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We are very excited you have chosen the AIDE as your program
provider! AIDE is an educational travel organization devoted
to expanding the horizons of people of all ages through experiencing
another culture. Based in Austin, Texas, AIDE offers a wide
range of programs. AIDE was launched as a not for profit sister
organization of Alliance Abroad Group (AAG), in order to expand
upon the programs historically offered by the AAG Outbound
Department. As a not for profit AIDE aims to reach a larger
audience, and has more than 16 years of experience in offering
programs abroad due to its previous home in the AAG Outbound
Department. Through its affiliation with some of the world’s
oldest and most respected language schools and experiential
education programs, AIDE has helped thousands of people travel
abroad. The organization provides interesting customized programs
to students and young adults wishing to work, teach or volunteer
in many countries across the world. AIDE prides itself in
being able to offer program flexibility, support, quality
placements, an easy application process and affordable prices.
What Happens Next?
• Within 2-7 business days you should receive an invoice,
sent to you through email, from our finance department. Please
keep an eye out for this email! It may be diverted to your
junk mail folder. Your invoice is due no later than 60 days
prior to your arrival date. We will not start the placement
process until full payment has been received.
** AIDE is a non-profit organization.
Donations contributed in excess of the fair market value of
services you receive from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please
consult your tax adviser.
• Once the program fee is paid in full, we will issue
the 416 Special Programs visa documents (US Citizens only,
to work in Australia for up to 4 months), or if you are a
US Citizen and wish to go to Australia for a year, we’ll
also provide information on how to apply for the Working Holiday
462 Visa to the UK (US citizens applying for a Work and Holiday
462 visa will need to show evidence of enrollment in a post
secondary course of study or hold a Bachelor’s degree
demonstrating completion).
• You will need to take the visa documents given to
you and fill them out completely, and in the case of the 416
Special Programs visa this must be returned to AIDE (US citizens
only).
• All other citizens from Common Wealth countries will
need to apply for a Working Holiday Maker visa.
• We will send you Pre-departure orientation materials
for your review. It is very important that you carefully review
all materials that are sent to you. Please just ask us if
you have any questions.
• Once your visa has been granted, you will need to
purchase your airline ticket.
• Once you have purchased airline tickets, you must
email us your complete itinerary. It is very important that
you include details such as airline, flight number, connecting
airports, time and day of arrival and the day you plan to
leave Australia. We use this information to pick you up from
the airport and arrange for insurance. IMPORTANT – your
insurance will not be activated until we receive your flight
details. Suggestion – We suggest that you try to arrange
your flight to fly into Brisbane directly, not via Sydney.
There are many flights each day from Los Angeles and San Francisco
that fly directly to Brisbane. Please ask your travel agent
about these options, as it may save you some flight time and
money if you can get a direct flight.
• Once you have your visa approval and have sent your
complete flight details, you are ready to start your adventure!
Meet the staff
We are here to support you throughout your entire program.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
We are here to help. Remember, we cannot fix a problem if
we do not know about it.
AIDE
1221 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746 USA
Fax: 1- 512-857-1108
Tel: 1-866-6ABROAD
Skylar King – Program Coordinator
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1137
Email: skylar@aideabroad.com
Kimberly Wied – Program Manager
Telephone: 1-866-6ABROAD or (512) 904-1147
Email: kim@aideabroad.com
Arriving in Australia
We recommend that you do not purchase your
airline ticket until your visa has been issued. However, the
Australian government is now issuing visas 2 weeks prior to
your estimated departure date. It is rare that you will get
a visa denial, however the visa approval process may take
longer than anticipated. If you do decide to purchase your
ticket prior to your visa approval, we recommend getting a
ticket that has low change of date fees. AIDE will not be
responsible for any fees associated with changes to your airline
tickets.
You should arrange to arrive in Brisbane early on a Thursday
morning. Once you go through the long lines at immigration,
a staff member will take you to the Backpackers hostel for
the night. This will cost an additional $20 AUD. The following
morning, you will take a bus to Rainbow Beach, where you will
spend the weekend relaxing and getting over your jet lag (included).
The following Monday you will travel to a farm near Brisbane
for your orientation.
Visa Documentation
American citizens must get a 416 Special Programs visa. This
visa is good for up to 4 months and will allow you to work
anywhere throughout Australia. Once you have paid your full
program fee, we will send you the visa documentation that
is needed to be able to apply for this visa, as well as instructions
on how to apply. The visa is an additional $190 AUD and takes
a minimum of at least 4 weeks to process. This visa becomes
valid based on the date of issue, not date of entry into Australia.
Therefore, the visa isn’t issued until approximately
2 weeks before your departure date.
For Americans that wish to work and travel in Australia for
a year, you can apply for the Working Holiday 462 Visa to
the UK (US citizens applying for a Work and Holiday 462 visa
will need to show evidence of enrollment in a post secondary
course of study or hold a Bachelor’s degree demonstrating
completion). The cost for this visa is 180 AUD, and you can
apply for this online. Typically, these visas are processed
within a week, however, please check with the Australian consulate
in your home country for accurate processing times and costs.
For all other citizens, you must apply for a Working Holiday
Maker visa to the UK. This visa is good for up to 1 year.
This is a relatively simple process that can be done online.
Most WHM visas are processed within a week, however, please
check with the Australian consulate in your home country for
accurate processing times and costs. We will send you information
about the Working Holiday Maker Visa once your program fee
is paid in full.
AIDE does not have the authority to grant visas and cannot
be held responsible for any problems related to obtaining
a visa.
Insurance
One of the benefits of booking your trip through AIDE is that
we provide excellent travel insurance, which covers health,
accidents and prescriptions for medical issues which develop
during your program. You are also covered for emergency evacuation
related to medical necessity. Please note that pre-existing
conditions are not covered, and you also will be responsible
for a deductible. The Outbound Program Manager will give you
an insurance card with insurance carrier contact information
to have during your trip. Details of the coverage can be found
on the AIDE website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my job going to be like?
Your duties will vary depending upon your placement
and the season. Duties could include: farming, gardening,
tutoring the kids, weeding, fencing, driving tractors, herding,
waiting tables, etc. Although your orientation week is on
a farm closer to Brisbane, your work placement could potentially
be anywhere in the country. Traveling to that location is
your responsibility. Our Australian partners will help you
find the least expensive means of transport (bus, air travel,
a ride with someone passing through, etc). Remember that these
locations are remote, and the number of others working on
the farm varies. We cannot guarantee any location or type
of work before your arrival.
What do I need to be successful on this program?
This program requires participants to be independent,
flexible, open-minded and have a sense of humor. You will
be asked to do a wide variety of chores and jobs and some
can be quite physically demanding. The staff on the farm will
be willing to work with you as long as you are doing your
best and show a true enthusiasm for being there.
What will my salary be?
Salary averages $300 AUD per week plus accommodations
and meals. Because you will be living in a rural area, there
are fewer things to spend your money on, so you are likely
to be able to save money quickly. Please note that if you
are under 20 years old, you may receive 65% of the adult wage.
Can I change jobs?
Yes! We are here to support you throughout the
entire time that your visa is valid. We will be happy to find
you as many positions as you need.
Do I need to get any immunizations before I leave?
AIDE does not require any proof of immunizations,
however we do recommend that you research which ones are needed
for Australia based on your past immunization history. The
Center for Disease Control has an excellent website about
health and travel at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationList.aspx.
You should always consult with your doctor about what immunizations
he or she recommends for Australia. This is important as you
do not want any medications or immunizations to conflict with
any current or past treatment. You should take care of any
immunizations 4-6 weeks prior to your arrival as many immunizations
require booster shots, or take some time to be effective.
Do I have to do anything after the program is
over?
Yes, as part of AIDE’s Work Outback Australia
Program, you are required to complete an evaluation form at
the conclusion of your program. You will receive the form
by email shortly after you return. It is very important to
us to hear about your experiences. It helps us improve our
programs, and will ultimately help all the participants that
follow you.
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