Is Working with Tourist Visa in Australia Allowed?

While Australia’s reputation as a holiday paradise is well-deserved, its strong job market with attractive salaries also beckons many internationals to explore the possibility of working there. Want to know if working with tourist visa in Australia is possible?

This article isn’t going to tell you how to bend the rules with a tourist visa. Instead, we’ll guide you towards the perfect visa option that lets you experience the best of both worlds: travel and work in Australia legally and safely.

Can Australian tourist visa holders get salaried jobs?

There are five main types of Australian tourist visas, each designed for different travel plans. These visas allow international visitors to stay in Australia for a set period.

Common Australian tourist visa types:

1. ● Tourist stream: This visa allows tourists to enter Australia for vacation and family/friends visiting.
2. ● Sponsored family stream: This visa allows tourists to visit their relatives or friends who are currently residing in Australia.
3. ● Business visitor stream: This visa is specialized for individuals who enter Australia for a short stay to engage in business activities such as partner meetings, conferences, contract signing, etc.

One of the biggest questions new tourist visa applicants have is whether they can work while they’re in Australia. The answer is straightforward: working is generally not allowed on a tourist visa, no matter your job title.

It’s important to remember that even though the Subclass 600 visa (tourist visa) allows for various travel activities, working for a salary is strictly prohibited.

Volunteering is permitted, but it’s crucial to understand all the visa regulations before you arrive in Australia to avoid any unintentional breaches that could impact your stay.

Important: Breaking Australia’s visa rules can have serious consequences. You could be deported and banned from returning for a significant period, or even permanently.

What could happen if you get a salaried job on an Australian tourist visa?

Working on a tourist visa in Australia is a serious no-go. It can land you in hot water, with serious consequences. The penalties for working illegally on a tourist visa can be severe.

You could face anything from hefty fines to being deported immediately, and potentially even a permanent ban on returning to Australia.

Do your research! Understanding the limitations of the Subclass 600 visa (tourist visa) can help you avoid any unexpected issues and ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Australia.

If you want to explore Australia and earn some cash while you’re there, the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa is the way to go. While holding an Australian Work and Holiday visa, the Australian government grants you legal entry and departure, work permission, or short-term study in the country.

In addition, you can extend your stay in Australia up to three years by applying for the Second or Third Work and Holiday Visa.

Lawful employment in Australia: Who’s eligible?

The Australian government has introduced the Subclass 462 visa to cater to the need for employment of overseas visitors. With this visa, you are granted permission to travel and work in Australia for 12 months.

However, to obtain a Subclass 462 visa, you will need to meet several requirements, such as:

1. ● You must hold citizenship of countries approved by the Australian government (for example, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, etc.)
2. ● You must be between the ages of 18 to 30 years old (inclusive).
3. ● Your passport has a minimum of 12-month validity.
4. ● You have not previously been to Australia on either Subclass 462 or Subclass 417 visas, nor have you had an Australian visa application rejected.
5. ● You have sufficient financial resources to cover your stay in Australia (approximately 5,000 AUD, on top of your repatriation expenses)
6. ● You must provide evidence of your educational qualifications. Furthermore, you also need to prove your English competency if you are not from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland. One way to achieve this is by providing adequate scores on international English tests such as IELTS, PTE, Cambridge C1, or TOEFL iBT (Only TOEFLT iBT test taken on or before 25 July 2023 is accepted).
7. ● You have to comply with the Australian Department of Home Affairs regulations regarding health standards and requirements on judicial records.
8. ● Your intended job must be listed in Approved Industries and Areas for Specified Work as regulated by the Australian government.

How to convert an Australian tourist visa to a work visa?

Australian tourist visas (Subclass 600) are divided into many categories, each tailored to a specific need such as travel or family/friend visiting. However, applicants are not allowed to engage in employment throughout their stay.

If you seek an extended holiday and wish to work to fund your trip, here’s how you can get an Australian Work and Holiday Visa application (Subclass 462):

Check if you’re eligible

As mentioned earlier, for the Australian Subclass 462 visa, applicants must be from 18 to 30 years old (inclusive), have citizenship of designated countries (specified by the Australian Department of Home Affairs), and demonstrate adequate educational qualifications as well as functional English competency.

Prepare your documents

To apply for an Australian Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462), make sure you have:

1. ● Letter of support: If you are from certain countries, you may need to obtain a letter of support (or alternative) from your government. Check the full list on the website of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
2. ● Mandatory documents: Visa 462 application form, passport, certified translations of non-English documents such as identity card, birth certificate and household registration book, proof of educational qualifications, and English certificates.
3. ● Financial demonstrations: Property deeds, bank balance, bank statement, passbook, business license, etc.
4. ● Proof of employment: Labor contract, monthly payslip, etc.

When applying for the Australian Subclass 462 visa, you may need to prepare additional supporting documents such as a travel and work itinerary, flight ticket, proof of hotel reservation, or relevant papers.

Important note: It’s vital that you obtain certified translations of all non-English documents.

Submit your application and pay the required visa fees

Access the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs and register a personal account. At this stage, ensure you provide all personal information as required. After which, scan and upload your documents to the website. Select “Submit Online” and make the payment.

Proceed with biometric collection

Once all the essential procedures are completed, follow the instructions on the website of your assigned Australian Biometrics Collection Centre to schedule an appointment for biometric collection. You will proceed with this process in person.

A Reliable Certified Translation Service for Visa Application

Legal paperwork typically involves specialized knowledge and strict confidentiality policies. It’s important to choose a reputable translation service to entrust your documents.

Need certified translations for your Australia visa application?

Let Thao & Co. handles the headache! As your trusted partner, we’re with you every step of the way.

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Thao & Co. is dedicated to delivering high-quality translations that boost your chances of visa approval. Ready to get your Australia visa for work?

Drop your request on our Get A Quote page today! Our specialists will get back to you right away!