I am going to OZ and NZ in the coming months. I have heard from a few people that I shouldnt bother getting a work visa, and that work is easy to find under the table. I've also heard that I should definitly get one, as I won't be able to open a bank account without one.... However, if I DO get a working holiday visa, I won't be able to get medical coverage. i'm not sure what to do. thoughts? opinions? I don't really understand any of this stuff..... anything would be appreciated thanks.

If you can get one, get one. :cowboy: Seriously, even if you don't end up needing it-- what if you get there and under-the-table jobs *aren't* so easy to find? You're gonna wish you had spent the extra cash on being legal, my friend. :blink: Plus you wouldn't get medical coverage without the visa either, so is that really such a big consideration?


Just do it. :)

Also factor in if you're getting paid under the table your boss can short you or etc etc and you have no real recourse. I knew person after person this happened to. Get the work visa. Go through www.bunac.org and if you need medical insurance just get travelling insurance. its not that expensive.

Dio spent a year down there and had various jobs, but not sure if she did it with a visa (but I think not).

Any tips, Jill?

A buddy of mine is coming back from OZ. He went there for a 1 month holiday and decided he wanted to stay and work so he got a working holiday visa and is currentlythere on it-he just had to go to the OZ embassy in NZ and got a new visa. It sounds great and I say go for it. But I would make sure you get it in your country and not go to Aus on tourist visa than hop to NZ like he did.
Near as I can understand you can only work in 1 job for 3 months before having to find another-it lasts 1 year. HOWEVER I believe there is a loophole-if you do work which is known as "contract or freelance work" you can keep the job longer but don't quote me on it.
XPat