Work rights - Frequently Asked Questions

Melbourne Railway St What is work and who has the right to work in Australia?
The 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.

As a general rule, only Australia citizens, Australian permanent residents – that is, migrants who are not yet Australian citizens – and New Zealand citizens who have entered Australia on a valid passport, have unrestricted rights to employment in Australia. any other foreign national who wants to work in Australia must have a temporary visa that allows employment.

Who can I employ in Australia?
This website offers assistance to Australian employers in their dealings with people already in Australia who MAY have the right to work while they are here.

People who hold Australian permanent visas are entitled to work. People who hold an Australian temporary Resident visa may or may not have the right to work. For example, people on Visitor visa are not entitled to work in Australia. An employer needs to check a visa holder’s work rights to ensure that they employ people who have the right to work in Australia.

Can I work while holding a visitors visa?
If you want to work in Australia, it is important to obtain a visa that allows you the right to work.

If you hold a visitor visa of any type, including an ETA, you do not have permission to work in Australia. Penalties apply to holders of a visitor visa who do not abide by the 8101 ‘no work’ condition and include cancellation of your visa and removal from Australia.
Those wanting to work should consider the Working Holiday Maker program, or another visa that allows work.

How do I prove to an employer that I have permission to work in Australia?
When apply for a job, employers and labour suppliers will ask you to prove that you have the right to work in Australia before they give you the job. Be prepared to show your passport and your valid visa stating your work rights.

What happens if I work without permission?
If you work without work right you commit an offence against the Migration Act 1958. People working illegally may have their visas cancelled and be subject to immediate removal from Australia. They can also be excluded from returning to Australia for a period of up to three years, or fined up to $10,000.

Can I work while holding a Working Holiday visa?
Working holiday makers are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature. As the main purpose of the visit is for holiday and travel, work for longer than three months with any one employer is not allowed.

Australia Beach How many hours may overseas students work?
As an overseas student in Australia, you should have enough money to support yourself and your family for the entire time that you are studying. You are not automatically given the right to work once you are in Australia. If you do need to get a job while studying, you will need to apply for and get a new student visa with permission to work attached as a condition of that visa.
Students and dependents can only apply for a visa with work rights after they arrive in Australia and the student has begun studying. There is an application charge for a student visa with permission to work.

If a student visa with work rights is granted, you will only be allowed to work for 20 hours a week while the course you are studying is in session unless that work is a registered component of the course. However, you can work for longer periods during your holidays.

Dependants of student visa holders may generally work up to 20 hours a week while in Australia.

The money you earn from working in Australia should only supplement your income and not be your only source of income.

How do I employ someone from overseas on a temporary basis?
The temporary residence program allows employers to overcome temporary skilled labour shortages by recruiting key personnel from overseas, for a period of up to four years.

Many people enter Australia on a temporary basis, for a range of specialised purposes under the temporary residence program, which may require sponsorship or nomination from the employer in Australia. In all cases the programs are designed to allow overseas people to come to Australia for specific purposes which will result in some benefit to the Australian community.

Visas are available under arrangements for:

If the employee you sponsored on a temporary visa leaves you business, you should immediately inform your nearest Business Centre and provide whatever details you have of your former employee’s whereabouts.

What if a person applies for a position with my company and provides what appears to be a valid business long stay temporary residence visa?
If you were not the person’s original sponsor they will not have permission to work for you. You will need to contact your nearest Business Centre to apply for sponsor status. The person cannot start working for you until the application has been approved.

Perth City View How do I employ someone from overseas on a permanent basis?
If your recruitment requirements will call for the employment of overseas personnel on a permanent basis, you may sponsor a skilled person from overseas under the following schemes: