Living/working in Australia/NZ/Canada, anyone done it?

[Mrspotatohead18]

Hi there, I wasn't sure where to post this.
I was just looking for any advice/tips from anyone who has knowledge on this subject.i am looking on obtaining a working visa (not permanently emigrate) I've done loads of reading and have a little book with visa info/entry requirements etc. These are the 3 main countries I am interested in although I would definitely be open to trying other places (I have travelled a lot of Europe and would like to experience somewhere further across the world ideally)

Is the process a pain?
How hard is it to find a job? ( I don't have a 'trade' or a degree, I have diplomas in hospitality, supervision & management)

Any info on personal experiences/ how you did it would be amazing if anyone has any.. And if I get any replies, thankyou in advance 

wow indeed. You'll love it.

you get round on the shuttle bus services or by lift-sharing, paying petrol - usually offers on hostel noticeboards or ask around.

look on bbh.co.nz for hostel info and prices. If you are a party type, look for a big hostel with an on site bar. If you aren't, avoid like the plague.

Thankyou everyone so much for all your help. Subject - I am the partying type, so I definitely wouldn't mind. Although I'd rather travel and see things then waste all my money on piss ups. Thanks for the heads up though, I will definitely keep that in mind

You should haven o problem at all then Mrspotato :) Two of our coffee haunts have notices up in their windows looking for staff at the moment, so def worth while trying with a walk in; not sure if any time of year is better than another. Places like Queenstown and Wanaka are probably full of job hopefuls all the time, and it's expensive to live there.

As mentioned above by a PP, Wellington is coffee central and a cool city.

Internal air travel is expensive but keep an eye on grabaseat.co.nz/ and you'll be able to pick up some bargains.

Off out the door now but will post some other stuff when I get back. How exciting for you!

If you are a party type, then nomads, Base and so on are for you and Queenstown definitely is. Also possibly kiwi experience , but it is a pricey way to sightsee and doesn't go anywhere you can't get to in other ways.

CrikeyPeg - that's brilliant thanks, I am definitely swaying towards Wellington, googling prices they actually seem pretty reasonable if booked in advance (I searched October 2017 as I'm planning on going October 2018 but they don't schedule that far ahead!) and I'm getting £26 one way from Auckland to Wellington with jet star. I'll be booking in advance if that's the case 😁

Wellington is AWESOME. I think it's the perfect city: geared towards outdoors, and pedestrians, and art and culture and the harbour. And coffee! It's so, so cool.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with the poster who suggested Petone/Lower Hutt - too far out of the city centre if you're not driving. If you're a party person you're going to want to be able to stumble home/take a taxi. Prices for house shares really aren't too bad in places like Newtown, Kilbernie, Hataitai ....you can look on Trademe.

Man, I wish I was in Wellington!

Would it be out of the question to learn to drive before you come over?
I think it would give you more freedom

It seems you're set on NZ, but just to mention that I just came back from Whistler (Canada- BC) and most people working the resort are not Canadian but seasonal workers from Aus/NZ/UK etc. I dont know what the process is, but if you like skiing it might be worth looking into.

I live in Queenstown (been here 12 years, originally from UK) - there are heaps of jobs here at the moment and most of the year. The worst time to be looking is just before ski season when loads of people arrive looking for work. Better to come early and get your job/accommodation sorted out. Queenstown is amazing but accommodation is pretty pricey...

Be aware that NZ dont seem keen on offering residency to those whose jobs can be filled by NZ residents - (so a barista may not make the grade :) ). It seems that they are tightening up on residency/work visas etc & other than seasonal work (as pps have suggested) you may need to think outside the box if you want a more permanent stay. I have a friend from Wales who has recently got a work visa here after maybe 4 applns (this is about her 3rd visit to NZ too) & she is a heavy truck/tractor driver. Struggled to get a work visa as her potential employers had to state why they coulnd fill the job from the existing pool of NZ job seekers. Note too, I am a NZ resident living in sunny hot HB (34 C yesterday :) )

Margaretriver - not out of the question at all, although the very unlikely as its expensive to learn to drive and currently my sole focus is on saving for this trip, if it was viable, if come sooner!

KeyserSophie - I've never skiied before, so I would be weary of applying for a seasonal job at a ski resort as I wouldn't have a clue

User - I'm not looking for permanent residency, although I totally understand what you mean by them choosing homegrown employees which is understandable. I would definitely do anything. My goal is to find some any work to have an amazing experience and maybe travel a little more afterwards, I have every intention of coming back home... Eventually

@Sixfeetandcounting what's the best time to start looking in your opinion? I aim to be coming either October/November time

Oct/Nov is great as the ski lot will be heading out of town. Check out jobs on www.lwb.co.nz and for rooms/ shared houses join the Facebook group Queenstown Trading.

@Sixfeetsndcounting ah that's amazing I've signed up thanks 😁

Do you think it would be worth applying online nearer the time? Or would they dismiss it? I'm assuming I would have a better chance with handing in Cvs or applying for vacancies that are directly advertised (locally/Windows etc)?

Sorry for all the questions.. You're a treasure trove of info

Lived in both NZ and Canada recently, and would say it'd be easier in NZ. If you are a good barista then you'll have not too many problems, but be prepared to knock on plenty of doors as it's considered a prestige job over there so you'd not be the only person looking.

I lived in Wellington where there are loads (and loads) of coffee places - and where I developed my coffee addiction!! Auckland is more spread out, and more expensive, Wellington is smaller and quite a hipster town, so think it might be better than the more corporate AKL. And as its the government city, there can be lots of temp admin work in the various ministries but again, be prepared to trek round the agencies.

I worked at the Ministry of Health before I got a job (for a few years) in my own profession (interior design) and also did a bit of work with the Department of Conservation just before I left....it didn't take long to get those, but be prepared to look hard!

Can't help with visa advice, I'm afraid. OH is in the film industry so I get work visas on the back of his - would have been with him in OZ right now, but decided it was time to set up my business back home. OH got his NZ residency while we were there, so it'll be easy for us to return one day....

If you do investigate Wellington then look to stay the CBD side of the bay, not Perone and the Hutts, as getting to and from work could get a bit difficult especially if you're working late/early in hospitality. There are loads of great locations and buses are really easy that side - the main (only) road from Petone etc can get very busy during rush hour!

We lived in Brooklyn up on the top of the hill. Had the best views ever.......

Check out TradeMe.co.nz for jobs and house shares.

@poochiepants wow what a view!

I'm definitely going for Wellington. I've had a few years of coffee experience, a bit of bar and also some waiting on, although I would work anywhere! I'm also not too bad on computer side of things with having to do figures and paperwork for my current shop.

Where would I apply for ministry jobs? Are there specific work agencies I could use over there or are they advertised on specific websites? (Like the UK gov website for civil servants etc)

Thankyou!!

I know! That was the most idyllic place to be living on a sunny summer evening - however it was on stilts on a hillside, and when there was an earthquake......

It's bloody amazing! I wish I could go now!

Posted too early.....

Agencies are the way to go for temp Government dept jobs. I did try the big global names, Hays etc, but found the NZ ones better. I only ever got my work through one person (2 agencies, as she moved jobs while I was there), and think that finding someone I got on with helped! Beyond was one of them, can't remember the name of the other.... They won't be able to help you until you're there and have your visa to show them.

They will test your typing skills, so brush up before you go! I got paid about $25-30/hour for not very difficult admin work, which at the time was about £12-15/hour - way better than here for what I was doing but cost of living is higher - quality of life much more fun, though!

What else? It rains a lot in Wellington, and is v v v windy! Everyone will comment on the weather when it isn't windy! Forget taking an umbrella, no point, will end up in the bin after a day, long-ish coat with hood is required (get here, way too expensive there). And they do get earthquakes - often. Mostly small tremors that you'll get used to. I was there for a big one in Wellington in 2013, but you just learn to deal with it.

Cinema is big there, lots of lovely, quirky indie places with a bar, so glass of wine + movie is the norm.

I probably have loads more 'advice' but it's more exciting to find out for yourself. I really miss the place once I start talking about it, and can still picture the drive around the coast road, on the look out for orcas in the bay (never saw any, or any 'penguins crossing' despite the road signs....)