u/-CanisAureus-

I wanted to ask a few questions about the experience and whether you think this is a good idea for someone like me. I have read through everything on the official website, many blogs, as well as lots of Reddit threads about this. 

Here is my background: 

• I am a U.S. citizen (I have an American passport that expires March 2028), but I have not lived in the U.S. since I was a small child. My family is mixed, so I have been living in my father’s country (this information is relevant for what I will say next). I am a lesbian and my partner is a Kiwi, so I initially thought of doing this same thing in New Zealand in order to be closer to her, however, there is a rule that you must have been living in the United States for two years prior to applying for the New Zealand WHV. So, Australia is my only option right now. 

• My father’s country is much more homophobic than Australia and New Zealand (with much worse living conditions and security issues), so logically, we thought we’d start to close the gap by me moving to her rather than the other way around. We are long distance right now, but we have traveled and met each other before. Me being in Australia would mean that we could see each other more often. Additionally, my family is somewhat abusive and toxic, so I want to leave anyway. 

• I am 28 years old and I used to work at a dog sanctuary and rescue while working on freelance art projects on the side, so I have loads of experience with animal care and management. I recently quit that job due to its conditions and not being compensated fairly, and I am now just freelancing. My projects currently in no way make enough for me to live off of them on this visa, so I know I’d have to find work ASAP. My old job did not pay me well and the country I am in has abysmal wages anyway, so all I have saved up for now is ~6K USD. However, my girlfriend said she would support me in the case of an emergency and she knows people in Australia that I could live with temporarily if I need time to get back on my feet. 

• My current plan is: Go to Australia on WHV (if accepted), work, girlfriend visits me as frequently as she can, save up a bit, hop over to New Zealand afterwards on a visitor visa and start living with my girlfriend so we can apply for a partner visa. The reason I cannot do that now is simply because I have so little money compared to the cost of living there, so I could not possibly pay rent in NZ without being able to work there (which a visitor visa will not allow).

I apologize for the very long and detailed background, but I felt it was necessary in order to ask my questions:

• Do you think it is feasible for me to do this? 
• Are my savings enough to start out over there? 
• Which city or area would you recommend?
• Is it safe for women? 
• Do you have any tips for finding jobs and places to stay?

 

Thank you very much, and I appreciate honest answers.