Pack light. One 60 to 70 litre backpack or a medium suitcase plus a day pack is enough for a year in Australia. Bring your documents, a bank card that works overseas, a Type I plug adapter, clothes for hot and cold weather, one smart outfit for interviews, and work clothes for the job you want. Buy sunscreen, toiletries and most work gear after you land. Clean all dirt off your shoes and camping gear before you fly, and declare any food.
Last checked: 7 November 2026
Documents and money
- Passport, valid for your whole stay
- Your visa grant letter (digital is fine, but keep a copy offline)
- Travel insurance details
- Your driver licence, plus an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English
- A bank card with no foreign fees, for the first few weeks
- Copies of your CV and references (or build one on the TAW CV builder)
- Any certificates: barista, bartending, first aid, trade tickets, forklift
- Proof of funds if your visa needs it, and an onward ticket or money for one
Open an Australian bank account before you fly if you can, and apply for your Tax File Number as soon as you land.
Tech
- Unlocked phone, ready for an Australian SIM or eSIM
- Plug adapter: Australia uses Type I plugs at 230V
- Power bank and a long charging cable (hostel plugs are never near your bed)
- Headphones and an e-reader or downloaded shows for long bus rides
- Laptop only if you need it for work or study. Your phone can do most things.
Clothes
Australia is huge. Cairns is hot all year, but Melbourne and Tasmania get properly cold in winter (June to August). Pack layers.
- T-shirts and singlets, 5 to 7
- Shorts, 2 to 3, and one pair of long pants or jeans
- A warm jumper or fleece and a light rain jacket
- Swimwear and a quick dry towel
- Thongs (flip flops), trainers, and one pair of closed shoes
- One smart outfit for interviews and nights out
- Underwear and socks for about 10 days
- A wide brim hat and sunglasses
Work clothes for the job you want
| Job | Bring | Buy in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality and bar | Black pants or skirt, plain black top | Non-slip black shoes, your RSA certificate |
| Farm and fruit picking | Long sleeve shirts, old jeans, hat, gloves | Work boots, sunscreen in bulk, insect repellent |
| Construction and labouring | Old work clothes | Steel cap boots, hi-vis, your White Card |
| Office, retail and events | Smart casual outfit | Anything the employer asks for |
| Au pair and childcare | Comfortable casual clothes, first aid certificate if you have one | Working With Children Check |
Not sure what work you will do yet? Browse TAW jobs and the farm work guide first, then pack for it.
Hostel kit
- A padlock for hostel lockers
- Earplugs and an eye mask
- A quick dry towel (some hostels charge to hire one)
- Flip flops for the shower
- A small torch or your phone light
- A reusable water bottle
Choosing where to stay? See our picks for the best hostels in Sydney and the best hostels in Melbourne.
Toiletries and health
- Enough of any prescription medicine for the first few weeks, in its labelled box, with a copy of the script
- Travel size toiletries only. Supermarkets and chemists sell everything else.
- A small first aid kit
- Glasses or contact lenses and a copy of your prescription
Buy sunscreen when you get here. Australian sunscreen is made for Australian sun, and you will use a lot of it. Read our health and safety guide before you go.
Customs and biosecurity: read this before you pack
Australia has some of the strictest border rules in the world, to keep pests and diseases out. When you land you must declare food, plant material, animal products, and anything with soil on it. Declaring is free. Not declaring can mean a fine.
- Clean your shoes and boots. Wash all dirt off hiking boots, work boots and trainers before you fly.
- Clean camping gear. Tents, pegs and sleeping bags need to be free of soil and seeds.
- Do not bring fresh food. Fruit, meat, eggs and dairy are usually taken off you. Eat the plane snacks on the plane.
- Medicine. Bring it in its box with your script, and check the rules for anything strong.
What not to pack
- Too many clothes. Second hand shops and Kmart are cheap.
- Bedding, pillows and towels for a share house. Buy them when you move in.
- Full size bottles of shampoo and sunscreen
- Expensive jewellery
- Steel cap boots and hi-vis. Buy them here, they are easy to find.
Backpack or suitcase?
A backpack is easier if you plan to travel the East Coast, take buses and stay in hostels. A suitcase is fine if you will mostly stay in one city. Either way, bring a small day pack too. Check your airline’s checked bag allowance before you pack, as it varies a lot between airlines and fares.
Have things sent to you later
Forgot something, or want your winter clothes posted over when it gets cold? A TAW Mailbox gives you a real Australian address from day one. We receive your parcels and letters, scan your mail so you can read it anywhere, and hold everything until you are ready.
Land with a plan
Our Hello Sydney and Hello Melbourne packages cover your first 4 days: 3 nights in a social hostel, a city tour, and help setting up your bank, TFN, phone and CV, with a group of other working holiday makers.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What should I pack for a working holiday in Australia?
Your passport and visa, a bank card, travel insurance, a Type I plug adapter, layers for hot and cold weather, one smart outfit, work clothes for the job you want, a padlock and a quick dry towel. Buy sunscreen and most work gear when you arrive.
How big should my backpack be for a year in Australia?
60 to 70 litres is plenty, plus a small day pack. You can buy almost anything you forget once you land.
Do I need warm clothes in Australia?
Yes, if you go south. Melbourne, Canberra and Tasmania get cold in winter, from June to August, and desert nights near Uluru can drop close to freezing.
What plug do I need for Australia?
Type I, with two flat angled pins, at 230V. Most phone and laptop chargers work fine with just an adapter.
Can I bring food into Australia?
Some packaged food is allowed, but you must declare all food when you land. Fresh fruit, meat, eggs and dairy are usually not allowed. If you are not sure, declare it.
Should I bring work boots for farm work?
It is usually easier to buy them in Australia. If you do bring boots, clean every bit of dirt off them before you fly, or biosecurity may hold them.
Should I bring a laptop?
Only if you need it for work or study. Most backpackers manage with a phone, and a laptop is one more thing to lock up in hostels.
Sources: Australian Border Force: can you bring it in?, Department of Agriculture: travelling to Australia.
