Working Holiday Guide for New Zealand & Australia
We met on a working holiday in New Zealand — now we're helping you plan yours, in New Zealand or Australia.
This is a free, honest, no-nonsense guide covering everything from visa applications to job hunting to what to actually pack. No agency fees, no upsells — just what we wish someone had told us before we left.
Where do I start?
Pick whichever sounds like you — we'll point you the right way.
I haven't decided between NZ and AU yet
Take our quiz and compare climate, cost of living, vibe and visa length side by side.
Compare NZ vs Australia →I know where I'm going — help me plan
Visa eligibility, budgeting, flights and packing — everything to get you from "idea" to "boarding pass."
Start planning →I'm already there and need practical help
Finding work, sorting super and tax, insurance claims — the stuff that matters once you've landed.
Get practical help →Plan your trip
Pick your country to jump straight to the guides that matter.
New Zealand visa guide
Check eligibility in 30 seconds
New Zealand budget guide
Realistic costs & a live calculator
Australia visa guide
Check eligibility in 30 seconds
Australia budget guide
Realistic costs & a live calculator
Flights guide — ticket types, airlines, airport transfers and luggage, plus a quiz to find the ticket that suits you.
New Zealand packing list — an interactive checklist by category, with a printable version for the night before you fly.
Australia packing list — an interactive checklist by category, with a printable version for the night before you fly.
Already there? Here's what matters next
The practical stuff that trips people up once they've landed.
Finding work in New Zealand — the job timeline, best sectors, and what to say in an interview.
Finding work in Australia — hospitality, farmwork, and everything you need before you apply.
Travel insurance — compare providers and understand what a working holiday policy actually needs to cover.
Super & tax back — estimate your Australian super reclaim and see the step-by-step process for getting it back.
Buying a car — a live buy-vs-rent calculator, what to check before you buy, and how to sell it on before you leave.
SIM cards & phone plans — the best providers in each country, prepaid vs plan, and where to actually buy one on arrival.
Banking guide — the local banks worth using, what you need to open an account, and using Wise or Revolut as a bridge.
The 5-step roadmap
This is the order we'd do it in, if we were starting again.
Check your visa eligibility. Passport, age and visa history all matter — use our NZ or AU eligibility checker before you plan anything else.
Sort your flights. Decide between one-way, return, or flexible return based on how fixed your plans are — see our flights guide.
Book 3–5 days of accommodation, no more. Give yourself room to find your feet before committing to anywhere longer-term.
Get travel insurance sorted. It's boring, but it's the one thing you can't fix retroactively — see our insurance comparison.
Land, get set up, start applying. Tax number, bank account, SIM card, then start job hunting — our NZ and AU jobs guides cover exactly how.
Who's behind this
Matt & Sebi
We're two mates — one from Germany, one from the UK — who met by chance in New Zealand and ended up travelling the whole country together. We've explored every corner of New Zealand and spent plenty of time in Australia too, getting to know what both countries really have to offer. On top of our own trips, we've done the research to make sure everything here stays accurate and current — so you get real, firsthand advice, not recycled guidebook fluff.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about a working holiday in New Zealand and Australia.
What age can I apply?
New Zealand: most nationalities are 18–30, though UK, Ireland and Canadian passport holders can apply up to 35. Australia: 18–35 for most eligible countries. Use our NZ or AU checker to confirm for your passport.
How long does the visa take to process?
Processing times vary, but most applications are decided within a few weeks. Some are approved within minutes if your application is straightforward and complete.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is required for most working holiday visas and can be checked at the border. See our insurance guide for what to look for.
Can I apply again if I've held this visa before?
Generally no — most working holiday visas can only be held once per country, with a handful of bilateral exceptions. Our eligibility checkers flag this for you.
What kind of work can I do?
Casual and temporary work is the norm — permanent employment usually isn't permitted under a working holiday visa. See our NZ and AU jobs guides for what's realistic.
Do I get my Australian super back?
Yes, if you worked in Australia and leave for good. It's taxed heavily on the way out, but it's still worth claiming — see our super & tax back guide.