Travelling Australia - The first steps you need to take

Hey guys. I just wanted to take this time to say that i am no way, in any shape or form, a travel expert. In fact, it's only my first week in Australia...

The advice i am giving to you is simply the steps that i have followed so far, and i want to share my advice with you in hopes that i can push you in the right direction to making the most courageous and awesome decision of your life...

When you think about travelling to Australia, you seem to imagine soooo many steps that you need to take. It all seems so daunting, doesn't it?

Truth is, it couldn't be easier. Things are as simple as you make them.

And this is how simple it is....

I will talk a bit in detail about the steps, then i will write a simple to do list for you, so get your pen and paper ready]

Things to sort before Australia:

Apply for a visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Now, i'm not going to give you a step by step guide on the website and what button you need to click, because to be honest, the only way you're going to learn and take information in, is to read it all and figure it out yourself. The site is really really easy to use and it tells you all you need to know. From what type of visa you need to apply for, to the rules of your visa.

If you want to do what i am doing [Travelling and working] you will want to apply for the Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa. This entitles you to travel for 1 year, but you can't work in the same job for any longer than 6 months. That's why it's a working holiday, because you are always moving around.

Applying for a visa is a simple step by step application and it cost me £261.66 - prices may vary - I literally had an acceptance email within 10 minutes of submitting my application]

If you are wanting to work in Australia, make sure you print out some CVS to take with you, although there are shops where you can print paperwork when you're here]

Second of all, it's important to know that if you don't have a flight home booked [I don't] then there is a high chance that immigration will check your bank balance, and you must have 3000AUD in your bank account [£1670] This is so The Australian Border Force know that you have enough money to support yourself and to book a flight home if needed. I heard people have been refused if they do not have proof of these funds. I wasn't checked at the airport and it was a smooth and fast process for me, but it may not be for you.... Always be prepared.

In regards to savings, it's really hard to say how much you will need whilst travelling Australia. Simply because everybody is different. For example in Melbourne, i met a guy that had spent $10,000 in 4 weeks and had to fly home already because he had ran out of money. He hadn't even seen the outside of the club wall or his bedroom wall. It depends whether you're going to be silly like him and waste your money on drugs, alcohol and partying.... you know, things you can do in the UK.....

Or, you might be somebody like me, who has travelled to the other side of the world to actually live the dream and make the most of it. I'm not saying that i won't have any party time or fun what so ever. But i think it's extremely silly to come to Australia just to sleep your days away with a hangover and not see any of Australia......

On my first day, i spent $150 on a two day tour of The Great Ocean Road, this included an overnight stay and was an absolutely beautiful trip with so much to see and experience. [I booked this with CheapAz Travel, 111 Barkly St, St Kilda VIC 3182] The trip is usually $220 but we had a last minute discount.

Put it this way, if i was to rent a car to travel The Great Ocean Road, and book a hostel, it would probably be much more than $150 anyway. Not to mention food costs [Afternoon tea and dinner is included in the trip also you see] Some people would rather rent their own car and travel attractions this way, and i will certainly do that at some point. But as it was my first day, and i would have no idea what spots to travel to and what to see, i wanted to do it with a professional tour guide. And boy am i glad i did. My Tour Guide Jude was just absolutely fantastic, she really made it the trip of a lifetime. I'll tell you all about The Great Ocean Road on another blog post.

[Flies are a nightmare along the Great Ocean Road, pack fly repellent spray]

Anyway, on my fourth day i booked a Philip Island Penguin Tour so i could spend the day with my family [They were on holiday in Melbourne at the time so it was great i could see them for a day] This cost me $139 and included lunch. This was a great trip as we got to feed kangaroos and cuddle koalas. [It was an extra $20 to have a Koala Encounter which i was a bit disappointed with because i thought it would be included in the package] but it was totally worth paying the extra money because it was my first time seeing a Koala up close and i love animals.... [You end up seeing Penguins on the beach but my favorite part was the Kangaroos and Koalas]

Other than those two trips, i have only spent what i have needed to on food [and the odd game of pool $2]

On Sunday 27th, as this was my last evening in Melbourne, i did treat myself to a few drinks, but i'm not here to waste all of my money on alcohol and drink all the time. So for me, i definitely won't be spending $10,000 in 4 weeks. So you know, only you know your lifestyle, you know what you'll want to be spending money on, so only you can decide how much you will need to save and support yourself whilst out in Australia.

Hostels

I thought hostels would be cheap like $10 per night but the one i have stayed in was $40 per night. I will keep you up to date on if i find any cheaper ones....

[The one i stayed in is called Summer House Melbourne 109 Barkly St, St Kilda VIC 3182. It has a movie room you can watch Netflix and chill in, it has a bar if you want to meet new people and socialise, and it is near to pubs, clubs, and restaurants. It is a 15 minute tram ride to Melbourne City Centre. If you want to travel to the city by tram you will need to buy a MYKI tram card from a shop and top it up]

You can chose how many beds you want in your dorm. [How many people you share with] For example you can pick a 6 bed dorm or an 18 bed dorm. The more beds, the cheaper the price, because obviously more people are in your room.

On my first night, i was totally jet lagged, i hadn't slept for two days and was totally disorientated. It was 11pm and all i wanted to do was sleep, but somebody was playing music in the room with a giant speaker. Not ideal.

I have to understand that some people are here to party [that's why i didn't ask him to turn it down]

But those people also have to understand that some people are here to travel and work, therefore, need sleep. [But they don't]

So just be prepared for sleepless nights. On my third night, i actually went downstairs and slept in reception because people were snoring really loud and a fly kept landing on my face in my room....

Hostels are a great way of meeting people, especially other people travelling alone. They can be dirty but, a bed is a bed. Some hostels have lockers so pack a small padlock and key with you so you can keep your belongings secure. I sleep with my purse and expensive belongings underneath my pillow....

Creepy Crawlies

So far i haven't seen any spiders but i have seen a venomous snake. I wasn't scared, i just let it pass by. I'm not scared of seeing spiders either. I'm more scared of wasps to tell you the truth... So i don't have much to say on the creepy crawlie front. Don't let it put you off, it's minor.

I'm guessing when i do my farm work and pick fruit, that's when i'll see spiders. I'll let you know....

Finally, make sure you get travel insurance. A lot of people don't get this, because they think 'medicare' covers you for all accidents and incidents. Not true.

Medicare gives you access to:

A range of medical services for free or at a lower costs including doctors, and at times dentists and other allied health professionals.

Lower cost prescriptions, and free care as a public patient in a public hospital

[For more information on medicare visit https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/medicare-services]

Medicare is a bit like our NHS and all you need to do is go to a Medicare Centre once you're in Australia and fill out an application [I did this today and it took 30 minutes but sometimes it can take up to 2 hours] You will need your passport and proof of visa. Although you can print whatever documents you need to on their printer.

Medicare will not cover you if you have a major accident and need an air ambulance, and, sorry to sound morbid, but i have got travel insurance because i don't want my family having to pay to fly my body home if the worst was to happen [Sorry, but you have to think of these things]

With my track record of broken limbs, and earthquakes and tsunamis, it's the safest option for me, but it's up to you what you do....

Get a money travel card. You can get these from the Post Office, or i got mine in the airport which was actually better rates. If i went with the Post Office Card, i would have been charged $3 for every withdrawal i made. The one i got at London airport [Travelex Money Card] doesn't charge me anything for withdrawals. You can probably apply for one online, give it a google. [I don't want to provide a website to apply for this because i am not sure which is the official site therefore wouldn't want to be held responsible for any scam sites - every other site i have given i know is official as i have used them myself]

Things to sort when you're in Australia

Whilst i was in the Medicare Centre today, i used their computer and applied for my Tax File Number [TFN] I did this online at https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/ - It's super super easy. You might be able to do this before travelling, no idea, i just did it all whilst here. Read the website for information.

I also opened up a bank account today. You can go to any bank but i went to AnZ. It only took 10 minutes and all i needed was my passport.

I'm lucky because i have a friend that has given me permission to use his permanent Australian address to make it easier for me to apply for documents and open a bank account. I'm really not sure how you'd go about this if you don't have a permanent address. But this is part of what travelling is all about. Do your research and figure out what you need to do. You might be able to give a hostel address but obviously you'd have to wait there for up to two weeks for your documents... Like i say, i'm not sure. I'm giving you the basics and you need to do some digging.

TO DO LIST BEFORE AUSTRALIA

1. Apply for a visa

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

2. Other than your savings, put £1670 aside and keep this in your account during travel to Australia

3. Book flight

www.skyscanner.com

4. Sort travel insurance

[I went to Hinckley Insurance Services De Bema House, The Lawns, Hinckley, LE10 1DY ]

Or you can search on www.comparethemarket.com

If you are going to be doing extreme sports, make sure the activities are included in your cover

5. Apply for a money travel card

[You don't want to use UK bank card as you get charged]

6. Book a hostel for your first 2-7 days

You don't have to, but this may give you comfort knowing you have somewhere to stay during the start of your journey

TO DO LIST IN AUSTRALIA

1. Go to your nearest Medicare Centre and apply for Medicare

Take passport and visa paperwork

2. Open a bank account

You only need to do this if you plan to work. Employers will need you to have a bank account in order to provide you with wages.

3. Apply for TFN - Tax File Number

https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/tax-file-number/

I think i have pretty much covered everything, but it's been a whirlwind of a week and i really wish i wrote all this as i went along so it was easier for me to remember and easier for me to instruct you step by step. But hopefully, this at least helps you in some ways.

If you have any further questions, please message me [on Facebook preferably] because i will then add your question along with my answer to my blog. [Sort of like an FAQ] and hopefully that question and answer will also help answer other people's questions.

If you are reading this, it means you are thinking of travelling. Before you go i want to say one thing ......

Stop thinking. Start doing.

You only live once!!

Even if Australia doesn't work out for you, at least you can say you have tried it. I have tried many things before this. Things that didn't work out. Do i regret it? Absolutely NOT. Have you ever tried anything before that didn't work out? Probably. Did it defeat you? NO!

Just go for it.

You're obviously searching for deeper happiness and fulfillment in your life, that's why you're here, that's why you're reading this...

So what are you waiting for......

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417/first-working-holiday-417