Money Saving Hacks for Your Working Holiday Visa in Australia

Hostels are THE place to stay when you’re starting out as you’ll get to meet similar travellers and of course, if you’re happy to bunk up in a dorm room you can save a money on accommodation compared to private rooms or hotels. Dorm accomodation is the way to make friends, have banter and learn how to sleep through someone snoring. Not only are you saving cash but you’re getting the actual backpacker experience, you’ll learn great travel tips and will make memories that will last forever.

Another option if you’re a solo traveller and only staying in a city or town for a few nights or more long term is staying in a room through Airbnb. This is a great option as you can meet locals and expats, get a taste for what it’s like to really live in the place and you’ll be with people who could help you find your feet quickly.

If you’re feeling a little more like getting the true aussie outback experience and planning on being in more regional areas, you could give camping a go. This will save you some serious dollaaaaar and you’ll get to enjoy some time in the famous Australian bush…

Just be careful and make sure you’re prepared as we all know Aussie’s wildlife are not always friendly.

Cook your own food before adventuring for the day

Bring some home cooked food or enjoy the free public BBQ facilities at parks. To enjoy the facilities at the park, just bring some meat and veggies and start grilling! It may not be fancy but it helps you save money. Get some sandwich ziplock bags or tinfoil and you could bring along a packed lunch {your mum will be proud ahah}.

Bring out the Bevvies

Get your share of booze at the “Bottle-o” aka “bottle shop” aka “liquor store” aka “wine shop” or the good ol “off Licence” for the brits amongst us ‘the offy’. Alcohol at the bottle-o is way more reasonable than at bars so starting your night off at the hostel or your house will save you a ton of cash. And no doubt, you’ll learn about the world famous ‘Goon’.

Here’s a proper RatPacker tip for you: Goon is a common choice for the ultimate budget drinkers. It is wine packaged in a box. Its cheap and does you the same justice as any other alcohol drinks but for less cash. WINNING! Warning – goon causes great {terrible} hangovers and if you mix it with juice it will taste WAY better.

If you are traveling in a group or solo travelling around Australia, then here’s a little tip for ya: get yourself a campervan to drive, relax and enjoy the beauty of Australia. For example, if you fly into Sydney you can buy a campervan with your savings, you now have a mobile home and somewhere you can call your own. You’ll save a heap load of cash on accommodation, transport and you’ll be able to participate in car pooling where other backpackers will share your fuel cost in return for a ride.

Of course driving across Australia will take more time but there’s loads of opportunities to find work across the country and experience amazing activities like learning to Surf, Sailing the Whitsundays, Bungee Jumping and 4WD on Fraser Island.

An Aussie roadie is a great way to travel the country, save money and make the most of your working holiday visa, a year will go faster than you can imagine!

You might be thinking we’re mad when we say you can actually leave Australia with more money than you arrived with but savvy backpackers will finishing up their working holiday in Australia with some extra cash in the bank.

If you complete your farm work you’ll have a whole extra year ahead of you so earning is the one! Another great tip here is to buy a camper or decent size car or van that you can live in while on the road.

This will save you a load of cash on accommodation and transport and you can sell it when you’re gone. The final stage of the money saving guide is to secure your superannuation refund when you leave Australia.

If you’ve already left Australia or if you have a friend who’s left recently, check out the RatPack’s Super Refund page, fill out your details and we’ll find out how much cash you’re owed then you can start planning your next trip yewwwwwwwwwwwwww.