Why young Aussies are heading off on working holidays again to set up their careers

Working holidays are back in demand for young Australians looking to travel and advance their careers at the same time. Here’s how to have a successful rite of passage.

Until Covid wreaked havoc around the world, overseas travel was a rite of passage for many young Australians. The lengthy travel ban saw them miss out on backpacking as well as working holidays, but as life advances into a “new normal” both are back in demand.

Australia has working visa agreements with more than 40 countries spanning the globe, many of which allow allow Australians aged 18-to-30 to stay, and work, for up to a year or more. The UK and Canada are top destinations, with Canada benefiting from a working age limit of 35, however, there are also opportunities for working holidays in countries as diverse as Chile, Estonia, Peru, South Korea, and Turkey.

According to UK figures, 9844 work visas were issued to Australians in 2019 before the pandemic. This number plummeted to 1739 in 2021, and has risen again to 3310 as of March this year. The story is similar for Canada, with 6575 Australian’s receiving work visas in 2019, falling to 835 in 2021, and standing at 640 so far between January and April this year.

Career Development Association Australia national executive committee member Leonie Stanfield says there’s a big difference between working while travelling and embarking on a working holiday to advance your career.

“It’s important to be really clear on your expectations so you’re not disappointed,” she says.

Working overseas has benefits from new experiences and learning another language, to impressing Australian employers and trying various jobs.

Stanfield recommends talking to other people about their experiences.

“In particular, talk to people in the industry you’re interested in, also potential employers and industry associations, to get a sense of if employers really value that experience or those qualifications,” she says.

Jurgen Himmelmann.

HELP AT HAND

When it comes to getting organised, one option is to book your experience through a company such as Australian-based Global Work & Travel. CEO and co-founder Jürgen Himmelmann says young travellers are increasingly looking for ways to see the world while boosting their resumes.

“Employers view overseas work experience very positively, and the travellers themselves often report that they feel more confident in their abilities after an international trip,” he says.

The company specialises in matching young travellers with job opportunities in the countries where it operates, along with visa guidance, and help with other essentials including setting up overseas bank accounts.

“You can easily spend a lot of time and money job hunting on your own in another country, along with the headache of trying to set up your new life,” says Himmelmann.

“Our travellers hit the ground running. We also provide 24/7 emergency support, social events, and regular check-ins from a trip co-ordinator, which is a great source of comfort, especially for the parents.”

Layla Rundle travelled to Canada on a working holiday in 2018 and stayed.

DREAM JOB

Layla Rundle started a working holiday in Canada in 2018 through Global Work & Travel. The 27-year old, from Cranbourne, Victoria, wanted to explore Canada and work in tourism. Initially she worked on reception at a hotel in the Revelstoke ski fields in British Columbia, and now has her “dream job” as Visitor Centre Manager for the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce.

“I never thought I’d be able to score a really good job in Canada as a foreigner,” she says. “It just shows that even if you’re travelling, you can also work towards your career goals.”

Rundle booked with Global Work & Travel because she was travelling on her own.

“I didn’t know how to find work, accommodation, or set up a bank account overseas,” she says. She has also been able to visit some of Canada’s top destinations including Banff, Lake Louise, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.

“These are experiences I never thought I would be able to do,” she says. “If you’re thinking about taking a working holiday you should just do it. You’re going to make friends, and if you want to get into a career, it’s a chance to do it.”

HOW TO SUCCEED

1. Research to really know where you want to go as cultures vary extremely.

2. Give yourself six-to-12 months to get organised - it takes longer to get visas with COVID-related government backlogs.

3. Spruce up your resumé as you are competing with locals.

4. Book through a travel company with a proven track record and plenty of strong reviews.

5. Start saving for your trip, yesterday!

Source: Jürgen Himmelmann