Australian Working Holidays; No Longer Just For Students

Australian Working Holidays; No Longer Just For Students
by: Oonagh Baerveldt

No longer just for the backpacker, the Australian Working Holiday Program has broad appeal for those looking to undertake a life changing experience Down Under.

The Australian Working Holiday Visa used to be the domain of the gap year student, but now an increasing number of under 30 year old professionals are taking advantage of the Australian Government’s work/travel scheme. Known as career-breaks, these mini sabbaticals are challenging the way the Working Holidays are perceived both here in the UK and in Australia.

Amazingly, in 2004 over 93,000 Australian Working Holiday Visas were issued to travellers from around the world of which more than 35,000 were to UK nationals.

Under the Working Holiday Visa requirements, the primary purpose of an Australian Working Holiday must be a holiday; but the visa allows for employment for up to 3 months with any one employer. For those on a career break, the 3 month work periods offer an excellent opportunity to enhance skills through work experience or try something new altogether. However, the visa conditions are strict, and visa holders must be sure to abide those set out by the Australian Government.

To be eligible for the Australian Working Holiday Program, candidates must be between 18 and 30 (inclusive), have no dependents and be citizens of country where a reciprocal working holiday arrangement exists (these include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Canada). In addition, applicants must prove they have ‘sufficient funds’, roughly A$4,000 to support themselves for the initial period of their holiday plus a return or onwards air ticket (or an additional A$1000 to cover this expense) and be of good health and character. Criminal convictions are taken into account and may delay or extend the visa processing period.

In addition, applications for Working Holiday Visas must be made outside Australia. In other words, applicants cannot be on holidays in Australia already and apply from within the country. The visa is granted upon entry to Australia and is valid for 12 months from the entry date.

Unlike Australian tourist and visitor visas, Working Holiday Visas must be stamped into the holder’s passport. Travellers arriving at Sydney airport can have this done on arrival, otherwise passports must be posted to the nearest Department of Immigration office

A Working Holiday Visa allows for multiple entries to Australia, meaning travellers can visit other countries in the region while on their working holiday visa. However, any time spent outside Australia cannot be reclaimed.

As the criteria for the visa are straightforward, other considerations for backpackers and career breakers alike include processing time and the conditions imposed once the visa itself is granted.

A straightforward visa application can take anywhere from 2 days to 6 weeks to process. Generally, processing is under two weeks, but if applicants have medical or criminal considerations this period may be extended.

Once the visa is granted, the conditions imposed on the holder include the previously mentioned 3 month working limit for any one employer. This same condition extends to study and training.

An Australian Working Holiday Visa is activated upon entry to Australia for a period of 12 months from the date of entry. In November 2005, it became possible to apply for a second Working Holiday Visa. This 12 month ‘extension’ or second visa is available to applicants who worked as seasonal employees in a regional area. In this case, a seasonal work is defined as picking fruit, nuts and other crops, pruning and trimming vines and trees, general maintenance crop work and other work associated with packing or processing the harvest. Regional Australia is defined anywhere in Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the ACT.

Applications for a second Working Holiday Visa must be submitted with proof of the work completed and in what area.

About The Author

Oonagh Baerveldt is the Communications Manager at Visa Bureau, an independent immigration advisory company. The firm specialises in immigration and visas to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada. Complete details of Australia's Working Holiday Program can be found at Visa Bureau.

Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) ...an Absolutely Brilliant Marketer!

Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) ...an Absolutely Brilliant Marketer!
by: Eric Graham

My daughters and I loved watching The Crocodile Hunter. Steve's Passion and enthusiasm for wildlife conservation were unmatched. But in addition to being a masterful entertainer and educator. Steve Irwin was also a brilliant marketer.

Instinctively he knew that to spread his message of conservation, he needed to first grab his audience by the eyeballs and get their attention.

A skilled showman and communicator, he could make the most mundane animals appear deadly and interesting. Captivating his audience by building suspense and tension that kept them riveted to his message.

With his hyper-animated presentation, colorful language (he introduced the world to his very Aussie catch phrase "Crikey") and unwaveringly khaki wardrobe he created a consistent and memorable personal brand. He was his own, walking talking USP (unique selling proposition.)

While many wanabes and knock-offs tried to copy his adventurous style and antics none of them ever came close to matching his level of success. He was truly one of a kind.

The Crocodile Hunter was also a master at generating publicity and working the media. Probably the greatest ambassador to the world Australia has ever had. Steve Irwin regularly made the rounds on every major television show imaginable, from small local news stations to Letterman, Leno, Larry King and Oprah. He was a walking, talking news hook. A publicists dream!

Even when his actions stirred up controversy (who can forget the image of him feeding a croc with his newborn baby in his arms...) his ratings and popularity only improved.

And if viral marketing is your thing, Steve was one of greats! The viral buzz his TV antics created around water coolers world wide was simply astounding. His exploits spread via word of mouth like wildfire as folks energetically recreated, described and relived the "close calls" Steve had on the previous nights show.

In fact in a recent blog post Michel Fortin identified three essential response-boosting ingredients for effective viral marketing. Curiosity, scarcity and controversy. (Steve was an absolute master of all three.)

• Curiosity? What's more "curious" than a man kissing a 14 foot crocodile on the head and saying, "isn't she a beauty"?

• Scarcity? There was (and will always be) just one "Crocodile Hunter".

• Controversy? Steve certainly had a knack for stirring up and leaving controversy in his larger-than-life wake.

And boy could he work the backend! His spinnoff products are almost countless...

>From toys and games to books and movies, Steve Irwin exploited the "Crocidile Hunter" brand to the fullest. He almost single handedly built the entire "Animal Planet" network on his coattails.

His face, logo and even his catch phrase "Crikey" found their way onto every imaginable product from lunch boxes to clothing lines.

And the amazing part is... he funneled the vast majority of the profit windfall his Croc Hunter brand generated into his beloved Australia Zoo and into other wildlife conservation based programs.

But in spite of the many powerful marketing lessons that can be learned by studying the life of Steve Irwin, I think the most important lesson we can learn from him is about PASSION.

This was the true secret to Steve Irwin's success. I've rarely seen anyone with more raw passion and enthusiasm for his mission in life.

His passion for life, his family, and the wildlife he spent (and gave) his life educating the world about, was evident in everything he did.

And... What Steve can teach us about passion is not just a lesson to apply to your marketing, but one to apply to your own life.

Live with passion.

Live with passion for what you do and communicate that passion to others. That's the key to real and lasting success.

If you're not passionate about what you are currently doing for a living... Find something you are passionate about, and do it to the fullest.

As Steve has shown us... Life is short. And the end can come at any moment. But a 44 year life of passion and adventure is far more rewarding than 100 years of "quiet desperation".

Steve Irwin lived his life to the fullest. He spent his days doing exactly what he loved and he transferred that love and passion to millions of others.

Rest in peace Steve. You'll be sorely missed mate…

About The Author
Eric Graham is the author of the free 28-page report, "7 Secrets of High Conversion Websites". Drop by www.conversiondoctor.com/t/croc.htm for your free copy today.

Taking in Australia's Wine Country

Taking in Australia's Wine Country
by: Josh Cheak

The Enchantment of Australia's Wine Country

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Australia is usually not the wine. However, Australia has some beautiful wine country with five distinct regions in the state of South Australia. The wine is delicious, and the scenery spectacular. And, in typical Australian fashion, there is no reason to hurry through any of it.

In Adelaide Hills, you can enjoy the comforts and pace of the country, yet be close enough to one of Australia's major cities, Adelaide, with all of its attractions. The attractions of Adelaide Hills include plenty of vineyards to tour and wine to taste. It is close to the state of Victoria and you can even see some beautiful Victorian countryside.

Barossa. One of Australia's best wine producing regions, this valley is an absolute treat. Known throughout the world as a premier wine producer, Barossa's beauty and wine producing capabilities have attracted many European influences. Many of Barossa's villages resemble those found in Germany or England in terms of their architecture, tone and tradition. You can relax and enjoy an afternoon sipping local wine along with European specialties.

Clare Valley. Clare Valley boasts Australia's Reisling Trail. The trail is 27 kilometers long, and is considered a very fine bike ride. Most of the areas 40 cellars are on the route, and so you can stop and sample the local fare. There are also plenty of restaurants and hostels along the way, allowing you to complete the trail as quickly or as slowly as you would like.

Fleurieu Peninsula. Stretching from just south of Adelaide this peninsula continues down to Cape Jarvis. As you can make out from its name, this peninsula has some French influences, fine wines included. The highlight of the peninsula is a beautiful wine-producing district called the McLaren Vale with close to 60 cellars. The proprietors of these cellars are known for encouraging tasting and treating guests to their exemplary hospitality.

Limestone Coast bears the name because of the limestone that forms this part of the Australian coast. The wine produced in this region is of superior quality because of the rich limestone foundation. Limestone causes the soil to decay and it in turn breaks down into nutrients. The decaying process also creates natural aeration, which is ideal for growing vineyards. Limestone Coast is listed as a World Heritage Site because of some of the world's most acclaimed wines, and its system of unique underground caves.

There are many ways to enjoy any or all of Australia's beautiful wine country. You can choose to travel by bike, car, or even hot air balloon. Hot air balloons allow you to get a bird's eye view of the countryside. Many cellars allow you to land in their vineyards and welcome you with a glass of wine.

It is also enjoyable to bike ride through wine country. Clare Valley is not the only bicycle friendly place. You will find bike trails wherever you go. There is no doubt that wine country in Australia has as much style as it has substance.

About The Author

Josh Cheak runs a very interesting website at FRM Australia, there's a wealth of knowledge on the website, plus why not sign up for the free Australia newsletter. If you want to read more Australia articles go to: www.frmaustralia.com/articles.

The Shangri La Hotel in Sydney, Australia

The Shangri La Hotel in Sydney, Australia
by: Mary Hanna

One of the finest hotels in downtown Sydney, Australia is the Shangri La. The hotel is positioned between the gorgeous Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. Guests can enjoy the Sydney experience in the Shangri La's sumptuous comfort and style in this five star property.

The Shangri La is located in the historic Rocks district which was the colonial birthplace of Sydney. The area offers a huge variety of restaurants, bars and pubs as well as great shopping.

The Central Business district is walking distance from the hotel as well as major shopping facilities and tourist attractions. The ferry and jet cat terminal, Circular Quay, the train and bus stations and the famous Opera House are all near.

The views in all the rooms are stunning. The entire double glazed floor to ceiling windows offers the best of Sydney's picturesque views. These beautiful windows let you watch the bustling of the city, the harbor activity and the iconic Sydney Opera House.

The rooms are equipped with broadband internet access with computer data ports. There are high end telephones with voice mail, an electronic safe, mini bar and coffee making facilities. Each room has a full size executive writing desk with a cable TV and in-house movie channels.

The Shangra La provides each guest with impeccable service and facilities to match. Their principle is that each and every one of their guests experience five star treatments throughout their stay. Their amenities match that goal. There is 24 hour room service, butler service in the suites and a delicatessen and pastry shop. The business traveler is afforded a full functional business center, postal service and conference rooms. You can take advantage of airport transfers, limousine service, and car rentals or city shuttles. For families there is child care services and non smoking rooms. If you need a haircut there is a beauty salon and if you need a bouquet for a special occasion pop into their florists.

Health and beauty are taken seriously at the Shangra La. Both the spa and beauty centers offer a wide arrangement of treatments to pamper and relax you. Their pool is complimentary for all guests. It is a roman style pool and spa that will help you unwind and refresh. The gym has state of the art equipment if you feel the need to work off some steam or just take a walk around the sundeck for a peaceful experience.

The bar at the top of the Shangra La has stunning views of all of Sydney. Take advantage of their close proximity to The Rocks and tour around, stop at a pub or dine in one of their fantastic restaurants. One of the best seafood restaurants in the Rocks is Doyle's on the Beach. They have been serving quality seafood since 1885. It is a family run business located right on Watson's Bay with great views of the water. The atmosphere is casual and the clientele varied. It is a bit expensive but the food and the view is worth it. It is best to make a reservation.

One of the finest hotels in downtown Sydney, Australia is the Shangri La. The hotel is positioned between the Gorgeous Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge. Guests can enjoy the Sydney experience in the Shangri La's sumptuous comfort and style in this five star property.

The Shangri La is located in the historic Rocks district which was the colonial birthplace of Sydney. The area offers a huge variety of restaurants, bars and pubs as well as great shopping.

The Central Business district is walking distance from the hotel as well as major shopping facilities and tourist attractions. The ferry and jet cat terminal, Circular Quay, the train and bus stations and the famous Opera House are all near.

The views in all the rooms in the Shangri La are stunning. The entire double glazed floor to ceiling windows offers the best of Sydney's picturesque views. These beautiful windows let you watch the bustling of the city, the harbor activity and the iconic Sydney Opera House.

The rooms are equipped with broadband internet access with computer data ports. There are high end telephones with voice mail, an electronic safe, mini bar and coffee making facilities Each room has a full size executive writing desk with a cable TV and in-house movie channels.

The Shangri La provides each guest with impeccable service and facilities to match. Their principle is that each and every one of their guests experience five star treatments throughout their stay. Their amenities match that goal. There is 24 hour room service, butler service in suites and a delicatessen and pastry shop.

The business traveler is afforded a full functional business center, postal service and conference rooms. You can take advantage of airport transfers, limousine service, and car rental or city shuttles. For families there is child care services and non smoking rooms. If you need a haircut there is a beauty salon and if you need a bouquet for a special occasion pop into their florists.

Health and beauty are taken seriously at the Shangri La. Both the spa and beauty centers offer a wide arrangement of treatments to pamper and relax you. Their pool is complimentary for all guests. It is a roman style pool and spa that will help you unwind and refresh. The gym has state of the art-of-the-art equipment if you feel the need to work off some steam or just take a walk around the sundeck for a peaceful experience.

The bar at the top of the Shangri La has stunning views of all of Sydney. Take advantage of their close proximity to The Rocks and tour around, stop at a pub or dine in one of their fantastic restaurants. One of the best seafood restaurants in the Rocks is Doyle's on the Beach. They have been serving quality seafood since 1885. It is a family run business located right on Watson's Bay with great views of the water. The atmosphere is casual and the clientele varied. It is a bit expensive but the food and the view is worth it. It is best to make a reservation.

If you are looking for a first class hotel while staying in Sydney, you won't do better than the Shangri La. The hotel is beautifully appointed, with an impeccable staff and a perfect location. Everything that will give you a G'day mate!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About The Author
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at: Cruise Travel Directory and Cruise Gold. You can read more of her articles at Article Bazaar.