“Do I have to have savings to stay in Australia” is what many working holidaymakers ask themselves. You do need to bring money with you when going to Australia, even if you are on a working holiday visa and plan to work. Few are lucky to find jobs prior or with their arrival, and few manage to get really well-paid jobs. According to our latest survey, most backpackers needed about two months to find jobs as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth have significantly more job opportunities than other places. Thus, in order to avoid ruining your experience, make sure you have enough at least for…
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Conservatives on Immigration
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The Conservatives say that for the past 12 years there has been nothing but a chaos in the immigration rules. Every time a migration problem rises, the Government proposes new ideas and introduces new Bills, which at the end lead to more confusion and unsolved issues. “Control immigration, ...Read More
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Illegal Workers Cost More Than What They Are Worth
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Australian employers are now encouraged to use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service as part of a national campaign designed to educate employers about the importance of legal workers. The participating organizations in the campaign are the National Farmers Federation, Australian Workers Union, Horticulture Australia Council and the Australian ...Read More
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Quick Australia WHM Program Facts
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Over 154 148 people were granted Working Holiday visas to Australia in 2007-08. It is expected that they would spend 2.4 billion Australian dollars while on a working holiday. About 8 % of all applicants will apply for a second working holiday visa. The 22% of the working holiday visas 2007-2008 were granted ...Read More
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How to open a UK bank account from Australia?
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Apart from organising your visa, here at Visa First we can help you open a bank account before you go to London. Your first week here can be quite challenging to say the least. We can assist you to open a bank accout and make the transition smoother. Read More
Abduction Tourism…
Apparently, exploring the sightseeings or trying the local cuisine of the chosen destination is old school now. Even extreme sports such as sky-diving or swimming with sharks is not adrenaline enough. Tourists go for hard-core stuff now – such as simulated kidnapping experience.
Practically, you pay to get unexpectedly kidnapped, bound, gagged and imprisoned for hours. Seriously.
A French company is already offering kidnapping packages.
“It allows you to experience the terror of the real thing,” Craig Shim, Tourism Queensland marketing manager, said.
…Except while you are being abducted, you will know “the real thing” will be over in several hours. If it’s not over, then it is for real.
To add to the absurdity of this idea, here’s a simple but straight to the point thought of Ethan Gelber, who wrote an article about the Abduction Tourism for the Lonely Planet blog:
“Just remember: You can’t relive your holiday if your only memories are of a featureless room. And you can’t see great sights through a blindfold.”
Enough said.
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Work-Life Balance Worsening
Instead of improving, the work life of more than two million Australians is worsening, according to the latest Work and Life Index 2010.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions says that the increased pressure at work is reflecting on people’s personal lives as their families are suffering for it.
“It’s getting harder, not easier for working people and this is having a negative effect on children … and the whole community,” Ged Kearney, the ACTU president, said.
The report, which analyses a survey from March of 2800 workers who answered questions related to work-life balance and their use of leave, shows that more full-time employees reported dissatisfaction with their work-life balance.
Mr Kearney also said that the most dissatisfied from all are the working women as one in four is unhappy.
The men between the ages 29 and 49, on the other hand, have the longest working hours and worst work-life balance.
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The Importance of Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is one of those things that either get into use, or is a waste of money. But, it’s also one of those things that make the difference between an unforgettable travel experience and a nightmare that you never want to go through again – ever.
People are quite negligent when it comes to travel safety simply because they don’t know what to expect, or they have never had an accident during travelling before.
Think of this: what is the chance to have you luggage lost or stolen? Or, to break a leg while skiing or hiking? The chances are huge.
“Regardless of whether you travel overseas regularly, infrequently or on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, travel insurance is essential and can well mean the difference between fantastic and disaster,” Steve Mickenbecker, head of research at Canstar Cannex, said. “Cancelled reservations, lost luggage, diverted flights, missed connections, bad weather and illness or accident can turn your well deserved holiday into a horror story.”
So, if you are thinking of spending hundreds (or more likely thousands) of dollars for a trip to another country, why wouldn’t you invest a couple of hundred more and secure your travel and fun?
Travel insurances are available both online and at physical locations, as the online version is the cheapest. Some people prefer the face-to-face experience, and go to insurance agencies. They might be a little more expensive, but they sure guarantee more personalized service and insurance that best fits your needs. Other people have travel insurances through their credit cards which are usually platinum or gold and not everyone has those.
“Surprisingly, premium credit cards offer very comparable travel insurance. A platinum card may cost you roughly $200 in an annual fee and you’ll get free travel insurance,” Harry Senlitonga, financial analyst at Datamonitor in Sydney, said.
The most important thing people need to know when choosing their travel insurance is, however, its coverage. That’s why sometimes it’s recommended that you go to an agency and let them chose the right one for you, if you don’t know how to search for one.
“If you don’t take out adequate travel insurance before you set foot out of Australia, you have rocks in your head,” Mr Mickenbecker said.
If you do it yourself, after all, always read the insurance closely – with attention to the greatest detail. You don’t want to get an insurance that excludes the activity which you are going on a trip for. On the other hand, you will not find an insurance that covers every single thing during the travel, so you have to determine your priorities according to the activities you will be partaking in.
Here’s a checklist that might help you sort out the most important points you need to watch out for:
Insurance Checklist
- Do you have unlimited cover where it counts – overseas medical, hospital, ambulance, emergency dental expenses? Also, is the medical cover adequate for possible expenses in the country you are visiting?
- Are you covered for emergency repatriation or evacuation? Do you have 24-hour emergency assistance? A team of experts who can help you with advice when you need it most is extremely valuable.
- What excess fees are involved? Read the product disclosure statement carefully to make sure you are aware of any excess and where it may apply.
- Are your travel documents, credit cards and cash covered? A good policy will cover the replacement costs if lost or stolen.
- Are you covered for activities you may participate in on your holiday? There are activities that are excluded from many policies or may require an additional premium to be paid, such as snowboarding, surfing and bungee jumping.
Checklist Source: Flight Centre
Article Source: news.com.au
More information: www3.flightcentre.com.au
Ski at night
Travellers who want to ski in Australia and New Zealand but are overwhelmed with the prices at these resorts, can save money by skiing at night.
Several major OZ and NZ ski resorts such as Perisher, Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Coronet Peak offer night ski at lower rates. This way ski lovers will enjoy the almost empty slopes, and their mistakes will be barely noticed.
Some may be concerned about the safety side of this experience, but all precautions are taken – instructors, first aid, lifts and high intensity lamps are operate all the time.
“It’s a whole different atmosphere at night – skiing under the stars then enjoying music and hot mulled wine on the deck – it’s very special,” Coronet Peak ski manager, Hamish McCrostie, said.
Night skiing is available for teenagers as well.
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European Immigration Paradox
Europe is stressing on the high number of immigrants floating the continent, and some of the biggest economies like Germany and UK fear that immigrants harm – rather than support – their economies and cultures.
In UK the immigrants, who are increasing extremely fast, are filling up the job availability, and the UK nationals fear that the unemployment rate will keep growing. In addition, the constant wave of foreigners coming into the country is bringing foreign traditions and customs with it, and is thus completely changing the national culture – slowly but surely.
Despite all fears and problems coming with the mass immigration to Europe, Brussels says Europe needs more of it in order to recover from the economic downturn. Brussels authorities plan to make it easier for workers to enter Europe for temporary seasonal jobs in farming, tourism and other industries.
According to Cecilia Malmstrom, EU home affairs commissioner, more immigrants are needed to fill “labour shortages.” She plans to speed up procedures for hiring managers, specialists and seasonal workers from outside the EU.
“We need immigrant workers in order to secure our economic survival,” she said.
“We know unemployment rates are still very high in Europe. Paradoxically, at the same time there are labour shortages,” she also explained.
The British Home Office, however, does not approve such action, and insists Britain to refuse signing up the latest overhaul of EU border controls.
Source:
Eutimes.net
Tips for Buying Used Cars
It’s a common practice for backpackers in Australia and New Zealand to buy used cars to travel and explore the life there during their stay.
Being foreigners, however, they are not familiar with the local practices and could turn into easily be ripped-off. Carsguide.com.au offers some helpful tips on how to get the right car and how to avoid being lied to.
- Budget. You should not forget to include the charges that will apply additionally to the car price, such as registration, insurance, basic maintenance and gas. So, don’t fall for the first offer. Shop around to find the best rate.
- Research. Doing some research before buying a used car is essential. In order to figure out whether the given price of a car is realistic, research the model in local newspapers, and online. Also, when the car price is way too low for the particular model, then there is likely something wrong with the car.
- Talk to the seller. Make sure you ask a lot of questions such as: why are they selling the car; how long have they had it for; what condition is it in; has it been damaged, etc.
- Look at the car. If it’s a private seller, not a dealer, make sure you go to their home address, instead of arranging a different place to meet. Compare the home address with the one on the registration certificate.
- Car’s history. Always check the car history to make sure the car is not stolen, for example. Ask for the VIN number and search through databases of the state where the car was registered. In some states you can pay a fee and have that done, which will save you time and money.
- Check the car. This is an extremely important part of the process, and you have to be very cautious. If you don’t have the knowledge and experience, just take the car to a specialist to do it for you.
- Test drive.
- The price. In most cases you have a real chance to reduce the price. You can make a list with the problems of the car that need to be fixed, and calculate the expenses that could add to the price. Then, start negotiating – you can ask what the seller’s best price is, and then you make a lower offer. If the seller doesn’t accept it, he can either name another price or hold on to the initial one.
- Paperwork. Make sure that you have the original copies of the papers. When making the payment, always ask for the receipt.
To read the full article, go to carsguide.com.
Free Tan At Gatwick
Here’s what Gatwick Airport in London did to attract travelers – it started offering free fake tan before taking off.
The idea came into effect thanks to combined efforts between the airport and the tanning firm St Tropez. Both sides hope they will make passengers more confident prior to arriving to their holiday destination.
The spray tan is also called “Gatwick Glow,” and is meant to prepare the travelers for the summer sun.
Kim Francis, the airport’s marketing manager said, “Hopefully it will send them off on their holidays feeling great about themselves.”
The offer will continue between July 28 and August 1.
How Do I Open A Bank Account in Australia and New Zealand?
If you are planning on going to Australia or New Zealand, it’s recommended you open a bank account there prior to leaving.
Opening an account upfront is necessary as employers require you to have one.This way also you won’t have to carry huge amounts of cash with you. If you wait to start an account after you arrive in Australia or New Zealand, you will lose time during which you won’t be able to start work.
When choosing a bank account in another country, you must be extremely cautious and read carefully the full list of terms and conditions. You then need to pay close attention to the monthly and maintenance fees, and whether the account can be opened by a non-resident.
Many consider ANZ one of the best bank accounts in Australia for travelers and backpackers. ANZ Access Advantage charges $5 a month, and you get unlimited ANZ transactions. ANZ Access Select, on the other hand, is $2 a month, and you can make 6 free electronic transactions.
The research for the right bank account is, however, time-consuming and you might find yourself completely lost in the many offers, conditions, etc. This is why we offer to book a bank account for you, before you even leave your country. Traveltowork will open an account in less than a week, and you will be ready to start work immediately once you get there.
For more information, visit visafirst.com, or e-mail at info@traveltowork.com.au.
No Visas for St Petersburg
St. Petersburg Mayor Valentina Matvienko decided to allow all tourists into the city without visas for 72 hours.
If the project is successful, it could be repeated again and extended around Russia.
Sergey Korneev, vice-president of the National Association of Tourism Industry, said the plan was “revolutionary” explaining that “it’s a brilliant decision to support the tourism.”
St. Petersburg will attract about 30 million European tourists a day, spending 150 euro each, which will bring 13,5 million euro total earnings.
Russia already did waive visas in 2008 when Moscow hosted the UEFA Champions League football final in 2008. Instead of visas, fans were able to use their match tickets.
Aussie’s Population Growth
Aussie’s population has been progressively growing since the mid-2000s to reach 22 million people in September 2009.
In recent years the fast growth of population became a major topic of discussions about the effect of immigration over the population and its future size.
The tendency is crucial to consider because infrastructure, services, economy and environment need to be adjusted in order to fit the larger population.
“The recent growth rate of around 2% per year is faster than at any other time in the past several decades, and faster than nearly all other developed countries,” the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported.
According to ABS, two components cause the population growth – the natural increase, which is the number of births minus the number of deaths, and the net overseas migration. The number of births has increased in recent years, but this is not the main driver of population growth – t is the overseas migration causing the growth.
“In the three years to December 2009, NOM made up almost two-thirds (64%) of population growth,” per ABS.
People find better opportunities in the more developed countries and they emigrate from the less developed ones. Also, the communications and travel have become more affordable and thus more appealing for prospective migrants.
“Recent increases in immigration reflect Australia’s relatively strong economic growth as well as the engagement of Australia in the wider global economy, and especially the provision of education services to large numbers of overseas students” says the Bureau.
“Between 2005 and 2010, the world’s population was projected to grow by an average 1.2% per year. Australia’s growth between 2005 and 2009 averaged 1.9% per year, faster than most other developed countries and many developing countries.”
ANNUAL AVERAGE POPULATION GROWTH RATES OF SELECTED COUNTRIES(a)
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| Reference year | Annual average growth rate(b) | |
| % | ||
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| Australia | 2005-2009(c) | 1.9 |
| Canada | 2005-2010 | 1.0 |
| China | 2005-2010 | 0.6 |
| France | 2005-2010 | 0.5 |
| Greece | 2005-2010 | 0.2 |
| Indonesia | 2005-2010 | 1.2 |
| Italy | 2005-2010 | 0.5 |
| Japan | 2005-2010 | -0.1 |
| South Korea | 2005-2010 | 0.4 |
| Malaysia | 2005-2010 | 1.7 |
| New Zealand | 2005-2010 | 0.9 |
| Papua New Guinea | 2005-2010 | 2.4 |
| Singapore | 2005-2010 | 2.5 |
| Sweden | 2005-2010 | 0.5 |
| United Kingdom | 2005-2010 | 0.5 |
| United States of America | 2005-2010 | 1.0 |
| Vietnam | 2005-2010 | 1.1 |
| World total | 2005-2010 | 1.2 |
An Island Made Out of Recycled Plastic Bottles
Dutch scientists are working on a unique project – to create an island from plastic bottles.
The island will be the size of Hawaii and it will be completely made of recycled plastic waste that is currently floating around in the Pacific Ocean. The scientists will need 44 million kilograms of plastic waste to build the Recycled Island.
The even more impressive part is that the island will be self-sufficient as solar and wave energy will proving food and work for its 500,000 residents.
Here’s what a spokesman said of the project: “The proposal has three main aims – cleaning our oceans from a gigantic amount of plastic waste, creating new land and constructing a sustainable habitat. Recycled Island seeks the possibilities to recycle the plastic waste on the spot and to recycle it into a floating entity.”
The scientists plan to create the island close to Venice, Italy, and will be recycling the plastic on the spot into floating blocks which will be also the foundation of the island.
According to a research, the Pacific Ocean is currently the most polluted with plastic waste in the world. The waste is extremely dangerous to the sea life because fish and birds see it as food and eat it.
“Recycled Island should be seen as a unique opportunity to create a new floating habitat from scratch, yet at the same time the ocean is cleaned from a huge part of its plastic pollution,” according to the spokesman.
Extraordinary Way to Explore Western Australia
“Sit down, buckle up and enjoy the ride…”
Whether you are a native or a foreigner, the new way to explore Western Australia is equally appealing to all as you are taken on a trip…in a taxi.
The Extraordinary Taxi Ride service offers 11 different routes, and every one of them is completely unique. You can choose between “Vines, Forests and Beaches,” “Great Southern Explorer,” “Perth Lifestyle,” “Coast and Nature Spectacular,” “Ningaloo Reef Adventure,” and many more travel deals. A taxi literally picks you up and drives you around on the route you choose upfront. The trip lasts for days during which the cab driver makes sure you have fun and learn something new on the way.
The man whose mission is to provide an enjoyable and unforgettable ride is Doug Slater. He has been a taxi driver for over 11 years now, and he loves people and their travel stories.
Here are some facts about him:
· Doug was able to assist a passenger in his taxi, who had a mild heart attack, helping to save his life.
- · Doug thinks the Bungle Bungles are WA’s most extraordinary place because of the impressive landscapes, and especially the caves.
- · When asked what he loves most about WA, Doug said it’s his home town of Bunbury, because of its vibrant atmosphere and abundance of tourists.
- · Doug once picked up a passenger who had won at the casino and shared his winnings with him.
- · If chosen to be the driver for the Extraordinary Taxi Ride, Doug would be most excited about being able to promote WA as an extraordinary place and show his commitment to WA’s taxi industry.”
To learn more and/or sign up for a trip, visit www.extraordinarytaxiride.com.
New Zealand – The Most Peaceful Country
New Zealand is ranked the most peaceful country in the world for a second consecutive year, shows the Global Peace Index.
The Global Peace Index is conducted by the Institute for Economics and Peace for 149 countries.
According to the survey, peace is determined by factors such as income, schooling and level of regional integration. Also, the peaceful countries demonstrate high levels of government transparency and low corruption. The smaller and more stable countries, part of regional blocks, are most likely to score higher spots in the index.
Countries ranking right after New Zealand are Iceland on 2nd place, Japan – 3rd, Austria – 4th, Norway – 5th, and Ireland – 6th.
Australia was far below New Zealand as it took 19th place for a second consecutive year.
It was not a surprise that Iraq was placed last – 149th place, after last year it was slightly better – with 5 places up.
The United States is at 85th, which is far better than previous years as in 2008 it was ranked 97th.
Germany is in the top 20% of most peaceful countries and is 16th; UK is at 31st; France – 32nd, and Russia – 143rd.
The index suggests that the world has become less peaceful compared to a year ago, when the previous survey was taken.
UK Employment Update
The UK unemployment rate worried economists as it rose from 7.8% to 7.9% from February through April.
The difference is only 0.1% but it equals 23,000 jobless people, which increased the total unemployment number to 2.47 million.
In addition, official statistics also showed that those out of work and not seeking employment also rose with 29,000 during the same period – or 21.5% of the working age population.
Experts say that the UK’s austerity measures will increase unemployment even more because part of the spending cuts will affect the public sector employment.
John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:
“The FSB believes that while it is important that the government cuts the deficit – something that over 90% of FSB members agree with – it must not be at the expense of the recovery or mean a hike in taxes for small businesses.”
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber also added, “The worst possible response would be to slash spending, which will cut demand in the economy and send hundreds of thousands of public and private sector workers on to the dole.”
“How much would it cost ?” Tool
We’ve found another useful online tool to introduce to the travel lovers – especially to those who like to budget their trips optimally.
With Kayak’s Tool, you can easily compare how much it will cost you to get to places all over the world as you see them on a map. Once you click on the spot you wish to know more about, you will see details on flight costs per person as well as prices for hotels in the area. You get pretty much all the information you need about the destination – how to get there, how much it will cost, where to stay, etc.