How to Travel and Work in Australia

Co-authored by Deirdre Nero

Last Updated: January 12, 2023 References Approved

Australia is a popular destination for expatriates. Many people enjoy the climate, culture and communities enough to seek temporary or permanent employment in the country. If you want to work in Australia, you will need to find an employment scheme that sponsors your work visa. There are different options available, depending upon your nationality. On your visa application, you will be awarded points based on your qualifications, which will then determine if you get a visa. This process can take anywhere from 3 months to 18 months, so you may want to get a travel visa to visit Australia in the meantime. Find out how to travel and work in Australia.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Australia Travel Options

1
Visit your country's state department website to find out how to get a passport.^{[1]
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Research source} You should start the passport process as soon as possible, as some processes can take between 3 and 6 months to receive.
- Any website that ends in .gov is an official government website—you can trust the information on there.
2
Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled to view the Australian immigration rules on foreign workers. Go to www.immi.gov.au/translated-info/_pdf/rights-obligations-workers/english.pdf to see what rights immigrant workers are afforded.

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3
Apply for an ETA visitor visa. This is required for any short-term trip to Australia, and you will be required to prove you have an ETA before getting on a plane to Australia. It is good for up to 3 months.^{[2]
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- This visa will cost $20. You can apply at www.eta.immi.gov.au. If you currently hold another type of visa, or you are applying after an ETA is expired, you may have to appear in person at an Australian consulate to reapply.
4
Apply for an eVisitor visa, if you want to visit Australia for travel or business and you are from an applicable European country. This is designed for travel of 3 months or less and you must apply for it outside of Australia.^{[3]
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- Visit www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/evisitor.htm to start an eVisitor application. Charges will apply.
5
Apply for a tourist visa if you want to extend your travel for more than 3 months. You can apply for this visa inside or outside of Australia. It can be granted for up to 12 months of travel.^{[4]
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- Visit www.ecom.immi.gov.au/visas/app/uu?form=VSS to apply for a tourist visa. Some nationalities are not able to submit an online application. In this case, you will need to visit an Australian consulate.
6
Apply for a working holiday visa. This visa is only available to people from certain countries who are between the ages of 18 and 30. It is designed to allow you to travel, supplement your income with work and/or study for up to 12 months.^{[5]
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- People from a specific list of countries, including the UK and many European countries, should apply for a subclass 415 visa to gain short term employment in Australia.^{[6]
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  Research source} With this visa, you can stay and work for up to 12 months, study for up to 4 months and work during this period. Visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/how-to-apply.htm to get applications and learn how to complete them.
- People from various Asian and South American countries and the United States can apply for a subclass 462 visa.^{[7]
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  Research source} The restrictions on this visa are similar to the subclass 415 visa; however, you can only work with 1 employer for a period of up to 6 months. Visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/462/usa/how-to-apply.htm to download applications and learn how to apply.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Australian Work Options

1
Find an employer to sponsor your visa.^{[8]
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Research source} If you are a skilled worker, you should begin looking for employment sponsorship 3 to 6 months in advance of your trip to Australia. There are a few different ways that you can find sponsored employment.
- Contact a recruiter in Australia to get help with finding a position. You can find recruiters through Internet searches, and you may be required to pay for their services. This is a good idea if you have a highly specialized profession that is listed on the SOL.
- Register for a free "work in Australia" online job board. These sites, such as jobs4travellers.com.au and liveinaustralia.com/home/employment_in_australia.asp ask you to sign in and allow you to look for job boards.
2
Consult the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). If you are a professional working in 1 of the listed fields, you are much more likely to get a sponsored or independent work visa. Medical, engineering and computer professions are some of the most common items listed on this document.^{[9]
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- Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf to read the most up to date SOL.
- Do research on international companies that have bases in Australia. Applying for work in 1 of these companies may allow you to go through training in Australia or work in an Australian office.
- Search for applicable jobs in large Australian companies. Very large companies are more likely to hire international employees because they can afford the visa costs. Keep in contact with all of these companies and search often for new jobs.
3
Apply for a business visa. There are several types of business visas, usually available to people who are entrepreneurs or investors and seek to enhance the Australia economy.^{[10]
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Research source} You can also seek a visa to train or conduct business for a short period of time.
- If you are planning a business visit, you will need to apply for an ETA or eVisitor visitor visa before being granted a subclass 956, 977 of 651 visa. Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/business-visit-visa-options.htm to find out how to apply.
- You will need to apply for a short stay business visa if you are not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor via. Visit the link above to apply for a subclass 456 visa.^{[11]
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4
Attend a "Skills Australia Needs" event. The Australian government seeks out individuals with specialized skills, such as those listed on the SOL. Travel to 1 of these events to look for employment. You may need to travel to England or another country to attend this recruitment fair.
- Visit www.immi.gov.au/skillevents/upcoming-events.htm to view a list of these events.
5
Seek permanent residency with a skilled independent visa. This visa is only available to people under 50 with English proficiency who are able to prove that they offer a skill that is in demand in Australia. People in the medical field are especially sought for this type of visa, which can take up to 18 months to receive.^{[12]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I search for a job in Australia?

Sami97

Community Answer

Often times there are flyers from the different job positions on the blackboard in your hostel. If there are none, you can always just ask around - in Australia, many people rely on the backpackers for their work force, so you will always find something. If you want to, you can also apply online before traveling to Australia to make sure that you have a job by the time you arrive. A popular job is berry or fruit picking, as many farmers offer free meals and accommodation in exchange for your help.
Question

What is the IELTS exam?

Community Answer

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
Question

How do I get a job with a travel company in Australia?

Community Answer

Like any other job, you can look for postings from travel companies online and apply for them that way. You could also try calling travel companies around Australia to ask whether or not they're hiring.