Can I Change My Australia Tourist Visa to Work Visa?

Australia is one of the best countries that offer beautiful views, showcasing a rich wildlife and a great town planning system. A visit for tourism purposes would definitely make you want to come again and again.

Now, a question crosses your mind. You don’t want to simply remain as a visitor but you’d like to live and work here. Can you convert your tourist visa and gain a work permit in Australia? 

In this article, we’ll show you if it’s possible to change your visitor visa to a work visa and share the different ways to acquire Australian employment with the right visa and application process.

Can I Change My Tourist Visa to Work Visa in Australia?

The short answer is generally no. Travelling as a tourist, you will remain in tourist status until your tourist visa expires or you have reached the last day of travel allowed by your visa. After which, you will have to leave Australia and apply for a different class of visa. In this case, a work-related visa.

However, there are exceptions. If your tourist visa does not have a ‘No Further Stay’ condition (Condition 8503), it may be possible to apply for certain work visas while in Australia. This depends on meeting strict eligibility criteria, such as occupation relevance, employer sponsorship, and other visa-specific conditions. It’s essential to verify your individual visa conditions and seek advice from a registered migration agent. 

The visitor visa (subclass 600) gives the holder the privilege of travelling anywhere in Australia. As long as you have shown that you have the means to support yourself while travelling, and that your sole purpose is to visit and you have complied with other entry requirements, then you can travel to Australia as a tourist. 

As a tourist travelling for leisure or visiting your relatives who sponsored your trip, you cannot change your status by applying for a work visa while in Australia — unless your visa conditions permit it.

Pathways to a Work Visa From Tourist

Visa While you cannot directly convert your tourist visa to a work visa, a separate application for a work visa is your best option. If your tourist visa has the ‘No Further Stay’ condition, you must be outside Australia when applying. 

There are two main work visa options you can apply for:

General Skilled Migration (GSM)

The GSM program is a points-based system designed to attract skilled migrant workers to fill shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and education. You must meet the minimum points threshold, age limit, English language requirement, and your occupation must appear on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). 

There are three visa subclasses under the GSM program: 

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): For non-sponsored applicants. It allows you to live and work permanently in Australia. 

Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): Requires nomination by an Australian State or Territory. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): For skilled workers sponsored by a state or eligible relative in regional Australia. It’s valid for up to 5 years and may lead to permanent residency. 

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Australian employers can sponsor overseas workers to fill job roles when they cannot source talent locally. These include:

• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): For workers with skills currently in shortage. You can work under short-term, medium-term, or labour agreement streams.
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186): A permanent visa available through the Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, or Labour Agreement stream.
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (subclass 187): For skilled workers sponsored by employers in regional areas. 

Note: Under subclass 482, examples of eligible occupations include engineering managers, childcare managers, optometrists, lecturers, and accountants. The 482 visa can lead to permanent residency if criteria are met under subclass 186.

Working Holiday Visa (Optional Pathway) 

If you’re aged 18–30 (or 35 for certain countries), you may be eligible for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462). These visas allow you to live, travel, and work in Australia temporarily, but are not intended as direct pathways to permanent residency. 

Seeking Help From Australian Immigration Lawyers

Navigating the immigration process can be quite complex — but not with the aid of the right people. Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers can assist you in the visa application process and even communicate with immigration officers on your behalf. We will support you from our initial meeting until your visa grant. 

Consultation first step is to book a consultation with us so that we can understand your background and start the process.  Assessment will conduct a full eligibility assessment and make the application process clear and manageable. Review & Preparation will guide you in gathering your documentation, list the necessary requirements, and provide tailored support. ApplicationWe’ll handle the complete processing and talk to migration authorities on your behalf. Ongoing GuidanceThroughout the application process, we will send updates and guide you at every stage. 

Conclusion

Although converting your tourist visa to a work visa while in Australia is typically not allowed, two main pathways exist for securing a work visa after your visit: General Skilled Migration and Employer-Sponsored Visas. Consult with a MARA-registered migration agent to explore which visa option is best for your circumstances and ensure your application meets the current Australian immigration criteria.

We at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers will help you choose the right pathway to help you secure Australian employment. Contact us at +61(02) 9286 8700 or send us an email at ppmail@ppilaw.com.au.