Guide to working abroad when you’re over 30

Yes, over 30s can still get working visas in different countries. While many working holiday opportunities are designed for those fresh out of school on a gap year or under 25 and wanting to explore, those older can still enjoy working abroad with this type of visa or via other opportunities.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a program that connects volunteers to host families who live on farms. In exchange for food and board, you assist the farmers by getting your hands dirty and engaging in farm work during your stay.

‘WWOOFing’ opens a range of more than 80 potential countries to volunteer in including, but not limited to:

• Netherlands
• Thailand
• New Zealand
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Portugal
• Chile
• USA.¹

No matter where you want to visit, WWOOFing can usually get you there. However, some countries may still require a working holiday visa to volunteer, so always research visa requirements before you go.

It may also be worth talking to an immigration lawyer or migration agent, especially if you are considering permanent residency down the line.

Is a WWOOF opportunity right for me?

Taking up an opportunity with WWOOF is a great experience for those wanting to visit an amazing destination and understand the everyday life of the locals. However, if you need your own space and are looking to develop your own social life, it may not be right for you.

If you do take up a WWOOF opportunity, it’s important to note that the expectations for your working day (e.g. how long it will be and what you will be required to do) will be made with your host family. You will live in your host family’s home, eat meals with them and work with them on the farm during the day.

Plus, if your agriculture job requires manual labour, be sure to consult your travel insurance provider to see the specified work is covered under your policy.

How much does WWOOF cost?

If you choose to go WWOOFing, there are no essential costs except for your flight and travel to the farm. It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to complete a working holiday. However, it’s always good to have sufficient funds to support yourself if any of your hosting situations fall through or if you want to travel as a tourist as well.

If you speak English, there are many opportunities to teach the language in international schools via a sponsorship. Since English is spoken in so many countries around the globe, being fluent in English can help people’s careers and business opportunities as there are many countries that want and need good teachers and tutors.

If you spent your 20s getting a bachelor’s degree and now desperately want to work and holiday abroad, you’re in luck! Lots of employers are looking for people with degrees. However, if you don’t have a degree, you can always pursue a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, which takes about two weeks to complete depending on the institution.

Is teaching English overseas right for me?

For those aged over 30 and looking to work overseas, then teaching in a different country could be a good gig for someone with career experience or experience working with young people.

Plus, if earning money and having a bit of freedom around how you spend your after-work hours appeals to you, this could be the one for you. However, teaching is a hard job that takes maturity, so don’t take it on lightly.

If you’re interested in travelling to specific countries, consider checking whether that country has any programs to support you, such as the JET Program in Japan.

How much does teaching overseas cost?

You won’t have to pay to get a teaching job, but you will need to consider rental rates and standard costs of living compared to your income when choosing your destination.

You’ll get paid, but the rates will depend on the school you’re teaching at and the general rates for teachers in that country. However, since you’ll have incoming pay packets, money should be less of a worry than when you’re just travelling.

HelpX is an online network where you can explore opportunities to volunteer in foreign countries in exchange for food and accommodation. While it’s similar to WWOOF, the jobs are not just on farms; instead, you could be doing a wide variety of work including building a school, taking care of kids, renovating a property or working as a tourism and hospitality guide – the list is varied.

Will working with HelpX suit me?

If you want to work abroad and travel cheaply while giving back to the communities you’re spending time in, finding a job through HelpX is a way to do it. However, as with WWOOF, you’ll be interacting with the people you work with 24/7, so it depends on what your wants and needs are.

One benefit, however, is that many of these jobs are not full-time and give you greater opportunity to explore and involve yourself in a new culture. As with WWOOF, you’ll need to check visa requirements before travelling overseas to take on your chosen job opportunity.

How much will HelpX cost?

To get full access to HelpX and contact potential hosts, you’ll need to pay a €20 (about $A33) for a full membership. Of course, you’ll still need to pay for your flights to get to your chosen country of work.

Plus, some hosts may require you to purchase and cook your own meals, while others may include meals in exchange for your work. Be sure to research your host and understand exactly what’s included before you depart.

Joining an overseas volunteer program or organisation is a fantastic way to experience a different corner of the world while making a meaningful contribution to society. If you want to improve the quality of life for individuals overseas, be immersed in new or different cultures and gain new perspectives, this can be a great way to see the world.

If volunteering interests you, please note the Australian government recommends avoiding short-term unskilled volunteer positions in orphanages, as over-tourism in these areas decreases the quality of care and may exploit children for profit.² Be sure you choose a reputable volunteer organisation (such as Australian Volunteers) and research beforehand.

Similarly, you could also try finding work through an organisation such as Projects Abroad, which has staff that assist volunteers in supporting local initiatives in developing countries.

Will volunteering overseas suit me?

Volunteering overseas can suit you if you have an appropriate skill (or are volunteering through a program that allows unskilled workers) and enjoy working to benefit disadvantaged people and communities.

When you volunteer in a program such as this, you make a real contribution to a community and you’ll develop a deep understanding of another culture.

How much will volunteering overseas cost?

Volunteering overseas will vary in cost, as some opportunities require you to pay for the experience (which can cost up to a few thousand dollars) while others will pay you a monthly stipend.

For example, if you’ve been chosen for a program by Australian Volunteers, you’ll likely be paid a monthly stipend to cover food and board while away, though the amount may vary depending on what job you’re doing. By contrast, International Volunteer HQ charges a weekly program fee.

If your opportunity is an agreement where you are working for food and accommodation, this is another way to travel long term without spending a lot of money; your flights will be the most expensive purchase you’ll need to make.

While it’s not a long-term option, you can swap houses or work remotely from a home in another country for a month or two (or however long you’re allowed in that specific country visa-free).

House swapping is an excellent way for a mature person to travel abroad. If you’re a homeowner, you can swap this property with other people from overseas. For example, you could spend time in Germany while someone enjoys the local neighbourhood at your house here in Australia.

House sitting is similar but, instead of swapping homes, you look after someone’s house while they’re travelling. It makes people feel far more secure if someone is staying in their house while they’re away and, in exchange, you get to save money on long-term accommodation in a different country.

Will house swapping overseas suit me?

If you love dogs, cats and pets in general, you might love house sitting as the willingness to take care of pets is particularly desirable. House swapping is also a great option for someone who lives in their own home and in an interesting area. However, it’s important to look for reputable hosts to stay safe on your travels.

How much does house swapping cost?

As you are swapping your house with someone else’s, there is no direct cost when house swapping. However, you’ll still need money for day-to-day expenses. It’s also a good idea to have enough money to cover alternate accommodation in case something falls through.

If you combine these accommodation hunting strategies with teaching or working elsewhere, this would be a great way to experience a new city and earn some money while you’re at it.

Have you ever worked in hospitality, as a lifeguard, in entertainment or in childcare? Perhaps you’ve been a manager, a hairdresser or worked in retail? If so, finding a job on a cruise ship is certainly possible, no matter your age or field of expertise.

Will working on a cruise ship suit me?

Working on a cruise ship will suit you if you have an appropriate skill that’s required on a ship, and you like the idea of working somewhere you can meet lots of different people and travel by sea to different overseas destinations.

What’s more is you may benefit from this arrangement if you prefer having your visas and travel arrangements taken care of for you.

However, working on a cruise ship typically means you’re working seven days a week for the entirety of your contract, which isn’t for everyone. Any exploring at different ports can only happen if your schedule aligns.

How much will working on a cruise ship cost?

You don’t have to pay to work on a cruise ship; rather, you’ll be paid a wage and your accommodation and food on board will be provided, so your money can be spent more on having fun than necessities.

This means you might only need to spend money on additional snacks, toiletries or anything you buy while exploring a port destination.

While working overseas is different to your typical holiday, you still need a travel insurance policy with the same kind of benefits for the length of your trip. Even if you plan to stay primarily in one place, you can never predict when something might go wrong, so consider purchasing travel insurance that covers working holidays with medical cover before you depart. It is important to research as not all types of work will be covered by travel insurance.

Remember that you can’t work overseas on a visitor visa (but sometimes you’re allowed to volunteer), so before signing up for a job, you should check your visa requirements. The type of visa you may need will vary depending on the country you want to visit and the conditions of your employment, so research well in advance before committing to an overseas job.

Many overseas job opportunities involve staying directly with your employers and working alongside them without any official work protections. Before departing on a volunteer trip or WWOOF adventure, be sure your employer is who they say they are; check reviews and comments from past workers, ask questions and have a backup plan if your host accommodation doesn’t work out.

On a tourist visa you can travel with your children but your eligibility is different when wanting to become a working holiday maker. Dependent children are usually not allowed to accompany you on your visa, so this type of travel may not be possible for everyone.

If you’re planning on travelling to a country that doesn’t speak English as its native language, gain some language skills before departing such as trying your hand at Spanish if you’re heading down to Argentina. Not only will it endear you more to the locals but it’ll also make communicating on a daily basis much simpler, particularly if you plan on staying longer than a few weeks.