Welcome to Melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Medicare and how do I organise it?

  Medicare is Australia’s health care scheme, which allows Australians and some overseas visitors to access certain health services at little or no cost. Only a handful of countries are eligible to apply for Medicare in Australia, including: 
  
  Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, The Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom
  
  Click here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements/when-you-visit-australia to see details for eligibility and details for enrolment, such as what documents you will need to bring to service centres. We will also explain this in more detail when you arrive and point you in the right direction.
• Why do I need a bank account?

  If you’re travelling as a tourist for just a few weeks, you don’t need one – a pre-loaded travel cash card will work just fine!
  If you’re here for a longer period of time (for example, on a Working Holiday Visa) then it’s highly recommended to open an Australian bank account. Not only will you save a lot on exchange/transaction fees, but employers will only pay wages into an Australian account. It’s also an extremely easy process that we will organise for you.
  You can fast-track the whole process by creating a Transferwise account, so that you can already have Australian dollars in your account for when you get here. But don’t worry about all of this now, we’ll explain it all soon!
• What is a Tax File Number (TFN)?

  This is basically a personal identity number created for you by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It is required if you want to work in Australia, so that you can be correctly taxed on your income from day one. 
  
  You will provide this number to each employer you have while you are in Australia and your tax will be deducted from your wage accordingly, just as it would be in your home country.
• When will I receive my SIM Card?

  Depending when you land you will receive your Australian Sim Card on Friday morning before the tour or on Monday morning of the tour, during the meet and greet session.
  
  Don’t panic! You will be able to jump on the free wi-fi at the hostel and airport beforehand to let everyone back home know that you got to Melbourne safe and sound.
• How will I find a job?

  With our help, that’s how! 
  
  As part of your Welcome to Travel: Melbourne package you will receive exclusive tips, resources and guidance towards finding a job and farm work in Australia.
  
  We will present you with all of the basic information needed to get started, and give you access to our huge database of employers and contacts in sectors such as hospitality, retail, construction, sales and marketing and many more.
  
  We also send out a weekly update email that highlights the most recent job and farm work opportunities we come across.
• Can you help me plan my travels around Australia?

  Of course! During our travel presentation, we will give you an overview of all the beautiful and exciting destinations and experiences around Australia.
  
  Following this, during your one-on-one sessions with our team, we will talk more specifically about what exactly you want to see and do, and we’ll help you plan everything. We want to make sure you have the most amazing adventure possible while you’re here!
• What happens after my tour with Welcome to Travel?

  That’s up to you! Everyone has different plans for their time in Australia. You might even find that your plans may change halfway during the tour after meeting some new friends.
  
  Either way, the Welcome To Travel team is here to support you before, during and after the welcome week. Whether it’s work or travel you’re looking to organise or get advice on, we’ll be able to help you.
  
  We will go through options that suit you specifically in the one-on-one sessions on the Saturday of the tour. We then have our Travel Experience Team who will be there to help you throughout your whole time in Australia!
• How much money would you recommend bringing to Australia?

  This depends on trip length, your travel style (backpacker or flashpacker) and what you are wanting to experience here in Australia.
  According to the Australian Government, you need $5,000AUD in your bank account on arrival if you’re coming on a Working Holiday visa. This is a good savings target if you are wanting to either travel for a month or set yourself up for working and living in Australia after the Welcome To Travel week. 
  However, everybody is different and to give yourself the best chance of experiencing as many things as possible in Australia, we would recommend just saving up as much as possible before you come travelling.
• How much will I need for food and drinks on Welcome to Melbourne: 8 Day?

  Two  dinners and two lunches are included as part of the tour, as well as some delicious tastings. Outside of that, you’ll be able to find lunch for between $6-15 and dinner for $10-$20. If you want to save money, you can always team up with people and cook dinners at the hostel!
  For drinks, the welcome dinner and will include a drink, and you’ll be given two on your food and drink tour, and another four during the bar crawl – how good is that! Outside of that, drinks usually cost between $7-11 but we can also point you in the direction of plenty of places with happy hours offering drinks for $5-6.
  Because accommodation, activities and some food and drink is already included, we would suggest that $200-$250 of extra spending money during your week with us will be enough!
• I’ve never stayed in a dorm before, what should I expect?

  Expect the best experience ever! 
  As long as you’re polite and friendly then you’ll be fine. To get the best out of your experience we recommend talking to people in your dorm as soon as possible. Travel broadens the mind and that is mainly because of people you meet. Listen to where they’ve been, what they’ve loved, what they recommend, their funniest stories, all of it! This will be you in a few months!
  Sure, from time to time you may have a cliché guitar player, a loud snorer or a 6am deodorant-sprayer (you’ll know what I mean soon!) but that’s all part of travelling and the people you meet will be a big part of your stories and travel experiences!
  All dorms have lockers, but you will need to buy a small padlock to use them.
  We aim to try and get everyone on Welcome To Melbourne in the same dorm, but if you have any special requests such as, you want to be in an all female dorm or you want to upgrade to your own room. Then will be able to assist you.
  Nothing quite sums it up quite like the viral video which we made. Check out  ‘Things Never Said By Backpackers’ here: https://welcometo.travel/2018/04/23/things-never-said-backpackers/