We heard about this possibility at last year's WYSTC in Melbourne, and it appears to be on the horizon at last: a work visa for US backpackers in Australia. It's about time: Australia has long allowed travelers between 18-30 year old travelers from many countries, excluding the US, to obtain Working Holiday Maker visas for temporary Australian work in unskilled labor fields (and that really does mean in the literal fields, like picking fruit) while traveling around Oz for a few months. Student travel advocates have quietly lobbied for Australia's Working Holiday Maker visa to be extended to US backpackers, but the US needed to reciprocate before a deal could be struck. According to news reports, talks between President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard before the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meeting in Sydney next month may seal the deal.

Let's hope so. In the meantime, look into the land down under as a great student destination, whether toiling on the Harvest Trail for travel bucks or just spending 'em:

• Student Travel in Australia
• What's a Working Holiday Maker visa?
• Australia Road Trips
  • Buying Backpacker Cars and Driving in Australia
  • The Great Ocean Road
  • Mallacoota
• Australia Hostels
  • Cool Melbourne Hostel
  • Top Sydney Hostels
  • Brisbane Hostels (including our pick for Best Hostel 2006)
  • Cool Blue Mountains Hostel

Similar stuff: Don't Call 'em Backpackers, Mate | Driving Down Under | Melbourne Street Photos | Tiger Air Bringing New Budget Air to Australia

Photos © Kathleen Crislip