Australia Digital Nomad Visa: How To Work Remotely In Australia?

As remote workers are choosing their favorite digital nomad destinations, they are settling in other countries to explore and earn simultaneously.

And a Digital Nomad Visa permits you to do just that.

So, be it Japan, Italy, Germany, or even the mysticisms of Australia, you just need the Visa approval to pack your bags and take the first flight there.

But the confusing part starts with— “How to get the Australia Digital Nomad Visa?” Well, that’s what your remote buddy has brought you here.

In this blog, I will be delving into the diverse aspects of the digital nomad visa to work remotely in Australia, focusing on —

• Benefits of working remotely in Australia,
• Best Visa options for digital nomads in Australia,
• Eligibility criteria, application steps, and more.

So, come dive right in!

What Is The Australia Digital Nomad Visa?

Instead of asking “What is the Australia Digital Nomad Visa?”, the question should be “Does Australia offer Digital Nomad Visas?”

Unlike the other countries, Australia has no dedicated Digital Nomad Visa provisions for foreign remote workers. But most remote employees can work in Australia, availing one of its Tourist visas.

Although there is no specific working permit mentioned in these Visas, they don’t mention any restrictions either. So, remote workers choose the available Visitor visas as alternative options.

What Are The Best Visitor Visas For Digital Nomads In Australia?

Since there is no designated Digital Nomad Visa for working in Australia, its Visitor Visas are the only way out. That is, remote workers can take these visas to start their Australian remote career smoothly.

1. Visitor Visa

Firstly, the Visitor Visa is a type of Tourist Visa that specifically forbids the worker from working for any local companies in Australia.

That is, the worker gets a fixed set of instructions to be considered eligible for the visa provisions. Some of these eligibility criteria include—

• Must Not Work Locally: Remote workers should not be employed under any local companies in Australia. But they can work for foreign clients.
• Adequate Health Insurance: The worker should have health insurance to cover any medical mishaps and treatment expenses while staying in Australia.
• Leave Before Visa Expiration: The remote employee should leave the country before the Visitor Visa expires. That is, be it 3, 6, or 12 months, they need to leave before the expiration.
• Total Time Allowed To Stay: Under the Visitor Visa, workers are allowed to stay for up to 12 months. So, they can time their arrival and flight back home based on that.

2. eVisitor Visa And Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Moreover, Australia provides the eVisitor Visa, which is designed for EU citizens. That is, it allows visitors from the EU to visit Australia as many times as they want within the span of a year.

Similarly, the ETA is designed for other foreigners who reside in countries outside the EU. So, their specifications are kinda similar.

But these visas also come with certain limitations on the provisions—

• Type Of Visit: Firstly, the visa allows workers to visit Australia as tourists to see their family or friends. So, it doesn’t allow the person to stay for a long time.
• Total Time Allowed To Stay: Moreover, it allows the remote worker to stay for only 3 months at a stretch. So, they need to leave the country before the expiration of the 3 months within the 1-year stay approval, and visit again.
• No Local Employment: Additionally, the workers are not allowed to work for any local employers or companies. Since it is a tourist visa and allows the person to stay for 3 months at a time, they are forbidden to work for local companies.
• No Criminal Records: Finally, there should be no criminal convictions of the person. That is, they should not have any records of being sentenced to over 12 months or more.

3. Working Holiday Visa

Out of all the Tourist visas, remote workers and digital nomads mostly opt for the Working Holiday Visa. That is, this visa offers a visa to young people for a short-term stay with fewer restrictions.

So, its major attractive provisions consist of—

• Short-Term Stay: Allows workers from the age group 18 to 30 or 35 years to stay in Australia and work independently during the holiday season.
• Two Subclasses: Moreover, it provides Subclass 417 and Subclass 462 for two separate sets of countries. These subclasses mention the countries allowed to visit Australia.
• Working During Holidays: Additionally, the workers are required to visit Australia and work during the holiday season. So, they can get payment during the short-term holiday visitation phase.
• Non-involvement In Disruptive Activities: Moreover, the worker cannot involve themselves in any disruptive or violent activities that threaten the lives of Australians.
• Notify The Department Before Leaving: Also, the remote worker needs to inform the department that they are working with 7 days before the visa expires, and they are leaving.
• 6 Months Of Employment: Finally, they are allowed to work under one employee for up to 6 months. And, they need to study or train for a total of 4 months within the 12-month visa period.

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For The Australia Digital Nomad Visa?

Although there is no specific Australia Digital Nomad Visa, these are some of the common eligibility criteria for all kinds of Tourist or Visitor Visas in Australia—

1. Valid Passport And National Identity

Firstly, the workers need to provide a valid passport and their official identification. So, they can prove their nationality and identity to get approval for the visa.

2. Minimum Income Proof

Especially for the Working Holidays Visa, workers need to provide bank statements and monthly payslips to show that they are earning minimum wages. So, they can be employed in Australia during the holiday season.

3. International Health Insurance

Additionally, they need to provide a proper international health insurance that covers most injuries and medical treatments in Australia. So, the worker can safely work during the holiday season without any medical expense worries.

4. No Criminal Records

Finally, they need to show a clean criminal record. That is, the criminal convictions of the employees should not be 12 months or more. So, the innocent workers can contribute to the economy of Australia.

How To Apply For The Australian Digital Nomad Visa?

Applying for the digital nomad visa or the Working Holiday Visa is quite simple. That is, you just need to follow these steps to apply for the visa—

• Collect and keep all the documents ready. So, when you are filling out the application form, you can submit the documents along with it.
• Then, go to the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and apply for the Visitor Visa. So, create your ImmiAccount and fill out the application form.
• After that, submit the documents that are required in the portal and keep a physical copy of the application form for future reference.
• Then, you need to pay the application fees and submit the form. Now, you have to wait for at least 12 to 35 days to get a response from the Ministry.

Given that Australia offers the perfect amalgamation of city bustle, culture, and exotic nature, it is a common choice for most digital nomads.

And, now that the visa process is so simple, what’s stopping you from grabbing the first flight to the land of Kangaroos and business?

Take this chance and apply for the Tourist visa to start your digital nomad lifestyle today!

FAQs

Here are some of the common questions on the Australian Digital Nomad Visa that most remote workers look for.