Working Holiday Visa.
---
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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 does Work & Travel Australia work?
## What's included, what it costs, and how long you can stay.
[Work & Travel Australia](https://www.interexchange.org/travel-abroad/work-travel-australia/) is for travelers who want independence in Australia with a support team behind them. We help you plan before you go, then our in-country team helps you find jobs and housing in Sydney and beyond.
The Working Holiday Visa lets you work and travel in Australia for up to a year. With a minimum wage of AUD$24.24 (about US$15), it's a good way to earn money while you take in Australian life and culture.
## What's included
- All the pre-departure support you want, so you arrive feeling confident.
- An airport shuttle and an initial four-night hostel stay in Sydney.
- A few days of group orientation, where our team helps with the logistics of working in Australia: an eSIM phone card, opening a bank account, and your tax file number and other work paperwork.
- Social events all week, from walking tours and a pub crawl to the beach, alongside other young travelers from around the world.
- Jobs and housing support from the local team for your whole stay, anywhere in the country. They can also help you plan day trips or longer trips.
**Optional extras:**
- [Job placement](https://www.interexchange.org/travel-abroad/work-travel-australia/jobs-travel/), if you'd like to arrive into a position. We need your resume at least 2�3 months before your trip.
- [Surf Camp add-on](https://www.interexchange.org/travel-abroad/work-travel-australia/itinerary/) for $500 more. You get extra nights at the hostel plus days surfing at Seven Mile Beach, with breakfast, lunch, snacks and accommodation included.
## Start dates
See the [program start dates](https://www.interexchange.org/travel-abroad/work-travel-australia/itinerary/). Arrivals are usually on Tuesdays, and there are fewer arrival dates in April, May and June, which is low season (winter) in Australia.
## What it costs
The [program fee](https://www.interexchange.org/travel-abroad/work-travel-australia/cost/) is $895 USD. You'll also need to budget for:
- **Working Holiday Visa (462):** about AUD$600.
- **Proof of funds:** The Australian Government requires travelers on this visa to have about $4,000 USD saved, and your bank account is checked when you enter Australia.
- **Airfare:** typically around $900�1,600 USD, depending on your airport.
- **Travel medical insurance:** about $500 USD, or a monthly fee.
- **Personal costs:** anything else related to your travel isn't included in the program fee.
Some participants save up by working, and others have family support. We have budget and trip-planning spreadsheet templates we can help you fill in. Just ask.
## Staying longer
U.S. citizens who work at least 88 days in tourism, hospitality, agriculture, forestry or fishing can apply for a second Work and Holiday visa. Those who complete 6 months of that work during their second year may apply for a third.
## Housing after orientation
You're responsible for your own housing after the arrival orientation. We recommend adding a few more nights at the hostel after your welcome stay, or booking a local Airbnb. Don't book anything long term without seeing it first. The team in Sydney can help you plan.
Ready to start? [Apply for Work & Travel Australia](https://app.interexchange.org/programs/work-travel-australia/signups/new?marketing_site=interexchange.org&_gl=1*1le27tp*_ga*NDQxMzk4NjAxLjE3MDgwMjY5Njc.*_ga_J0LBZZDCYR*MTcwODcwMjY5NS4xNi4xLjE3MDg3MDM4NDguNTkuMC4w*_gcl_au*MTgzMDE5MTUxMC4xNzA4MDI2OTY3*_ga_2H7QPPMD99*MTcwODcwMjY5NS4xNi4xLjE3MDg3MDM4NDguNTkuMC4w), or contact us to talk with a member of our team.
- [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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