Six Countries Where Travellers Can Work
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday March 17, 2004
FRANCE
France is a tres chic place to combine tourism and employment. Since February 23, Australians aged between 18 and 29 are able to work in France. The multiple-entry visa is valid for up to a year from the date of arrival. To be eligible, applicants must have $3400 in funds, a return ticket and comprehensive travel insurance. It may sound romantic to live and work in France, but the unemployment rate is very high. There are only 500 visas for 2004 and applications are dealt with chronologically - so get cracking. Visit www.consulfrance-sydney.org or phone 9268 2413.
BRITAIN
Working in the Old Dart is almost a rite of passage for young Aussies. The Working Holiday Scheme means Australians aged 17 to 30 can stay for up to two years. To qualify, you must intend to visit the UK for an extended holiday and want incidental employment, you must not have any dependent children aged five and over and must have funds of about $4500. There are lots of temp agencies targeting Aussies. For more details, visit www.uk.emb.gov.au or call 1902 941 555.
CANADA
The unemployment rate is about 7.4 per cent yet the country's ski resorts are considered a good bet for Aussies who want to spend a season wearing Gore-Tex and whizzing down the slopes. Canada's working holiday scheme allows eligible Australians to stay for up to a year. Applicants must be aged 18 to 30; must show proof of funds; and have no accompanying dependents. A total of 7500 open work permits are available. As of last week, only 2948 visas were left. Visit www.whpcanada.org.au or call 9364 3082.
SWEDEN
To qualify for a one-year working holiday permit, you must be aged 18 to 30, cannot bring any dependent children and must have a return ticket and enough money to support yourself for three months. The unemployment rate is about 6 per cent. The cost of living is high: a beer is $9, a restaurant meal starts at about $25 and the average monthly budget for students - who tend to live frugally - is about $1000. Try to arrange work (www.anyworkanywhere.com) before arriving in Sweden. For more details, visit www.embassyofsweden.org.au or call 6270 2700.
MALTA
Australians aged 18 to 25 can apply for a working holiday visa, valid for a year from the date of issue, under reciprocal arrangements. The cost of living is quite low (utility bills are about $40 a month and long-term rental units begin at about $260 per month) and almost everyone speaks English. But the unemployment rate is quite high, so it's worth sussing out sites such as www.escapeartist.com/malta /jobs before you start stuffing your backpack. Visit www.foreign.gov.mt/canberra or call 6290 1724.
UNITED STATES
There are no "working holiday" visas. If visitors work during an extended stay in North America, it violates the terms of their tourist visas. You are prohibited from working for family friends as a live-in babysitter and any casual job that earns an income from US sources. Work options include camp counsellor, a program aimed at 18- to 30-year-olds (www.ccusa.com) or participating in an international exchange program (www.iep.org.au). Visit http://usembassy-australia.state.gov or call 6214 5600.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald