How to Convert a Visitor Visa to a Work Permit in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Convert a Visitor Visa to a Work Permit in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Posted by admin
on October 15, 2024
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Australia is a place of dreams. The country has an age-old reputation for offering one of the best work-life balances in the world. Also, Australia gives you an opportunity to work in a thriving economy, with plenty of benefits. 

However, the world of visas can sometimes be confusing, especially when trying for an Australian work visa for visitor visa holders. Suppose you’re in Australia on a visitor visa and want to work. In that case, this guide explains everything you need to know about eligibility criteria, visa types, and how to convert a tourist visa into a full Australian work permit.

Visitor Visa Working Rights in Australia

The visitor visa in Australia is for tourism, business, or short-term medical treatment purposes, and not for employment. Generally, working on a visitor visa is not allowed. However, it’s possible to legally adjust your visa status while you’re in the country.

How Changing Visa Status Works in Australia

Changing your visa status from visitor to work in Australia is not as simple as downloading and submitting a single form. It requires a carefully planned strategy, following Australian immigration laws. Let’s break down the steps to apply for a work permit in Australia:

Step 1: Visit Work Permit Eligibility from Visitor Visa

You need some basic knowledge about the eligibility of a work permit before even starting the process of having a work permit. If you are in a visitor’s visa, you can not really turn it into a work permit. Rather, you must apply for an appropriate category of a skilled migrant visa like the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and more.

Eligibility Criteria:

Let’s look at the work permit eligibility from Visitor Visa Australia:

  • Skill Assessment: Some jobs will require you to be tested based on these skills to ensure that you fit the given job specification.
  • English Language Requirements: Some jobs reach specific English standards in their working visa such as IELTS or combined PTE score.
  • Health and Character Checks: To apply for the visa, you must also satisfy the following basic requirements; Health requirement and Character requirement, which are standard requirements for Australian visa.

Step 2: Discuss Visa for Working in Australia

There are several work visa options available for individuals seeking employment in Australia, and your choice depends on your qualifications, skills, and the industry in which you plan to work.

  • Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482):

This visa enables the employer to nominate an overseas worker in a skilled occupation in Australia. Thus, visitor visa to Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) is the most popular among foreigners who would like to change their status from the holder of a visitor visa to the holder of a work visa in Australia. You require an offer from an Australian employer who can sponsor you.

  • Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186):

It grants the skilled worker the opportunity to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis to his employer’s recommendation.

  • Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189):

This points-based visa is for you if you meet the qualification and experience requirement, however, you do not have an employer willing to sponsor you.

  • Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):

This visa is for international students who have finished their course, skills development training, research or other related academic activities in Australia. Although it is not directly related to the change of a visitor visa, it is for those learners who are learning in Australia.

  • Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 and 462):

While not a long-term prospect some visitor’s visa holders who wish to stay longer and get employment do apply for a working holiday visa provided to citizens of certain counties.

Step 3: Find Employment or Sponsor

One of the general requirements for a work visa is to have an employer in Australia offer you a job or sponsor you. Any employer who is willing to sponsor foreign workers must first be endorsed as a sponsor by the Department of Home Affairs. This has become a standard process if one intends to apply for many work visas such as Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.

How to Find an Australian Sponsor:

  • Networking: Job listing on social media platforms, LinkedIn, job boards as well as contacts made within the industry.
  • Job Portals: Popular sites such as Seek, Indeed, and LinkedIn have numerous job opportunities for candidates willing to work internationally.
  • Recruitment Agencies: Employment agencies can offer you contacts with employers ready to provide work visas to foreigners.

Step 4: To obtain a Canada Relevant Work Visa, one has to complete the following steps:

After finding a job offer, you should then go ahead, and apply for the right work visa for your situation. The process might be that the employer has to lodge a nomination while you submit a visa application depending on the type of visa being sought.

Documents Needed:

  • Job Offer: An employment offer from the Australian employer on letterhead. A Counteroffer from the employer stating willingness to sponsor the candidate.
  • Passport: Consular fees and valid passport with remaining enough days before expiry of the passport.
  • Qualification Certificates: Certification of your education achievements and working experience.
  • Skills Assessment: As for some positions, you will need to take a skill assessment from an approved authority in Australia.
  • Health Insurance: You may require having a private health cover depending with the type of visa you have.
  • Police Clearance Certificate: This is necessary to meet character requirements.

Step 5: Await Visa Approval

After submitting your application, the Department of Home Affairs will grant you a specific visa. Processing times differ depending on the type of visa required and the circumstances surrounding the visa needed for the trip. Further, you should endorse and research the Australian immigration rules for visa change and monitor its application over the internet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Work on a Visitor Visa in Australia?

No. You need to have work visa to work in Australia

How to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia?

  • Check your eligibility.
  • Get a job offer from an Australian employer.
  • Apply for a suitable work visa.
  • Await visa approval.

Process to Convert Visitor Visa to Work Permit Australia

You cannot directly change a visitor visa to a work visa. After applying for a work visa, you may need to leave the country or apply for a bridging visa while your application is processed. Visitor visa to work visa Australia process can be tough, and require a lot of efforts and complex process.

Is it possible to transition from a Visitor Visa to a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in Australia?

Yes, if you secure sponsorship from an Australian employer, you can apply for a TSS visa, which could lead to long-term employment.

Read More: 485 Visa Extension Update: How To Apply For A 485 Extension Visa

Conclusion

Australia is indeed a great place to work, and what makes it better is the rules and regulations that it has for the people to be eligible to work there. The process of application and the waiting time might require a lot of patience, thorough planning, legal procedure and a valid job offer from Australia, but in the end all of these are worth it. 

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