Workstay helping Working Holiday Makers and Backpackers in Perth Since 1986

When backpackers are travelling in Australia...

The best things will often happen when you least expect them!

If you really really want a job, be prepared to knock knock knock on doors!

When travelling to Western Australia ... Do not bring fruit or vegetables... do not bring honey ... do not bring seeds or plants ...

Western Australia is free of many plant and animal pest's and diseases and has strict border controls.

When travelling in Western Australia, or in fact any Australian State Beware of any service run by bureaucracy, both government or private.
Government run services are probably the worst but the rule of thumb when dealing with any business run by functionaries i.e. not owner operated, is, it's generally going to be a "f... up", (scuse my French). Click here for an example of what we are alerting you to.
DO NOT TRUST BUREAUCRACY TO KNOW WHAT IT'S DOING. IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS GIVE YOU WRONG INFORMATION, NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION, OUT-OF-DATE INFORMATION or NO INFORMATION.
Because Australia is primarily a giant bureaucracy i.e., more public servants and taxpayer funded and subsidised people than any other country in the world, you as a visitor will have to come to terms with the fact that in Australia
YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SERVICE, BECAUSE, THERE ISN'T ANY!
Beware of “loser jobs”
Such as 100% sales commission door to door / tel-marketing / charity collecting. These 'so called' jobs rely on a huge turnover of New Chums and Desperadoes who work for two weeks before realising that the company is making money but they aren't.
Charity collecting is also a form of begging and may not be good for the soul.

Beware dodgey employers, worker hostels and bogus employment agents ... but don't let yourself become too paranoid either

Bogus Employment Agents

Employment Agencies are not only required to be licensed but also to follow strict procedures including disclosure of all details of the employment being offered including employers name, job description, relevant award, start & finish dates/times, length of job, transport, salary/wages, payday, how you will be paid i.e. cash, cheque, electronic transfer, and so on. All these details should be presented to you in written form a copy of which you should keep. If the employer/client is offering accommodation then details of that should also be given. Employment Agents also have a part to play with regards the bona fides of their clients especially relating to issues of Occupational Health and Safety i.e. ensuring the employer has Workers Injury Insurance - you can ask to see a Certificate of Currency and ask about Awards, Tax rates and the like. These are all issues that may be doubly important for Non Residents.

All of these things are requirements of a bona fide Employment Agent. Employment Agents are also not allowed to charge jobseekers a membership fee in WA (other states are different). Advertisements of Free Membership may be misleading and deceptive. jobs@workstay.com.au

Beware of misleading or outdated work information.

The biggest source of misinformation concerning Working Holiday Jobs often comes from other travellers, but some traveller web sites offering work information can also be woefully out of date.
Fellow backpackers often pass on info which they heard from someone else who heard it from someone else and so on. The classic job situation expert (every backpacker hostel has them) is usually not out of bed until late, then seems to just hang around the hostel all day, reclining in front of the T. V. or at the bar and then tells new chums that "there are absolutely No Jobs in this town".
Most travellers keen to find work - do find work.
One of the best way to find work, in any town, is to knock knock knock on doors!

Don't get 'sucked in' to buy things you don't need ...

Beware advertising selling guides to mining jobs. Most available mining jobs are for skilled trades or professionals who have all the necessary accreditation, license, certifications, tickets and so forth. Most of these vacancies are not short term casual positions suitable for your average working holiday backpacker..

Whilst short term unskilled jobs in the mining industry suitable for backpackers can be available from time to time, buying guide books is not going to get you one.

Beware...when driving

Australian roads are possibly the most dangerous in the world, requiring a very high level of awareness at all times. Fatigue and speed are probably the biggest factors that drivers have under their control but are also the main reasons for a majority of crashes - especially on country and outback roads. Take great care at all times but especially when you start to feel complacent. Take regular breaks and don't push yourself that little bit further - especially when you start to feel drowsy. Avoid driving if possible around sunset or sunrise as kangaroos (roos)etc are at their most active. If a roo does jump out in front of you DON'T SWERVE.....brake and hit it is better. Speed limits don't mean you have to do them.... only drive at the speed you and your passengers feel comfortable with. For the most upto date info try Main Roads website

Beware Thieves!

It is an unfortunate fact of life that thieves are amongst us. You cannot be overcautious when it comes to protecting your valuable property, especially your passport, credit cards, cash, bottle opener etc ..... We know a girl who had her purse stolen while trying on a pair of jeans in a changing room ... her purse was on the floor at her feet when the thief in the next cubicle reached under .... Dorm rooms and even single rooms in hostels and hotels are not safe ... Do Not Trust Anyone When It Comes To Your Valuables ....

Don't get involved in scams .... you will almost certainly become the victim ....

Letter from a WWOOFer ...

This is published simply to help travellers understand that if you find yourself in a situation that doesn't feel right....then it probably isn't....and that you should not put up with bad conditions...... Read the story of a wwoofer

Beware when travelling ...

Not to become self-centered and inconsiderate. Be aware and alert to thieves and have backup contingencies for lost or stolen credit cards, passports etc.

Be Sun Wise ...

Australia has the highest incidence of sun caused cancers in the world
The southern hemisphere sun is much more intense than the northern hemisphere and you can do a lifetime of damage to your skin and eye's if your not careful. In Australia the term slip, slop, slap has been coined to remind us about the sun's danger if we don't take precautions when going out into it. Even overcast day's are dangerous as the damaging ray's still get through causing painful and damaging sunburn. So, Slip on protective clothing, Slop on some sunscreen and Slap on a hat.

Be Aware ....

You can often negotiate substantial savings (10% off lowest advertised price) by booking directly with tour operators, camper, car hire companies etc...
If you can't avoid the services of a Travel Agent then at least shop around! ... Remember you can do a lot of shopping around these days on the Web

YOU CAN OFTEN NEGOTIATE SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS BY BOOKING DIRECT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND NOT THROUGH MIDDLEMEN ...

Daily Health Suggestions

Drink lots of water, eat lots of 'wholefoods' including fresh fruit & vegetables, meat and fish (or 'high protein substitutes'), wholemeal breads, nut's and limit the amount of fat's (saturated & trans), high salt, high chemical and processed (nutrient free) type foods.
Avoid Catching Infections
You can avoid some contagious type disease infections like tinea (athletes foot) - by wearing flip flops in public showers etc - avoid sexually transmitted viruses by wearing protective gear when practicing making babies. The Australian sun i.e. Southern Hemisphere is much more severe than the Northern Hemisphere sun and those from the north are prone to do lifetime damage to not only their skin but also their eyes.
Alcohol is a popular ingredient for social interaction but over indulgence can make us vulnerable to injury (accidents) and predators (date rape, drink spiking, violence, theft). Best advice - drink in moderation, with friends and look after each other.

JUMP ON JUMP OFF

If your planning to do some travelling in Western Australia and you have plenty of time and money, you may consider a 'jump on jump off' type of tour e.g Greyhound or if you are on a budget and you have time constraints, consider a fully catered Safaris type tour where all your food & accommodation is included and you get to go to the best "off the beaten track" places, plus, you do it in the company of fellow travellers. In our opinion this is the absolute best and cheapest way of travelling in Western Australia .... Also, if you book and pay the tour operator yourself you should be able to save at least 10% off the operators 'best advertised price'

...Workstay

Remember, a smile is an "international language" and will help take us through the most difficult of terrain and experiences. Remember also, that everything works out in the end, if you let it!
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