I’ve a big long story but I think I’ll just cut it down to this;
I went to Australia and this is my general advice
You can go it alone but I would advise going with someone or a group but make sure they are people you get on with, it can get claustrophobic and you want to know you’ll be able to have a laugh. If you go on your own it try to mix with other lads as you’re a long way from home and the worst thing you can do is exclude yourself.
Look up the countries visas through the government website.. Australia’s site is easy enough use and has all the info you need regarding visas.
http://www.immi.gov.au/Pages/Welcome.aspx
I would start looking / applying for jobs from here to get an idea of what people are looking for and the wage range – I used
www.gumtree.com.au ,
www.seek.com.au and googled ‘Australian harvest contractors’ and 'Australian Harvest Work', (wages for example I was on 250 dollars + accommodation + food but that was in a fairly remote place and it does vary), you can go and then try get a job but if you don’t have the financial backing and means of support it can be stressful.
Make your cv to suit the job your looking for … without telling lies of course.
A good cv is only the start if you say you’re good with machines be able to talk the talk and know what you’re on about when someone rings.
Ask about the second year visa when you’re being interviewed, if they are willing to back you up for it.
If you want to do a bit of a holiday I would do the harvest work first to get the extra year visa and a few dollars. for one reason or an other I left it till the end and ended up not doing enough … even if you don’t want to stay 2 years the option is open to you if you change your mind.
Time your arrival in the country a week or so before the harvest or seeding seasons. This gives you time to get used to the weather and get over jet lag. If you know someone over there you might be able to stay with them but hostels aren't too bad either.
If you can, buy a comfortable car and make sure it has air-con (mid summer where I was got up to 48° C), also the freedom to move is very important,
If you don’t like a place, apply for jobs and move don’t get stuck working for someone that’s taking the p*ss.
You will get paddywhackery alright but you have to let go, water off a ducks back and all that (to a certain degree don’t let it get too out of hand) and depending on the type of people you’re working with you should be able to give what you get without going overboard of course.
listen to what your employer wants and what way he wants it done, their ways are different as they have to suit the climate.
There is a lot of dangerous creatures over there, but be safe not scared. Alerted to the fact that where you find rats here you may find something a whole lot different, so care is a must but as I say there isn't a snake/spider hanging out around every corner. In fact the only snake I seen was in the zoo. and only came across two spiders one red-back on the floor of the workshop and a huntsman on the floor of shower room in a hostel the latter met the sole of my boot and the first one I left to the aussie.
After that Enjoy it.
probably some stuff i missed but its a start