Without a doubt one of the best decisions I made when coming to Australia was to buy a car, yes, it costs money, can be a hassle, takes up time and effort but seriously it’s all worth it! If you have the money to spend and are willing to put in the effort, it can revolutionise your experience Down Under, let me explain why and give you some tips to help you on your way.

If you want to see all of Australia far and wide then what can compare to doing it all under your own steam with the freedom and fun of your own vehicle! Who doesn’t love a road trip? You can fly to a lot of places, but that often works out being expensive and then you end up missing half the experience of travelling in Australia. I found lots of the good times and excitement was in the journey! The Australians have got one of the worst train networks I have ever seen, it’s practically non-existent as it seems to be more expensive than flying and slower than driving! The only remaining option is a long-distance bus or coach journey, but where’s the freedom and fun in that? I would say a bus/coach is only worth it if you’re in Australia for a short amount of time and looking to book on to an all-inclusive trip up the east coast. But what you see and what you get for the cost of these tours is not comparable to doing it in your own car, a used car is cheaper than you might think.

I’ve lived in most corners of Australia, metropolitan or rural, and my car has been with me every step of the way. Every time I want to move places I just pack the car up and go. The benefits of a car are endless, you’re not restricted to a suitcase every time you go somewhere new, all the extra gear you acquire on your travels can be kept until when you need it again. I’m talking tents, camping chairs, duvets, pillows, TVs, whatever it is it can come along for the ride with you and if you’re lucky your travel companions too.

Having some mates to split the cost of a car with is the most ideal situation to be in, then an investment of $1000 each when there are 3 or 4 of you can get you a pretty decent ride. Then all the running costs such as fuel, insurance and registration can be split as well making it easier for everyone. Then the next thing you find out is that an 8 hour drive is a breeze if there’s a few of you sharing the load.

The prices in this guide are from when we wrote it in 2018, so expect to pay more today. In order for your newest 4-wheeled prized possession to be road legal it needs to be registered, let me explain. The registration is what relates the car to the owner and to the state it is licensed, it cost in the region of $195 every 3 months however that can vary depending on the state, the type of vehicle and the term of registration. Registration includes compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, which covers injuries to other people; in NSW you buy the CTP “green slip” separately before you register. CTP doesn’t cover damage to cars or property, so we strongly recommend third party property insurance on top: it covers the cost of the damage to someone else’s vehicle in an accident that is your fault, and all you have to cover is an excess payment (often $250 or $500 depending on your insurer and insurance plan). It isn’t compulsory, but without it you pay for those repairs yourself, and repair costs can often escalate to much more than people can afford. There are many insurers across Australia, but it is important to do your research as some only cover the car in the state of registration, which is no good if you plan on travelling far and wide. From experience AAMI is great for all-round value (approx. $30/month) and you are covered country wide.

Roadside assistance is highly recommended, if your car (as trusty as it may seem) has an issue in the middle of The Outback (or anywhere) it can be very expensive to get it towed back to a recovery centre. Each state has its own motoring club: the Royal Automobile Association (RAA) in South Australia, NRMA in NSW and the ACT, RACV in Victoria, RACQ in Queensland, RAC in Western Australia, RACT in Tasmania and AANT in the Northern Territory. Basic plans were in the region of $10-$15/month in 2018 and are definitely worth it, especially if you’re looking to buy a car on the cheap!

Now, when it comes to buying a used car in Australia the options are limitless so here’s a few things to look out for and to bear in mind when on the search. A reasonable budget for initial cost I would say is somewhere in the $2k-$5k price bracket. This way you should avoid a car that needs you to take out a mortgage to pay for, and also avoid one that will fall apart 500m down the road. I know someone that paid $700 for a car and it broke down within an hour of driving, true story! However, you could spend $1k and it be your dream car and it lasts another lifetime, that is just the lottery of buying used cars.

I’m not a mechanic and if you’re reading this I take it neither are you! But before buying a car try to give it a good look over, inside, outside and underneath, ask to see details of recent services as this will give the best indication of what state the car is in or how well it has been looked after by previous owners. To fit into the budget I mentioned, you’re likely to be looking at cars with a very large number on the odometer, 240,000km to 310,000km is probably the sweet spot, much over 350,000km then inevitably the car won’t have much more to give! Take it for a test drive, check to see if the electrics work, the brakes feel good, listen to the engine (keep the radio off) as this is the best way to see what you’re getting for your money. If you have a mechanic mate then great, take them along to view the car, but unfortunately this is all the help I can give! From experience I have had great success/value for money when buying older Japanese cars (Honda and Subaru more specifically) with a good service history. A top tip is to keep an eye out on the road for the older cars you still see regularly, as these will be the trusty and reliable ones.

I can offer a better insight into what sort of car/vehicle you should get on your travels around Australia. 4WD can come in handy but is definitely not essential, 4WDs often offer lots of space which is more essential as you can then fill it with people and luggage! People carriers and estate cars are often great for having lots of space, otherwise keep an eye out for a car with a roof rack as very useful for gaining extra space. If you’re feeling really creative and want to go full nomad then the converted minivans are the one, this way your travel and accommodation is sorted wherever you go.

Lastly, keep an eye on backpacker Facebook groups as there are often people leaving Australia and looking to sell on their much-loved cars and minivans, just keep in mind what I’ve mentioned previously. Now enjoy the travelling with all the freedom you desire!

The simple answer is anywhere rural will do, there are tens of thousands of farms in Australia and almost all of them will count. But we know many of you won’t have any clue about rural Australia so here is a short list of places we know well.

South Australia - McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Adelaide, Gawler, Mount Gambier, Berri, Renmark, Murray Bridge, Penola

Victoria - Mildura, Shepparton, Robinvale, Bright, Cobram, Beechworth

New South Wales - Griffith, Hillston, Batlow, Forbes, Orange, Tumut, Young, Wee Waa, Moree

Queensland - Bundaberg, Gatton, Murgon, Childers, Gayndah, Rockhampton, Bowen, Innisfail, Cairns, Lakeland

Western Australia - Busselton, Margaret River, Manjimup

Northern Territory - Darwin, Katherine

Tasmania - Smithton, Devonport, Ulverstone, Burnie, Deloraine, Launceston, Scottsdale, Richmond, New Norfolk, Huonville

All of the above areas have various different forms of specified work, but check the Home Affairs postcode lists before you commit. We picked grapes in McLaren Vale, Apples in Shepparton and packed potatoes in Barossa Valley. Barossa Valley was the pick of the 3, we got pretty good hours and the pay was hourly. McLaren Vale grape picking is a farce to be honest.

Award Pay Work – Without doubt the best way to do your 88 days is with a reliable hourly paid job, the high minimum wage in Australia means a full-time week on these jobs pays close to $1,000. Download The 88th Day app if you'd like one on either iOS & Android, it's our specialty.

Piece Rate Work – This work refers to the payment scheme used by many farms, paying workers by the weight of product they pick. Make no mistake some workers make great money. Since 28 April 2022 the Horticulture Award has guaranteed pieceworkers at least the minimum hourly rate for the hours they work, but the pickers who earn well above it are rarely backpackers and almost always experienced pickers who have made careers out of picking fruit. Be honest with yourselves, do you think you're going to be faster than an experienced career picker?

Another factor to consider is that piece-rate work is outside 99% of the time and work relies on the weather. If it rains you're not working, fruit's not ripe? You're not working. Harvests are unpredictable and work is not evenly spread. Piece–rate work will get you days, but it's unlikely to save you much money.

Most importantly you need all the proper documentation that proves you are eligible to work in Australia, it’s recommended to print a hard copy of your visa grant notification, a copy of your passport, then details of your Tax File Number (TFN) and bank details so that you can get paid! Otherwise have an email file of screenshots on your phone of these important documents as getting organised can make life a lot simpler a little down the line.

Next up you need to get yourself kitted out and ready for work on a farm or factory, your work attire is likely to get dirty, ripped and smelly! Buy some cheap t-shirts, long sleeve tops (easy sun protection), trousers and suitable footwear. Shops such as Kmart and The Reject Shop are your best bet as you can sort yourself from head to toe for about $20-$50. It may not be the latest fashion, but definitely purchase some hi-visibility clothing as it is a standard requirement for a majority of rural workplaces around Australia. Consider what else might come in handy with more specific job roles, such as gloves or an extra large sun hat.

To maximise your chances of finding work it is recommended to buy a car, it may seem a hefty investment but definitely worthwhile if you’re travelling in a group. Due to a majority of the jobs you’re looking for being in rural areas, having a car really does massively improve your chances of finding work quickly as those with independent transport are much more appealing to the farmers, it’s a harsh reality. On the plus side you have a car and the whole of Australia at your disposal once your work is done!

Securing a job through a working hostel can have its benefits, such as accommodation being secured as well, however more often than not you are paying a lot in rent for accommodation with very few amenities whilst being crammed in a room full of bunk beds. But until The 88th Day came along it was the most viable option and it’s always very social as there’s a lot of backpackers all doing the same.

Otherwise if you have a bigger budget then private rental is a possibility through either lease agreements (6 months minimum) or Airbnb, but expect to pay quite a bit more!

The other end of the spectrum is finding a local campground to pitch a tent, or if you’re travelling in style then a campervan or converted mini van will do the trick! If this is the case find a local gym to join and make use of the showers when you can to maintain a relative degree of hygiene.

Obviously we are biased, but South Australia is a fantastic place to complete your days. Using our app, available on both iOS & Android, you are free to choose the type of work you would like to do. Our own share houses near Adelaide are coming soon. They will offer the social side of a backpacker hostel without the overpriced, cramped rooms you see in so many places.

Once you’re up and running and working towards completing the 88 days, it is important to keep records and document your time working as this is all evidence that proves you did the specified work required for a second year visa, and being able to supply this information is likely to be the difference between staying in Australia or not!

The main things to keep hold of are the ABN and contact details of your employer as well as every payslip you receive, keep track of important emails regarding your payslips, and if you receive paper pay slips make sure you get a photo of it before it disappears into the unknown. These are essential to getting your visa approved so if your employer is holding them back or not providing them in the first place make sure you chase them up immediately as it’s a lot easier than doing so 6 months down the line whilst on the other side of Australia!

Whilst you’re at work and on the farms take photos of you, your mates and your surroundings, it’s great to do so firstly so you can savour the memories and the experience of completing the 88 days, but more importantly it’s further evidence that could come in handy when submitting your application to the Department of Home Affairs.

Use The 88th Day App on either iOS or Android to track your days and save those vital payslips for when the moment to apply comes.

Be on your toes – Always be prepared to take better roles if they are offered to you, many farms will have both piece rate work and hourly paid jobs. If an hourly paid job becomes available, don’t be shy, be the first to speak to your farmer about it.

Keep an ear out for news on the farm – Things can change quickly when it comes to harvesting fruit and veg. Often it’s not in the farmers’ interests to inform the staff that the season is coming to an end. Listen to your fellow workers and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Be willing to get in the car and leave – Don’t get stuck in a working hostel paying $200 a week, staying in a room with 20 other backpackers if you’re barely working 10 hours a week. Remember it speeds up the process massively if you’re working full time and those jobs are out there, we help people like you find them every day.

Stand together with your fellow backpackers – Stand up for each other, backpackers may come from all over the world but we are all connected through this process. If something about your pay or conditions doesn’t seem right, the Fair Work Ombudsman can help.

Maybe these 3 months aren’t quite how you imagined spending your time in Australia, however that doesn’t mean they can’t be a fantastic few months.

Day Trips – It may feel like you are in the middle of nowhere but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great activities within driving distance. Make the most of your weekends and your hard earned cash; rural Australia has world-class beaches and landscapes, take a drive!

Explore local produce – Many of our jobs are located close to top-drawer wineries, cheese and chocolate producers, not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

In-house entertainment – Head to the nearest charity shop/reject store and pick up some old fashioned entertainment. Board games, cards and books are all great ways to spend your time on weeknights.

Exercise – Maybe this isn’t the entertainment everybody’s looking for, but the truth is the 88 days you spend farming is a great time to get fit. Local teams are always looking for extra bodies and most towns will have reasonably priced gyms.

Make bank - This may be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many backpackers finish their farm work with less than they started with. Having an hourly paid job with reliable hours is your best bet, if you have a steady full-time income, saving money in these rural spots is easy. 13 weeks farm work is long, by the end you’ll be sick of your job and you’ll just want to stay in bed. My advice is book a holiday for the end of your farm work, the light at the end of the tunnel will give you the boost of motivation you need, plus you deserve it!

Freebies – Make the most of the goodies from work, many farms and factories will have excess stock, take advantage! Who turns their noses up at free food and wine?

Cook communally at home – Whether you’re in a share house or living in a hostel, cooking at home as a group is a great way to count the pennies. Backpackers come from all over the world, encourage everyone to show off their skills in the kitchen.

Goon/Hollandia – Ok, we aren’t advocating for binge drinking, but it does make for a very cheap night in.

Ride sharing – Help the team out! Not everyone has cars and splitting the petrol costs is such a simple way to count the cents.

First of all, calm down, if you’re fretting about the venomous snakes and poisonous spiders in Australia, then I’m guessing you haven’t been to Australia before. You certainly don’t have to be Bear Grylls to survive a couple years Down Under, let alone doing 3 months farm work in the rural areas.

Here’s some facts and figures to keep in mind; firstly, deaths from spider bites in Australia are extremely rare thanks to antivenom, and realistically the chances of that being you are so unbelievably insignificant it’s not worth worrying about. The snakes however, largely thanks to the super deadly Brown snake, are slightly more reason for concern. There were 35 recorded deaths between 2000 and 2016, 23 of which were because of the Brown snake. In the grand scheme of things that’s very little, the deadliest animal in Australia is actually a horse causing on average 8 deaths per year!

You’re more likely to be killed in the taxi from the airport than from the deadly snakes and spiders once you get to Australia.

Saying this, there is no denying the fact that these dangerous animals exist in Australia so there are a few strategies whilst farming to best protect yourself. If you are out in the fields picking fruit or working the vines, then it is recommended to cover yourself up, long sleeves, light trousers and gloves are the best way to protect yourself from any unexpected creepy crawlies in the bushes. This also does wonders for protecting you from the sun, which in the height of summer is just as dangerous!

You probably won’t come across many snakes; in 18 months in Australia, through farming and travelling the east coast I have seen a total of three snakes. One wasn’t venomous, another was a baby snake it seemed (1ft long), and the other admittedly was venomous, but realistically I was in no danger as I saw it well in advance and there were capable local hands close by to deal with it! The snake didn’t lay an eye on me and decide to go after me either, they are almost certainly trying to mind their own business, keep a safe distance and you’re in no danger!

The best advice to avoid the snakes, don’t go looking for them and watch where you’re walking particularly in rural areas. Typically, in areas where snakes/spiders are known to be, there is lots of signage with pictures and tips of how to remain safe. This way you should make it through your time farming without too many worries!

Hopefully after finishing your farm work you have saved plenty of money to travel the delights of Australia, it’s fair to say I’ve lived in some of the best bits myself. Here are my top tips for you.

Hamilton Island/Airlie Beach – If you finish your farm work during the depths of the Australian winter, we recommend you leave the cold behind and head north. The Whitsundays is an incredible location and offers a unique lifestyle, if you’re looking to save money and live in a tropical paradise, while spending your days off whale watching and lazing around on the beach, why not apply for a job on Hamilton Island? If it’s a party you’re after, Airlie Beach offers all of the same beauty as Hamilton Island, but the nightlife is on a completely different level!

Byron Bay/Gold Coast – The climate here is very attractive all year round, this fabulous spot on the East Coast offers so much. Byron can certainly stake a claim for the most hipster spot in Australia, truly an international town with an eclectic vibe. Byron has it all, the only downside may be finding long-term accommodation can be challenging and in terms of finding work, hospitality is the major employer in this town. If you are looking for a lot less hipster and a lot more tattoos then give the Gold Coast a try, beautiful beaches and the nights out certainly are memorable.

Melbourne – If you are looking to live in a major metropolis Melbourne is in the top tier worldwide, regularly ranked among the most liveable cities in the world. Melbourne you will find is full of fellow backpackers all around, but there is certainly a concentration in St. Kilda south of the city, not everyone’s cup of tea it must be said. Melbourne boasts sensational cuisine and a big nightlife; personally I have spent many a great evening in the suburb of Prahran, I highly recommend you try it. The jobs here can pay exceptionally well, look for a 9-5 and make the most of your weekends. Move here in the Spring and leave in the Autumn, the weather is near perfect during that period, less so in the winter.

Sydney – What needs to be said, the iconic city is the headline grabber for most tourists travelling to Australia. It certainly must be seen and it has some advantages over Melbourne, the beaches are far superior and the architecture is stunning. Work pays extremely well in the city but rent can be very pricey. There is certainly a huge number of backpackers set up in Sydney and during the Summer months it appears that the city is one big party. It’s a tough choice between Melbourne and Sydney so I’ll let you make that call.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this marathon post, finding good quality information isn’t easy for backpackers. Everyone is welcome to share any part of this guide, keep each other safe and best of luck.

35 Hours is the Minimum Hours Required in a Week to Count 7 Days - MYTH

There is often a lot of confusion around hours worked and days counted in a week, 35 hours is regarded as the minimum needed for a full working week to be granted 7 days of work. Immigration denies there is any cut off at all, they claim that as long as the employer views the work you’re completing as full time all 7 days in a week will count. I see no reason why a 30 hour week of working 6 hours a day Monday to Friday cannot be counted as 7 days if this is the industry standard for this role. Check out the Home Affairs website where it depicts an example of someone working 30 hours a week for 6 months is granted a third year visa. If this general rule is followed the work can be completed over multiple sessions on different farms around Australia.

Quoting Gale Lalor, Acting Assistant Secretary, Immigration and Citizen Services Group.

“The department recognises that there is a range of circumstances affecting what constitutes a normal full day in each eligible industry, especially in the agricultural industries. For this reason, the policy does not prescribe the minimum hours for a normal or ‘full’ day.

As a general guide, if the employer reasonably considers that an applicant has completed a normal full day of work for that industry, then the departmental decision maker may be generally be [sic] satisfied to count that day of work toward the three months requirement.”

Can I only pick fruit? - MYTH

By far the most popular job role to obtain a second or third year visa in Australia is fruit picking, this is by no means the only job role that satisfies the specified regional work, there is just a hell of a lot of fruit that needs to be picked in Australia. Other jobs include feeding and herding cattle, construction, landscaping plus many more so check out the Home Affairs website for all the details. Be wary of geographical location as this can have an impact on whether the job is eligible or not, it has to count as a rural area, get all the details on the Home Affairs website.

Accommodation Included - Rarely True

If you’re lucky some jobs will come hand in hand with accommodation which will solve many of your problems, however really only the case if you’re working on smaller farms in particularly rural areas. There is a fairly large number of working hostels that offer jobs on local farms on arrival, but this is often expensive for what you’re getting, but sorts a job and place to live nonetheless. These are often situated in the areas where a large number of jobs are offered in peak seasons for fruit and vegetable related jobs.

88 Days Will Only Take 3 Months - Partially True

The thing that catches a huge number of people out is thinking they can complete 88 days of farm work in 3 months, in reality this is far from the truth. This can be the case if you are extremely fortunate, however always factor in extra time to allow for travel, the job to start or unexpected days off. In some job roles such as fruit picking, significant delays can occur if fruit isn’t ripe or the weather isn’t right, so to be on the safe side get cracking with your farm work earlier than you think.

I Can’t Get Fired from Farm Work - Yeah?.. Nah

Lastly, when you secure a job you might think your 88 days are in the bag, it’s just a matter of time. Again this is definitely not true, don’t forget you are doing a job and getting paid for it by someone for which this farm work is their livelihood so will not keep you on if you perform lower than their expectations. You could end up fired before you know and then you’re back to square one looking for a job!

Always keep your wits about you when completing your 88 days, be aware of what is happening around you and always watch out for scammers!