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SWAP Working Holidays is a Canadian-owned organization that has been working for over 45 years to promote cultural exchange opportunities to Canadians. We started in 1975 and have been going strong ever since.

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Australia + Melbourne 8-Day Welcome Week

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Price $1550 Up to 12 Months
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Australia + Melbourne 8-Day Welcome Week

$1550 per person

Oh, Australia: the land of amazing beaches, lush landscapes, and sunshine galore. There are tons of young, adventurous travellers who have called Australia home – why not join them? Escape Canadian winter and say hello to an endless summer by migrating to Australia. Sounds like a sweet deal to us!

SWAP’s Work in Australia + Melbourne 8-Day Welcome Week has unbeatable value and is the perfect start to your working holiday adventure Down Under! We will arrange your airport transfer and first 7-nights of accommodation. You’ll get the chance to spend a week exploring beautiful Melbourne with a group of fellow newly arrived travellers, including a visit to St. Kilda Beach, a city art and food tour of Melbourne, sightseeing, and more!

After your first week’s mind-blowing introduction to Australia, you will be armed with a group of mates and the knowledge to help you transition smoothly into your working holiday. Whether you decide to settle in a big city, small town, or somewhere in between, our SWAP services will support you in finding a job and long-term accommodation, as well as helping you sort out your phone and bank account as soon as possible.

Once you have made yourself at home, you will soon get to know Australia as a local, make lifelong friends, develop your resume, and discover the best spots for flat whites and meat pies. With a minimum wage starting at over $20/hour, not only will you enjoy your workdays, but we reckon you’ll be able to fund your after-work outings and weekend travels, too. SWAP’s ongoing support services are an ace resource for you during your time in Australia, so pop by the hosting centre any time!

 

Up to 12 Months
16+ Age
Destinations
  • Departure
    Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
  • Departure Time
    Approximately 8:30 PM.
  • Dress Code
    Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and warm jacket.

From Our Gallery

Australia + Melbourne 8-Day Welcome Week

No travel company in Canada is offering this 8-day welcome tour designed with you, the incoming working traveller, in mind! It's the best transition to living in Australia you can get.

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Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne
You will meet your group and guide on Monday, so you need to be in Melbourne by Sunday night. No matter the day or time you land, your airport transfer will take you to the hostel where you can relax before an incredible week ahead. Want to arrive a few days earlier to get over your jet lag or explore on your own? Sunday night is the first night of accommodation included in the tour, but if you want to book any extra nights, just let us know and we’d be happy to arrange it for you!
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Day 2: City Stroll & Dinner With Your New Friends
Meet your guide and your new travel family! After getting to know each other, we’ll get your bank account, SIM card and tax file number set up, so you can start to explore Melbourne stress-free! We’ll take you on a guided walking tour of Melbourne where you’ll learn why so many travellers love this incredibly dynamic and laid-back city. We’ll end the day with a family Welcome Dinner along the iconic Yarra River in the heart of the city.
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Day 3: Food & Drink Tour + Aboriginal Culture
The food and drink scene in Melbourne is one of the best in the country, so we dedicate a whole day to it. We start with a local favourite: Queen Victoria Market. This place is a feast for all your senses! Spend the morning meeting local vendors and exploring everything this incredible spot has to offer.   Before starting our very own street art, food, and drink tour, we learn about Australia’s Indigenous people during an insightful Aboriginal Heritage Walk through Melbourne’s Royal Botanical Gardens. This day is all about seeing Melbourne through a local’s eyes, which we’re sure you’ll be in no time!
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Day 4: Road Trip – Beach, Wine & Penguins
It’s time for our epic overnight road trip! We will be heading to Mornington Peninsula and Philip Island, two of the most beautiful regions in Australia.   The trip begins on Mornington Peninsula with some much-needed beach time before we take in some spectacular scenic viewpoints. After lunch, you’ll be tasting some of our favourite local wines from the area. From there, we’ll crank the tunes as our trip continues to the stunning Phillip Island. At sunset you’ll get to witness the smallest penguins in the world emerge from the ocean and waddle across the beach. Yes, you read that right: tiny penguins!   We’ll stay overnight on Phillip Island, where you will wake up to the sound of Australian wildlife.
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Day 5: Road trip – Surf, Kangaroos & Koalas
Australia is famous for its surf culture, so today we’re giving you the chance to blend in with the locals by learning this quintessential Australian sport! This day also includes a couple of hidden secrets along the way. Most importantly, though, you’ll get up close and personal with some of Australia’s most famous and adorable creatures. That’s right – we’re visiting with kangaroos and koalas! Ticking two bucket list items off in one day!  
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Day 6: Work & Travel Help + St Kilda
Time to start planning what’s next! Whether you want to continue your memory-making with more travel, or your ready to start earning some money for your next adventure, we’re here to help you figure it all out. In the morning, we’ll have two presentations: one on employment and one on travel, covering everything you need to know to make the most of your time in Australia.   Once we’ve finished, it’s back to doing what we do best – ticking that Aussie bucket list. Melbourne has many celebrated suburbs and St. Kilda is as famous as they get. We’ll head to this diverse beach suburb and take in its iconic esplanade and famous landmarks. The afternoon will be spent eating at one of the many delicious cafes, lazing on the beach, and trying out paddle boarding (weather permitting!)
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Day 7: Life Admin + Bar Crawl
It’s time for our one-on-one work and travel sessions! After taking in the presentations from Friday, today is your chance to ask all your questions. We understand every traveller is different so that’s why you’ll sit down with one of our work and travel experts so they can provide individual support and give you every bit of help putting together your personal Australian adventure. By the end of your appointment, you will be feeling more confident and excited about what is to come, meaning it’s time to celebrate. How? A Bar Crawl, of course, for your final night with your travel family.  
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Day 8: Rooftop BBQ + Family Goodbyes
Take today to look back on what we hope was one of the best weeks of your life. You’ve left your comfort zone, seen and experienced new things, made amazing memories, and, most importantly, you now have new mates for life. Let’s fire up the barbecue and reflect on this amazing city and how much better it was to experience it all together. I’m not crying, you’re crying!
Australia + Melbourne 8-Day Welcome Week
Thinking about taking the leap?
International travel is not without rules. Check these conditions to see if you qualify.
Age: You need to be 18-35 years old (you must apply after your 18th birthday and be issued your visa prior to your 36th birthday)

Nationality: These adventures are open to Canadians only.

Required Savings: You need to have savings of $5,000 Australian Dollars if you have a return flight booked or $7,000 Australian Dollars if you don’t.

Criminal Check: Must have no criminal record.

Health Insurance: Health insurance is required for the duration of your stay.

Registration Timeline: You should be able to travel approximately 8 weeks after you start the application process with us. Do not make travel or accommodation arrangements until your program coordinator lets you know that everything is good to go.

Duration: You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months.

Start Date: You can start at any time of the year!
What's Included?
  • Expert guidance and SWAP support to have your Australian visa approved
  • Your GO SWAP Kit, which includes helpful visa information and pre-departure tips
  • 12-month Australian Working Holiday visa, allowing for multiple entries into the country
  • Airport pick-up and transfer to your pre-arranged accommodation
  • An information session with the team in Melbourne on all the paperwork you’ll need to get done, how to find work and long-term housing, and what to expect while living and travelling in Australia
  • One-on-one advice to discuss your resume, employment options, and to answer all of your travel questions for the duration of your time in Australia
  • 6 nights of hostel accommodation (extra nights can be arranged) + 1 night on Philip Island during road trip
  • Tours: Melbourne City Tour, Wildlife Park Tour, Street Art, Food + Drink Tour, entry to Eureka Skydeck (winter), Bar Crawl entry
  • Experiences: 2-day/1-night road trip to Mornington Peninsula and Philip Island + surf lesson, St. Kilda beach day, Philip Island penguin parade
  • Food + Drinks: Welcome dinner + drink, wine tasting, snacks, drinks + dinner during the Street Art Tour, pizza + 4 drinks during Bar Crawl, Farewell BBQ
  • Assistance setting up your Australian bank account and tax file number
  • Australian SIM card and traveller's discount card
  • 12-month membership to Australia's leading online job network / database for travellers + resume review service
  • 12-month mail drop and forwarding services
  • Luggage storage
  • Medicare Help
  • Full access to ongoing guidance and support services at the Melbourne and Sydney hosting centres for the duration of your stay!
 
Upcoming Welcome Tour Start Dates
December 2022: 4, 11
January 2023: 8, 15, 22, 29
February 2023: 5, 12, 19, 26
March 2023: 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2023: 2, 16, 23, 30
May 2023: 14, 28
June 2023: 11, 25
July 2023: 9, 23
August 2023: 6, 20
September 2023: 3, 10, 17, 24
October 2023: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 2023: 5, 12, 19, 26
December 2023: 3, 10
 
Working and living in Australia with SWAP is easy!  Feel free to contact us with any questions you have as you get ready to take the first step.
Step 1: Make sure you’re eligible to apply.

Step 2: When you're ready to move forward, sign up here.

Step 3: SWAP confirms your registration and welcomes you to the program, sending you instructions on how to book the tour, apply for the visa, and what you need to prepare for your trip.

Step 4: You send your tour booking form and visa application back to us and we help to secure your visa and confirm your start date.

Step 5: Once everything is confirmed, we send your visa and pre-departure materials to you.

Step 6: You arrive in Melbourne, go to the hostel, and get ready for Day 1 of your arrival itinerary.

Step 7: You have the best week of your life, make new friends, and learn everything you need to know about living and working in Australia!

*Don’t forget to budget for your flight, health insurance, and your required savings
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