Im off to OZ in December and need to know how difficult it is to find work there and is it worth getting a working visa. We'll be there for three months and are looking to work for at least a month.

The other thing is, how bad is the spider situation, are the deadly ones as common as everyone keeps telling me. We're going to be staying in hostels.

Hi Netty,

With a Working Holiday Visa you must be between 18 & 30 to qualify and as you will be 31 when this Visa expires you may not be eligible - you need to talk to the Australian Consulate at Australia House on the Strand, London. This Visa will allow you to work for up to 3 months within your 12 month maximum stay.

If you work on a normal visitor's Visa you will have to do cash in hand work as you are unable to work legally on this Visa. So this tends to restrict you to bar or waitress work of which there is masses of work available.

Deadly or highly poisonous spiders can be easily found if you go looking for them. Fortunately, the only spider who actively goes looking for it's prey is the Huntsman which is big and brown and completely harmless to humans. Most hostels I've stayed at have been spotless and probably the last place you'll find a deadly arachnid.

You'll have more chance finding one at residential homes than at commercial properties.

A word of advice - try to remember to not put your hand under things without looking first. I don't mean to scare you but it is a good way to avoid being bitten by things. I once found a family of Redback spiders living happily under a plastic patio chair in Australia. I didn't disturb the nest, but continued to remain sitting as they are not naturally aggressive creatures.

Try not to let your fear ruin your holiday as a simple respect of nature should keep you safe while you're away.

Cheers for the info. Ive put in my visa application and should know in a couple of days. I hope the age thing wont be a problem as Ill only be in Oz form December till March. Unfortunatley Ill be back in good ole blighty by the time I reach the dreaded 31 reminising that I spent my 30th in Singapore. Believe me I have no intention of going looking for the eight legged furry creatures and thanks for the advice. Its good to know that they are not common in the hostels. I dont fancy sharing a bed with some sharp toothed, flesh eating, eight legged monster, although Im sure Ive shared a bed with worse in my day. Thanks agian

Annette