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Below you will find a general overview of visa conditions in Australia.
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Visas | Visitor Visas | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | Working Visas | Conditions

VISAS

Well, let's face it, if you want to travel in Australia you will need a Visitor Visa. If you want to travel AND work in Australia you will need a Working Visa. But we will get to that later. First let's go over the details for applying for a Visitor Visa.

VISITOR VISAS

In order to enter Australia you need both a valid passport and a visa. However, if you hold an Australian or New Zealand passport you do not require a visa to enter Australia.

WHERE TO GET A VISA

You can get an Australian visitor visa from an Australian high commission, consulate or embassy. You can apply either in person or via mail. Alternatively, you can utilize the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), a very quick efficient means of visa application.

ETAs

Normally, applying for a visa involves completing an application form and submitting it with your passport to an overseas Australian Government office: the ETA does away with the need for an application form essentially leaving you with a "electronic visa".
Issued within 10 seconds (after the applicant's personal details have been entered on the system), ETAs can then be electronically verified at airline check-in time and by Customs officials on arrival. This particularly reduces passenger processing times at airports.
Because the ETA system uses existing travel industry booking terminals and telecommunication networks, it is easy to use and very convinient, saving you the effort of applying in person or by mail.
Today nationals of 29 countries are eligible to apply for an ETA that is available through travel agents in North America, UK and Western Europe and in some countries in South East Asia.
If you apply for an ETA and plan on staying in Australia for a maximum of three months there will not be a visa fee. Staying longer than three months incures a $A45 processing fee. This fee also covers those wanting a four-year multiple-entry visa.
If you find you need more time on your visa it is possible to extend your stay, to the maximum time of 12 months. However, you must request an extension two months before your visa expires. Be aware that the immigration department may or may not reject your request.

IMPORTANT

* The visa you apply for must cover the full length of your stay.
* You are NOT allowed to work or study while visiting Australia under a Visitor Visa. If you do, you risk being removed from Australia.

So what do you do if you want work to supplement your funds while in Australia? That brings us to the next section...

WORKING VISAS

Working visas are a great way to enjoy a longer stay in Australia, by working to top-up your funds as you travel.
However, working visas are more difficult to obtain, and you must meet certian requirements to be issued with one.
These requirements are outlined as follows:

AGE

Working visa applicants must be between 18 and 25, single or married without children. Special consideration for entry may be given to applicants aged between 26 and 30, however this usually involves submitting a written statement detailing why they believe their working trip to Australia would benefit both themselves and Australia (not just financially!).

NATIONALITY

You must hold a valid passport from one of the following countries to be eligible for a working visa - Canada, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Malta, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Australia has special reciprocal arrangements with these countries, however, applicants from other countries are considered where there might be a benefit both to the applicant and Australia.

APPLICANTS MUST ALSO SHOW THAT:

* Their main reason for coming to Australia is to holiday, and that any work they do is to support themselves while they holiday;
* They will not enrol in formal studies while in Australia;
* They have a return ticket or sufficient funds for a return fare and the first part of their stay
* They have a good chance of finding temporary work to supplement their holiday funds
* They will leave Australia at the end of their authorised stay.

CONDITIONS OF USE

A working holiday visa will set you back $A145 and is valid for up to 12 months stay.
You can only work for one employer a maximum of three months, at this point if you want to continue working you must find a new job. Make sure you apply for a tax file number when you get to Australia. You will need one if you intend to legally earn money. You should be paid for any work you do according to Australian award rates and conditions.

So, in general, if you are coming to Australia you need a visitor visa, if you are coming to work as well you will need a working visa. Other types of visas are available for people wanting to work in Australia, such as when there is sponsorship from an Australian employer.

If you need more information, take a visit to the Australian Immigration Department.

Click HERE For assistance with Visas

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