Australia Work Visa for people over 30?

It was always a dream to work and travel Australia and New Zealand, but I never quite had the guts and money to do so. I am a 32 year old German girl (who currently lives in Barcelona).

I figure it's kinda my last chance, before I get really, really old and my question is, do you know if there's some kind of limited Australia work visa for over 30's?

And if not, could I just risk it and go with a tourist visa and still find fruit-picking or farm work? Are the restrictions for Australia and New Zealand the same?
Thanks!

Re: Australia Work Visa for people over 30?

Your last chance? Before you get really old? Eat your vegies and keep active, and you have another 40 years before you get really old!

Ok, about the work visa: unfortunately there is no such thing as a limited Australia work visa for older people. The working holiday visa is for people up to 30 and that's it.

There are other ways to get permission to work in Australia, but they would involve studying or some kind of employer sponsorship, something that ties you to a specific job for a limited time. You would not have the freedom to travel and work on your own terms, for a full year, as you do with the Working Holiday Visa.

Could you come over on a tourist visa and work regardless? Sure. But how risky it is depends very much on where exactly you are, at what time, and who you work for.

Is it worth the risk? That's a question only you can answer.

You can pick up fruit picking jobs and farm work and just lie about your status and visa. Not all employers check the paper work. But it is not as easy as it used to be.

Some farmers will be happy to put you on and cover for you, knowing very well that you don't have a working visa. They have no choice if they want to get their crop harvested.

It is possible to pick up the odd cash-in-hand job here and there.

There are also options to work in exchange for bed and board (e.g. through schemes like Wwoof).

If this is your first time over here, it will take you a while to make the connections and find the right places and people. Wwoofing is a good start in that direction.

I would suggest you do not count on paying for your whole trip by working over here. I'd rather look at the work as a way to make the trip very affordable to nearly free, and to see a side of Australia that most people won't see.

As for New Zealand, the normal working holiday visa is also restricted to people between 18 and 30. I don't know all the details of their regulations, but would expect them to be similar. (Check out the VOC, that may be an opportunity for you.)