Anything can happen when you're backpacking around Australia and if something goes wrong, having a contingency fund will enable you to act quickly when you need to get things sorted out. In the case of an emergency (i.e, your money gets lost or stolen) or even if you simply over spend and just wind up broke, you will need access to money, accommodation, food, transport & identification documents to get everything back on track.
Travellers cheques can be used to safely transport your money to Australia where they can be 'encashed' at some stage during your trip. They can be ordered in a shop front (bank, post office, etc...) or online which are delivered to you in the post.Learn how to use travellers cheques and why they are good for backpacking in Australia.
In this section you can learn how to set up an Australian Bank Account (Australian bank account), read about transferring your money to Australia, see how to create a financial contingency plan for emergency situations and find some helpful tips on budgeting.
Setting up an Australian bank account (Australian bank account) is going to be an absolute necessity for spending time in Australia. Learn how to get setup before you go and which banks are the best for a backpacker in Australia.
Knowing how to convert currencies will be a definite advantage to backpackers in Australia and all over the world. This calculation is a simple but very useful tool which will help you compare costs in Australia.
Budgeting for backpacking in Australia is all about getting the most out of your trip with the funds you have available. In this article we outline how to budget for backpacking around Australia including getting up to date prices for accommodation, transport, essential shopping items and day-to-day living expenses so you can budget your trip with confidence before you go.
If you're going to be on a Working Holiday Visa or backpacking for extended periods in Australia, the largest part of your holiday funds will be paid into your Australian bank account.
If you want to transfer your money before you go, you will need to open an Australian bank account (read our useful Australian Bank Accounts Explained article).
Of course, you can open an account when you actually arrive in Australia, just remember that it takes upto 2 weeks (sometimes longer) for the transfer to complete.
If you've applied for your Australian bank account online and have the new account details ready to go, your funds can be paid in advance (preferably two or more weeks) to your Australian bank account before your arrival.
To make the transfer you will need all the details of your new Australian bank account. This means the full postal address of the Australian bank, your international business number (I.B.N, which should have been supplied) and of course the account numbers.
Sometimes the banks in Australia use an intermediary benefactor (another bank your money goes through before it reaches your Australian bank account) so you will need their full details as well. This can seem like a daunting task but it's really not that difficult, just make sure you've got all the details you need.
When you have your Australian bank account/transfer details, take them into your local bank branch at home, give them to the cashier and have them transfer the money to your Australian account (always get a recipt).
Unfortunately with the banks being so aggressive with their charges these days you will be charged by both parties. You will have to see about the charges for your own country but the charge rates in Australia for a foreign transaction usually hover around the $25AUD mark.
Some banks allow you to pay for both charges when you make the transaction rather than having to deal with the Australian bank as well which is a small consolation.
Once the transfer is complete and you have arrived in Australia, go into the bank with your ID and speak to the clerk about activating your new account (learn about account activation and what ID you will need in the Opening an Australian Bank Account from Overseas - Australian Bank Accounts Explained article).
The process is similar to above but you will need your appointed person to do the transaction (from home) for you once you have opened your new account in Australia (check out Essentials for Backpacking Australia - Appointed Person - Help from home the article).
It take's longer this way (upto 2 weeks or more) so make sure you have enough money to support yourself during this period.
You can find lots of information about opening an Australian bank account and what are the best account options for backpackers in our Australian Bank Accounts Explained article.
The good thing about opening your account when you arrive in Australia is having the advantage actually of speaking to a person (which is obviously the clearest way of getting things done).
So let's take it that you have opened a new Australian bank account and your appointed person has been authorised (power of attorney) to use your account at home.
From here it's pretty much the same as above. To make the transfer you will need to provide all details of your Australian bank account to your appointed person.
Sometimes the banks in Australia use an intermediary benefactor (another bank your money goes to before it reaches your Australian bank account) so you will need to provide their details as well.
As mentioned above, this means the full postal address of the Australian bank, your international business number (I.B.N, which the Australian bank customer service people can give you) and of course the account numbers.
Once you have the details and you're sure that everything is correct, give them to your appointed person. When your appointed person has received the information they need it's time for them visit your bank at home and make the transaction.
If you're going to do it this way, make sure you have at least 2 weeks accommodation, food and transport in Australia while you wait for the transfer to complete. We have written a really helpful guide about budgeting, take a look at the The Backpacker's Budget for Australia - Cost Of living In Australia - PART 1 article.
Whatever plans you have made for backpacking in Australia you will need to take some cash with you. The amount you take will depend on what you have managed to do in the planning phase (i.e, prebooked accommodation, shuttle, opened an Australian bank account, etc...). Learn how much cash you will need to take to Australia to see you through the first 2 weeks.
For better chances of getting work in Australia you may wish to create and store some employment documents. A Resume (C.V) with a covering letter would make a good impression on a new employer.
Whatever plans you have made for backpacking in Australia you will need to take some cash with you. The amount you take will depend on what you have managed to do in the planning phase (i.e, prebooked accommodation, shuttle, opened an Australian bank account, etc...). Learn how much cash you will need to take to Australia to see you through the first 2 weeks.
Anything can happen when you're backpacking around Australia and if something goes wrong, having a contingency fund will enable you to act quickly when you need to get things sorted out. In the case of an emergency (i.e, your money gets lost or stolen) or even if you simply over spend and just wind up broke, you will need access to money, accommodation, food, transport & identification documents to get everything back on track.
Instant messaging (IM) is a very good means of communication for a backpacker. It enables two or more people to meet and chat live online either by typing messages or speaking into a microphone.
For better chances of getting work in Australia you may wish to create and store some employment documents. A Resume (C.V) with a covering letter would make a good impression on a new employer.
There are a number of really good visas available to people from other countries around the world who wish to spend time in Australia. Each visa has a set of criteria for you to meet before a visa is granted.