work visa for Americans in OZ/NZ - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**LaurieL622** · 04-27-2007, 02:46 AM

does anyone know if there is a holiday work visa in Australia for US citizens? I went to the immigration website and I cant seem to find one for americans. i'm looking for at least 1 year visa in oz. preferably as long as possible so I can look for sponsorship for permanent work/residence.

i'm currently in n.z. so i had the chance to ask about the same info but for new zealand. it looks like my best bet is to get the 1 year holiday work visa then try to find an employer to sponsor a long term visa from there. ??? am i right?

ideally-i'd like a permanent move to either country but for Americans, this seems to be a lot harder to do in australia vs. n.z.?
whats everyones opinion on wages earned/cost of living in either country? ive heard you earn a lot less in n.z. but from what i've seen the cost of living seem to be less....does it balance out?

in OZ i'd like to move to either melbourne or sydney. in n.z. christchurch or wellington.

thanks so much for all your help!!!!

**kiwichick** · 04-27-2007, 07:09 AM

i know once u get citizenship here u can move to oz no prob so if u were determined to move there that could be an option

**noke_travel** · 04-27-2007, 07:25 AM

there is if you're in school or have been a full time student in the past 6 months. check out www.bunac.org for information on the program.

**blinkchick2134** · 04-27-2007, 07:32 AM

I was researching this a few weeks ago. I believe that I found that US citizens aren't eligible for the 1-year work visa that Australia offers. We can however apply for a 6-month one. I'm not sure about NZ though.

**omisan** · 04-27-2007, 08:23 AM

Yeah, 6 months in Australia, 1 year in NZ last time I was checking. Unfortunately, I'm too old now to qualify

If the student or working holiday programs don't suit your needs, try checking out the consulting services of companies like liveinaustralia.com

**mooloo** · 04-27-2007, 02:36 PM

where in nz are you at the moment?

The minimum wage in NZ is $11.25 now so it is getting better, im not sure what it is in OZ and not that i've ever lived there but i would say the cost of living would be quite a bit lower in nz, although that would all depend on where you were living.

don't know if that helps with anything or not,

foofiter · 04-27-2007, 04:09 PM

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...w-to-apply.htm

Check that out. If you have enough points you get that visa.

Foo

**marc873** · 04-27-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foofiter

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...w-to-apply.htm

Check that out. If you have enough points you get that visa.

Foo

Hey foo, I went to the page and looked everywhere, where can you take the points test. Is it online? Thanks for any info.

**TheJake** · 04-27-2007, 11:11 PM

it's all in this .pdf
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf

Massage Therapist is even listed in there. Then look over at the testing bureau or what-have-you and then at the very very bottom is a list of the bureau's and how to get ahold of em for testing.

**marc873** · 04-28-2007, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJake

it's all in this .pdf
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf

Massage Therapist is even listed in there. Then look over at the testing bureau or what-have-you and then at the very very bottom is a list of the bureau's and how to get ahold of em for testing.

Thats a great link bro. The more we can work on the road, the longer we can extend things. I could hang in OZ for 6 months easily, especially if i was making money part time or something.

**LaurieL622** · 05-01-2007, 12:02 AM

so what's the deal with working in OZ for americans? we're not eligible for the one year visa but we can do a 6 month one? i wonder how likely it is that someone (me) can get sponsorship from a company within that 6 month period. the nz immigration office said that's really likely in nz.