Applying for a Work Visa for Australia
A multitude of specific visas for work can be found described at visiting http://www.immi.gov.au. Below are the more common ones.
Working Holiday Program
The Working Holiday Program provides opportunities for people between 18 and 30 to holiday in Australia and to supplement their travel funds through incidental employment. Australia has reciprocal Working Holiday Maker arrangements in effect with the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, Finland, the Republic of Cyprus, France, and Italy, Belgium, Estonia and Taiwan.
Working as a Visitor
If you hold a Visitor visa, you DO NOT have permission to work in Australia.
Note: the visa label in your passport will show that condition 8101 ‘no work’ is attached to your visa. If you entered on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for tourism purposes, your travel authority also has the ‘no work’ condition.
Migration legislation defines work as “an activity that, in Australia, normally attracts remuneration.” This means that any activity that normally attracts payment, irrespective of whether you are paid or given some other kind of reward, is deemed to be work.
Voluntary work
Some voluntary work may be permitted. You will need to approach a department office or overseas mission before undertaking any voluntary work. An officer can advise you if the proposed activity is permissible.
Generally, permission is only granted if:
� your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and any voluntary work you do remains incidental to this;
� the work you do would not otherwise be done in return for wages by an Australian resident; and
� the work activities are genuinely voluntary and you do not receive any payment in return for the activities (board or lodging may be excepted).
Penalties
Working without permission is an offence that attracts a fine of up to $10,000. It may result in your visa being cancelled and your holiday cut short. You may also be precluded from coming back to Australia for periods of up to three years.
If you want to come to Australia and work, it is important to obtain a visa that allows you to do this. Visitor visas do not allow you to work. Those wanting to visit and work should consider the Working Holiday program, or another visa that allows work.
Business Visits to Australia
This page sets out a number of options for people wanting to make business visits to Australia. More information can be found by using the links below.
Business visas are provided for visitors to undertake business – for example, attend a conference or training session, business negotiations, an exploratory business visit, establishing a business. They do not cover taking paid employment in other fields in Australia. Such work requires a different visa.
The Australian government delinates a difference betwee a short business visit (less than 3 months) and those more than 3 months.
Options for highly-skilled business owners, investors and senior executives
Temporary business stay leading to permanent residence for successful business people wishing to settle in Australia and develop new or existing businesses. A direct permanent residence category is also available for high-calibre business migrants sponsored by State or Territory governments.
Working as a Sponsored Employee or a Skilled Person
The information on this page briefly describes a range of visas which enable holders to work in Australia. More information about migrating to Australia or working temporarily in Australia can be found by using the links below.
Temporary residence
Temporary employer-sponsored workers – for Australian businesses needing to recruit staff from overseas for temporary entry for up to four years. Also for people who wish to come to Australia under an employer-sponsorship arrangement.
Other temporary workers – if you are coming to Australia temporarily, there are a number of options that may allow you to work during your visit.
Options for highly-skilled business owners, investors and senior executives – for temporary business stays leading to permanent residence for successful business people wishing to settle in Australia and develop new or existing businesses.
Permanent residence
Permanent skilled workers – for people with recognised qualifications, skills, good English language ability and aged under 45 years.
Permanent employer-nominated workers – for Australian businesses needing to recruit highly-skilled workers where employers have been unable to fill their recruitment needs from the Australian labour market or through their own training efforts.
Options for highly-skilled business owners, investors and senior executives – for temporary business stay leading to permanent residence for successful business people wishing to settle in Australia and develop new or existing businesses. A direct permanent category is also available for high-calibre business migrants sponsored by State or Territory governments.
You can apply for any visa online at the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Your visa number and restrictions are then noted in the Australian Government computer system (and your permanent record). You can print it if that makes you more comfortable but it is unnecessary.
