Working overseas checklist
Want to work overseas? Then your first job will be getting this lot sorted: Visa, valid passport, tax, resume, bank account and possibly also a drivers’ license. This page includes tips and info on how to do this quickly and efficiently.
GETTING A VISA TO WORK OVERSEAS
Holiday working visas are varied beasts. You can get one for the UK, Canada and in more recently the USA. But requirements and limitations are different:
Since 2007 Aussies can get a 12 months holiday working visa for the USA. Find out more about the visa to work in the USA
Canada is part of the Commonwealth and offers a holiday working visa for 18 – 30 year olds for 24 months. Find out more about the visa to work in Canada
The latest name for the holiday working visa available to Australians wanting to work in the UK is the Youth Mobility Scheme. This is a new and improved Visa allowing up to 2 years working and living in the UK. If you have already used your holiday working visa or you are too old, find out more about other visas to work in the UK
These are the most popular holiday working destinations for Aussies, and are by no meanings the only options. Finding a job which will sponsor you (organise and allow you to qualify for a working visa) before you depart opens up many other destinations. This is usually the case if you are planning to Teach English in Asia.
If you have a claim on a European Union Passport then this is well worth it if you would like to wonder freely and work in the many countries on this continent. The continent is offers opportunities familiar to the working traveller such as teaching English in Prague, Ski season work in the Alps, nanny work and fruit picking in French vineyards.
If none of the above has interested you, there is always other options. There are lesser known holiday working agreements between the Australian government and other governments. Visa applications may take a little more effort, but they are worth checking out. More working overseas destinations.
A VALID PASSPORT
If you are working overseas you are likely to be staying longer than if you were just travelling it up. So you should make sure your passport is valid for a decent amount or time. 6 months to a year is advisable for any travel, but if you are going to work and your plans are loose, make your own life easy and make sure you have loads of time and space in the old passport. For more info check our passport information page.
GETTING TAXED OVERSEAS
Don’t forget that joining the work force anywhere means you are on the national tax radar (Unless of course you get cash in hand work which is often harder to find and underpaid). Basically this means you need to pay tax and this happens differently everywhere so do your research to avoid doing the wrong thing or paying too much. Also remember you will need to get your equivalent to an Australian Tax File Number to give to any employer to get paid. You need to contact the relevant government department in your country of choice and get your Tax File equivalent usually before you start working:
UK
USA
Canada
Europe
See www.taxsites.com/international.html/ which has information on tax laws in most countries. Because you are likely to only work for some of the year it is likely you might need to claim some tax back as well, for this check out www.taxback.com which helps you get this money back in your travel budget.
GETTING YOUR RESUME READING TO WORK OVERSEAS
Key to working overseas is being able to get a job. Funny that! This document (Known as a Curriculum Vitae (CV in the UK) is the first impression employers will get of you, so make it good and remember you may need more than one resume if you are looking for varied work. For example your babysitting experience will serve you well scoring work with a swanky London family as their live in Nanny, but will be borderline inappropriate when looking for office work. Get a good resume together and carry an electronic copy with you. Be aware that what to include in your resume can vary country to country and be industry specific, so do some research to make sure yours is competitive.
Here is a worthwhile general guide to how to put together a good resume:
GETTING A BACK ACCOUNT OVERSEAS
Unless you want to get all old school and carry your earnings around in a pouch, you will need a bank account in your chosen location so that you can get paid. This can be a bit annoying, as a global boom in identity crime has made proving who you are and therefore opening an account in your name a bit if a bastard of a process. It will be different for everywhere but try this:
Before leaving Australia check with your bank about the ease and cost of transferring money internationally between accounts in Australia and the country in which you will live. They may also offer help with introductions or references to banks overseas. To set up an account when you arrive you will need to go to a bank in your new home with your passport and any other identification details you can gather. The hardest thing to get is proof of your address in that location. One way of getting round this is if you know someone with an address in your destination which you can give as your residential address. It is best if you know this person well and they are not a potential criminal who will steal all your bank statements and subsequently your money.
GETTING A DRIVERS LICENCE FOR WORKING OVERSEAS
If you plan to drive overseas an International Driving Permit (IDP) might be a good idea. It is proof that you hold a valid driver’s licence in your home country and must be carried with a valid Australian driver’s licence. In Australia, IDPs are issued by state and territory IDP authorities. Contact
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
NRMA Motoring & Services
Queensland
RACQ Ltd.(Royal Automobile Club of Queensland Limited)
Victoria
RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria)
South Australia
RAA (Royal Automobile Association of South Australia, Inc)
Western Australia
RAC (Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (Incorporated)
Tasmania
RACT (Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania Limited)
Northern Territory
AANT (Automobile Association of Northern Territory Inc)
Tel:(08) 8981 3837
