Opportunity: Bar work is one of the most popular types of casual work that Backpackers in the Cairns region tend to pick up.

 

Hosting: Another popular type of casual work is that of 'hosting' or working at a Backpacker hostel in the Cairns region.

 

Hospitality: Other areas of hospitality like Housekeeping and Reception in hotels are also popular sources of work for Backpackers travelling in Australia.

 

 

General Visas
All nationalities other than New Zealanders and people from Papua New Guinea need a visa to visit Australia. There are basically two types of tourist visa – one for a stay of up to three months and the other for stays of up to six months with possible extensions to 12 months. For more information on these visas go to www.immi.gov.au

Working Holiday visas
If you’re looking to work in Australia, you will need to apply for a Working Holiday Maker visa. There are a number of versions but the basic visa is available to people from Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. People from Chile, Thailand or Turkey may also be eligible under a Work and Holiday visa.

Other requirements are that visitors must be between 18 and 30 years, apply outside of Australia 12 months before your visit and must not have dependent children. For more details go to www.immi.gov.au

For more information about visa details go to www.immi.gov.au or contact an Australian Consulate in your country.

Tax File Number
If you are going to work in Australia, you will need a Tax File Number and a bank account. Without a Tax File Number, workers will end up paying a lot more tax. To apply for a Tax File Number, go to www.ato.gov.au and follow the link to “Individuals” or call the Australian Tax Office on +61 2 6216 1111.

Tax refund claims
As a worker on a working holiday visa, the tax rate starts at 29 per cent. For each job, a tax declaration form needs to be filled in and a Group Certificate (statement of earnings) will be given to you by your employer at the end of employment. Everyone who works in Australia must file a tax return at the end of the financial year or before you leave Australia. There are fines for people who do not file a return.

To obtain a tax refund, you will need to fill in an Income Tax Return at the end of the financial year, June 30 or when leaving the country. Visitors can either do it themselves or use a tax agent. Tax Packs are available from newsagencies or the Tax Office. A Tax Return Kit is also available from Australia Post (post offices). If you leave Australia prior to receiving a return, a cheque can be posted to any address in Australia or overseas.

Claiming GST
When leaving Australia, visitors may be able to claim some of the 10 per cent GST (goods and services tax) back. This refund only applies to goods taken with you and luggage. These goods, unlike duty free, can be used in Australia. The refund is paid on goods that cost $300 or more including tax, bought no more than 30 days before leaving the country. You must have a Tax Invoice to claim.

The refund can be claimed at the TRS booths in the departure terminals of all airports after you pass through passport control. For more information contact Customs on 1300 363 236.

Bank Accounts
To open a bank account in Australia, visitors will need to show their passport and a postal address in Australia. Internet banking is an excellent way to access accounts, particularly if travelling in outlying and remote areas like the Daintree and Cape York. This facility can be set up at the time the account is opened.

Superannuation (also known as Super)
If you are working in Australia, your employer must pay an 8 per cent superannuation contribution on top of a wage into a superannuation fund. This is established when you begin work. If you change jobs, a new superannuation fund may be set up, which means you may end up with many funds. For visitors, it is often worth rolling all the funds into one. Superannuation cannot be accessed until after the age of 65 and if there is less than $1000, fees higher than interest earned cannot be charged.

Looking for work in the Cairns region
Many recruitment agencies in the Cairns region specialise in working holiday visa jobs.

Banana Picking in Tully – Tully is south of Cairns and is considered one of the most reliable sources for fruit-picking work in Australia. Banana Barracks is a “working backpackers hostel” and offers work for men (hanging banana bunches) and women (sorting and pruning). There is also work on other agricultural farms. For more information go to www.bananabarracks.com

Fruit Picking in Australia – another good place to start when looking for work is the Ready Workforce website which offers information on how to pick up agricultural labouring work around the country. Go to www.readyworkforce.com.au
for more information.

Hospitality – there are always jobs available in the hospitality sectors, particularly in tourism towns and Cairns has a number of labour companies that farm out service industry jobs. There is an office of Grunt Labour Services in Cairns at 36 Grafton St, email: cairns@gruntlabour.com, call +61 7 4041 1588 or go to www.gruntlabour.com

Another helpful company is Signature Staff who specialise in the hospitality and service industry. Their office is at 330 Sheridan St or they can be contacted 24 hours on +61 7 4050 3888 or +61 418 533 357 or go to www.signaturestaff.com.au/ for more information.

Useful websites include www.careerone.com.au if you are looking for more substantial or long-term work.

See also: