work and travel in australia

i'm from germany and i wanna go on a "work and travel" trip to australia in september (for about 9 months) and i have so many questions about it i don't even know where to start.
well... does it make sense to have a rough idea of where to go throughout the 9 months or should i just look what's coming up?
where can you buy a (used) car in australia... are there trustful dealers or used-car-agencies? what has to be taken care of buying a car?
how are the laws about camping in the wild? and what dangers are there when camping in the wild (e.g. animals)?

that's it so far... i think there are gonna be more questions following?

It always amazes me that people still don't get it that crocs are very dangerous and numerous. Just today, this report:

Some people never learn...

30 or under. Not under 30.

WA cars vary wildly, in accordance with the enormous size and variations in terrain it has. I believe you need to have an immobilizer in WA cars??

On the plus side, you can renew your rego by mail in WA which has its advantages, especially as a foreigner. SA is the same.

Neither state requires annual roadworthies, which is nice as an owner, not so good as a buyer. I bought my car in NSW (which does require them), then re-registered in SA when the rego ran out (much cheaper).

Anywhere. Tradingpost.com.au gives you a good starting point of what's available and at what price.

Buy privately.

If a potential seller won't let you take a car to an INDEPENDENT mechanic of
YOUR choice, walk away. Plenty more available.

Yes, third party liability. Third party property isn't included in most states (or all) and collision to YOUR vehicle isn't covered unless you buy it privately.

"the wild" can - and often is - private property. The largest station in the country, Anna Creek, is larger than Holland! If it is private property there will often be signs posted (if/where permitted or prohibited); it's politic and responsible tourism to ask the owner, even if s/he is a hundred km. away. Same goes for traveling on station tracks.

The biggest danger is yourself. Do your homework, follow the boy scout motto ("be prepared," not "eat a brownie" 8-)) and you'll be right.

The biggest danger is probably getting lost, or breaking down and running out of water or other supplies. This might seem like it would only be a problem way out in the outback, far from major cities. But people have been lost and died less than 2 hours drive from Sydney (e.g. in the Blue Mountains). Get hold of a guidebook to Australia, and read the cautions for travelling in the bush. A little bit of common sense and taking some simple precautions and you should have a great, and safe, trip.

We're all paying strict attention to Steve Irwin!

You probably need to consider the weather arriving in September. The
Northern part of the country will be starting to warm up and by mid October its going to start getting hot. In central Australia travel (off the major bitumen highways) is not advisable from November through to March if you and your vehicle are not thoroughly prepared.

Buying a vehicle - get the State motoring club (RACV, NRMA, RACQ, etc.) to do a pre purchase inspection. They will give you a good idea of condition and what you may need to have fixed up.

Buying membership to one of the above can be another good holiday insurance for a roadside breakdown service if things go wrong.

All States require at least a roadworthy/safety inspection certificate on sale of the vehicle - usually the owner pays for this. They are NOT to be relied upon, I've seen some horrors which have passed inspections days earlier - the owner having changed tyres, etc. Dealers are notorious for having a pet inspector who will issue a certificate for practically anything on four good tyres.

When you buy a vehicle you have to pay government charges - stamp duty at about 5% of the value.

Insurance - with registration you are charged for third party injury insurance - this covers you, passengers and anyone who you may injure. If the accident is your fault you may not be covered for compensation - but your medical costs will be covered. To insure your vehicle there are three common types - third party - only pays for damage to another property owner.
Third party, fire and theft - same as above but covers you against loss if the vehicle is burnt or stolen. Comprehensive - same as above but also pays up for damage that you cause to your vehicle.
Most insurers have online quotes.

Work - if you visit most backpacker hostels there will be someone who has knowledge of a job or a contact.