Australia - Work & Holiday Program (12 Months)

Australia, one of the largest and most beautiful countries in the world, offers a hugely diverse and exciting environment for work, travel and exploration. The new Work and Holiday visa allows eligible American citizens a stay of up to 12 months in Australia. BUNAC’s Work and Holiday Australia program goes a step beyond this by providing a full range of services and benefits for the duration of your stay. If you are not a recent student or you are short on time and cannot commit to 12 months in Australia, the 4-month Work Australia 416 visa may be a more suitable option for you. Please feel free to contact BUNAC if you need help deciding which program is right for you.

The basic Work Australia program cost is $450 and includes the following:

• Access to the exclusive online member’s lounge and internet forum
• Australia Handbook - Includes invaluable information, advice and tips. Useful before you leave and while on your trip
• Help and advice - Our experienced office staff are happy to guide you through the application process and answer your questions
• Lonely Planet Guide - For detailed work-travel Australia information
• Ongoing support - BUNAC and IEP’s support services are available to you for the duration of your trip
• Special flight deals available. Call 1-800-462-8622 for information
• Visa assistance - We provide you with complete instructions on how to secure your Work and Holiday Australia Visa. (full details are on our Work Australia Visa page )

When you are there

IEP is your local point of contact in Australia. Friendly staff in the Sydney and Melbourne Resource Centers provide help, advice and information on finding work, travel, accommodation or any other part of your trip. They will also make sure that you have a full social diary!

• Round the clock emergency assistance
• Bank account - Assistance opening a local account
• Airport transfer
• YHA Membership - Discounts at over 140 YHA hostels and travel discounts including 10% off Greyhound buses
• Accommodation - We will pre-book two nights arrival accommodation for you
• Orientation - Arrival meeting covering all aspects of your trip
• Social program - Regular Work Australia Program events including pub nights, BBQs and surf trips.

Plus

• Job support - Help arranging interviews and preparing applications
• Tax number - IEP makes the application on your behalf
• Walk-in resource center
• Help and support - Expert advice and support from the IEP team
• Internet - Free computer and internet access
• Mobile phones - Access to affordable mobile phone and SIM packages
• Luggage storage

Why choose BUNAC?

BUNAC is a not-for profit, student based organization established in 1962. Our programs are run on a reciprocal basis and we provide help and support to Australians on BUNAC’s Work USA program. We have our own subsidiary organization in Australia called IEP (International Exchange Programs). They provide local support and resources for the duration of your trip, whether it’s a short stay of a few months or an extended trip of a whole year.

Work Australia & Work New Zealand combo package

With this option 4-month 416 participants can combine four months working in Australia followed by up to twelve months working and travelling in New Zealand on BUNAC’s Work New Zealand program. Work and Holiday Australia participants are also able to combine their trip with Work New Zealand, but will have to spend less than a year in Australia in order to arrive in New Zealand within the validity terms of the visa.

The standard fees of $685 for Work Australia and $530 for Work New Zealand apply for both programs. Two separate money orders payable to BUNAC should be sent in at the time of application.

Please note that you can only participate once on the Work and Holiday visa so it is suggested that if you can only go to Australia for a short period of time, you take advantage of the 4-month 416 visa and ‘save’ the Work and Holiday visa for later when you have longer to spend in Australia. View our Work Australia 4-month 416 visa page for more information.

Work Australia add–on packages

Program enhancements

You can enhance your Work Australia experience by choosing one of our exciting add-on packages. These offer a mix of practical courses with exciting tours and trips. Choose ‘Surf, Sand and Sun’ and combine a tour around the Blue Mountains with a 4-day surf school trip. Alternatively, learn the skills of a rancher on our ‘Outback’ tour.

The packages can only be purchased by BUNAC Work and Holiday Australia participants prior to leaving the USA.