For Australians under the age of 30 who are not going to work overseas through a company posting, the working holiday maker schemes are ideal.

Australia currently has reciprocal working holiday maker arrangements with:

The Australian government continues to negotiate with other nations, including the United States, to broaden the scheme for the benefit of young Australians.

To obtain a working holiday visa, you must:

• be an Australian citizen
• intend to spend the majority of the period of the visa in the country you are applying to
• be aged between 18 and 25 to 30 inclusive (each nation varies) when you apply
• not be planning to bring a dependent child with you
• not have been previously granted a working holiday visa for that country
• possess a valid passport and a return travel ticket, or sufficient funds with which to purchase such a ticket
• possess reasonable funds to maintain yourself during your initial stay in the relevant country
• have good health and a sound background.

Each nation has its own rules about the scheme. Be sure to read carefully the rules of the country you intend to work in, to check your eligibility.

For more background information on the scheme, go to:

• Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP) [opens in new window]

If you are a full-time university student, STA Travel has work abroad programs available in various countries. Enquire at your nearest STA Travel office for further information.

Working overseas as a volunteer is a great way to contribute skills and knowledge to helping people in developing regions. The financial rewards may not be as great as other overseas options, but the experience of another culture will enrich you, your career portfolio will be improved and you might make contacts that lead to future work.

Contact the following volunteer organisations for further information [all open in new windows].

• AusAid Youth Ambassadors for Development
  AYAD places skilled young Australians, aged 18–30, in developing countries throughout Asia and the Pacific.
• Australian Volunteers International  
  AVI is Australia's largest and most experienced international volunteer sending agency.
• Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd
  RAWCS coordinates the activities of volunteers throughout the world.
• Peace Brigades International
  This organisation uses volunteers to encourage peace in war-torn regions.
• Australian Business Volunteers
  Australian Business Volunteers seeks industry experienced people to advise local communities on business issues in developing nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Red Cross
  The Red Cross needs volunteers to help in its world-wide humanitarian activities.
• World Youth International
  WYI organises exchanges for Australians throughout the world.
• Operation Crossroads Africa
  This organisation puts people to work on projects throughout Africa.

Some organisations require volunteers to cover all their own costs during their time abroad, while others cover basic food and accommodation. Organisations like AusAid will also pay volunteers an amount equivalent to the wage local workers receive for similar work. Exactly how much you must contribute financially to your volunteering experience will depend on the organisation through which you arrange it.  

Creating your own opportunities 

Networking internationally with people in your field of interest can lead to overseas work opportunities, whether a short-term project or a long-term job—or you may hear about vacancies before they are advertised. A company might create a job specifically to utilise the skills and cultural experience you can offer.

Here are some basic tips to help create your own job opportunities.

Establish and maintain your network

As in other areas of employment, being in the right place at the right time is often the key to getting work overseas. Create international links with people in the industry you work in or want to work in.  Show initiative, an organised approach, and a willingness to contribute and support others without expecting anything in return.

Let the right people know

If your employer is supportive of your wish to work overseas, ask if you can be introduced to key people who are visiting from overseas or have connections with people and organisations in other countries.

If your workplace is not supportive, or you are not employed, approach associations, clubs and learning institutions for leads in your area of interest.

Be a visible resource for others

Ensure that people are aware of your expertise and how they can benefit from it. Know your strengths, and be willing to share your skills, knowledge and ideas. Emphasise any international experience you have, and cultivate any possible international contacts in the field.

Your current employer is more likely to support your interest in working overseas if it brings some benefit to their organisation by doing so. Look for opportunities that can enhance the business of all parties.

Utilise e-mail and the Internet effectively

Advances in technology have made it very easy to deal quickly with large volumes of information and to extend your network.

Through the Internet you can research your field of interest and subscribe to professional journals and e-newsletters that keep you in touch with the latest developments, conferences and programs around the world. The Internet can be a great tool in your international job search.

E-mail is excellent for making instant contact with people. Use it to build and nurture your network by acknowledging the work of your contacts—authentic, constructive and sincere feedback can build trust and respect between people who have not met face to face.

Don’t swamp people in your network with too many e-mails and requests. If you have already met individuals face to face, a couple of follow-up e-mails over several months will be enough. If you have never met the individuals with whom you are e-mailing, be far more cautious in the number and length of your messages.

Most people use an informal and personal style of communication in their e-mails. However, keep your early e-mails a little more formal (especially if you are initiating a connection), and allow the recipient to set the pace and style in subsequent e-mails.

Build rapport

Whether you are meeting in person or communicating by e-mail or letter, it is much easier to establish rapport with people and be remembered if you take an interest in them. Research people before you make contact with them. Find out what is important to them, what their views are on the latest trends in their field of work, and what their work focus is.

Participate in learning and information sharing events

Take the opportunity to attend any event that provides the latest information, whether a local seminar or an international convention. You can make contact with other delegates who share your interests and extend your network.

Online events are becoming common in some career fields. Organisers and delegates are always keen for people to participate, so your contribution will be noticed.  

Look for work opportunities 

Find work that needs doing

When targeting an overseas organisation, know what that company is currently doing in its field, in what direction it wants to go, and the key areas the organisation wants to grow. Developing a particular product or service, wanting to conduct marketing research across cultures, or extending its business networks are some possibilities. By finding out what direction and key areas of growth an organisation is focusing on, you can find what work needs doing.

Promote your expertise

Seek out individuals within organisations who can make decisions and take action. Take the initiative to promote your unique combination of skills, knowledge, experience and personal qualities, and to point out how it will benefit the business of the organisation.

Suggest ways of collaborating

Be prepared to present well thought out, practical ideas that show how working together will bring gains to all involved. For example, you might co-author a research paper, present at a conference or provide consultancy services.  

Overseas promotions or postings