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Asia

Taiwan

Taiwan's WHV is 12 months with strong job availability in English-teaching, hospitality and tourism. Public health insurance is mandatory and excellent.

Currency

TWD

1 AUD = 21.2 TWD (mid-market, 2026-05-21)

Cost of living

70% of Sydney

Working Holiday Visa for Australians

Working Holiday Visa

Age 18-30 | up to 12 months

Smartraveller

Check live advisory

Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire / ambulance)

Working Holiday Visa

Scheme
Working Holiday Visa
Visa class
WHV
Eligible age
18-30
Max stay
12 months

Source: www.boca.gov.tw

Tourist or short-stay entry

Visa-free entry

Up to 3 months. Work rights: none.

Australians can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days.

Source: www.boca.gov.tw

Highlights

  • Easy visa application: 12 months, no annual cap, processed in weeks.
  • National Health Insurance kicks in once you have an ARC and a job; medical bills are tiny.
  • Affordable cost of living; Taipei rents are a third of Sydney's.
  • Strong night-market food culture; full meal for AUD 5-8 is normal.

Watch outs

  • Earthquakes and typhoons; download the CWA disaster-prevention app.
  • Mandarin or Taiwanese helps a lot for non-English-teaching work.
  • Scooter is the default transport; have an international licence translated.
  • Heat and humidity from May to September can be intense.

Money tips

  • Open a Taiwan Post or E.SUN Bank account once you have an ARC.
  • EasyCard / iPASS covers MRT, buses, trains and many convenience-store purchases.
  • Cash is still widely used in night markets; many places do not take card.
  • Foreign cards rejected at some local ATMs; ChinaTrust ATMs reliably take Visa / Mastercard.

Typical costs (AUD)

Hostel bed per night
$25
Budget meal
$9
Mid-range meal
$22
Beer (bar)
$5
Public transport day pass
$6

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

Practical basics

Power plug
Type A / B
Drives on
Right
Emergency number
110 (police) / 119 (fire / ambulance)

Sources

Last updated 2026-05-21.

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