Here you will find useful information and essential tips to help travellers have a safe and hassle-free trip around Australia.
Your address in Australia
Many of the things you will want to arrange prior to arriving in Australia such as a Tax File Number (TFN) or a bank account will require an Australian mailing address. The easiest way to arrange one is to register with a mail forwarding company.
To make the process easier for you we have partnered with SOS Mail Solutions. Simply register with SOS Mail Solutions to receive an Australian Mailing address. Any items of mail received at your new Australian address are scanned to your private online mail account. You will receive an email notification once new items have been scanned, then simply use your secure login to access and view your mail from anywhere.
Pay As You Go (PAYG) Tax
Once you begin working and earning money in Australia your employer is obliged to deduct tax from your earnings under the Pay As You Go (also known as PAYE – Pay As You Earn) tax system. The rate of tax that will be deducted from your income is determined by how much you earn. If you are in a casual or seasonal role your employer won’t know how much you might end up earning for the full financial year (1st July to 30th June) so they will deduct tax at the appropriate rate based on how much they are paying you at the time.
From 1st July 2012 the Tax Free Threshold in Australia is $18,200. Basically this means you can earn up $18,200 in a financial year without paying tax. Remember though, if you are working short term jobs your employer/s don’t know how much you are going to earn for the full financial year so they will still tax you at the appropriate rate for the income they are paying you at the time. If at the end of the financial year your employer/s have deducted more tax than you needed to pay you are entitled to claim the extra tax back.
To help take the stress out of completing your tax returns while you are in Australia and to finalise your Australian tax requirements once you leave we have partnered with taxback.com. Taxback are the international income tax return specialists and can handle the whole process for you.
Tax File Number (TFN)
Before you begin working in Australia you will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN). TFN’s are issued by the Australian Taxation Office and are used to track you, your income and the tax you pay through the Australian taxation system.
Once you have been successful in obtaining a job in Australia your TFN will be one of the first pieces of information you will need to give your new employer. As mentioned above your employer will deduct tax from your income in accordance with the current tax rates based on how much you earn.
As a general rule you will pay somewhere between 10%-30% tax on the income you earn. If you are not able to provide a tax file number your employer is required to withhold 46.5% of your income as tax so it is well worth taking the time to get one.
You will also need to provide your tax file number to your bank if/when you open a bank account in Australia.
Click here to apply online for your Tax File Number.
Visas
There are a variety of Visas available to travellers coming to Australia. The right Visa for you depends on a number of things including:
- How long you plan to be in Australia
- What you plan to do while you are in Australia
- Your country of origin
The quickest and easiest way to find the best Visa for your needs is the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Visa Wizard. Just answer a few simple questions and the Visa Wizard will recommend the most appropriate Visa for your trip to Oz.
Bank Accounts
Once you find work in Australia your employer will want to direct deposit the money you earn straight in to an Australian bank account. By taking the time to organise a bank account before you arrive in Australia you can transfer some money to your new account before you leave giving you easy access to your money once you arrive.
The following banks are commonly referred to in Australia as “the big 4”. Each of them will allow you to open a bank account online. All you need to do when you arrive is go to the nominated branch to be formally identified and collect your ATM card giving you access to your money all over Australia.
- Open a Commonwealth Bank account
- Open a Westpac Bank account
- Open an ANZ Bank account (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group)
- Open a NAB Bank account (National Australia Bank)
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance: simple & flexible
You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from over 150 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
7 things you should know about travel insurance from WorldNomads.com
- Trusted reliable underwriters
WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24 hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most. - Value for money with the cover you need
WorldNomads.com provides cover for what’s important for travellers from over 150 countries. By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don’t, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online. - Flexibility when you need it most
Had a change of plans? You can extend your policy or claim online while you are still away. You can even buy a World Nomads policy if you’re already travelling. - Cover for a range of adventure activities
From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of adventure activities, giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels. - World Nomads keeps you travelling safely
All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts, as well as travel safety advice and tips online through the World Nomads Travel Safety Hub. - More than just great value travel insurance
All WorldNomads.com members can learn the local lingo through a series of Travel Guides and can stay in touch with family and friends with an online travel journal. - Commitment to exceptional customer service
We want to make sure you get the most from WorldNomads.com. You can find out more about why travel insurance is important for your trip. If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please contact WorldNomads.com directly.
Join the Club
The Workabout Australia Club was established in late 2000 as a means of keeping members up to date with employment opportunities throughout Australia.
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