UK to Australia working year visa

[Ged]

My 23 year old son intends to go out to Australia for a year on the visa which lets him work.

On route he hopes to call in at Bali Indonesia to surf for six weeks or so then on to Australia for his year.

The problems are
1. How and where do we get insurance to cover his work (bar work, surfing instruction, anything,) and his surfing?
2. He had thought about going out without a return fare given that he might at the end of the year go on somewhere else "to surf I imagine". However I hear that Australia are not keen to accept people without a return ticket? Is this true?
3. Does he need evidence that he has a place to stay?
4 job to go too?
5 adequate savings?
6 is fit and healthy?

He has not forwarded the visa application as yet.
How long is he likely to have to wait when he sends it on?
He had hoped to go early November to Bali and arrive in Australia mid December.

What is the best way of arranging flights.

If anyone has any views on these problems, if they are problems, we would be very grateful.

Thanks

Ged Haresnape

[dmfreedom]

A few thoughts.....

1. How and where do we get insurance to cover his work (bar work, surfing instruction, anything,) and his surfing?

There are specific travel insurance policies that will cover this. One of the best places to ask is STA Travel. Their policy is designed for backpackers on this type of visa and also covers more extreme sports.

2. He had thought about going out without a return fare given that he might at the end of the year go on somewhere else "to surf I imagine". However I hear that Australia are not keen to accept people without a return ticket? Is this true?

This one probably depends on the customs officer on the day. If he has a one year work visa, then a good argument would be that airline tickets have 12 month validity. Best to check with the embassy on that one.
3. Does he need evidence that he has a place to stay?

No. An address of a guest house or hostel out of the Lonely planet is usually enough.
4 job to go too?

No. Most travellers on this visa pick up something when they get there.
5 adequate savings?

Probably. The one thing that they will want to know is that he is not going to be a burden on the Australian welfare system (it works the other way around as well).
6 is fit and healthy?

Maybe. The entry form is not like the US one. I dont think you have to declare mental illness for example.
He has not forwarded the visa application as yet.
How long is he likely to have to wait when he sends it on?
He had hoped to go early November to Bali and arrive in Australia mid December.

The most expensive time for flights to Australia. (thousands of expats going home for Christmas and people heading for sunny New Year)
What is the best way of arranging flights.

I would reccomend STA Travel. They exist to get people to Australia on these types of trips. They would be able to advise on visa stuff too.
Good Luck...
Dave
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[james]