Looking to spend 6 months in Australia.

Hello all!

After spending 4 months traveling around Europe and the middle east, I am back to work for a while to make some money before leaving again.

I am looking to spend 6 months - 1 year in Australia with my girlfriend who is Dutch. We are both interested in the working holiday program. I understand you require aprox. $4800cad in your bank account, a return ticket ($2500 or so) and med insurance ($500ish for 6 months with blue cross) This is not too big of a deal for me, as I am working but my girlfriend is just finishing school and is in Nicaragua now on internship. Do they actually require proof of the $4800 in the bank?

My second question is, how easy is it to survive there? Could someone give me an idea on the cost of rent, average wage I should expect, and how easy should it be for us to get jobs? Can anyone recommend a good area, somewhere not too expensive, but still with things to do?

Thanks a lot, I have read through all the pages of posts and have seen these questions touched on, but not all answered fully.

thanks again! -Jon

Don't have an idea about that one. but you can check www.pureaustralia.com.

I applied for my work visa online and got it straight away. I was not asked about insurance,return ticket or money when I entered (they were SUPER laid back about it.maybe I was lucky?) But you don't need $5000 straight cash.as long as you have the means to acquire the funds such as credit cards, funds, parents funds etc. and you are coming with the ability to work so they don't get too worried. Seek.com.au is a good place to look for jobs. They kinda have everything for everywhere here so you can look by area or type. I find things in general a bit more expensive than Canada but min wage is quite high $13 something I think. As for rent it gets pricey the closer to a city center you live.so you can kinda gage it to your income and there is a good train system here so you can get to the city fairly easily and $10 for a day pass. I am close to Melbourne and I like it Hope that helps?!

Don't you need someone to sponsor you or something?

Hey, since you could be in Oz for a long time, why don't you decide on staying for the rugby world cup? My building is having a campervan hire australia tail gate for the event, dont know the details yet but rugby is a great sport not to be missed. Go roos!!!