Last updated on April 17th, 2024 at 09:50 am
If you’ve ever dreamed of working in another country, getting a digital nomad visa allows you to work from almost anywhere. And with its unique culture and multitude of awe-inspiring landscapes, Australia is quickly becoming one of the most popular places for digital nomads to explore.
Although Australia doesn’t currently have an official digital nomad visa, several other options are available. At Remitly, our team has crafted a helpful guide explaining how to get a visa so you can work in Australia. Keep reading to learn about your options as a remote worker traveling to Australia.
Why Doesn’t Australia Offer a Digital Nomad Visa?
While there’s been some discussion about offering an Australian digital nomad visa, it’s important to note that the country doesn’t currently have a visa tailored exclusively for digital nomads and/or remote workers.
Here are a few reasons why Australia doesn’t currently offer a digital nomad visa:
- Australia prioritizes finding skilled workers to fill specific positions, and a digital nomad visa may not adequately address these needs.
- There are some concerns that digital nomads might not pay Australian taxes, especially if their employer is based in a different country.
- Because there’s already a variety of visa options available, Australia has plenty of existing visa categories that work well for digital nomads.
Alternatives to an Australian Digital Nomad Visa
Here is an overview of the alternatives to an Australian digital nomad visa that you can apply for.
Tourist visa
If you’re traveling to Australia, you may apply for a tourist visa, which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 12 months. There are three types of Australian visas: the Electronic Travel Authority Visa (ETA), the eVisitor Visa, and the Visitor Visa.
Each of these visas must be applied for and approved before you can enter the country. Travelers with a tourist visa are not allowed to work in Australia; however, this doesn’t usually apply if you plan to work remotely. The travel visa option is popular with digital nomads since they may choose to work for a short stint while on holiday before they return home.
Working holiday visa
A working holiday visa is a good option for digital nomads planning to spend longer in Australia. This visa is designed for people who travel to Australia to look for work, but you are also permitted to work for a company overseas.
The two working holiday visas in Australia are the Working Holiday Visa and the Work and Holiday Visa. Both allow for extensions, and you can stay up to three full years with an Australian working holiday visa. If you do need to extend your working holiday past one year, you must complete at least 88 days of eligible work, which includes positions like construction, fishing, farm work, or tree farming in various regions of the country.
How Australian Tourist and Working Holiday Visas Differ from a Digital Nomad Visa
Certain types of visas may not allow visitors to physically perform work in their destination country. However, this might not prevent them from working remotely online (AKA, being a digital nomad). The Australian tourist visa allows you to visit for an extended period, but you can’t physically apply for and work in Australia during your stay.
Australian working holiday visas do allow you to work in Australia, making them a decent substitute for an “official” digital nomad visa. Since each visa has unique requirements, it’s crucial to determine which one you want before you apply so you’re able to do the work you love while you’re there.
Benefits of being a digital nomad in Australia
There are many benefits to getting a tourist or working visa so you can work in Australia and be a digital nomad. Let’s review some of the amazing perks these different visas provide.
Work flexibility
As a digital nomad, you’re able to work remotely from any location. Whether you choose to lounge on the beach and listen to the waves while you work or conduct business in one of Australia’s many coworking spaces and Internet cafes, it’s an excellent way to earn an income from your chosen location.
Digital nomads typically can set their own work schedules. This means you can choose when you want to work and when you want to spend your time exploring the beautiful country of Australia as you see fit to create a lifestyle that works for you.
Incredible culture and landscapes
If you’re looking for breathtaking scenery, Australia is an excellent choice. This beautiful country features an eclectic mix of landscapes, including sandy beaches, lush mountain ranges, and bustling cities like Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne.
Aside from the environment, Australia’s culture also appeals to many travelers and digital nomads. The country generally has a laid-back vibe and integrates customs and traditions from both the West (mainly Britain) and its indigenous Aboriginal people. This blend of cultures makes Australia a unique and interesting place to explore.
A growing digital nomad network
Because Australia is such a popular place, the community of digital nomads here continues to grow. If you’re considering working from this country, it’s a wonderful place to connect with others with similar mindsets and lifestyles. High-speed Wi-Fi access is readily available in most places, so you can connect virtually anywhere.
Since Australia recognizes that more people want to become digital nomads here, the number of co-working spaces available has increased. Depending on where you choose to work, you can visit Hub Australia, DeskSpace, The Commons, or Spacecubed if you’re looking for a place to work while connecting with the digital nomad community.
What are Australia’s visa requirements?
Before you hop on a plane and head to the land down under, it’s important to know more about specific Australian visa requirements. They vary depending on the type of visa you apply for. Here are some basic guidelines to help you plan before submitting your application.
Age requirements
You must have an Australian bank account to get any type of visa in Australia. Anyone who opens a bank account here must be 18 years of age or older. You must also provide your exact arrival date, passport, address proof, employer details, and salary.
Citizenship and passport requirements
The type of visa you can get and its specific citizenship and passport requirements vary based on your country of origin. Here are the guidelines for Australian visas depending on where you come from:
- US citizens may apply for the Working Holiday Visa, the Visitor Visa, or the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) visa.
- EU citizens may apply for the eVisitor visa, the Working Holiday Visa, or the Visitor Visa.
- US green card holders may apply for the same visas as US citizens.
- Canadian citizens may apply for the ETA or the Visitor Visa.
- Citizens of New Zealand may apply for a Special Category Visa, which has no limits on how long you may stay or work in Australia.
- People residing in any other country may only apply for a Visitor Visa.
Clean criminal history requirements
Everyone who applies for any type of Australian visa must have a clean criminal record and may be subject to a criminal background check. You must also not be involved in any activities that disrupt or threaten violence to anyone in the Australian community or any groups within Australia.
Employment requirements
Your specific employment requirements will depend on which type of visa you apply for. The Visitor, ETA, and eVisitor Visa requirements state that you cannot work in Australia, however, you may still be allowed to work remotely for a country outside of Australia during your stay. If you apply for a Working Holiday Visa, you can’t work in Australia unless it’s relevant to a specific business or task you’ve mentioned in the application.
Financial requirements
People who apply for visas in Australia must provide proof of financial stability. There are no minimum income requirements, but you must obtain an Australian bank account when you arrive. Be prepared to include three of your most recent bank statements, which may require you to show a closing balance of at least AUD 5,000 (Australian Dollars).
Health insurance requirements
Per the Australian government, you must have adequate health insurance coverage during the duration of your stay. Make sure your benefits include the following coverage at a minimum:
- Overnight and day stays at public hospitals
- Coverage of emergency department fees
- Admitted patient care and postoperative services, when applicable
- Pharmacy and ambulance services
- Surgically implanted prosthesis coverage
Housing requirements
When applying for a visa in Australia, use your current home address. For example, if you live in the United States, use your US address when filling out the application. You can change your address later to reflect where you stay in Australia once the visa application is approved and you move. When applying for an Australian bank account, you must provide proof of your new address.
Apply for a digital nomad visa in Australia
Before you apply for an Australian visa, make sure you gather all of the necessary documents. The documents you’ll need may depend on which type of visa you apply for, but many of them will require you to provide:
- Your current passport, which includes your personal details, the passport issue and expiration date, and passport photo
- A national ID card (such as a driver’s license and/or social security card)
- Personal bank statements for the last three months
- Other financial documents like paystubs, tax records, and credit card statements
- A letter stating your plans while visiting Australia
- Proof you have plans to return home, which may include a letter from your employer saying you’ll return to your job, proof you’re studying at a college in your home study, or proof you have immediate family living in your home country
- Proof of up-to-date health insurance coverage
Once you’ve gathered your documents, you may complete the visa application online using your registered ImmiAccount. The online platform will tell you which documents you need to attach. You may pay your application fee via PayPal, a credit card, UnionPay, or BPAY.
Living and working in Australia
Now that the technicalities are out of the way let’s talk about what it’s like to live and work in Australia.
Finding accommodation
Housing in Australia is more expensive than in some other countries, but there are lots of options to choose from. Whether you want to live in a flat with roommates or a house, you’ll find everything from traditional villas and small studios to modern condos and single-family homes. Rental prices are higher in larger cities like Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne, as well as any waterfront property.
Internet connectivity
According to recent data, the number of people using the Internet in Australia is expected to reach more than 23.3 million by 2025. Because Internet usage is so common here, it has one of the fastest mobile Internet speeds in the world. Metropolitan areas tend to have plenty of Wi-Fi access and higher speeds than the more rural and isolated regions.
Navigating daily life
Lovers of the great outdoors will adore living in Australia thanks to its abundance of beaches, mountains, and deserts. Major Australian cities have plenty of exciting activities to enjoy like shopping, dining, concerts, and nightlife. Most people in Australia are friendly and welcoming, and they tend to enjoy a laid-back, “no worries” lifestyle.
Safety
Australia is generally safe and you should be fine as long as you practice common sense. The U.S. State Department gave Australia its highest level-1 rating, and it was listed as the 67th-safest country in the world out of 142 by Numbeo in 2023. Perth and Melbourne received a safety score of 76 out of 100, while Canberra received a score of 80.
Renewal and extension process
Here’s some information about renewing or extending your Australian visa.
Visa duration
Australian visas allow you to stay for three, six, or 12 months, depending on the type you have. The Visitor Visa, eVisitor, and Electronic Travel Authority Visa are all short-term and may be granted for between three to 12 months. The Visitor Visa and Working Holiday Visa are both good for 12 months automatically.
Reporting changes
If you have a change in circumstances, you must report it to the Australian Government as soon as possible. Changes in circumstances may include a change in your passport status, change of address, or any changes needed regarding the duration of your stay. In most cases, you’ll need to re-submit your visa application if you need an extension.
Get ready to be a digital nomad in Australia
Now that you know more about how to apply for a visa in Australia, the sky is the limit. Ensure you have all your documents ready before submitting your application. With some research, you’ll find that living and working in Australia is an amazing experience. If Australia ever does offer an official digital nomad visa, Remitly will be sure to let you know.
Other digital nomad visas:
- Digital Nomad Visa 101: How to Work Remotely in a New Country
- Your Guide to How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
- How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal
- How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Colombia
- How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Costa Rica
- The Digital Nomad Visa in Italy: What it is and How to Get One
- How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Japan