Can I work while I am in Australia?

Only Australia citizens and Australian permanent residents 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. There are different work permissions which depend on the type of temporary visa. For example, if you hold a visitor visa you do not have permission to work in Australia.

As a Working holiday maker you are permitted to do any kind of work for not longer than three months with any one employer. If you are temporarily sponsored by an Australian company you have full rights to work for you sponsor but for no other company. As an overseas student you can apply for a visa with work rights after you have started studying, then you are allowed to work for 20 hours a week while the course is in session unless that work is a registered component of the course. You can work for longer periods during your holidays.

On a retirement visa you are allowed to work for 20 hours a week. If you work without the permission you may have your visa cancelled and be subject to immediate removal from Australia or be fined up to A$10,000.