How can we help you?

Yes. Working participants must pay US federal and state taxes. State income taxes vary (and some states do not have an income tax), but the federal income tax is indexed by the level of your wage. You should expect to pay about 25 percent of your gross salary in federal income taxes. Federal and state income taxes will automatically be deducted from your paycheck by your employer.

Yes. After arrival in the United States, participants should present themselves at the nearest Social Security Office with their passport and Form DS-2019. In order to find a Social Security Office closest to you, please refer to the Social Security on-line Office Locator https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

No, applicants are only permitted to participate in the Student Work Travel visa once.

You must have a DS-2019 form for your visa to be valid. If you lose your DS-2019 form, you must notify the AAA in writing immediately. We will re-issue a new DS-2019 form for a fee of US $50.

It is expected that you remain in the US for the full duration of your 12 month program to maximize your exchange experience. Participants are advised to contact the Program’s Responsible Officer in the event of an emergency.

After your DS-2019 form has expired, you have 30-days following the expiration date to travel within the US but you have to leave the U.S. before the end of the 30-days. You may not work after your DS-2019 expire or during this 30-day grace period.

No.

Yes, however ALL job offers must be vetted and approved by the Association.

All prospective work positions must be vetted and approved by the American Australian Association by submitting a completed Employee Job Offer Form.  All employment must be paid at the minimum award wage or higher. Typically most participants work in non-skilled service positions at resorts, hotels, restaurants and bars. Participants may accept professional level positions, however may not accept work in any of the following areas:   PARTICIPANTS MAY NOT WORK AS FOLLOWS

1. In positions that could bring notoriety or disrepute to the Exchange Visitor Program;
2. In sales positions that require participants to purchase inventory that they must sell in order to support themselves;
3. In domestic help positions in private homes (e.g., child care, elder care, gardener, chauffeur);
4. As pedicab or rolling chair drivers or operators;
5. As operators or drivers of vehicles or vessels for which drivers' licenses are required regardless of whether they carry passengers or not;
6. In positions related to clinical care that involves patient contact;
7. In any position in the adult entertainment industry (including, but not limited to jobs with escort services, adult book/video stores, and strip clubs);
8. In positions requiring work hours that fall predominantly between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.;
9. In positions declared hazardous to youth by the Secretary of Labor at Subpart E of 29 CFR part 570;
10. In positions that require sustained physical contact with other people and/or adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions guidelines (e.g., body piercing, tattooing, massage, manicure);
11. In positions that are substantially commission-based and thus do not guarantee that participants will be paid minimum wage in accordance with federal and state standards;
12. In positions involved in gaming and gambling, that includes direct participation in wagering and/or betting;
13. In positions in chemical pest control, warehousing, catalogue/online order distribution centers;
14. In positions with travelling fairs or itinerant concessionaires;
15. In positions for which there is another specific J category (e.g., camp counselor, intern, trainee); or
16. After November 1, 2012, in positions in the North American Industry Classification System's (NAICS) Goods-Producing Industries occupational categories industry sectors 11, 21, 23, 31-33 numbers (set forth at http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm).

No.

Participants are required to contact the AAA and report their current address and employment status within 10 days of their arrival. If you have not secured a position, the AAA must be informed.

No. You have 10 days from the date of your arrival in the US to secure a job. You can work in any position which is not restricted*. *See employment restrictions below.

Medical insurance coverage must include, at a minimum:

• medical benefits of at least US $100,000 per accident or illness;
• repatriation of remains amount of US $25,000;
• expenses associated with medical evacuation from the US in the amount of US $50,000; and
• a deductible not to exceed US $500 per accident or illness.

• M. best rating of "A-" or above;
• Insurance Solvency International Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-1" or above;
• Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above;
• Weiss Research Inc. rating of "B+" or above.

The Association charge US$800 administration fee for the 12-month Student Work and Travel Program, and US$1,200 administration fee for the Intern Program. Each participant automatically become a member of the American Australian Association and is charged US$150 membership fee.   In addition to this, participants should note the US Government charges three separate fees pertaining to the J-1 visa. These fees are listed in US dollar amounts and will be charged at the applicable exchange rate:  $131 visa application fee, $105 visa issuance (reciprocity fee) and $35 SEVIS fee. It is mandatory that you obtain an adequate level of medical coverage for the duration of their visit.   *Please check the Department of State - Exchange Visitor Program website for the most updated list of fees: https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/eligibility-and-fees/

You can start your program and arrived in the U.S. at any time of the year.  If you are a recent graduate, you must enter the U.S. within the 12 month post-graduation eligibility period.

Applicants must be:

• An Australian or New Zealand citizen;
• Aged 18 years or older;
• A full time, classroom-based undergraduate student enrolled at an Australian university or TAFE college (minimum Diploma level course of 2 years duration) and have successfully completed the first year of study; or a continuing postgraduate student completing higher studies immediately following undergraduate study; or
• Have graduated from a course specified above within the past 12 months;
• Purchased approved Medical Insurance for the duration of your program.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support your stay in the US.

• Accepted into a full-time American Internship program with a completed Training and Internship Placement Program (T/IPP) form (part of DS 7002 form); the applicant connects AAA to her/his Internship coordinator who discusses the program with AAA. The Intern Program requires Form DS 7002, with details of Internship plans, preferably divided into multiples phases depending on the length of the internship.
• An Australian or New Zealand citizen;
• Aged 18 years or older;
• A full time, class room based undergraduate student enrolled at an Australian university or TAFE college (minimum Diploma level course of 2 years duration) and have successfully completed the first year of study; or continuing postgraduate student completing higher studies immediately following undergraduate study; or
• Have graduated from a course specified above within the past 12 months;
• Purchased approved Medical Insurance for 12 months (details below)
• Demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support yourself.

The J-1 Visa allows foreign nationals to visit the United States temporarily to work as an Exchange Visitor. It was developed to expose individuals in a variety of fields from around the world to the culture and institutions of the US and to foster better understanding of the US perspective on a variety of issues.

As with all Exchange Visitor visas, you must obtain sponsorship from an exchange visitor program sponsor approved by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The US Department of State authorized the American Australian Association as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor in October of 2002. This permits our organization to issue a “Certificate of Eligibility” (Form DS-2019) to eligible applicants, allowing them to temporarily work or attend their internship in the United States under a J-1 Visa.