Asia

South Korea

Korea's H-1 WHV is 12 months with full work rights for Australians 18-30. Annual quota (about 200 for Australia) fills early.

Currency

KRW

1 AUD = 905 KRW (mid-market, 2026-05-21)

Cost of living

75% of Sydney

Working Holiday Visa for Australians

Working Holiday Visa (H-1)

Age 18-30 | up to 12 months

Smartraveller

Emergency: 112 (police) / 119 (fire / ambulance)

Working Holiday Visa

K-ETA

Up to 3 months. Work rights: none.

Australians need a K-ETA (KRW 10,000) before flying to Korea for tourism.

Seoul, Busan and Jeju have strong English-teaching, hospitality and ski-resort job markets.
Public transport is among the best in the world; T-money card covers everything.
Fast, free city Wi-Fi everywhere.
Strong cafe culture; cost of food is half what you would pay in Sydney.

Annual quota is low for Australia (200ish places per year); apply on opening day.
Korean language ability gates most non-teaching jobs.
Long working hours norm in many sectors (especially hospitality and teaching).
Winters in Seoul are cold (minus 10C); summers are hot and very humid.

KEB Hana, Woori, KB Kookmin all open accounts for WHV-holders with Alien Registration Card.
Cash is rare; bring a card with no foreign-transaction fee.
Service is included; tipping is not customary in Korea.
Naver Pay and KakaoPay dominate digital payments; sign up once you have an ARC.

Indicative only. Tourist-zone prices are usually 50-100% higher than local prices.

Last updated 2026-05-21.