Thinking of moving to Oz on WHV

Alanhooly

Hi all, I know this type of question has been asked many times but some advice would be appreciated.

I have just completed my college course from LIT in which I got a 2.1 honours degree (level 8) in Business with Sports Management. Would there any job prospects in this area in Sydney? (Areas such as sports, marketing, administration).

After paying for flights/visas etc. I should have around €2,000 by the time I'm thinking of leaving (January 2014). Is this enough or am I asking for trouble? I aim to do my regional work as soon as I get there so hopefully I can make some money doing that.

Also, in relation to the regional work, is it likely that 3 of us will work on the same farm/area?

I'm pretty nervous about leaving, I know this is an extremely vague question and the answer will change from person to person but, Is the whole 'Oz' experience worth it? I'm a bit of a homebird but at the same time I know that there isn't much for me here. Any advice in general?

Apologies for the long post.

Flightfinder1

After paying for flights/visas etc. I should have around €2,000 by the time I'm thinking of leaving (January 2014). Is this enough or am I asking for trouble? I aim to do my regional work as soon as I get there so hopefully I can make some money doing that.

Also, in relation to the regional work, is it likely that 3 of us will work on the same farm/area?



€2000 euro is cutting it a bit fine, it's about $2500 dollars, in your first week you can easily spend about a grand, but it depends what you do/where you go. I'd say have at least €3000-€4000 with you.

If you go to do your regional work in a working hostel bear in mind that you may be on a waiting list for work for almost 2-3 weeks, again this depends in the season and where you are based.

It's possible you will get work for 3 ppl on a farm, might be more likely on a woofing farm, but if you chat to a farmer and say there is 3 of you they may find work for all 3

Alanhooly

Thanks for the reply.

I'll probably be be stayin with a couple of friends until I find my feet. I'm hoping to be out doing regional work within the first week.

I know i'm cutting it a bit fine on the money front but the fact that I can crash on a couch for a week and then hopefully have my farm work already in place should see me through. I hope.

Thanks again! I'm very much new to the travelling scene!

hefferboi

I came over with about 1200 euro. I went out a few nights and then looked for work but Im staying with friends who are paying rent till we get on our feet and I'd advise against coming with less than 3500 unless you have somewhere to stay for free. It took me a month to find a job but it pays nicely. I'd also recommend joining a GAA team. One of the lads I came over got labouring work through that.

Alanhooly

I'm pretty sure i'd have somewhere to stay for free until we leave for our farming work (If we get it). I'm going to have in around €2,500. I won't have more than that barring I win the lotto or get lucky in some way.

Flights booked for January 6th!

Batgurl

Just a heads up...I advise against relying too much on staying with friends til you get set up.

Yes it's great if you do have somewhere to crash for a few days when you land but anything more than a week can be pushing it.

I've seen people get sick of their friends as they are in full time jobs and friends are in party holiday mode. I've seen friends housemates get sick of paying rent to support scroungers on couches.

I've also seen landlords find out and especially some of the more unscrupulous ones in Sydney, they will say if there is an extra butt in the apartment then its either cough up or ship out.

Unless your friends own the house, you can never guarantee how it'll play out.

Lellybelle24

Just be aware there are funding requirements for the WHV

Financial requirements

You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday. Generally, AUD5000 may be regarded as sufficient, but the amount may vary depending on your length of stay and the extent of your travel. You should also have a return or onward ticket or the funds for a fare to depart Australia.

You may be asked to provide evidence. Evidence may include a certified copy of a bank statement and an air ticket out of Australia.

pete4130

$2500 isn't a whole lot to come over with. It's doable but you need to put in the hard work looking for jobs all day, every day until you get one. It's easy to spend $50-$100 a day and not have anything to show for it if you aren't careful.

Start looking into where and what regional work is available when you arrive. What crops are in season etc. It's important to have a driving licence too here. You're a bit stuck without it. January is the wet season in QLD and its flooded the last 2-3 years so work might be harder to come by. It's not meant to be so wet this year but you never know. Check regional work websites too.

One thing that might be useful doing when you get here would be to either get your white card (construction safety card) or an RSA card(responsible service of alcohol) that allows you to work/serve in bars. It could be another avenue for employment even in regional areas.

When getting your regional work sorted make sure its in the right postcode. Some regional postcodes don't qualify as regional work to secure your 2nd year visa.

mandrake04

pete4130 wrote: »

When getting your regional work sorted make sure its in the right postcode. Some regional postcodes don't qualify as regional work to secure your 2nd year visa.

also make sure its the right type of work, some types of work are ineligible.

Alanhooly

pete4130 wrote: »

$2500 isn't a whole lot to come over with. It's doable but you need to put in the hard work looking for jobs all day, every day until you get one. It's easy to spend $50-$100 a day and not have anything to show for it if you aren't careful.

Start looking into where and what regional work is available when you arrive. What crops are in season etc. It's important to have a driving licence too here. You're a bit stuck without it. January is the wet season in QLD and its flooded the last 2-3 years so work might be harder to come by. It's not meant to be so wet this year but you never know. Check regional work websites too.

One thing that might be useful doing when you get here would be to either get your white card (construction safety card) or an RSA card(responsible service of alcohol) that allows you to work/serve in bars. It could be another avenue for employment even in regional areas.

When getting your regional work sorted make sure its in the right postcode. Some regional postcodes don't qualify as regional work to secure your 2nd year visa.

By the time I go, I should now have approximately $5,000 when I arrive. I am also close to having work arranged in the Leeton area (Postcode - 2705) which falls under an eligible territory

Thanks for the reply!

Batgurl

Alanhooly wrote: »

I am also close to having work arranged in the Leeton area (Postcode - 2705) which falls under an eligible territory

Just make sure the work itself falls under an eligible category.

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/specified-work.htm

Serious cracking down on this. It needs to rigorously adhere to these terms.

Edit: sorry just noticed mandrakes post!

GummyBears

I think €2,000 is a bit on the low side for start up funds - just be prepared for how obnoxiously expensive Australia is! Bottle of 600ml water - $4.
As soon as you start working, it'll be fine but the gap in between can drain funds very fast especially with the understandable temptation to booze/socialise when you land first!
I think you definitely have the right idea with regard to getting you regional work out of the way first off - If you move to the city straight away you will become very settled because it is great lifestyle and it's very difficult to pull yourself away in a few months to pick crops in the country. I've told anyone that will listen to do this, as then you will only add to your start up funds hopefully!!

It is almost impossible to answer the question as to whether or not all three of you will work together, as it depends whether you find work with one farmer or if you move into a working hostel (which I think is one of the best ways to complete regional work) where you will all be likely placed on different farms but will be living in the same place! And it's a great place to meet people too!

Hope this helps in some shape or form. Don't be too nervous you'll have a ball!! Good luck!! :D:D;):)

jackbhoy

GummyBears wrote: »

I think €2,000 is a bit on the low side for start up funds - just be prepared for how obnoxiously expensive Australia is! Bottle of 600ml water - $4.

No doubt Aus is expensive but out of contex examples like this are just misleading, especially for people thinking about moving here and estimating costs.

I don't buy bottled water as I get it from tap for free but I just saw a 24 pack of 600ml bottles in Coles for $8 ( that's 33cents each).
Sute, you can pay $4 for water in a 7-11 if you want to but it's not a representative example of food costs here.

hefferboi

jackbhoy wrote: »

No doubt Aus is expensive but out of contex examples like this are just misleading, especially for people thinking about moving here and estimating costs.

I don't buy bottled water as I get it from tap for free but I just saw a 24 pack of 600ml bottles in Coles for $8 ( that's 33cents each).
Sute, you can pay $4 for water in a 7-11 if you want to but it's not a representative example of food costs here.

You can get 24 bottles of water for $10 in Cole's. The meat is expensive but everything else is reasonably ok if you shop around. Alcohol is the worst though. Any night out I have I spend 200 - 300 and that could be drinking at the house before too.

CatFromHue

200-300 wow!

Isn't 9-12$ for a pint on Melbourne?

And 12 upwards in Perth?

hefferboi

CatFromHue wrote: »

200-300 wow!

Isn't 9-12$ for a pint on Melbourne?

And 12 upwards in Perth?

I'm in Brisbane and pints are around 9. Bottles of corona can be cheap depending where you go and what day. Also some places do cheap basics so a vodka and mother (similar to red bull) can be 4 bucks. That's all I drink when I'm out really.

Boxes of beer are really expensive. 24 corona can be 80 dollars. I usually get whatever deals are on but this is still around 50. If I'm really stuck ill get a bag of goon for 12 haha.

The taxi is what really hits my funds. 50 to 70 dollars for a taxi into the city. We split it between 4 of us usually but I often go do my own thing and I don't bring out my phone so I'm left to get a taxi home on my own.

Edit: what I meant to say is I have to pay for the taxi while I'm bringing back a hot Aussie girl

pete4130

Boxes of beer (24x330ml) can be got for $30 for a few relatively unheard of european brands here like Oddeinger/Ottlinger(?) and Hollandia and are pretty decent. Thats about €20 a box.

Most Aus beers come in 375ml bottles. Thats 9L as opposed to most Irish bottles being 330ml which is about 8L per box. If a box is about $50 then it works out not a whole lot more per bottle than Ireland.

Shopping in supermarkets is more expensive than back home. Meat is more expensive, bread, milk etc... It's all relative though. Once you start earning $'s with a decent job here then it doesn't seem that bad. You get used to it and it seems normal.

If you plan on buying a car then be prepared for a shock. you'll pay a few thousand for a car that would almost certainly be seen as scrap back home or sold for €250. Being such a big country, they are always in demand so keep their value.

catbear

pete4130 wrote: »

Being such a big country, they are always in demand so keep their value.

I think the traditional tariffs on imported cars and subsidies for Holden/Ford have kept prices too high, a recession should sort that out.
I would rather not have to rely on "specials" and piss poor quality to be able to afford a decent beer.

GummyBears

I didn't mean to give an inflated view of living costs here by any means - obviously buying things in bulk is more economical. I just wanted to relay to AlanHooly what the damage is for essentials that when you get here first (and probably will use Seven 11 convenient stores etc.) and before you get settled and have a chance to get a load in from Coles!

Definitely agree - it's the nights out that punish too! Dan Murphys best for pre-drinking supplies all the way!! But once you get an income and find your feet - there's a lot to look forward to.
Coming to the end of my own WHV and will leave with a lot of good memories! Don't know how two years have passed!! :D:P

pete4130

catbear wrote: »

I think the traditional tariffs on imported cars and subsidies for Holden/Ford have kept prices too high, a recession should sort that out.
I would rather not have to rely on "specials" and piss poor quality to be able to afford a decent beer.

It's not piss poor though. It's just brands that aren't well known here. Hollandia is all natural, vegan friendly, no chemicals or preservatives, tastes good and doesn't leave a stinging hangover. Ottlinger is ok. You can get it back home and while it is a budget beer back home, its not piss poor. It gives me a bit of a hangover though.

cooker3

hefferboi wrote: »

You can get 24 bottles of water for $10 in Cole's. The meat is expensive but everything else is reasonably ok if you shop around. Alcohol is the worst though. Any night out I have I spend 200 - 300 and that could be drinking at the house before too.

I keep hearing stuff like this. Maybe it's just because I'm a lightweight or something but in 14 months in Aus, primarily in Melbourne, I'm not sure I'm ever spent more than 50 on a night out, certainly not $100. *shrug*

Mellor

hefferboi wrote: »

Boxes of beer are really expensive. 24 corona can be 80 dollars. I usually get whatever deals are on but this is still around 50.

You need to find a new bottle shop.

Corona is usually $42-45. Never seen it anywhere near $80
The local beers are about $40 with one or two on special at $36 or $38. You are getting ripped of with $50 specials


Edit: Just checked Dan Murphy website. Corona 2 cases for $79.90

hefferboi

Mellor wrote: »

You need to find a new bottle shop.

Corona is usually $42-45. Never seen it anywhere near $80
The local beers are about $40 with one or two on special at $36 or $38. You are getting ripped of with $50 specials


Edit: Just checked Dan Murphy website. Corona 2 cases for $79.90

Yeah Id say that's what I was looking at! Box of heinken is 45 I thought it would be worse!

catbear

Mellor wrote: »

You need to find a new bottle shop.

Corona is usually $42-45. Never seen it anywhere near $80
The local beers are about $40 with one or two on special at $36 or $38. You are getting ripped of with $50 specials


Edit: Just checked Dan Murphy website. Corona 2 cases for $79.90

One bottle of leffe (not the big bottle) cost three times more in an aus bottleshop than in lidl in ireland. I don't see value in beer here.

Actually that's an understatement, i've seen one bottle here selling for the same price as a 4 pack in lidl (and that's with currency conversion). higher wages isn't compensating for value in a lot of aussie prices.

Xavi6

cooker3 wrote: »

I keep hearing stuff like this. Maybe it's just because I'm a lightweight or something but in 14 months in Aus, primarily in Melbourne, I'm not sure I'm ever spent more than 50 on a night out, certainly not $100. *shrug*

In Perth city $50 will get you four pints so even a few after work drinks burns a hole, never mind a full night out.

danotroy

Xavi6 wrote: »

In Perth city $50 will get you four pints so even a few after work drinks burns a hole, never mind a full night out.

How much us 24 bottles of beer at home? Heinken, becks and grolsch? Middle of the road import beers.

Xavi6

danotroy wrote: »

How much us 24 bottles of beer at home? Heinken, becks and grolsch? Middle of the road import beers.

In Ireland? 20 euro or so? I could be wrong though, did most of my drinking in pubs the last time I was home.

mandrake04

Becks was €13 for 12 about a month ago.

danotroy

mandrake04 wrote: »

Becks was €13 for 12 about a month ago.

24 becks for $36 at my local independent Bottlo and 2 for $65. So if we use the minimum wage of roughly 18 dollars, less than two hours work for a crate of beer and just over 3 hours work will get you 48 beers. If 24 bottles of becks is 26 euros at home and the min wage is 9 euros it takes nearly 3 hours to get a crate of beer.

I maintain that Australia is cheaper for beer if you compare it to wages.

catbear

While the rest of the wold worries about fuel and food prices, we worry about beer prices! I love being Irish!

danotroy

catbear wrote: »

While the rest of the wold worries about fuel and food prices, we worry about beer prices! I love being Irish!

I don't drive. I do eat though.

Mellor

danotroy wrote: »

I don't drive. I do eat though.

The guys who deliver you food and beer drive though.

danotroy

Mellor wrote: »

The guys who deliver you food and beer drive though.

Of course. I can't remember how much food cost in Ireland at the shops and if its more expensive here. Some great cheap eateries around Melbourne. Wonderbao, laksa king, shangdon mama, don don's. Huge feed for ten dollars or less.

catbear

danotroy wrote: »

Of course. I can't remember how much food cost in Ireland at the shops and if its more expensive here. Some great cheap eateries around Melbourne. Wonderbao, laksa king, shangdon mama, don don's. Huge feed for ten dollars or less.

I agree, there are some really good cheap eats. I do however wonder about the quality of the food. What we pay for groceries is Coles/Woolies just doesn't feel like value for money. Coles/Woolies control 80% of the entire Australian grocery market so the power is very much in their hands.
In the small Irish town I left we had a lidl, Aldi, Supervalu, SuperQuinn (which I believe is part of Supervalu now, open to correction) and Dunnes. On top of them there were independent fruit and shops and butchers.
Even Walmart at 28% of the US market doesn't come near the dominance of the Australian duopoly!

mandrake04

danotroy wrote: »

24 becks for $36 at my local independent Bottlo and 2 for $65. So if we use the minimum wage of roughly 18 dollars, less than two hours work for a crate of beer and just over 3 hours work will get you 48 beers. If 24 bottles of becks is 26 euros at home and the min wage is 9 euros it takes nearly 3 hours to get a crate of beer.

I maintain that Australia is cheaper for beer if you compare it to wages.

Well you might assume 24 might be a bit cheaper than 2x12 but it's probably going be around €24 mark which is about $35. I was back in Ireland a month or so ago it and it's not that cheap, sure work out the prices of goods and services and the €/$Au may seem cheaper. But factor in the taxes in Ireland and it's not so flash, it's not as if you have more money in your pocket.

aido79

Why has this thread gone from going to Australia on a whv to a discussion on the price of alcohol? Is that all people are worried about when they first get here these days?

catbear

aido79 wrote: »

Why has this thread gone from going to Australia on a whv to a discussion on the price of alcohol? Is that all people are worried about when they first get here these days?

You gotta have priorities Aido!

mandrake04

Came across this on facebook



the $10 pint.


Compared to a pint in PJ O'Briens in Sydney $8.20

*I know someone will post some ridiculous price for Perth since they include an idiot Tax over there, well you would be an idiot to pay it because the real price is about $8

Xavi6

mandrake04 wrote: »

*I know someone will post some ridiculous price for Perth since they include an idiot Tax over there, well you would be an idiot to pay it because the real price is about $8

It's either that or don't drink outside the home though so I don't see how that makes someone who pays for a pint in a pub an "idiot"

mandrake04

Xavi6 wrote: »

It's either that or don't drink outside the home though so I don't see how that makes someone who pays for a pint in a pub an "idiot"

Have you ever heard of a saying "A fool is easily parted with his money"?

The price in Sydney and Melbourne is about $8 and that what it should be in Perth, if the fools refused to pay it then it would be $8 in Perth as well.

Xavi6

mandrake04 wrote: »

Have you ever heard of a saying "A fool is easily parted with his money"?

The price in Sydney and Melbourne is about $8 and that what it should be in Perth, if the fools refused to pay it then it would be $8 in Perth as well.

Nope, never heard of that phrase.

I'll just sit in every night of year so and hope the rest of city follows suit. Can't be actin the fool.

Edit: The average wage in Perth is also higher than other states so naturally the price will be more, though $3 more is OTT.

mandrake04

Xavi6 wrote: »

Nope, never heard of that phrase.

I'll just sit in every night of year so and hope the rest of city follows suit. Can't be actin the fool.

Don't have to sit in.... just give them $8 and say you refuse to pay the idiot tax.

Xavi6 wrote: »

Edit: The average wage in Perth is also higher than other states so naturally the price will be more, though $3 more is OTT.

there's no way the average wages in perth are 37% more than Sydney.

Xavi6

mandrake04 wrote: »

Don't have to sit in.... just give them $8 and say you refuse to pay the idiot tax.

Can't see that going down to well with the bar or door staff can you?

there's no way the average wages in perth are 37% more than Sydney.[/QUOTE]

I know it's not, which is why I said "$3 more is OTT". My local is about $9.50 a pint which is ok all things considered, it's the city that stings you. Same can be said for anywhere though really so there's fools everywhere.

mandrake04

Xavi6 wrote: »

Can't see that going down to well with the bar or door staff can you?

there's no way the average wages in perth are 37% more than Sydney

I know it's not, which is why I said "$3 more is OTT". My local is about $9.50 a pint which is ok all things considered, it's the city that stings you. Same can be said for anywhere though really so there's fools everywhere.

You don't have to be all defensive about feeling foolish, it not your fault but there is absolutely no reason why they can charge $3 more than a pub in Sydney CBD.

catbear

And worse my wife was served her cocktail in a jamjar in this hipster bar in perth!

Xavi6

mandrake04 wrote: »

You don't have to be all defensive about feeling foolish, it not your fault but there is absolutely no reason why they can charge $3 more than a pub in Sydney CBD.

I don't feel foolish in the slightest.

Alanhooly

Is this the kind of bickering I can expect to stumble upon when I land on my WHV?

We have been lucky enough to have our regional work sorted for the first 3 months in Griffith so the price of alcohol won't be of too much concern until after then anyway!

tomwaterford

how did you sort your regional work before you went over if you don't mind me asking?

Alanhooly

tomwaterford wrote: »

how did you sort your regional work before you went over if you don't mind me asking?

A relative of a relative sort of thing. We got very lucky but we're delighted!

Laura Steph

Just found this thread...and in a roundabout way, to bring it back briefly to 'beverages', can you get any decent tea/chocolate in Oz or are you best to buy a massive shipment of Lyons with you? (Or will Immigration shut me down on that one??)

(Sadly, the lack of Lyons tea is now one of my major concerns, now that I have most of the documentation etc sorted.)

s.c

Laura Steph wrote: »

Just found this thread...and in a roundabout way, to bring it back briefly to 'beverages', can you get any decent tea/chocolate in Oz or are you best to buy a massive shipment of Lyons with you? (Or will Immigration shut me down on that one??)

(Sadly, the lack of Lyons tea is now one of my major concerns, now that I have most of the documentation etc sorted.)

You can buy Barry's Tea in Woolworths along with the likes of bisto gravy, club orange, hellmans mayo, fig rolls etc. Also Cadburys is readily available here and although it is slightly different than the Cadburys you get at home, is still pretty good.

(You can still bring as much Lyons tea as you like with no problems from customs)