OZebook by Mirraculin

All the stuff you need to Work and Travel in Australia.

Summary Ahhh Australia; the sixth largest country in the world, with the lowest population per square kilometre. A wonderland of rain forests, rock formations, crystal clear water, white sandy beaches, exotic flora, a wide mix of cultures, Aboriginal heritage, a hip art scene, great food, a dry sense of humour, landscapes and wildlife that quite simply can't be found anywhere else in the world. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place to visit and with all this natural beauty, a great mix of people and a growing economy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not like the rest of the world. Guess what? Australia is on the UP! And in certain places, it is absolutely booming. With the resource sector racing along it is creating unprecedented demand for unskilled and skilled workers. Yes you can pretty much get work anywhere in Australia if you know how but do you know how to get the best job that will earn you the most money? And did you know that over 80% go to the wrong place for work?1

International Visitors in Australia, September 2009, Quarterly Results of the International Visitor Survey P38

Acknowledgments Firstly a big thank you to Tourism Australia and various Government sites for your ongoing support. Stefan, I swear that mouse is glued to your hand, great work – keep it up – it’s only just begun. Fabs, thanks for your support, you can now be let off the leash and carry on with your travels. Kim and Russel thanks for your funny stories on the road—they were an inspiration for this book. Sara, thanks for your hard work and determination and adherence to a tight deadline, great work. Matt Austin, thanks for your images, they’re excellent. Dan the man, you know the drill, good work mate! Thanks everyone! Wayne

By the time you’ve read this book you will probably be convinced that you will be eaten, stung or attacked by some form of nature when you arrive in Australia. You must read the disclaimer below so you don’t try and sue us when you break a nail or spill a beer on your favourite shirt because we didn’t tell you about those risks. Disclaimer: This OZeBOOK contains information from various sources, it contains opinions and humour that some of you may not agree with. We are not responsible for any of your actions whilst you are in Australia and all we purely claim to do is give you an insight of work and travel in Australia.

Happy Reading!

Prologue As we are all aware, the world economy has taken a bit of a beating recently and not many escaped the downturn. However, Australia has ambitious plans for serious growth through economic development which is already well underway on the back of an unprecedented resources boom. New sporting precincts are in the pipeline, the country is ramping up its exports and it has made a fantastic FIFA World Cup Bid for 2018/2022. Australia's strong, service-based economy has seen sustained growth. Mining and agriculture provide the lion's share of exports and the economy's 0.6 percent growth in the June quarter confirms that Australia is weathering the global recession better than anyone could have hoped for.2 Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambitious expectation of 20 to 30 years of economic growth has just been underscored by the very recent announcement that Chevron has taken another giant leap in the race to develop Western Australia's vast gas resources, signing the biggest deal in Australia's history worth AUD$90 billion with a Japanese customer.3 Mining giant Rio Tinto recently announced it will need an additional 1000 workers when its operations in the Pilbara region expand. 4 Also, the 2

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/stunning-economic-growth-as-australia-weathers-the-global-recession/story-e6frg90f1225768745839 3 http://www.theage.com.au/business/chevron-signs-90bn-gas-deal-20091206-kcto.html 4

Sunday Times (WA) Sunday 29 November 2009

Technology and Industry Advisory Council predict that one state alone will need an extra 224,000 workers by 2016.5 Compare this stable and upcoming economic power house with the likes of the UK, where unemployment is at 7.8% and youth unemployment at a record high of 19.8%.6 The USA is experiencing similar conditions, and Germany's largest steel company, Thyssenkrupp, has announced 20,000 of its workers will be laid off in the next fiscal year.7 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear to see the sun is shining in Oz at the moment! Anyway, enough doom and gloom! Hopefully the global economy will pick up soon, but in the meantime, this OZeBook has been put together to give you an insight on how you can take the plunge into what will be one of, if not the brightest, year or years of your life.

Technology and Industry Advisory Council predict in their 'Managing Western Australia's Economic Expansion; Need for People and Skills Report' September 2009 6 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8353933.stm Wednesday 11th November 2009. 7

http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-world/thyssenkrupp-announces-job-losses-in-coming-year-20091127-jx2j.html

Table of Contents Chapter 1: Get to Know Australia………………………………………1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 6

Learn the Historical Basics Remember Key Facts and Figures Business Hours Important Phone Numbers Time Zones Daylight Savings Public Holidays Understanding the Language and Oz-eLingo

Chapter 2: Enjoy the Culture……………………………………………..7 7 8 8 10 11 12

Sports Music Media Art Indigenous Heritage Food and Drink

Chapter 3: Be Aware of the Climate ……………………………….14

Chapter 4: Open Your Mind to Geographical Australia……17 18 18

Enjoy the Flora and Fauna Australian Wildlife

Chapter 5: Prepare for Your Trip ……………………..…………….23 24

26 26 27 28

Visas for Australia 24 Working Holiday Visa 24 Eligibility 25 What the Working Holiday Visa Allows You To Do 25 Can I extend my Working Holiday Visa? 25 How much is my Working Holiday Visa Going to Cost? Student Visas 26 What the Student Visas Lets You Do Temporary business (Long Stay) Visa 27 What this Visa Allows You To Do Skilled Migrant Visa 27 Some Types of Skilled Migrant Visa Your Health 29 Signing Up For Health and Travel Insurance 29 Vaccinations

Chapter 6: Book, Buy, Consider but Be Aware ………………..30 30 31 31 32 32 34 34 35 36 36 36 37 37 37 37 38

Book a Flight Get a Backpack Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat—Good Idea! Lock Up Consider a Fly Net and Aeroguard Do I Need a Sleeping Bag? Camera Net Book or Laptop Travel Guide Ear Plugs and Eye Mask First Aid Kit Adapter Consider Stopovers Booking Accommodations Prior to Departure Mode of Transport Take Note of Customs and Immigration

Chapter 7: Get Organised in Australia …………………………….40 40

Find Suitable Accommodation 41 Hostels 42 Stay in a Shared Flat or House 43 Renting a Flat or House 43 Couch Surf Organising Money 43 How to Pay and Get Cash 44 Get a Bank Account 45 Exchanging Money 45 Forget Traveller’s Cheques

Chapter 8: Save Money …………………………………………………..46 46 47 47 47 47

Get Discounts Save on Fuel Save on Groceries Second-hand Shops and Op Shops Trading Post, Gumtree, Quokka, Etc.

Chapter 9: Stay Safe ………………………………………………………..48 48 49

54 54 55 56 57

Bushwalking Dangerous Animals 50 Sharks 50 Snakes 51 Spiders 51 Crocodiles 52 Dingos 53 Box Jelly Fish 53 Portuguese Man O’ War Crime Bushfires Cyclones Accidents Heat

Chapter 10: Finding a Job ………………………………………………..58 62

Tips for Finding a Job 63 Look for Busy Areas 63 Where to Find Jobs

64 65 65 66

Resume and References Clothes Remember, You’re Not a Backpacker! The Simple Steps to Employment

Chapter 11: Understand Working in Australia …..…………….68 68 70 70 71 71 71 71 72

72 73

Get a Tax File Number 69 To Get a Tax File Number You Need To… Understanding Superannuation Contract Types Risks Work Equipment and Working Clothes Heat Cash in Hand Get Necessary Licence 72 Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate 72 Responsible Gambling Services (RGS) Certificate Blue/Green/White Card Negotiate Your Salary

Chapter 12: Get Involved and Keep in Touch ….……………….74 74 75 75 75 76 77 77 77 78

Keep a Diary Get the Right SIM Card Call Home for Less Get the Right International Phone Card Get a Postal and Residential Address Send Stuff Home Hop on the Web Budget Options Conquer Loneliness and Homesickness

Chapter 13: Getting Around …………………………………………….79 79

By Car 79 What Kind of Car to Choose 80 Own a Sufficient Driver’s License 80 What Drivers Licences are Valid? 80 Buy a Car 80 How to Choose a Car 81 Register a Car

84 85 86 86 87 88 88 89 90

82 Get Insurance 82 Get Roadside Assistance 84 Rent a Car Get a Relocation Car Look for a Lift 85 Where to Offer or Find a Lift Hitchhiking Know the Rules of the Road By Plane By Train By Bus By Bicycle Find a Bike

Chapter 14: Summary ……………………………………………………..91

Chapter 1 Get to Know Australia Learn the Historical Basics Australia, formerly known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is located in the Southern Hemisphere and includes numerous smaller islands off the mainland coast, the largest and most commonly known being Tasmania. Prior to early European exploration and then settlement from the 1600's, Australia was inhabited by over 250 Indigenous Nations. The first colony, New South Wales, was founded by the British on January 26th, 1788. Its population grew steadily and over a period of time, five other colonies were founded. On January 6th, 1901, the colonies formed a Federation, became states, and the Commonwealth of Australia was born. Australia now also includes two mainland territoriesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Australian Capital Territory (being the seat of the Federal Government) and the Northern Territory (whose capital city is Darwin).

Remember Key Facts and Figures  Population: 22 Million, with the majority (60%) based in and around state capital cities  States: Western Australia (WA), Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Tasmania (TAS), South Australia (SA)  Mainland Territories: Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT)  Capitals: Canberra (capital of Australia), Sydney (the largest city), Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Darwin  Prime Minister: Kevin Michael Rudd was sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia in December 2007, after leading the Australian Labour Party to an election win on the 24th of November 2007  Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II. Represented by Governor-General Quentin Bryce  Size: 50% larger than the whole of Europe; 7.7 million sq km (2.9 million sq miles)  Beaches: 50,000km of coastline with just over 10,000 beaches  Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar (AUD$) = 100 cents  Main exports: Ores and metals; wool, food and live animals; fuels, transport machinery and equipment  Internet domain: .com.au  International dialling code: +61  Sport: Aussies love it!

Business Hours Banks are open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 4pm, Friday 9:30am to 5pm. General business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Shopping hours are usually 8:30am to 5:30pm weekdays and 9am to 4 or 5pm on Saturday. Many shops close on Sundays, although major department stores and shops in tourist precincts are open 7 days. Some capital cities have extended trading hours.8

http://www.downunderonline.com/Australia_Holiday_FAQs.htm

Important Phone Numbers Fire, Police, Ambulance Poisons Information Centre Directory Assistance Telstra Call Connect Weather Time Health Direct

000 131 126 12455 12456 1196 1194 1800 022 222

Health Direct Australia is a FREE 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by Registered Nurses to provide expert health advice. It is currently available to residents of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Crime Stoppers (report crime anonymously): 1800 333 000 Police Assistance Line (for non emergencies): 131444

Time Zones There are three times zones in Australia: Eastern Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 10 hours (UTC +10). AEST is followed in these regions: New South Wales (except Broken Hill), Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, and Australian Capital Territory. Central Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 9 Â˝ hours (UTC +9 Â˝). ACST is followed in these regions: South Australia, Northern Territory and Broken Hill, NSW.

Western Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) is equal to Coordinated Universal Time plus 8 hours (UTC +8). AWST is followed in this region: Western Australia.

Daylight Saving Daylight Saving Time is observed in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory and has been synchronised across these states. In a referendum held in Western Australia in May 2009, voters chose to reject daylight saving. Queensland and the Northern Territory do not observe daylight saving. Across the south-eastern states and the ACT, daylight saving begins at 2am Eastern Standard Time on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am Eastern Standard Time (3am summer time) on the first Sunday in April. Where daylight saving is observed: AEST becomes Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), and clocks are advanced to UTC +11. ACST becomes Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT), and clocks are advanced to UTC +10 Â˝.9

http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/time

Public Holidays 2010 New Year's Day

Friday 1 January (Australia wide)

Australia Day

Tuesday 26 January (Australia wide)

Labour Day

Monday 1 March (NSW and WA)

Labour Day

Monday 8 March (VIC)

Adelaide Cup

Monday 8 March (Adelaide)

Good Friday

Friday 2 April (Australia wide)

Easter Saturday

Saturday 3 April (Australia wide)

Easter Monday ANZAC Day

Monday 5 April (Australia wide) Sunday 25 April / Monday 26 April (Australia wide)

Labour Day

Monday, 3 May (Queensland only)

May Day

Monday 3 May (Northern Territory only)

Foundation Day

Monday 7 June (WA and NSW):

Queen's Birthday Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday/Volunteer's Day, (VIC,QLD,SA only)

Monday 14 June (VIC,NT,QLD,SA only)

Borroloola Show Day

Friday 25 June (Northern Territory only)

Alice Springs Show Day

Friday 2 July (Northern Territory only)

Tennant Creek Show Day

Friday 9 July (Northern Territory only)

Katherine Show Day

Friday 16 July ( Northern Territory only)

Darwin Show Day

Friday 23 July (Northern Territory only)

Picnic Day

Monday 2 Aug (Northern Territory only)

Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane Area Only)

Wednesday 11 August (QLD)

Queen's Birthday

Monday 27 September (WA and NSW only)

Labour Day

Monday 4 Oct (South Australia only)

Melbourne Cup Day Christmas Day

Tuesday 2 November (Victoria only) Saturday 25 December/Monday 28 December (all states)

Boxing Day

Sunday 26 December (all states)

Proclamation Day

Tuesday 29 December (South Australia Only)

Monday 14 June (VIC,QLD,SA only)

Understand the Language and OZ-eLingo Oz: Come on cobber, why don’t you chuck your clobber in the back of the Ute and we’ll fly down for a coldie. Eng: Come on mate, put your stuff in the boot and we will go for a beer. Oz: Wrap your laughing gear around that. Eng: Put it in your mouth/eat it. Oz: I went to the Aerial Ping Pong last night—oh, it was ace! Then me and the boys went for some amber fluid, it was beaut! Eng: I went to the Footy last night—it was great! Then me and the boys went for a beer, which was nice. Oz: I got some new budgie smugglers at mate’s rate, I’m gonna have to chuck a sickie so I can wear them right now! Eng: I got some new swimming pants at a cheap rate from a friend, I am going to call in sick for work so I can wear them right now! Oz: My Sheila ain’t a full quid. Eng: My girlfriend/wife isn’t very bright. Oz: My Bloke is a few cans short of a six-pack. Eng: My boyfriend/husband isn’t very bright. Oz: Give us a crack at that girl. Eng: Give us a go at that girl. Oz: Bring your boardies and cosies and when the yacker is done, we can go for dip. Eng: Bring your swimming gear and when the work is done, we can go for a swim. Oz: Fair suck of the bottle/or fair suck of the sav. Eng: Give it a fair go. Oz: Just gonna take out the garbo. Eng: I am just going to take out the rubbish.

Chapter 2 Enjoy the Culture Sports Everywhere you go in Australia, there’s always the opportunity to pick up a bat or kick a ball. With such a big playground and outdoor common areas such as beaches and parks, whatever you are into, you will find your preferred sport. If not, you can start your own club and the chances are everyone will want to give it a go. There are plenty of clubs and teams around if you wish to join, whatever your level. If you’re just interested in getting fit, then you'll find public pools, the beautiful ocean, scenic parks and arid land to stretch your legs and keep fit. The most popular game is Aussie Rules, also known as AFL and Footy. It’s worth watching (and playing), and many travellers soon get hooked on the nation’s favourite sport. Cricket is also very popular here, along with tennis, netball, rugby, rugby union, soccer, golf and volleyball. There are skate parks all over the place, and let’s not forget surfing! 7

Underwater body surfing, wind surfing, kite boarding, rowing, red bull air racing, F1—you name it, it’s here!

Music We all know you can pretty much wrap your lugs (ears) around any tune you want with the beautiful World Wide Web. But what you can’t do with the Web is watch live acts. Let’s face it—it’s a great feeling bouncing and tapping to a new music act that you never thought you’d see or hear. When you arrive in Australia, you will be exposed to sounds, rhythms and beats that will open your mind. No matter whether you are out in the outback or walking on Sydney Harbour, you will experience Did You the beauty of Indigenous Music....the Know…? didgeridoo will take your musical tastes to another level. Whether you’re looking for the traditional To find out more about Indigenous sounds or the latest mash music concerts and to up, you will want more and more and purchase tickets, visit more!

www.ticketmaster.com.au

All the global big guns make the jump, too, with the majority visiting all the big cities; George Michael, Whitney Houston, Tom Jones, Roots Manuva, AC/DC, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Calvin Harris, Groove Armada, Placebo, Franz Ferdinand, Fleetwood Mac, Lily Allen, Ronan Keating and many more are performing live in Australia in 2010. If festivals are your thing, then do not worry—they are here too and they’re pretty impressive...we won’t go into that though--we’ll just wait until you get here and you can tell us all about them at www.workandtravelinaustralia.com! All the state and national radio stations play the latest tunes from around the globe, along with the good old cult classics.

Media Lots of adverts here in Oz are on television and radio. We’re not going to lie to ya, they're repetitive, but that’s because people here have other things on their mind like “life” and enjoying themselves instead of watching television!

There are better things to do, but that aside, media is good here with the majority of national papers covering both international and national news. There is a choice of news channels and satellite TV gives the Did You choice of global channels such as Sky, Know…? CNN, ABC, Al Jazeera and BBC.

A must watch: FIFA World Cup bid advertisement: www.australia20182022.com.au

The Australian media scene on a whole is very creative, and from an economical and technological view, is pretty damn advanced.

The majority of Aussies use the net and there are lots of places you can hop online. Imported and homemade programs top the charts here, and for some reason, a lot of Aussies love 'The Bill' – errrrrrrmmmmmm, okay, whatever floats your boat. Newspapers are out daily and you will find one specific to each state and also a few nationals such as The Australian. They cost around AUD$1-$2. Magazines are available from all over the world, such as Time Magazine, GQ, Woman’s World and leading health magazines. There are plenty of traveller magazines that you can pick up for free from tourism offices and hostels. These detail discounts, travel stories and travel ideas. If you’re a football fan (the round ball David Beckham and all that), soon-to-be or already a soccer fan, then have no fear—the Aussies are well prepared and have your weekly feed prepared for you on a silver spoon. All Premier League games are shown on satellite TV. Oh yes! Take your pick and if you need a cherry on top of your weekly football feed, have no fear because the European Champions League is also closely followed.

For big games you can usually hunt down a bar or casino, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be watching it on a 25ft screen. For some of us behind 'Your Ticket To Oz' (YTTO), it’s a little harder to get all your football needs fulfilled, but that’s to be expected when you’re dealt the difficult task of supporting Grimsby Town FC. If soccer’s not your bag and its ice hockey or American football, then it’s pretty easy enough to track down a highlights show or a venue for the big games, as well as, well, pretty much any other sport you can think of!

Art Art is accessible in every state in Australia, and you will be surrounded by it on a daily basis. Even if you’re driving down the freeway, there is something to marvel at. In Adelaide, you can go on a guided tour of the South Australian Art Gallery or visit any of its smaller galleries—there are nine in total. Melbourne has always been a beacon for a thriving Australian art scene. Melbourne’s Arts Festival showcases dance, photography, music and film, with 2009 paying homage to greats like Andy Warhol and Joni Mitchell. Sydney is renowned for its evocative and catharsic-like photography features, usually found in abundance at the Art & About exhibitions from 1-25th of October.

For something a little bit warmer, try Sculpture by the Sea in Perth. This truly unique experience is located at WA’s flagship Cottesloe Beach from March 4th until the 23rd. Brisbane lends you all its original, contemporary and abstract art for your home. You can buy or rent hand printed art throughout Brisbane’s metro area. The Northern Territory hosts Australia’s largest Aboriginal Desert Art Gallery. The gallery was established in 1985 and showcases fifty Aboriginal artists. Anyone can visit to view unique, beautiful artworks to either browse or purchase.

Indigenous Heritage Indigenous heritage is very special and without a shadow of a doubt very interesting—you’ll learn one thing and then you'll want to learn another. “The Indigenous Cultures of Australia are the oldest living cultural history in the world, going back at least 50,000 years, and many argue closer to 65,000 years. One of the reasons Aboriginal cultures have survived for so long is their ability to adapt and change over time. It was this affinity with their surroundings that goes a long way to explaining how Aboriginal people survived for so many millennia. Cultural heritage is seen as 'the total ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is passed from one generation to the next', given to them by reason of their birth. In Australia, Indigenous communities keep their cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, rituals and performances on from one generation to another, speaking and teaching languages and protecting cultural materials, sacred and significant sites, and objects. Land is fundamental to the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. The land is not just soil or rocks or minerals, but a whole environment that sustains and is sustained by people and culture. For Indigenous Australians, the land is the 11

core of all spirituality and this relationship and the spirit of 'country' is central to the issues that are important to Indigenous people today. All of Australia's Aboriginals were semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers, with each clan having its own territory from which they 'made their living'. These territories, or 'traditional lands,' were defined by geographic boundaries such as rivers, lakes and mountains. They understood and cared for their different environments and adapted to them. Indigenous knowledge of the land is linked to their exceptional tracking skills based on their hunter and gather life. This includes the ability to track down animals, to identify and locate edible plants, and to find sources of water and fish." 10

Food & Drink With such a mixture of cultures, food in Australia is second-tonone with innovative dishes hitting the dining scene day-in and dayout. Wine is produced throughout Australia, and sampling these globally popular wines is easy in the form of wine tours or trying the latest at the local restaurant. Food prices in supermarkets are reasonable but it is worth watching what

http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/indigenous/

you spend as it all adds up quickly. You'll be easily tempted to buy half a trolley of fruit and veg because it all looks so damn good! Soft drinks can be a little pricey, and if you’re a sugar rush hunter, then you’re better off buying in bulk to save cash. Eating out can be relatively cheap. You can usually get a decent meal and drink for around AUD $10-$15. If bars and clubbing is your scene, expect to pay anything from AUD $5-$12 for a drink on average. Unfortunately, sometimes it can be hard work to get a beer in Australia because alcohol is not available everywhere—only at licensed bottle-shops. Restaurants need to be licensed to serve alcohol. Most unlicensed restaurants have a bring your own (BYO) policy, which means that you are free to bring your own alcoholic drinks with you. The advantage here is that you can buy alcohol at a discounted price from the bottle shop; paying only half of what restaurants usually charge. The opportunity to try new cuisine is on your doorstep with kangaroo, crocodile and crayfish, to name a few of the many things you don't usually see in other places around the world. Actually, the above is just a load of S%#T. BBQ's are KING here and there ain’t nothing better than sizzling your favourite on the Barbie with a cold beer or your newfound wine. One thing is for sure—your taste buds will be bouncing! Peckish anyone?

Chapter 3 Be Aware of the Climate Australia experiences a variety of climates due to its size—it’s huge! Its seasons are the reverse of those in America and Europe, due to it being in the Southern Hemisphere. Boiling hot weather somewhere and snowy mountains somewhere else—Australia’s considered one of the driest continents on earth. The north experiences a tropical climate with warm, dry, hot and wet seasons, with some areas being prone to monsoon systems; while in the south, it snows seasonally, forming the Alpine Snowfields. From maximums of 6 degrees C in the Highlands in the winter to over 40 Degrees C in the Red Centre, the weather cycles are guaranteed to give you a truly unique experience. No doubt the weather is one of the reasons that will convince you to make the jump to Australia, but don’t forget and please bear in mind that it gets hot, and you need to ensure your skin is well-protected at all times. Sunscreen is essential. Even if it’s cloudy, those rays still manage to make their way through—yes, your mother was always right! Hats are great protection. Even if you look like a geek with a cap and flap over your neck, you'll look less of a geek than you would with sunstroke, buckets of

sweat pouring out of you, and a tomato as a head that seems, for some reason, to keep pulsating. I have five words for you: water, water and more water. No matter where you are itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imperative that you always have water with you and if you are heading off on a road trip with a few hours ahead of you, make sure you have enough water in case you break down. Bear in mind that it gets hot here. See http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/travel/index.shtml for "Climate Tips for Travellers"

Adelaide Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Brisbane Min 16 13 7 11

Max 29 23 15 22

Canberra Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Min 13 7 0 6

Max 28 20 11 19

Max 29 27 21 26

Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Min 25 24 19 25

Max 32 33 30 33

Min 18 8 6 8

Max 26 24 15 22

Min 19 15 8 13

Max 26 22 16 22

Melbourne Min 12 9 5 8

Max 21 17 12 17

Perth Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Min 21 17 10 16

Darwin

Hobart Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (MarMay) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

Sydney Min 18 14 9 12

Max 30 25 18 22

Average Temperature (C) Summer (Dec/Feb) Autumn (Mar/May) Winter (Jun/Aug) Spring (Sept/Nov)

http://www.bom.gov.au/

Chapter 4 Open your Mind to Geographical Australia It’s big. In fact, its 7.7 million sq km and it seems even bigger when you arrive. It’s not like Europe where you can fly from the UK to Spain in a few hours; it takes five to six hours to get from one side of the country to the other. That’s just the size. But sitting in the middle and on the fringes of this diverse continent is a mixture of tropical rainforests, hot dry deserts, historic mindblowing rock formations, barrier reefs, cliffs, beaches, impressive cities, small remote towns and farmland. Some of the farmland is sooooo big, they require planes, helicopters, 4x4's, motorbikes, horses, dogs and man just to stay in control and monitor cattle! Be prepared to see some of the most fascinating wonders of nature— landscapes you will not see anywhere else on the planet. We could fill another 100,000 OZeBOOKS and more, but we are restricted for now, so here are a few of our present favourites; Fraser Island, Whitsundays, Uluru, Karijini and the Great Ocean Road. 17

Enjoy the Flora & Fauna

Did You Know…?

As mentioned, Australia is a dry continent, but nevertheless, it 85% of Australia’s outperforms Europe regarding species of plants: 25,000 vs. "only" 17,500, and plants can be seen only West Australia is on top, accounting on this continent. for just under 50%, or 12,000, in all. These plants are particularly prominent in the spring months, aka the wildflower season (June to November), blessing WA with the brightest flowers: yellow, blue, pink, violet, orange, and red. 85% of Australia's plants can be seen only on this continent. Eucalyptus trees rule the roost here in Oz: they represent 70% of the tree population. The majority of the 700 eucalyptus species are native to Australia, the tallest ones reach over 60 metres in height. Koalas love them.

Australian Wildlife Not much of a difference when you talk about the animals: 84% of mammals and nearly half of the bird species call Australia home. As for reptiles, you will find the greatest number of reptiles in any one place here in Australia—755 species in total. Kangaroo: The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia. The best-known species are the Red and Grey Kangaroo. At daytime, you’ll be lucky to spot one (that’s alive), as they are most active during and after sunset. They can get quite big! Salt-Water Crocodile ("Saltie"): The most dangerous animal in the world, a powerful killer that is more likely to attack humans than any other on this planet. Growing up to six metres in length and weighing up to a ton, they live in billabongs, rivers and along the coastline in the Northern Territory and the northern parts of Queensland and Western Australia. Fresh-Water Crocodile ("Freshie"): Smaller than the "Saltie" and not likely to attack humans, the Fresh-Water Crocodile lives in the northern regions as well. As long as you do not disturb it, you should be safe in its presence.

Wombat: With slow motions, a fat body and short legs, this Marsupial is not the most attractive, but when you see it for the first time, it’s still an enlightening experience. You can see them in Tasmania and other parts of South-Eastern Australia. Koala: Awwwwwwwww! Blokes, that’s all you’ll hear for about an hour from your fellow female travellers when they see a koalas, and you know what? Awwwww, you’ve gotta love them—they’re cute! You can spot them in eucalyptus trees along the southern and eastern coastline, but don't expect acrobatics: they like to chill out, sleep, and get high! Platypus: The Platypus is one of God's errors: a mammal that lays eggs. It’s the animal emblem of New South Wales and chances are, you’ll see it there. But don't get too close—the males are venomous and may inflict pain upon you! Echidna: Besides the platypus, the echidna is the only other mammal known to lay eggs. Visually, they are similar to hedgehogs. They also curl into a ball and splay their spines when they feel in danger. Anything else that could be interesting about echidnas? Well, the male has a four-headed penis! Emu: Second in line to Africa’s ostrich, the largest bird in the world is the emu, growing up to two meters tall. They can’t fly, but can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h on foot. You can see them pretty much all over Australia, but they are quite shy, so be quiet and respectful when trying to get a snap. 19

Did You Know…?

There’s a 5,614 km long dog fence from South Australia to southern Queensland to keep dingos away from the sheep farms in the Southeast.

Kookaburra: If you hear loud laughter one night when counting sheep and presume it’s your new annoying drunk neighbour, then think again. The Kookaburra makes a similar noise and can be found all over Oz. They are meat lovers, so guard your ‘Meat Lovers Pizza’ on cheap pizza night.

Dingo: The Dingo is Australia's wild dog. It’s not the most popular of animals as it kills a lot of livestock and they are also a potential threat to humans. There’s a 5,614 km long dog fence from Southern Australia to southern Queensland to keep dingos away from the sheep farms in the Southeast. Tiger Snake: Different types of venomous tiger snakes are present in every state except the Northern Territory. It is one of the most venomous snakes on the planet. Around 60% of attacks which are not treated with anti-venom lead to death. Brown snake: Also amongst the most venomous snakes, the Brown Snake can be found in different types everywhere in Australia. Box Jelly Fish: You think crocodiles, sharks and snakes are killers? They are all outperformed by the Box Jelly Fish which accounts for an incredible number of deaths—5,568 registered deaths since 1954 or nearly one every three days; the situation has improved since the introduction of suits and nets. They are the reason why you cannot swim around the northern coastline most of the year without a stinger suit. Watch out and make sure you go into the ocean at the right time of the year. Rainbow Lorikeet: These colourful creatures are around 30 cm tall and can be found in many places......keep your eye in the sky! Camel: Introduced from India and Africa as a form of productive livestock used for the travel and the mining industry, they are now widespread throughout the Australian outback. With an estimated population of around one million and a yearly growth rate of 18%, they are becoming more and more of an ecological problem. 20

Donkey: Surprised again? Yes, there are wild donkeys in the desert around the Great Central Road. “Are we there yet?” “Nooo, Donkey” (Gotta love Shrek!) Wedge-tailed Eagle: You have a good chance of spotting the world's biggest raptor everywhere in Australia—especially when cruising WA’s roads. You’ll spot them pecking on kangaroo cadavers. The average wingspan of the Wedgetailed Eagle is 2.5 meters. Thorny Devil: Due to its appearance, this is a very exciting lizard. It populates mainly Central Australia in the deserts, but you will be more likely to see it in a zoo. Wallaby: When you think you’ve spotted a small kangaroo, it might actually be a wallaby. They are all over Australia, too. Quokka: Looking like a corpulent mini Kangaroo, the Quokka accounts for the name of Rottnest Island (just off Perth) because the Dutch mistook them for rats (Rottenest = Dutch for "rat nest"). Besides Rottnest, they can be found on Bold Island, Garden Island and Penguin Island. Red Back Spider: Only around 1 cm big, this spider is small but venomous enough to let you suffer some serious pain. In 1956, anti-venom was introduced and no deaths have been reported since then. Phew! Dolphin: Everyone loves them; the Dolphin is one of the main attractions in Australia. Loads of travellers make their way to Monkey Mia in WA just to see the wild dolphins getting their daily breakfast at the beach. You can see them all over Australia, but some of the top spots are in the West, Bunbury and Rockingham, just for example.

Whale Shark: Up to 12 metres long, the beautiful plankton eating Whale Shark is the largest fish on the planet. It’s not dangerous and opportunities exist to go swim with them on the west coast at Ningaloo Reef. Whale: Whale-watching is possible both along the east and west coast but they have fixed routes, so you can’t see them every day of the year. Sometimes they even make it into Sydney Harbour! Funnel-Web Spider: The Funnel-Web Spider, measuring between 1 and 5 cm, dark black to brown, mainly populates the east coast. There are no funnel-web spiders in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Over the past 100 years, the Funnel-Web Spider has been responsible for 26 recorded deaths. Flying Foxes: Flying Foxes are the biggest bats on the planet with a wingspan of up to 1.83 meters. They are easily found in Australia's rainforests, parts of Queensland, and even in Sydney's Botanical Gardens. Shark: Sharks populate the coast everywhere around Oz. Australia began recording shark attacks in 1791, and since then, 639 attacks have been recorded, with 190 of them being fatal. Don't be too scared—the likelihood of getting involved in a car accident on Australia's roads is far greater than being a victim of a shark attack. Cassowary: Third after the Ostrich and Emu in terms of size, the Cassowary is a spectacular, flightless bird that can only be found in North East Australia and New Guinea. You’d be very lucky if you saw one in the wild as they are very shy. If you do, though, don’t get too close as they are dangerous and may attack. Little Penguin: The Little Penguin is a popular attraction in South Australia and can also be spotted on the southern islands off of Western Australia. Turtles: Some of the 300 turtle species are endangered. They can grow up to two meters long and weigh up to 900 kg. Chances are, you’ll see them in Australia's ocean, e.g. at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. 22

Chapter 5 Prepare for your Trip It’s far away, good ol’ Australia, and before you take the leap, there’s a lot to consider.....

Do I need any vaccinations? What about health and travel insurance?

What airline do I fly?

How do I find work? WILL I find work?

Where will I stay when I arrive? Where do I go to get a visa? Am I even eligible for one?

The list goes on and your head will no doubt turn into a spaghetti junction of excitement and worry. (You’re doing well, by the way - keep reading!)

Visas for Australia You need a visa to come to Australia (unless you are from New Zealand) and there are lots of different kinds of visas available, so read on—this stuff is important! Working Holiday Visa This visa is used by people wanting to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. Eligibility There are two different types of Working Holiday Visa with slightly different eligibility requirements, depending on what country you are from, but the basic requirements are the same:  You have to be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time you apply;  You have to be of good character, in good health and support Australian values;  You have to have enough money for a plane ticket home at the end of your stay and to support yourself during a working holiday;  You can’t bring dependent children with you; and  You have to have a reasonable chance of getting a job in Australia. The only requirement for you to apply for a Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa is that you have a passport from Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong, Norway, Cyprus, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Taiwan, Estonia, Japan, United Kingdom, Finland, Korea, France or Malta. If you have a passport from Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran or the 24

USA, then you need to apply for a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa and there are additional requirements:  You must prove you have functional English skills (which could mean that you have to pass a test or otherwise satisfy the Australian Government that you have a level of English language proficiency);  For countries other than the USA, your Government needs to support your application to travel to Australia;  If you are from the USA, you need to have graduated from secondary school; if you are from the Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey or Iran, you need to have completed or have made substantial progress towards achieving a tertiary qualification. What the Working Holiday Visa Allows You to Do A Working Holiday Visa lets you enter Australia within 12 months and stay for a maximum of 12 months after the date you first arrive. You can do any kind of work, but only for six months with each employer; you can also study or train for a maximum of four months. Can I Extend my Working Holiday Visa? If you have a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa, you can’t extend it or get another Work and Holiday Visa later on. If you have a Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa and have worked in agriculture, tree farming, fishing, pearling, mining or construction in regional Australia for at least 3 months, you can apply to have your visa extended for another year, or apply later on for a second Working Holiday Visa. If you have been granted a Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa, you can’t change nationalities later on and then apply for a Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa if you are otherwise eligible for one. How Much is my Working Holiday Visa Going to Cost? It costs AUD$230 to apply for a Working Holiday Visa. Important Note: There could be additional costs involved if you are required to undergo a health examination or chest x-ray. 25

Student Visas There are a stack of different student visas available, whether you want to attend primary school, do an intensive English course, or complete your PhD in Australia. The eligibility requirements differ depending on what passport you hold and what you want to study. Generally, to get a Student Visa, you need:  To be of good character, in good health and support Australian values;  To have health insurance while you are in Australia;  Enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Australia;  The English skills and educational qualifications to be admitted to your course. What the Student Visa Lets You Do Student visas let you stay in Australia for the duration of your course, and you can come and go as much as you like! You can bring your partner and dependent family members with you or be accompanied by a guardian if you are under 18. When your course is in session, you can work for up to 20 hours a week, but when you are on holidays you can work as much as you want. Temporary Business (Long Stay) Visas This class of visa suits people from all countries with trade or professional qualifications, or who are executives of businesses operating in Australia who are looking to work in Australia for up to 4 years. The most common of this type of visa is the Subclass 457 Standard Business Sponsorship Visa. It’s called this because you need to find an employer prepared to sponsor you to come to Australia. Applicants for this kind of visa must:  Have an employer who is willing and eligible to sponsor them to work in a nominated position in an Australian business;  Have an “in demand” occupation;  Have the skills to match the position being filled;  Have the English skills required to do the job;  Be eligible for any licences required to do the job;

 Be of good character, in good health and support Australian values; and  Have health insurance while they are in Australia. What This Visa Allows You To Do This visa lets you move to Australia with your family and work for a maximum of 4 years. You have to remain employed by your sponsoring employer. If you leave your job, you have 28 days to find another sponsor or you have to leave Australia. You can apply for another Subclass 457 visa when the one you are on expires. This visa can be expensive to apply for because you might have to wear the additional costs of skills assessments, English language testing, health assessments and all the other rigmarole required to prove you are eligible. But…if you are lucky, your employer might pay for it all! Permanent Visas to Australia What if once you get here, you decide you never want to go home? There are many different types of visa that allow you to live in Australia permanently. Some you can apply for if you are in Australia on another type of visa, some you can’t. The requirements generally depend on whether you have family in Australia, your age, occupation and qualifications and how good your English is. Skilled Migrant Visas These visas allow you to move from any country to Australia with your immediate family and live permanently. Generally, to be eligible for one of these visas you must:    

Be under the age of 45; Be of good character, in good health and support Australian values; Have an “in demand” occupation; Have good English language skills (the English requirements depend on your occupation and the kind of visa you apply for).

Some Types of Skilled Migrant Visas Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) Visa To be eligible for this visa, an Applicant must be sponsored by an eligible Australian relative or nominated by a State or Territory Government agency. The processing time for this visa, if you apply from outside Australia and the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications are complete and lodged together, is currently between 15 months to 3 years. Subclass 121 – Employer Nomination Scheme Applicants for an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa must:  Work in an occupation on the Employer Nominations Scheme Occupation List;  Have an eligible employer who is willing to sponsor them and employ them in a full time position for at least 3 years;  Be under 45 years of age;  Meet English requirements depending on the actual visa applied for; and  Have the educational qualifications specified for the particular occupation. The processing time for this visa, if you apply from outside Australia and the sponsorship, nomination and visa applications are complete and lodged together, is currently between 5 and 7 months.

Your Health Your health comes first and no matter where you are in the world, it’s very important that you take good care and cover yourself. If you come over as a Working Holiday Maker, you will not be covered by the public healthcare system in Australia; therefore, insurance is essential as medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive without it.

Did You Know…?

See Chapter 3: You need to beware of the climate—drink lots of water and always carry some with you! 28

Signing up for a Health and Travel Insurance There are a lot of health and travel insurance companies around and a few things to consider before you go ahead and purchase it:     

Length of insurance? Cover in what countries? Will it be valid when you return home? Cover for what? Are there any work restrictions?

Remember: price is not always everything, so do your research. Vaccinations The recommended vaccines when travelling abroad are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Flu vaccines, but Australia is one of the safest places to travel in the world with regard to infectious and water-borne diseases. Immunisation is not mandatory. However, please see or call your doctor before you depart and take a look on the following website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html.

Chapter 6 Book, Buy, Consider, but Be Aware Book a Flight The cheaper, the better…right? Well, that depends on you, the time of the year, and your requirements for comfort. No matter which Australian city you are thinking of flying to, it’s a long flight. Booking in advance will save you money. If your ticket is one-way only, ensure you have enough cash aside to get a return ticket as your plans and circumstances can change. Cheaper airlines often don’t include baggage, food, drink and TV costs when advertising their prices, so bear this in mind before making the purchase. Travel agents are a good place to start as you can speak to someone in person and ask all sorts of questions and get immediate answers. Before buying on the spot at the travel agents, have a look on the web to see if you can dig out some deals. And just because one destination city in Australia is further than another, funnily enough, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be the cheapest.

If your flight path is heading east from, say Europe, then Perth is the place to land if you want to shorten your journey. Wanna be green? Of course you do! As you’re aware, flying has a negative effect on the environment; 4.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions for a return flight from London to Perth, you can offset this for around AUD$125. It’s a good idea to check out the following site: http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/calc/

Get a Backpack No doubt this is one of the most important investments you'll make, unless you plan to travel by car all the way. If you’re planning to carry around 15 to 20 kg’s when you depart and maybe even more when you arrive, it’s a good idea to invest in a backpack that fits well to relieve stress. Avoid buying cheap rubbish in the supermarket and go to a special retailer that knows what they’re talking about and can give advice. Your body is a temple and it will thank you! Baggage handlers at airports are not the most considerate people on the planet, but it’s their job to get the bags through as quickly as possible, so take this into consideration. Those who fail to do so can experience damage to their personal belongings and their backpack; e.g. ripped straps or broken buckles. To avoid this, you may want to buy a transport cover which protects your backpack. This may also serve as a rain cover - might be useful up north in the wet season, or in winter and spring months down south. Remember, your backpack is your friend!

Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat—Good Idea! In Australia, the sun has a lot more intensity than most of you will be used to. It's great, the days are bright, the colours gleam stronger and it gives you an energy boost—especially in Western Australia, which is the state with the highest sunshine duration. But you need to be “sun smart” to avoid aggravating aftermaths. Don't sit in the sun for long periods of time—grab shade when and wherever you can. Get a broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30+ on your skin 20 minutes before you expose yourself to the sun. Top up throughout the day! 31

Most people understand the threat of skin cancer, but there are other risks related to the sun; sun burn hurts like s%@t. In addition, UV radiation can damage your eyes, so wear sunglasses with a strong UV filter. If you have to buy another pair in Australia because you’ve lost your others, make sure they adhere to Australian Standards. Look for Eye Protection Factor (EPF) which is between 0 and 10, with ten providing 100% UV protection. You don’t need expensive brands, either—you can pick up decent shades at most servo’s for a reasonable price. Last but not least, consider wearing a decent hat that gives your face, ears and neck some shade.

Lock Up Most places in Australia are relatively safe. Especially in rural areas, people do not even lock up their homes or cars. Shameful but true. Unfortunately, one of the highest risk spots for your personal belongings going walkies is in hostels. Some of your fellow travellers may resort to this and it’s most common in big, cheap, highly populated hostels. The majority of hostels have lockers for their guests, although locks aren’t usually provided, so bring your own. At some point during your travels, you may not be booked in anywhere at all and have no vehicle to store your backpack and belongings. Carrying a chain and padlock or bike lock might be a good idea, so you can tie up your backpack for a few minutes—better than nothing if you’re travelling alone. Buy one when you get here, since it’s better than carrying it in your luggage.

Consider a Fly Net and Aeroguard When you meet people who have travelled Oz and you ask them, "What was it like? Where did you go? Come on, tell me!” most will tell you everything about their great experiences, nice open-minded people, non-stop sunshine, beautiful beaches and landscapes, etc. They will remember all the good things and rightly so.

You will probably come back and say "Sounds great, anything that was annoying or something you didn't like while you were there?" Reply: "Oh, yes, how could I forget those f***in' flies! They are so annoying! They want to get in your nose, your eyes, your ears, your mouth and you just can't get rid of them." Luckily, they are not everywhere. Thank F*&K! In the major cities, the 'fly' situation is relaxed, but when you are travelling through the outback and in national parks, you will get to know them pretty well. They don't hurt or bite, there are just loads of them and they don't give up - you kinda get to admire their persistence. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking of heading out of the big cities and getting out in the wild, then it is a good idea to purchase a Fly Net. You will find them in traveller, outdoor, and tourist shops. You can get a good one for AUD$10, which has a cord to fix the net closely around your neck. Besides flies, mosquitoes can also be extremely annoying. Your best option is to buy an insect repellent in Australia called Aero-Guard - arguably the best in the market. Mozzie candles are good if you sit outside. Because one thing is for sureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;your trip is gonna be buzzing!

Do I Need a Sleeping Bag? It depends. If you think you are going to be staying in hostels all the time, then you could probably get away without one. However, if you plan to hit the road with a loose plan, then you definitely need one. If you do have one, bear in mind they are banned in hostels, this is to prevent the introduction of bed bugs. Respect this rule and keep your sleeping bag tucked away when in a hostel and make use of the bedding. If you are on the road, it can sometimes get cold, so keep an eye on the weather when you can to make sure you are prepared if you need some extra warmth, especially in the south and the winter months in deserts. If you don’t buy a sleeping bag and you go on a camping tour, don’t worry as most tour operators provide them at a small cost.

Camera It’s a must—a FACT!!!!! Every day you will see something new and the opportunity to test your photographic talents will become part of your aura! Sooooo many beautiful places will guarantee you will be click-happy—taking shots of your fellow travellers is a good idea as you may be on Fraser Island with them one day and bump into them in Sydney 6 months later. Your social circle is set to expand and it will expand rapidly and cover the globe. If you don't have a decent camera yet, it might be a good idea to buy one in Australia as it’s easier to contact the dealer in case you have any problems. To get the camera of your dreams a little cheaper, you might consider buying it in Asia if you stop over, but do not expect to save a lot as price differences are not that big. Also, you have to consider the customs. 34

Always carry a spare battery. There is nothing more annoying—well, apart from the flies—than running out of battery power, especially when you are sitting in a helicopter flying over the Kings Canyon, for example. If your camera needs to be charged, remember that while travelling, you will have access to power infrequently, so don't expect to be able to charge your batteries whenever you like. Take advantage when you can! If the deep blue is for you, underwater cameras are great. You may be only a few feet away from coral reef or a whale shark and a snap like that is guaranteed to occupy a bit of wall space in all your future homes.

Net Book or Laptop Disadvantages of travelling with a net book or laptop:  You spend too much time in front of it;  You might be worried about it getting stolen (backup your important files prior to your departure and during your trip);  It means you are travelling with more weight. The positives:  You save time and money because: o You can access free Wi-Fi at libraries and food establishments such as McDonald's; o You can save photos as you go and again this saves time and money.  You can work offline with your computer for free everywhere you go (e.g. writing articles for your blog which you can upload later);  You might find a job where you need a computer to work;  If you have a DVD drive, you can watch a movie while lying in your campervan, listening to the waves crashing and breathing the ocean breeze. If you’re thinking about buying a new portable computer, you may prefer a net book over a laptop as it is smaller, lighter and cheaper—and most of the time, comes with a longer lasting battery.

Travel Guide There are plenty of travel guides available on Australia. We can’t review all of them and investigate all your travel preferences to make a general recommendation as everyone is different. What we can do is recommend you buy one! Lonely Planet is the one that slips off everyone’s tongue as it is a market leader. It provides loads of useful information about pretty much everywhere, but don’t expect it to tell you somewhere new, where not many feet have trodden. You gotta find that yourself and no doubt you will, we have faith! There are many other travel guides out there and too many to mention. It’s up to you to choose one that suits you. But please, don't limit your travel experiences on what you read in the books; think outside the box and keep an open mind.

Ear Plugs and Eye Mask Snorers, stay at home. Only kidding! We all know one, and if you don’t, you’re going to bump into one pretty damn soon. It’s human nature, and people often can’t help the fact they snore, so prepare for this! Other forms of noise you'll encounter while participating in your daily beauty sleep is people moving in and out of dorms at random times to catch a bus, flight, or tour, etc; people returning from a heavy night out after maybe a few too many cheeky drinks; wild animals on campsites; monstrous waves crashing on the nearby beach; the list goes on. So if you’re a light sleeper and don’t want to become an angry sweaty mess, then carry a box of ear plugs and an eye mask. You can usually pick these up for free on the flight over to get you started. The sun generally rises early here in Oz, so if you’re not an early riser, going to bed looking like Shrek/Batman is the way to go!!!!

First Aid Kit You’re a grown-up. We don't have to explain why it's a good idea to carry a first aid kit. If you’re on the road with your own vehicle, then get a decent one. If you’re hostel-hopping, carry a small basic kit. Just to remember to get one before you start!

Adapter Don't buy a cheap one. Get a good and reliable one to make sure you don’t damage any inverters, chargers or any other electrical devices you might use on your trip. Ones with a slim body (the models of the adapter world) are especially good—this is due to increased competition in the market (Wow, what an exciting market...!) with more and more travellers carrying mobile phones, cameras and net books around which need to be charged. On multiple sockets, you are more likely to get a spot for your adapter if it has a slim body. Room for a skinny one? I think so!!!

Consider Stopovers It’s a long flight from, say, Europe and you may want to consider stopping off somewhere. If you do, make sure you find out about vaccinations a few weeks before departure—if you are planning on going via Asia or Africa, for example. If you’re flying all the way through from Europe, then make sure you make a fool of yourself on the plane and do that funny slow motion dance, also known as in flight stretching—it’s worth it! And stick to the water well, at least towards the end of the flight.

Booking Accommodation Prior to Departure Whether you are flying straight through or stopping over, booking accommodation for your arrival is not a bad idea. There’s nothing worse than trekking around in a new country at 3 am trying to find somewhere to stay, especially after a long haul flight. Alternatively, arrange to be picked up by a friend, hotel, or a tour operator.

Mode of Transport There are bus services linking airports to city centres and this is, without a doubt, the cheapest option. But if you’re too tired and sick of public transport, then licensed taxis are available at the airports. If there are a few of you in a group then they work out cheaper and usually only a few bucks more each than the bus.

If you’ve got some mates in Oz already, get them to pick you up and tell them you’ll shout them a few drinks—they’ll be carrying your bags and letting you sit in the front in no time!

Take Note of Customs and Immigration When you arrive in Australia, you will have to present your passport and a completed incoming passenger card (do this on the plane, saves time and hassle when you land) to a customs staff member. After that, you will pick up your luggage and walk through the customs, border protection and quarantine checkpoint. You can find all the important stuff in the following guide for travellers: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4258.asp Australia is really strict about quarantine rules. Why? With such an exotic range of flora and fauna, it has to be protected; ecological systems can be very sensitive towards sudden changes caused by human intervention. Some examples:  Hunting foxes for fun has been a long tradition in the UK when some foxes were brought into Australia, they dispread faster than expected as they had no natural enemies, but plenty of food such as birds, small mammals and reptiles. Today, foxes are a major predator to farm livestock. For example, attacks on lambs cause more than AUD$100 million dollars of damage alone.12 12

Southern New England Landcare Group, /Foxchat/ No. 71, June-July 2009

 In 1935, the government introduced the Cane Toad to Australia to get rid of a cane beetle plague. Unfortunately, the toxic cane toads spread quickly like the fox and they are now a major problem; especially in Queensland.  Camels were introduced to Australia as their abilities to carry a lot of heavy stuff and to living in a demanding environment were very useful to travel across the country, as well as for transportation purposes in the mining industry. Now, large camel populations have savaged some rural towns, especially in the Northern Territory and Western Australia with their constant pursuit for water.  Opuntias, introduced from America, savaged and made large areas unusable for the pastoral economy. It’s not uncommon for customs to inspect your shoes for soil as they may contain seeds of plants which are a danger to Australia’s ecological system.

Chapter 7 Get Organised in Australia When you arrive, the first thing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to do is party, party, party! Your new chapter has finally begun. Now you can go meet new people, try new foods and see the sights....yeeehar! There are some things that you should do or think about in your first week or two.

Find Suitable Accommodation There are plenty of places for you to stay when you arrive in Australia and the majority of these can be booked prior to departure, although you will probably be charged extra for booking ahead of time. Prices vary from free, all the way up to prices that make you dizzy no matter what your bank balance is. Outlined next are the most common and reasonably priced....if you want to fly high in 5-star luxury, then you know where to look.

Hostels Hostels can be a great place to stay. You will meet fellow pond jumpers and have access to all the facilities you need for a relatively low price. Most hostels have dorms which consist of three to twelve beds. The more beds in a dorm, the cheaper it gets. Some hostels have double rooms which are the preferred option for couples who are on a budget and want both privacy and access to fellow travellers. Expect prices for dorm beds to be anywhere between AUD$20 to $35 per night—depending on the season, the location and the standard. If you stay for a week or longer, most hostels will offer you a discount. It doesn’t hurt to ask for the best price—if you don’t ask, you don’t know. Bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens are usually shared with other guests, so make sure you pack your easygoing attitude otherwise you’ll get annoyed staying in a busy hostel for long periods of time. Lockers are provided in the majority of hostels and you can lock away your camera, net book, passport, etc (tip: bring a padlock). Nearly all hostels provide free tour booking services and local maps. You’ve gotta find out which type of hostel suits your needs. There are hostels that accommodate hundreds of backpackers, provide nearly every service under the sun and offer a great party atmosphere. You might also feel lost in the masses and prefer a smaller, cosier family-like hostel. As long as you like people, you will find a hostel(s) that suits you all over Australia. Summer months get busy, so think ahead. Reserve your bed in advance as many hostels will be fully booked. Phone them, write an email or use an online booking service. This may mean more money upfront, but there are other alternatives out there. Useful sites:    

http://www.hostelbookers.com http://www.hostels.com/?alternative=1 http://www.hostelworld.com/ http://www.yha.com.au/ (with a YHA membership you will get discounts on your accommodation at YHA hostels)

Stay in a Shared Flat or House If you stay in one place for a while—four weeks or more—then you might want to consider staying in a shared flat or house. It’s a great opportunity to save costs, have a higher standard of living and connect with the local Australian Community. If you can manage to move in with some local Aussies..... sweet.....this is a great way to get a taste of their lifestyle, day-to-day culture and get your foot into a social scene that will open your eyes—GOOD MORNING, PEOPLE! You should always agree on rent, length of stay, deposit and make sure you back this up with a tenancy agreement. Chances are your stay in a shared house will be bliss with no dramas but always prepare for the worst—there are a few horror stories out there. Useful sites and sources:  http://www.gumtree.com  http://www.sharedaccommodation.com/  Classified ads in local newspapers (mostly on Wednesday and Saturday) and  Noticeboards at backpackers, internet cafés and especially universities. Be careful when you look for shared accommodation online. There are a lot of crooks around in the market who tend to send you emails describing a wonderful flat at a low price, then lead you on step by step to email copies of your passport or even get you to transfer money. Never pay anything upfront, ensure you have seen the flat or house and received keys and have a tenancy agreement in place. If this all sounds a little risky then using a licensed estate agent is a good move.

Renting a Flat or House Want to go solo and get your own house or flat by yourself or with your mates? Why not? It’s another option that’s available to you, but expect to pay more if you’re looking at short term leases of three-six months. Twelve month contracts are most common, you have to provide a guarantor and lay out a hefty deposit. Cost aside, it can give you stability and comfort if you’re here for a longer time or want to stay in one area for a specific amount of time. Furnished is obviously the best option unless you plan to stay forever—if you get unfurnished, then make sure the stuff you buy for your new home is kept in good condition so you can sell it when you leave....that’s if, you ever leave, of course! Couch Surf What on earth is couch surfing? It’s a network of open-minded people, especially travellers, who offer their homes or couches to each other for short periods of time for free. The two biggest couch surfing projects on the planet are http://www.couchsurfing.org/ and http://www.hospitalityclub.org/ A great idea, which connects people from all over the world. Join it! On the whole this is great, but be vigilant.

Organising Money Money makes the world go round and taking care of what you have brought with you or what you are about to earn is imperative. How to Pay and Get Cash Travelling with a credit card is convenient. However, make sure you know your limit. Credit cards are accepted at most places and enable you to withdraw money from almost all of the 27,000 ATMs in Australia. Similarly, you can pay with your debit card at nearly 700,000 EFTPOS businesses, get cash at ATMs and withdraw cash from EFTPOS terminals. For example, when you pay for your groceries at Woolworths with your debit card, you can ask the checkout assistant to give you cash back, all in the same transaction. 43

Besides cash and card payment, you might pay with or receive money by:  "Pay anyone": This is the term used for a money transfer from one bank account to another.  "BPay": This is a specific payment system within Australia. When you receive a biller code and a reference number on an invoice instead of bank account details you use BPay. You can pay online or via phone with your customer reference number or from your bank account. BPay is the most popular money transfer method in Australia.  "POSTbillbay": At Australia Post branches, by phone or online (www.postbillpay.com.au) you can pay bills to anyone who is within the system.  Western Union money transfer: If you need to send money or receive money from overseas quickly, Western Union money transfer facilities are at some financial institutions and most Australian Post offices. If you are planning to use your credit card here in Oz, speak to the bank before you leave home so you are aware of any potential charges you may incur when you are here. Get a Bank Account When you work and travel in Australia, it is worth opening an account at an Australian bank as you will need to pay bills and most Australian employers won’t pay you cash or transfer money to an overseas bank account. Furthermore, you will save a lot of the fees your home bank would usually charge you for using your credit and debit card overseas. The following "big four" serve all of Australia:    

Commonwealth Bank of Australia; NAB (National Australia Bank); ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group); and Westpac (Westpac is an affiliate of Deutsche Bank, Germany and Barclays, UK).

Make sure you take your ID (Passport) and have a residential and/or a postal address with you. 44

Exchanging Money No problem. Banks and licensed money exchange offices are all over the globe. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best not to travel with large sums of moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;just bring enough for a week or two and then when your account is set up, transfer any funds from back home to your new Aussie account online. Forget Travellers Cheques Although it is possible to bring travellers cheques to Australia and to exchange them, they are not very common and a little bit dated, to be perfectly honest. So don't expect everyone to accept them.

Chapter 8 Save Money Money, money, money! Money makes the world go round and saving and spending less is a winner in everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes! Everyone loves a bargain and yes, they do exist here in Australia, too. There are a few ways of saving money and these are discussed next, so just stay on the ball!

Get Discounts If you visit a market, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always worth doing a bit of bargaining; you never know what you might save. Unfortunately, in supermarkets, chain stores and most other shops, prices are set. Entertainment books are available that you can buy for around AUD$50 with savings of thousands of dollars. You can hunt around for these or speak to someone in the know.

Did You Know…?

Save on Fuel

A reduction in consumption can

If you have a vehicle, keep your save money, too! At 80 km/h you receipts when you fill up with will burn a lot less fuel than at fuel. Leading supermarket chains like Woolworths, Coles 110 km/h, and you will have more and IGA will offer some form of time to enjoy the landscape! discount on the back of the receipt, usually around 4 cents per litre, with discounts valid for around four weeks. There are even places that offer 6 cents off per litre if you buy something in the servo for 2 bucks or more!

Save on Groceries Everyday-low-price is what happens at the big supermarket chains over here— maybe because Australians are discount-addicts. So look for products that have remarkably high discounts when you buy food. For some reason, some items can be heavily reduced one day while different items are discounted the next. Watch the fruit and veg sections, as prices fluctuate with the seasons. The best time to go shopping is just before supermarkets close as there is more on offer because they have to get rid of certain items, mainly meat and bread.

Second Hand Shops and Op Shops If you need cutlery, camping dishes, drinking games or whatever—you may find what you’re after in a second hand shop or Op Shop. An Op Shop is a second hand shop, too. The difference is that Op Shops (aka Opportunity Shops) are not for profit organisations, usually; everything you find in Op Shops has been donated and all revenues go to fund charity projects. See http://opshop.org/opshop_index.php. It’s also not a bad place to buy some spiffy work attire for your job interview if you’re stuck for cash. Trading Post, Gumtree, Quokka etc. It can be a surfboard, a car, a mattress, or any other common good(s)—it is very likely that you will find it in one of the following classified ad services:  www.gumtree.com.au or http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Home;  Look for local discount papers; they are packed to the brim with bargains and available in all states; and  Classified papers. 47

Chapter 9 Stay Safe Your safety is paramount and common sense applies as much here as it does in all aspects of life. Don't go to areas alone at night, especially ones you don't know. Always tell your friends or fellow travellers where you are going if you plan to go anywhere alone. Australia is a relatively safe place overall, but just like anywhere in the world, there are environmental factorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;animals, mammals, reptiles, natureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and a few humans that can put the safety of you and others at risk.

Bushwalking Bushwalking is very popular in Australia due to the beautiful landscapes, flora and fauna. Unfortunately though, each year people get lost and injured because they go bushwalking unprepared. They are not aware of the basic rules.

How can you reduce the risks? Before Did You you start, consider distance, weather Know…? and track conditions. Stay on the track. Carry good walking boots with socks In October 2009, a 24and enough water, food, a hat, year-old German sunscreen and sunglasses. Watch your walked away from his step and stop when you want to enjoy the landscape and have some water. Go ground without any in a group of at least four: If one person supplies; it is gets injured, two can go for help and presumed he got lost the other can stay. Stay with your group. If walking with a group, do not trying to find his way just follow the herd like a sheep, but back and he was found keep a constant eye on where you are dead. and where you are going. Also take with you: whistle, torch, compass, satellite phone and, of course, leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures. When out in the bush, you may encounter some dangerous animals, so read on!

Dangerous Animals When you read the "Enjoy the Flora and Fauna" chapter earlier, you might have thought: "How can I enjoy all these dangerous creatures? Sharks, snakes, spiders, crocodiles, dingos and box jelly fish?” “I’m scared!” First, relax! They all sound pretty dangerous but you should consider that every year, millions of people visit Australia and nearly everyone returns home safely and in a healthier state than when they first arrived. Besides, there are over 20 million people who actually live in this country of extreme wildlife, which indicates that it’s not as dangerous over here as it appears when you hear what these animals are capable of.

Sharks Millions of people surf every year on Australian coastlines and shark attacks are very rare. Humans are not part of sharks' diets, so if you do get attacked, it’s by mistake...oh that’s alright then aggghhhhhh! The chances of you being eaten by a shark are very unlikely and most people survive shark attacks. Snakes Snakes will not attack unless they feel threatened by you. You’re clever enough not to threaten a snake intentionally...we hope! But you might do it accidentally. To avoid these accidents:  Look where you are walking;  Don’t look under any stones or rocks;  Make noise, e.g. stamp your feet so that any snakes present can hear you early enough and slither away (don’t only rely on stamping your feet—some snakes won’t move during mating season and will stand their ground!); and  Wear socks and boots when bushwalking (no thongs) as a last line of defence. If you get bitten by a snake, the following treatment (pressure-immobilisation technique) is advisable:  Get a pressure bandage directly on the bite (firm but not too firm, blood should still be able to circulate);  Do not wash the area of the bite;  Do not cut or excise the area or apply any arterial tourniquet;  Do not move if possible. Walking should be avoided, try to immobilise the bitten limb;  Remember the appearance of the snake (colour, size) so that you can describe it to doctors; and  Get medical treatment immediately. Anti-venom can relieve pain and even save your life. For more information, visit http://www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/venom/snakebite.html

Spiders Same with spiders: they will not attack unless they feel threatened by you. To avoid accidentally bumping into a spider:  Look where you put your hands and feet;  If a spider crawls over you, try to stay calm and gently offer it an escape route;  Walk around branches of trees to avoid getting a web in your face;  Have a quick look around when heading to the toilet in national parks;  Do not look under stones or rocks; and  Avoid humid, warm places and look in your shoes before putting them on. There are only two types of spiders known to cause death: The Funnel Web Spider and the Red Back Spider. If you get bitten by the Funnel Web Spider, the pressure-immobilisation technique is recommended (see snake bite treatment). Bites from most spiders usually cause localised pain only. If that’s the case then put an ice pack on the bite to relieve pain. Crocodiles You needn’t be too worried about the Freshwater-Crocs ("Freshies"). As long as you do not approach them, the likelihood is that they won’t attack humans. But you should be very afraid of the Saltwater-Crocs ("Salties"). First, their names are misleading because the dangerous Salties cannot only be found in some coastal areas in the ocean, but also populate billabongs and rivers in the northern parts of Australia. Salties and Freshies look similar, especially with only 10% of their body popping out the water. So if you want to know which is which, jump in tap one on the nose and ask. Only kidding—DO NOT, in any event approach either!! So please never jump in a river or billabong in Queensland, the Northern Territory or the North of Western Australia unless you know that there are NO crocs in the area. Do not underestimate how quick and aggressive crocodiles are—your chances of surviving a crocodile attack are virtually nil. Unlike other dangerous

creatures, you fit into a crocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diet plans and it will have you for dinnerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;no worries! Dingos Dingos are usually not too aggressive towards humans and you can easily chase them off by yelling. However, if you are alone in a dingo-prone area, beware, as they may attack if hungry. Due to their size, human infants are the most vulnerable and more likely to become a victim. Don't leave any food or rubbish lying around outside as this will attract them. When you leave a location (e.g. campsite), take all your rubbish with you. If you are staying the night, lock rubbish away in a car or hut if available, reducing the risk of a dingo turning up. Dingos are most common on the Western Side of the dog fence which is supposed to keep the Southeast clear of them. Fraser Island is one tourist spot with a lot of dingos. Unfortunately, not all visitors know how to behave towards a dingo and even try to lure them in order to have an exciting experience or take pictures of them. If you see anyone doing this, make sure you make them aware of their stupidity and make them understand the consequences. When humans lure dingos, they become more and more used to it and become more familiar with humans, which increases the possibility of an attack in the future.

Box Jelly Fish Most people have never heard of a Box Jelly Fish—strange, considering it outperforms all other dangerous creatures when it comes to the number of human deaths caused (5,568 since 1954). Some species of Box Jelly Fish are extremely venomous. They have around 500,000 needles that inject venom and can grow up to 3 metres long and even a dismantled tentacle remains venomous. In general, incidents are possible all around Australia at any time of the year. That said, the dangerous areas with high risk are the coastlines of Queensland, Northern Territory and North Western Australia during the summer months from October to May. In these months, many beaches are closed or equipped with nets to protect swimmers and vinegar bottles for first aid. Furthermore, you should not enter the water without a stinger suit that covers your whole body when you know they are around. The venom causes extreme pain and is so strong that it leads to cardiac arrest very quickly. In many cases, you would need the help of others because you wouldn't be able to help yourself due to severe pain. A bottle of vinegar raises the chances of saving a victim’s life. Vinegar neutralises the stinging effect and slowly breaks down the stingers. Vinegar needs to be applied for at least 30 seconds and after vinegar application the needles can be removed. Don't be sparing with the vinegar but apply a lot on all injured spots. After that, quickly call an ambulance (the number 000). Portuguese Man o' War In Australia, it is also called blue bubble, blue bottle or blue jellyfish but strictly speaking, it's not a jellyfish. But who cares—you only need to know that it causes around 10,000 stings per annum, most recorded on the East Coast. Usually you'd suffer severe pain for about 1 hour and it will take about 2-3 days until you are free of pain. That said, we would advise you see a doctor, especially if the pain is strong or other symptoms like fever, shock or interference with heart and lung action occur. In general, it is possible to die after a sting from this animal, but deaths are very rare. What should you do after being stung by a Portuguese Man o’ War? First, get any remnants off the skin without touching them directly with your fingers, apply salt water or vinegar onto the area (fresh water will make it worse) and continue with hot water. 53

Crime Unfortunately, crime exists here in Australia, as it does everywhere else in the world. Rape, murder, violent conduct, drugs, fraud and theft happens—it’s a shame, but it’s a part of contemporary life. Prior to departure, speak to friends and family who have been to Australia to see if they can tell you about any places that they feel you are better off avoiding. Like most places in the world, if there’s alcohol, nightclubs and lots of people there could be trouble, so be vigilant. When you arrive, try and stay in groups until you figure out where to go and not to go. No doubt 99.9% of travellers and Aussies never have a problem, but don't become complacent. It would be a lot of hassle if all your banking cards, mobile phone, camera and important documents were stolen, so prepare for the worst if you become a victim of theft:  Copy your passport, your flight tickets, drivers’ licence and other documents you consider important and put them in your backpack. Also, scan and save them on a USB storage device. Additionally, attach them to an email and send them to yourself;  Save your travel photos from time to time: burn them onto a DVD and send it home, or upload the best photos on your blog; and  Get backups of the phone numbers of friends you make and add them as friends on Facebook.

Bush Fires Stay away from bushfires which are out of control. With the extreme drought and the strong winds in Australia, they are a big threat as they can move very quickly. Unfortunately, they are more common in Australia than previously. Many bushfires are controlled fires which are lit intentionally by the Shires to reduce the risk of natural devastating bushfires. Many Shires prohibit campfires due to high bushfire risk – at least during some months. If you break the rules, the fines are big and the damage can be devastating to the environment and those who live in it.

Here are a few tips if you’re caught in a vehicle during a bush fire:  Don’t leave your car. Park your vehicle in an area that is bare and away from dense vegetation. For example: o Against an embankment in a cutting o In an old gravel pit or roadside clearing o On the section of the road which has the least amount of scrub alongside  Close all windows, vents, and turn your headlights on.  Lie down on the floor and cover yourself with anything that will shield you from radiant heat (e.g. coat or blanket).  Stay in your car until the fire front has passed. 13

Cyclones Did you know that cyclones are actually the release of stored solar energy that rotates? The sun heats the ocean up and this creates the condition for a tropical cyclone to develop. Cyclones spin because the Earth is spinning. It's due to something called the Coriolis Effect. The direction they spin in depends on which hemisphere they are in. In the Southern hemisphere they spin in a clockwise direction and Northern hemisphere they spin in an anti-clockwise direction.14 If you’re heading to a region prone to cyclones, i.e. North Australia, then make sure you check the weather before you go and when you do arrive, make sure you know where you will go if a cyclone decides to turn up. Go to the Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/ It’s an interesting read at least and keeps track of all cyclones and warns of other weather risks.

13 14

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/LinkView/D9A90F0209F534774A25682000026FD75EDCE94D4AD3D6E54A256DEA0013E4B6

http://clearlyexplained.com/nature/earth/disasters/cyclones.html

Accidents If the worst happens and you’re non compos mentis, the emergency services here in Oz check your phone first for ICE ‘In Case of an Emergency’ numbers. Save a few important numbers in your phone like “ICE 1 MUM #” and “ICE 2 Tommy Friend #”. This allows emergency services to contact next of kin quickly. As mentioned before, first aid kits are a must and if you plan to head out into the wild when you arrive, it’s a good idea to invest in a first aid course either before you leave home or when you arrive. You never know when it might help save a life and it also looks good on your job resume. Besides accidents on the roads, accidents in the ocean can happen, too. One major threat is rocks in the water. People jump into the water without looking; be cautious and enter the water slowly at first and check it out. Before you dive in what might look like normal water to you, could have big rocks in it and you will be heading for trouble if you don’t look before you leap! Be aware of strong rip currents and swim only in areas marked as safe on the beach by the lifeguards. If you’re planning on swimming in a secluded area, speak to the local tourist office and check to see if it’s a safe place to swim. If a rip current grabs you, stay calm and don’t fight against it. Conserve your energy as best you can and try to swim parallel to the shoreline. If this is not possible, float until the rip current weakens and swim at an angle (away from the current) toward shore. Draw attention by waving your arms if you can’t reach the shore. Last but not least, be careful of road trains. These trucks can be pretty long; up to 53 metres, they are the largest and heaviest in the world and some of them carry up to 200 tonnes. In Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, they can have up to four trailers along with the saddle.

Make sure that you have plenty of space and take into consideration the heat on the road—it can sometimes make it hard to see far ahead; make sure you are 100% sure that the road ahead is clear before overtaking!

Heat Hat, shades, sunscreen, water, the shade—you know the drill (that’s if you've been reading). Take good care and don't underestimate the sun’s power. Oh, and drink lots of water!

Chapter 10 Finding a Job Consider first what it is you want to come to Australia for. Are you just coming to party, have a great time, meet new people, make new friends and just make enough money to get you by? Or are you coming to broaden your horizons and earn a heap of cash? If it’s the latter, then firstly go to the place that’s got the boom. This is where you need to be! Chances are some of you are at home without a job...or in a job that doesn’t match your skill set due to the current global downturn. You may be a fresh grad climbing up the walls in anxiety due to an undying desire to land some form of a job with little success. Where do the bees go folks? That’s right—the honey pot!

There are numerous resource projects on the go, one of which the Gorgon Project, which has just signed the largest supply deal in Australian history. There are also others such as the Kimberley LNG project and Wheatstone, which are LNG/Gas projects. These three are the largest projects going on in Australia. Where the jobs are - Major WA Resource Projects Project

Cost

Type

Employment

Construction Timetable

Gas/LNG

Proponent Chevron,ExxonMobil, Shell

Gorgon

$43b

10,000/3500

$12b

Gas/LNG

Woodside Petroleum

3000/300

$2.6b

Iron ore

Rio Tinto

n/a

$6b

Iron ore

BHP Billiton

n/a

$2.4b

Alumina

BHP Billiton

n/a

Boddington

$3.6b

Newmont Mining

0/600

Sino Iron

$5.2b

Gold Magnetite iron ore

4500/600

North Rankin B

$5b

Oakajee

$3.5b

Gas Port, rail, industrial estate

Citic Pacific, MCC North West Shelf Venture

Work to start next year Work under way, completion next year Construction under way, production due next year Construction under way, first production 2011 Construction under way, first production 2011 Construction complete in August Construction under way, first production due late next year Work under way, completion 2013

Pluto Mesa A/Brockman 4 Rapid Growth Project 5 Worsley Expansion

OPR/State/Fed govts

2000/400

Kimberley LNG Perdaman Urea

$30b

Gas/LNG

Woodside Petroleum

3500/230

$3.7b

Coal-to-Urea

Perdaman Industries

1500/200

Wheatstone

$30b

Chevron

3000/300

Karara

$1.8b

Gindalbie Metals

1500/500

Cape Lambert Pluto Expansion

$3.7b

Gas/LNG Magnetite iron ore Magnetite iron ore

MCC

1000/800

est $5b

Gas/LNG

n/a

Weld Range

$800m

Balmoral South

$2.7b

Iron ore Magnetite iron ore

Woodside Sinosteel Midwest Corp

2500/800

West Pilbara JV

$4.1b $705m$1.4b

Iron ore

Australasian Resources Aquila Resources consortium

Iron ore

Brockman Resources

n/a

Burrup Fertilisers/Yara Asian Iron Extension Hill

n/a

Fortescue Metal Group

n/a

Marillana Burrup Ammonia Nitrate Extension Hill

$715m

Alumina nitrate Magnetite iron ore

Solomon

est $3b

Iron ore

$650m

700/0

1000/500

2000/700

2000/500

Where the jobs are; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 5, 24/10/09

Awaiting FID, construction to start 2011 Awaiting FID, construction to start 2011-12 Construction due to start next year Awaiting FID late 2011 Awaiting final approvals, work to start this year Awaiting FID, construction to start late 2011 FID expected next year Awaiting FID, construction to start 2012 Awaiting FID, construction to start next year Awaiting FID, construction to start 2011 Awaiting FID, construction to start late 2012

Awaiting approvals Construction due to start next year Awaiting approvals, feasibility 15 studies

Salaries for Semi-Skilled Positions (With Labour Contractor Compass Group, Wages Differ Between Production and Construction Sites)

Hospitality Production, from $55,000 Construction, from $90,000 Cleaning Production, from $55,000 Construction, from $90,000 Managers (Hospitality/Cleaning) Production, $80,000 - $100,000 Construction, up to $150,000 Room Attendant Production, $54,000 - $62,000 Construction, $95,000 - $120,000 Kitchen Hand Production, $54,000 - $62,000 Construction, $95,000 - $120,000 Maintenance Production, $54,000 - $62,000 Construction, $95,000 - $120,000 Handyman Production, $54,000 - $62,000 Construction, $95,000 - $120,000 Gardener Production, $54,000 - $62,000 Construction, $95,000 - $120,000 Office Admin Production, $52,000 - $66,000 16 Construction, $95,000 -$120,000

All large projects bring with them demand for infrastructure, housing, schools and workers. Workers are in demand! The flow on effect is a massive demand for every job in these regional locations from cleaners, bar staff, labourers, carpenters, office support staff, builders, machine operators, to engineers. “Engineering staff and skilled trades will be in particularly strong demand, and in excess of 2000 people will be needed for work in the next 18 months to 2 years,” Mr. Sputore of Leighton Contractors said.17 “WA’s Green industry is expected to grow next year, with official government forecasting pointing to an increasing focus on workers who care for the environment.”18 “Central TAFE said employers were crying out for engineers. The department forecast shows mechanical, electrical; petroleum and chemical engineers will be in hot demand next year. Employers will also be seeking significant numbers of key mine workers such as mine managers, geologists, lab technicians, and surveyors. Trades on the list included electrical workers, car and plant mechanics and technicians, carpenters, joiners, wall and ceiling fixers, roof tilers, bricklayers, solid plasterers, wall and floor tilers, painters and plumbers.” 19

Bet you can guess where I worked.....Construction........your damn right!!!! 16

Four-star lures workers; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 8, 24/10/09 Workers in demand; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 5, 24/10/09 18 Growing appeal for industry; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 5, 24/10/09 19 Growing appeal for industry; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 5, 24/10/09 17

According to the London based Compass Group, which provides staff solutions to WA’s largest mine companies, wages for commercial cleaners start at around $55,000 and the hardest positions to fill are chefs, managers and electricians. And remember for every skilled worker, three unskilled workers are needed. Most major restaurant companies across the globe are closing down or laying off staff. Just to give you an idea of what’s happening over in WA: Large restaurant chains will employ an extra 1,000 workers next year to take advantage of WA’s growing population. A group of us went for Chinese in the North West of WA only to be greeted by a sign saying “Take Away Only.” This was on a Saturday night, the busiest night of the week. “Why only take away?” I asked. “I can’t get the staff,” the owner replied. “How many people do you need?” I asked. “At least 10.” Ching Ching, I say! A major food chain in a regional location doesn’t open at lunch time due to staff shortages, despite massive demand for their services. Ching Ching, I say! Chamber of Minerals and Energy director Nicole Roocke said applicants needed to realise it was important to have some related experience. “Many people have the expectation they can just walk into a high-paying job really easily,”20 she said. Of course, it’s going to be a challenge. We love challenges, bring it on, there are ways in. If you are working outside in these regional locations, it’s tough. It’s hot and it’s hard work. But no doubt, it’s a life experience that 20

Four-star lures workers; The West Australian, Liftout, Boom Jobs Page 8, 24/10/09

will stay with you for years, also you will meet some interesting people and the whole experience will provide you with some fond memories. Your hard work will be rewarded; some travellers who spend six to twelve months in these regional locations earn more than they could dream possible in 24 months back home, let alone anywhere else in the world. Even in the cities, it’s not easy to find premium work as most jobs require some form of certification or training and most don’t even venture into these booming towns without a job, as flights to get there in the first place are pricey! One nights’ accommodation in a local motel will cost more than most premium 5 star hotels around the world and that’s if you can get a room in the first place—occupancy usually sits around 100%. Now don’t worry, jobs in regional locations come with accommodation and food as part of the most attractive packages. Just don’t be fooled, don’t just think, “Yeah, I’ll get to Oz and find some work!” Many travellers who have arrived complacent have come unstuck and have been unable to tap into this boom; there are simply too many variables to consider. There are certain times in the year when there is loads of work in one place and none in another and vice versa. This is based on seasonal demands such as shutdowns, where the processing plants are shut down for maintenance. Now, the upside to this is that this could be a great time for engineers to find work. The downside? The processing operators have nowhere to go. Another example is construction periods; 1,000 workers may be needed for six months and then only 200 six months later; by the time you hear about this on the grape vine, it’s too late.

Tips For Finding a Job All these things affect the job market and the effects are felt all over Australia, all year round. It’s important to arrive with a plan. If you’re just after a little extra cash to get you by and keen to stay in the cities and forever glue yourself to your comfort box, then no dramas! But here are a few useful tips: Look for Busy Areas The growing economy provides a lot of opportunities in many industries. Most common and suitable for working holiday makers are:      

Hospitality Construction Harvest / Fruit Picking Au Pair Farm Work Promotion

Some working holiday makers also decide to do wwoofing; which they do more to learn new things and broaden their experience than to earn good money. Wwoofers stay on organic farms and get free food and accommodation in exchange for a few hours work each day, around three to six. If this is your cup of tea, then choose your farm wisely to avoid exploitation. The time you spend wwoofing counts towards your three months of work, which could entitle you to get a second working holiday visa, if you do specified work in a regional area. Want to know more about wwoofing? http://www.wwoof.com.au/ If you have special qualifications, you could also get a job in your field and earn a lot more than in a general labouring job. It can often be more difficult to find such a job in and around major cities and towns as employers usually prefer someone who is able to stay longer. If bar and restaurant work is your bag, then sharpen up your resume and make a clear point of your experience if you have any. It’s best to go in and drop off your resume and speak to the manager face to face; in smart casual clothes to present yourself well. If you choose not to go into the establishment, stick a photo on your resume and follow up with a phone call. 63

Where to Find Jobs:  Notice boards in hostels (check daily);  Job agencies for backpackers (where the hostels are, there are the job agencies);  Cold calling (look sharp, have your docs and take your open mind with you);  Local newspapers;  Internet job boards;  Ask fellow travellers (if they have been in Oz longer than you, you’d hope they know a little more than you); or  Go to http://www.yourtickettooz.com.au/ for a complete service.

Resume and References One of the most important things as mentioned is your resume along with some references. Yes, just like at home, over in Oz employers they like a good resume and good quality references too; they like to know that you are a straight up person, so get it together now! Think of all the little jobs you have done, even if you washed Mr. Kennedy’s car or did some cleaning for your Auntie’s best friend. Get a reference! If you have done any reception work or cut hair, write it down, add it to your resume and get a reference! Most people will be glad to help you out. Not poured a pint yet, made coffee, washed dishes? Or maybe you want to do some work in hospitality when you arrive? Then get yourself down to your local pub and get some experience and a reference! Skill yourself up now— even if it’s for free, it will pay big dividends when you arrive in Oz. If you are fresh out of school, college or a university with no previous experience, going out to get some experience and getting a reference for it will show your new boss that you’re not a Pratt—you have initiative and a get-upand-go attitude. Also it’s beneficial to get a few personal references. Make sure the referee puts their name and contact number on the reference, along with their signatures. Chances are that the employer won’t call, but it’s handy to have it on there—plus it looks more professional. Don’t be afraid to fluff it up and stretch the truth, but don’t ever tell lies! 64

Clothes Remember to bring some good clothes, like a pair of slacks/skirt and a work shirt/blouse. You can never be too overdressed, and as the saying goes: you won’t get into a decent club without the right attire. Now don’t be fooled, we don’t mean crispy trousers that have been ironed by your Gran three or four times, but some hip business/casual attire and some smart shoes, of course. Ladies, you’ll have that covered, no worries, but gents—get a grip and if need be, seek some female advice. When you do stroll up for the primo job paying AUD$40 per hour and the other applicant is sitting next to you wearing a mucky old shirt and s%^#@y shoes, you’re in!

Remember, You Are Not a Backpacker! Say it: “I’m not a backpacker.” Why are you not a backpacker? And why are we harping on about this? The term “backpacker” from your point of view may be filled with fun and excitement, but there are many out there who have taken advantage of backpacker labour over the years. Like any industry, a few spoil it for the majority and the same happens with backpackers letting employees down and employers letting the backpackers down.

So right from the off, drop the term “backpacker” and already you’re miles ahead; you have not come to Australia to backpack. You have come here to live, your visa is valid for 12 months—maybe more—and that’s part of your life, your living in your new chapter. Remember: “I am not a backpacker!” There are loads of sites out there that can keep you in the loop and keep you informed, but getting good work can be the difference between dinner on the table and no dinner on the table. So, be prepared and as General Patton said, “If you don’t have a plan, you’re just a tourist.” Don’t be a tourist and definitely do NOT be a backpacker.

The Simple Steps to Employment  Get a job interview; look in the paper and on job sites  Prepare a copy of all your references, resume and ID and present them to your prospective employer; make extra copies so you can leave a copy for them.  Present yourself well. Iron your clothes, clean your shoes—basic stuff. But you’d be surprised how many don’t. A little effort and you’re in the front seat.  Make sure you understand the job and what your responsibilities will be. If you’re not sure, keep asking. For example, where am I working, what town or location, what type of work, start date, end date, hours and how much am I getting paid? Be aware of day rates. How many hours are there in the day rate? (AUD$200 per days sounds great, but not if you are working 12 hours.) Be sure to get it in writing. Also, be aware of piece work in agricultural areas. This can be great work if you can work like a Trojan and are built like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just make sure you are clear on what you will earn and how long you will work; you could work your arse off and earn AUD$200 per day at the top end or AUD$50 per day at the bottom end. So beware and again, get it in writing! What is included in the job? Who pays for the travel, is food and accommodation included? Are you paid weekly or fortnightly? How long is the work for? Get all terms agreed and signed before you head off to do the job. “Don’t leave home without it,” otherwise it will be too late when you get to Timbuktu! Also do your research about where you

are going. What is your exit strategy if it doesn’t work out? What’s the transport timetable, for example? Make sure you are happy with all the above before you commit. If you can only do six weeks but signed for three months, this isn’t the right way to go. Be honest and upfront from the start. If you can only work for six weeks, let them know. And get a reference—Ozie references are gold!

Chapter 11 Understand Working in Australia Different country, different laws…simple!

Get a Tax File Number Your Tax File Number (TFN) identifies you as a taxpayer in Australia. You need it to get paid by your employer. If you do not present your TFN to your employer within 28 days after you have started working, they will deduct 46.5% of your salary and pay it to the taxation office. Ouch! Get it sorted! Make sure you get your TFN to ensure that "only" the following tax rates are withheld from your weekly earnings. There are different tax rates for residents and non-residents. Most working holiday makers have a non-resident status for tax purposes. To find out if you are a resident or non-resident for tax purposes, use this tool: http://calculators.ato.gov.au/scripts/axos/axos.asp?CONTEXT=&KBS=Resident. XR4&go=ok.

For non-residents the following tax deductions apply: At the end of a fiscal year (Fiscal year = 1st July – 30th June), your employer has to 29 cents for each dollar 0 to 673 give you a Group Certificate of earnings which displays all your wages $195 plus 30 cents for for the year and all the tax 674 to 1,538 each $1 of earnings over that’s been withheld. You $673 may be entitled to get some $455 plus 38 cents for of your tax back at the end of 1,539 to 3,462 each $1 of earnings over the fiscal year. If so, go $1,538 online and fill out a tax $ 1,186 plus 45 cents for return form at 3,463 & over each $1 of earnings over www.ato.gov.au/etax. If you $3,46221 do not want to deal with it yourself, you can outsource it to a tax-back agency, but expect to pay a fee. Weekly earnings AUD

Weekly rate AUD

When you are issued with a TFN by the Australian Taxation Office, it will stay the same for the rest of your life. Your TFN will be sent to your postal address within 10 to 28 days after your application. To get a tax file number you need to:  Apply online at: o https://iar.ato.gov.au/iarweb/default.aspx?pid=4&sid=1&outc ome=1  Be in Australia at the time of application.  Have one of the following visas: o A valid permanent migrant visa, or o A valid visa with work rights, or o A valid overseas student visa, or o A valid visa allowing you to stay in Australia indefinitely.  Present a postal address and residential address. Find out more here: http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/IND57284nat2414.pdf

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/12333.htm&mnu=42590&mfp=001

Understand Superannuation Superannuation is the term used for the Australian Retirement Pension System. If you earn more than AUD$450 per month, your employer will contribute 9% of your earnings to a superannuation fund, which you may choose if you want.

Did You Know…?

The contributions made to your superannuation fund are paid by your employer and is not deducted from your wages.

If you don’t plan on staying in Australia and you want to take these superannuation contributions home with you, you may apply when you have permanently departed Australia and your visa is no longer active. You can find out more information at the following website: https://applicant.tr.super.ato.gov.au/applicants/default.aspx?pid=1

Contract Types In Australia, it is not necessary to have a written contract with an employer to establish an employment contract, although it is best to agree on important terms such as employment period, working hours, wage and payment dates on paper. This can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts down the road. Basically, there are two different types of employment arrangement: “casual” employment and “permanent” employment. Casual employment is most often associated with wages being paid “per hour”. Permanent employment is most often associated with wages being paid "on a salary or yearly (or part thereof) basis”. The first option is most common for short-term work, especially for labourers. It is also known as “casual work” because the employer and the worker can be flexible in the hours and timing of the work periods. The second type of contract normally includes a certain annual salary, as well as a yearly amount of paid holidays, sick leave, etc. Most long-term employment contracts are of this type. Within both types of contract, you can be employed on a “part time” of “full time” basis. Full time work is often at least 37.5 hours each week (although in some industries it can be more). Part time, as the name suggests, is an agreement to work less than full time hours 70

each week. As you can understand, there are numerous employment contract possibilities. As a working holiday maker, you will most likely (because of your visa restrictions) work in an environment with a high employee turnover, caused either by the employee moving on or the employer’s needs being satisfied from time to time. Nevertheless, lots of employers look for people that stay with them for at least three months, as it is time consuming, costly and often difficult to find a replacement. There is a third type of employment which is common, for example in fruit picking, you could be paid for what you pick (piece work). You could also find this method of employment in some construction jobs.

Risks There are risks associated to nearly every working environment despite human nature’s never-ending desire to relate everything to Health and Safety. However, dig aside, it’s your responsibility to consider safety and work-safe practices, as much as it is your employer’.

Work Equipment and Working Clothes If you work in construction, you have to follow some rules. For example, you have to wear working boots with steel caps at all times when onsite. Make sure you ask your employer before you start your job about the necessary equipment—the list will go on!

Heat If you work outside in the heat with exposure to the sun make sure you wear a hat and sunglasses and put sunscreen on your skin regularly. Take breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water!

Cash in Hand If you think this is the way forward then think again: Being paid cash in hand and not paying your taxes is not tolerated in Australia. If you get caught, you will have to suffer the consequences, such as heavy fines 71

and getting kicked out of the country. Plus, you will have to pay for your immediate departure. As there are many taxation and immigration officers around, don’t risk it. Furthermore, someone who knows about your illegal employment and might not like you may have no hesitation in dobbing you in. Just don’t do it - it isn’t worth it!

Get Necessary Licences For some jobs, certificates are compulsory and they enhance your chances of getting a job. Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate To work in a pub, bar, club or licensed restaurant, you will need one. It’s a one-day course plus a written examination and costs around AUD$85 (However, the requirements vary from state to state and you can do it online). Responsible Gambling Services (RGS) Certificate To work in licensed premises with gaming facilities, you will need one. It’s a one-day course plus written examination and costs around AUD$85 (However, the requirements vary from state to state).

Blue / Green / White Card To work in construction, you need one of these cards. They apply to different cards in different states so don’t expect your Blue Card to be valid nationwide. In Western Australia (Blue Card) it's "only" AUD$80. There’s no face-to-face course, but an online test. Coffee or Pub Skills Certificates are not compulsory, but may increase your chances of getting a job. In all the major cities, there are plenty of institutions were you can get all these certificates and more.

Negotiate Your Salary Sometimes it's easy and other times its not, especially when it’s a large organisation. Rates are generally fixed and room for negotiation is no bigger than a packed matchbox. With smaller companies, on the other hand, well, you may have a bit more luck—if you don’t ask, you won’t know! Do a bit of research. Obviously, much depends on what you want to do, but find out if your skills are in demand and what you can potentially earn before you open negotiations. Don’t always go for the higher hourly rate; find out the perks and all the benefits associated to the package before jumping in. There are some hot spots over here for work and ways of tapping into them.

Chapter 12 Get Involved and Keep in Touch Keeping a Diary When you’re in the land of Oz, you will be meeting new people every day. It will be hard to keep track of who you have met and where, so keep a diary: 10/05/2010 met Sarah sarah@.......com 0@#$627&*6 Belly dance near Uluru.(formerly known as Ayres Rock) ..... Something like that will help you remember. There’s no doubt about it— during your year or more, your social circle will expand and your memory bucket will get deeper! Don't forget about your loved ones back home. They won't forget about you!

Get the Right SIM Card One of the first things you should get when you arrive in Australia is a SIM Card. The largest providers are Telstra, Vodafone and Optus. Telstra has the best coverage over the Land of Oz, but can be a little bit more expensive than the others. However, as a traveller, you would probably prefer to have signal in remote areas.

Call Home for Less If you are not yet a member of Skype, nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the time to join. Via voice-over-IPtechnology, you can stay in touch with your family and friends all around the world for free. Also, international calls to fixed network or mobile numbers are also available at reasonable rates. On the other hand, you might wish to avoid Skype, especially when internet connections are slow and/or expensive, or you'd prefer some privacy for your call instead of letting the rest of the internet cafe know how much you love your Mum.

Get the Right International Phone Card Due to the number of international travellers and residents in Australia, there are numerous international phone cards available which allow you to make international phone calls at low rates from Australian fixed networks to international fixed networks. The basic concept is: You buy an international phone card with credit, e.g. AUD$20. Next you call the phone number on the international phone card from a fixed network telephone and then you will be requested to enter your PIN which will be on your card. After this dial the country code (e.g. +44 for UK or +49 for Germany), followed by the phone you are calling omitting the "0" at the beginning. Depending on the phone card, you will be charged a one-time connection fee and after that, on a minute-byminute basis. Usually you will be informed of how many minutes you have left, which is handy as you can then choose to spread your time over a few calls. If you run out of credit, you can usually gain more credit over the phone by paying with a credit card, or head back to the shop to top up your card.

The rub: The terms and conditions of phone cards are not always transparent and you might end up paying more than you expected. Look out for:  Phone cards that don’t have their connection fees and minute-byminute rates on their cards;  Phone cards that have low rates only at special times during the day (your family and friends may be asleep at those times);  Phone card operators who often change their fees; and  Phone cards that don’t operate everywhere in Australia, but only in some major cities. You could end up in Broome with a phone card that operates only via Sydney. This means you constantly need to throw coins in the public phone to keep your connection to Sydney just to dial in the number of your phone card—expensive! Just keep an eye out! Compare at http://www.phonecardselector.com.au/

Get a Postal and Residential Address Before you make the jump, you will probably assume you don’t need an address. But after a couple of weeks, you will be wishing you had one. It’s hard work chasing down mail from various hostels you have stayed in. If you have a friend who you trust in Australia, then ask them if you can use their address. They can simply give you a call if anything important arrives. What will I need an address for?       

Opening a bank account; Applying for a Tax File Number; Buying a SIM card; Getting a Blue Card; Getting mail from family or friends; Buying or renting a car; and Getting a job.

Send Stuff Home Unfortunately, due to the long distance between Australia and pretty much the rest of the world, it is very expensive to send a 10kg package to Europe—it can cost AUD$230 via air mail and AUD$100 via sea mail. So bring only what you need so you don't have to send stuff home as soon as you get here. You will pick up new stuff in Australia and there are a few cheaper alternatives that will soon break into the market. Calculate with Australian Post at http://www.auspost.com.au/

Hop on the Web If you are accustomed to your high-speed access at home or enjoyed free highspeed Wi-Fi on your way over, learn to encounter a few slow connections. No doubt on the whole it’s getting faster but still quite expensive: Expect to pay AUD$3-4 per hour in internet cafés in metropolitan areas and AUD$5-8 per hour in rural areas. Only hop on the net in rural areas if you desperately need to—it’s not wise to try to upload your photos in the outback. Broadband in a shared flat or house works out well. It’s quicker, costs are shared and access is unlimited, but remember you will spend less time on the net when you are in Australia as there is so much more to do. If you can’t live without the net, then consider buying a wireless broadband pack from Telstra, giving you internet access everywhere where there is Telstra signal. You will need a USB modem which is available for around AUD$129 (you might find a second-hand one cheaper) including AUD$10 worth of credit. Depending on how much you recharge, you will get credit between 150 MB for AUD$20 and 6 GB for AUD$100.

Budget Options In most major cities, you have a daily allowance of one hour’s free internet use in the public library. If you have your own net book or laptop, you could even use the library’s wireless internet access all day. Furthermore, there is free WiFi at McDonald's restaurants and Starbucks cafés. You can find more on:  http://www.wififreespot.com/aus.html  http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=Free_WiFi_Hotspots 77

 http://www.free-hotspot.com But don’t get too excited—these connections are slow most of the time.

Conquer Loneliness and Homesickness If you’re coming over from the United States or Europe, then it’s a long way and the chances of popping home for the weekend are slim. Remember this before you leave home, but certainly don’t let it deter you—everyone travelling is in the same boat and your loved ones are just a phone call away. It depends on your individual circumstances and your personality as to how loneliness and homesickness will affect you and how you are able to fight it. Many travellers who travel alone will struggle to start with, but that usually doesn’t tend to last long. You meet people quickly and then the fun takes over. Moments of "What am I doing here? Why have I just flown to the other side of the world?" are normal initial moments and experienced by many of your fellow travellers. It’s part of the experience—embrace it, you’ll soon find the answers. Three good ways to start:  Get with it and approach people. Most travellers and Australians are sociable and open-minded;  Start your travel experience together with a friend or choose a destination where you will be a part of a group of like-minded people; or  Choose a less crowded destination. Remember: “Open Mind, New Chapter” Get stuck IN!!!!!!

Chapter 13 Getting Around By Car Travelling by car is a great way to explore Australia—flexibility at your fingertips and if you have the right vehicle or the right equipment, you don’t need to book accommodation saving you money. What Kind of Car to Choose Three popular options: 4-Wheel-Drive (4WD), campervan and standard car (station-wagon preferably). To see as much as possible, you definitely need a 4WD as many tracks in Australia are not accessible by 2WD. 4WD are more expensive and consume more fuel. A campervan may suit your needs if you prefer having more storage space, a fridge and a comfy mattress or even bed. The budget version is the standard car; if you manage to get a station-wagon you can throw a mattress in the back. If not, you’ll be pitching a tent or checking in.

Own a Sufficient Drivers Licence When driving a vehicle on an Australian road, you are obliged to carry a driver’s licence at all times. All relevant details of your driver’s licence must be printed in English. If yours does not fulfil this requirement, you additionally need to carry an international driver’s licence, or an official translation of your driver’s licence. What Driving Licences are Valid? With a translated driver’s licence from one of the following countries, you should be okay: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Italy, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA.22 Buy a Car Where to look for cars:    

Noticeboards at hostels and internet cafés; www.gumtree.com.au http:/www.tradingpost.com.au Classified ads in regional newspapers (mostly Wednesday and Saturday);  Kings Cross Backpacker Car Market in Sydney. How to Choose a Car If you are from a European country, you wouldn’t normally buy a car that is 25 years old and has more than 300,000 kilometres on the clock. But in Australia, you may wish to consider this as those vehicles are more affordable and many are still in good condition due to the less harsh weather conditions in comparison to Europe, Canada and the States, for example. Furthermore, a vehicle that has mainly driven long distances on remote Australian highways at a steady and rather low speed (80 to 110 km/h) is likely to be in better mechanical condition than a city cruiser that has done a lot of stop-and-go in busy European traffic. 22

http://www.austroads.com.au/overseas.html

You never know what you’re going to get unless you are a car expert; have a look at the vehicle's service history and take your target vehicle through a mechanical check before you put your hand in your pocket. Depending on the mechanic and the extensiveness of the check, you should get a pre-purchase check for between AUD$90 and AUD$200, which is always well worth it! Also consider the brand and the availability of spare parts. Among the most popular are the Toyota Hiace Campervan, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. Register a Car Unfortunately, every Australian state has its own rules so depending on where you buy the car and in which state it is registered, you need to check out the local conditions. In general, every vehicle on Australian roads has to be registered and is obliged to carry registration plates as well as a registration sticker on the windscreen, which indicates the registration expiry date. Compulsory third party insurance for personal damage (also known as a “green slip”) is included in the vehicle registration. You can get registration for six or 12 months and the registration fee has to be paid up-front. The fee depends on the vehicle type and the state. For example, costs for registration and third-party personal damage insurance for a 1984 Toyota Hiace Campervan in Queensland was AUD$562 for 12 months in the third quarter of 2009. Chances are, when you purchase your vehicle it will already be registered—just remember to extend the registration before it expires. In most states, this can be done over the internet with a credit card. When you have bought your newfound love and you are about to register it in your name, the seller should present transfer forms during the sale. Please note that in some states, vehicles also require“road worthiness” or a safety certificate (also known as a “pink slip”) which the seller has to organise. Incorporate stamp duty costs into your budget; it’s around a one digit percent of the total price of the sale, depending on the state where you have purchase the vehicle. 81

To transfer your new vehicle to your name, you need your passport, driver’s licence, a postal address and a residential address in Australia. Check out the local transport offices for further details:        

NSW: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/ ACT: http://www.rego.act.gov.au/ VIC: http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/ QL: http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/ WA: http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/ SA: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/ TAS: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/ NT: http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/

Get Insurance As mentioned above, your registration comes with a third party personal injury insurance, so if you cause an accident and, in the unfortunate case that someone gets injured, you may avoid any financial consequences. Although if you crash with your $4,000 campervan into a brand new Audi TT, losing your AUD$4,000 investment is peanuts compared to the AUD$150,000 debt you would have to pay off for decades to come—unless you have a third party property damage insurance. To apply for such insurance, you need to present your passport and your driver’s licence and pay around AUD$300 to $400 per year. Get Roadside Assistance If you buy a car, you probably won't purchase a brand new one, unless you’re loaded, of course. It is very unlikely that you’ll just cruise through one city but will hit the roads in remote areas. Your 15-year-old rust box is likely to have at least 250,000 km on the counter, so you’ll be lucky if it runs like a warm knife through butter every day of the week. The following could happen to you:  You get a flat tyre;  You lock the car and forget the keys are still inside (happens to the best of us);  You run out of fuel (happens to the worst of us); or 82

 You break down for any reason (unfortunately, old cars sometimes just give up without warning—tip: keep fluids checked as water can evaporate quickly). In the last case, without cover you would have to spend a fortune to get your vehicle towed to the next city. That’s a killer when you know your wallet is already going to be lighter getting your motor fixed. Get road side assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which is available from different motoring clubs, depending on the membership you choose, you may be eligible for further benefits like free accommodations and a free rental car to continue your trip if your vehicle cannot be repaired quickly. The motoring clubs work closely together, so, for example, the RAC in Western Australia would help you even though you are a member of the RACV in Victoria. That said, there may be restrictions on benefits from state to state, so check out the terms and conditions before you buy a membership. Membership usually runs for one year and tends to be available in three forms: basically one that covers more, another one a bit more and another that covers a lot more. Cover is dependent on towing distance, vehicle recovery, expenses incurred from breakdowns and assistance, to name a few. Membership discounts can sometimes be found on the back of maps. Here you find the motoring clubs in Australia:       

NSW and ACT: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/ VIC: http://www.racv.com.au/ QL: http://www.racq.com.au/ WA: http://www.rac.com.au/ SA: http://www.raa.com.au/ TAS: http://www.ract.com.au/ NT: http://www.aant.com.au/

If you are a member, you can request roadside assistance by calling 13 11 11. Do not expect to call 13 11 11 and be able to become a member just before they start working on your broken down car. Usually there is a couple of day’s idle time before you can claim membership benefits like roadside assistance. 83

That said, some motoring clubs give you the chance to become a member on the spot at a higher rate. Rent a Car Renting a car is expensive but it’s easy and mostly comfortable. All of your needs are catered for—road worthiness, insurance, maps, road side assistance, etc. To rent a car, you usually need a passport, driver’s licence, mobile number and a postal address in Australia. There are too many car rental companies and many of them are small local operators, which may be your preference for local trips as they are often cheaper. For trips over long distances, you might want to consider the bigger operators that have market presence all over Australia, e.g. Britz, Kea Campers, Maui, Apollo, Wicked Campers (be careful: They recently had bad press because of the “un”road worthiness of their vehicles) and Travellers Autobarn. Get a Relocation Car If you want to go from A to B as cheaply as possible and you are willing to be flexible in terms of departure and arrival dates, then consider a relocation vehicle from a rental company. They set a pick-up and drop-off date which allows you just enough time for you to get to the specified destination. It costs around AUD$1 per day on average and there are even stories of drivers being paid to do it. You should keep your ear to the ground and sweet talk a few reps so they may consider you when a relocation vehicle is available. Bear in mind that you won’t have much time or allocated km to go and visit the sights along the way (additional km’s can cost up to AUD$0.45 per km) and expect to pay a bond. It is purely a cheap way of getting from A to B. Here are some sites where you can find current offers:  http://www.standbyrelocs.com/  http://www.apollocamper.com/

Look for a Lift If you don’t have the money to buy or rent a vehicle, or do not have a drivers licence but still want to explore parts of Oz by vehicle, you could look for people who own a vehicle and are offering lifts. This is quite common in Oz, as many travellers would like to share the fuel costs as well as the experience. It is also a good opportunity to get in contact with fellow travellers and make friends. Before you hop in another person's car make sure:  You like your travel mate(s) and feel comfortable around him/her/them;  Your expectations on itinerary, travel time and comfort (stay in hostels, campgrounds with facilities or sleep in the bush?) fit those of your travel mate(s);  You agree on how to share the travel costs (like fuel, food, National Park entry fees, etc.) and other potential costs that could arise from unexpected incidents (e.g. flat tyre, speeding or parking fines, accident, stone-chipping, etc.);  You agree on how to share the costs if one of you wants to split up before you reach the destination you agreed upon before;  You are covered by a third-party property damage insurance if you drive the vehicle; and  You tell someone where you are going, who you are going with and your estimated time of arrival. Where to Offer or Find a Lift:    

Noticeboards in hostels and internet cafés; www.gumtree.com.au www.globalgossip.com/noticeboard; and If you’re offering a lift, put an ad on your car, too. 85

Hitchhiking Firstly, we don’t recommend hitchhiking because you never know who you’ll meet. If you do wish to hitchhike, please consider the following before you hop in:    

Tell somebody what you’re doing and your plans; Ask the driver about destination and arrival time; Make sure the driver is not drunk; and Carry plenty of water and sun protection—if the driver has to drop you off at a turnoff in the middle of nowhere, you might have to wait for hours (or even days, depending on the remoteness of the area) until the next car passes.

Know the Rules of the Road It's left-hand drive in Australia. So, drivers: stay on the LEFT. Pedestrians: first look RIGHT before crossing a street. If you are not used to it, don't worry— most people adapt to it very quickly. The right has right-of-way. Every state has its own road rules, but in general, they are quite similar. Fines for offences are high, so be aware of speeding limits and do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs—EVER. The blood alcohol content limit is 0.05%, the speed limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas (60 km/h in the Northern Territory) and 100 km/h in rural areas (110 km/h in Western Australia and the Northern Territory), and there are some variations in school areas (usually 40 km/h) On some highways in the Northern Territory (you may drive 130 km/h). Some of you may not be used to roundabouts with two lanes, or even three. If you want to go left, take the left lane. If you want to go right, take the right lane. If you want to go straight ahead, take the one that suits you better but make sure you stay in your lane prior to, during and on exit of the roundabout. For more details we recommend the Road User's Handbook of NSW: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/downloads/road_users_handbook.pdf There is one unwritten rule: If you enjoy your life and like your car, don't drive between dusk and dawn in the bush (the towns and cities have lights; in fact they are like yours). When the sun says goodbye, the kangaroos, cows, sheep, etc., like to say hello. You are likely to hit them as they stroll 86

along the roads, mainly outside built-up suburban areas. Don't expect to recognise a black cow that's standing in the road with its back towards you in time when you are driving more than 40 km/h. And these animals are massive, so better you don’t risk the safety of yourself and others. Before starting a trip into a remote area, make sure that you carry plenty of water and enough fuel. If you break down, stay by your vehicle. Your chances of receiving help are far greater than wandering through the outback. If you are in a very, very remote area and no one passes, then you may want to consider burning the spare tyre in daylight to draw attention—the smoke can be seen far away.23

By Plane If you just want to travel from major city to major city without spending time and money seeing all the bits in between, then you have plenty of opportunities of getting on a flight. Australian airline "Qantas" operates regular flights, as do many other airlines like Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways and Jet Star (to name a few). Planes run frequently and are reasonably priced if booked in advance. If you have environmental concerns, then maybe consider trains or offsetting your emissions. Watch out for special deals and discounts; it’s worth signing up to newsletters so you can receive the latest deals. Why not? It’s free!

Sources: Roads and Traffic Authority New South Wales: Road Safety for Overseas Visitors, Road User's Handbook, Wikipedia.

By Train If you want to experience a long-distance trip through the vast landscapes of Australia, you can choose either the "Indian Pacific" (between Perth and Sydney) or the "Ghan" (between Adelaide and Darwin). The Indian Pacific can take you three nights on a 4,352-km-trip; it runs twice a week just like the Ghan does on its 2,979-km-journey which takes two nights. If this is the experience you are looking for, get the details on http://www.gsr.com.au/. For those travellers who like to explore the country by train, you may want to strongly consider the Rail Explorer Pass, which gives you six months of unlimited train travel on the Ghan, the Indian Pacific and the Overlander (the train between Adelaide and Melbourne) for AUD$590 (conditions apply. For the shorter trips in the eastern states refer to http://www.railaustralia.com.au/ ). The following are for the other states:  Queensland: http://www.qr.com.au/  New South Wales: http://www.countrylink.info/ and http://www.cityrail.info/ for the Sydney area;  Victoria: http://www.vline.com.au/ for the Melbourne area;  South Australia: http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/ for Adelaide; and  Western Australia: http://www.transperth.com.au/ .

By Bus Efficient bus networks are available in all major cities. In general, fares are lower than in most European cities. Perth even has three bus lines in the city centre which you can use for free. To travel long distances, buses can also be a favourable option. It is a fast, reliable, comfortable and mostly affordable way to get from A to B although it is not as cheap as we’d like it to be. However, most buses are air conditioned and come equipped with TV and DVD-Players. Don’t hold out for the latest blockbuster though! A company with the large network is http://www.greyhound.com.au/. They offer explorer and kilometre passes for the ones who travel by bus on a regular basis. Greyhound is not always the cheapest, so make sure you also check out the following: 88

 http://www.fireflyexpress.com.au/  http://www.premierms.com.au/ (only on the East Coast);  http://www.easyridertours.com.au/ (only on the West Coast, also offers tours); and  http://www.buslines.com.au/ for an overview of all, also the small local companies wherever you are.

By Bicycle Sydney to Darwin anyone? Some people do it! When you’re on the road you will see the odd cyclist. Cycling as a sport is quite popular in Australia and you will find decent bike paths and routes in major cities. Unfortunately, the Aussies prefer their motorised vehicles due to the great distances they travel. Therefore, cycling paths are not present in every street and also car drivers are not as aware of cyclists as they are in countries such as the Netherlands. However, if you want to explore a city, hiring a bike for a day or two is highly recommended—you’ll have the chance of seeing a lot more while avoiding the traffic. Oh, and don’t forget to wear a helmet! Police in Australia will fine you on the spot if you do not wear your helmet. If you stay in a city for a long period of time, it could be worth buying a bicycle. It is the cheapest way to get around and it keeps you fit. Carry water with you on your bike and grab shade where you can.

Find a Bike    

Noticeboards at universities Noticeboards in hostels and internet cafés Classified ads sites and papers (see "Buy Stuff for Less”) Bike shops who rent out bikes sometimes sell second hand bikes with buyback guarantee.

Chapter 14 Summary Well done you’ve ridden to…The End!!! Phew! Managed to get through all that? Well done! There is certainly a lot to consider before you even start your new and exciting chapter in Australia! As mentioned earlier in the book, Australia is a beautiful country, with great people, great sights, amazing food and all the rest—I’m not gonna repeat myself again! It may never happen and doesn’t happen to 99.9% of Aussies and travellers, but if one day you are drowning yourself in vinegar, fending off a croc, flossing shark teeth, knocking down a cow and looking for animals with a four headed penis whilst trying to get to work to put dinner on your table, don’t come looking for me! We just wanted to make you aware so that you can have the best possible time when you arrive. Enjoy it, embrace it, pack your easy going attitude and have some fun! Just remember—“You can and together, we can!” (Wayne Rogers, 2009)