10 Things To Do Before Leaving Oz

Is your working holiday coming to an end? If it is, you might be wondering what you have to do before leaving Oz for good!

First of all, you need to clear any outstanding debts. This might be a loan, a fine or unpaid bills. If you want to close your Australian bank account later, you’ll have to clear all of your debt, no matter how small!

Which brings me to number two, sorting your bank accounts. If you have an Oz bank account, it’s a good idea to leave it open until after you’ve left the country. If you want to receive a tax refund or a superannuation refund, it’s easier to get it if you still have access to your Oz bank account.

That being said, once you’ve gotten your refund, you should look into shutting down the account to avoid fees, additional costs for using your card outside of Oz and so on.

Number three on our list is transferring money. Bank to bank transfers cost a lot so you’re better off comparing prices for money transfer services and choosing the best value option.

Number four, ask your previous employers for work references and letters of recommendation. Chances are, you worked hard in Australia and you probably had a few different jobs. Even if you feel a bit awkward about it, ask for referral letters. This will stand to you when you try to get a job at your next destination, be it at home or in a new country. Keep any useful names and contacts and if you can, add people you’ve worked with on LinkedIn.

Now, number five is sorting out your rent! If your lease has yet to expire and you’re leaving, you might have to pay a penalty fee. If not and your lease is up right before you plan to leave, make sure to request your security deposit back in good time.

Selling your stuff is number six on our list. Most places in Oz come unfurnished, so there’s a good chance you’ve accumulated furniture and probably electronics. Do you have a TV? A games console? Musical instruments? Unless you plan on bringing these things home, you should put them up for sale on Gumtree or Facebook marketplace. The money could be helpful when you get home.

Which brings us to number 7, shipping things home. If there are some things you can’t fit in your suitcases, you might want to ship them home but there will be charges and fees like import duty for example.
Number 8 is sorting your taxes. Our average Australian refund is $2,600 Australian dollars. Yep, that’s a lot of money! So make sure to file and claim back overpaid tax and your superannuation! It might even fund your next trip or a deposit on your next apartment.

Number 9, extend your visa! If you’re not done travelling then you could consider extending your visa. Bear in mind this is only possible if you’ve completed just one year on a working holiday visa. If you’ve used up your two years, then consider heading to New Zealand or Canada if you’re not ready to give up the working holiday lifestyle!

And finally, last but not least, in at number 10 we have saying goodbye to your friends. Yep, you’ve met a lot of people along the way, so don’t forget to say goodbye. Whether it’s friends, housemates or colleagues, you won’t realise how much you miss them until you’re half way across the world!

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