Australia digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Love the idea of travelling the world, working as you go? If all you need to do your job is an internet connection, you might want to become a digital nomad.

Australia is a popular destination for remote workers and visitors from the UK, drawn there by the beautiful beaches, high standard of living and vibrant cities.

But does Australia have a digital nomad visa - and if not, what are the alternatives?

Find out everything you need to know here in this essential guide, where we’ll cover suitable visa types for UK digital nomads, fees, eligibility requirements and how to apply.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders. With the Wise account from the money services provider Wise, you can send, spend and convert money in 40+ currencies at great mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees*. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Looking to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers.

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Australia digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Australia is not on the list of countries with a dedicated digital nomad visa.

However, there is an alternative visa available which may fit digital nomads and remote workers quite well - as long as you meet the requirements.

This is the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417), available in three types - First, Second and Third. Each lasts for a year and you can apply for the next one in the series as long as you meet certain conditions.

To apply for the First Working Holiday visa, you’ll need to:¹

• Be between 18 and 35 years old
• Have at least $5,000 AUD, plus the fare for your onward journey after leaving Australia
• Meet specific health and character requirements.

You can do any kind of work on this visa, but you must complete at least 3 months of government-specified work to be eligible for the Second Working Holiday visa.¹ Find out more about this here.

You can’t bring dependents with you on this visa, which will be disappointing news for anyone looking to move to Australia with their family.

How much does it cost?

The First Working Holiday visa - the equivalent of an Australia digital nomad visa - costs $670.00 AUD in application fees.¹

Aside from the upfront application charge, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, charges for getting health examinations or police certificates, which may be needed to support your application.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need the following documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Australia:¹

• A valid passport
• Your birth certificate
• Evidence that you have at least $5,000 AUD to support yourself while in Australia - such as recent bank statements
• A police check certificate from the UK
• Results of health examinations, if required.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Australia

You can apply for the Australia First Working Holiday visa online, through the Australian Government’s ImmiAccount online portal.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, that you’re within the age range and have at least $5,000 AUD in savings
2. Get your documents together and check whether you need any health examinations (if so, these will need to be arranged and completed before you apply)
3. Go to the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs websiteand read the application requirements carefully
4. Create an ImmiAccount with your email address and complete multi-factor authentication (MFA) steps
5. Start your application, providing all required information and uploading your supporting documents when prompted
6. Pay the application fee
7. Submit the application and make a note of the transaction reference number.
8. Wait for your application to be processed. You may be contacted for further information. It could take up to 81 days to get a decision, although many applications are processed much more quickly (some within a day).²

While you wait for your visa application to be processed, you can get on with planning your trip. This may mean packing, booking flights and finding somewhere to rent or buy in Australia.

You may also want to look into opening a local bank account. This could be useful to have one to receive your salary and pay your bills while in Australia - especially if you’re not able to keep your UK account open while living and working abroad.

How long can you stay in Australia as a digital nomad?

The Australia First Working Holiday visa lasts for 1 year. If you meet the conditions, you’ll be able to apply for the Second Working Holiday visa and then the Third Working Holiday visa. Each lasts a year, which means that you can potentially stay in Australia for up to 3 years.¹

Taxes for digital nomads in Australia

You’ll be happy to hear that there’s no specific Australia digital nomad visa tax you need to know about.

However, you may still need to pay income tax like everyone else living in Australia.

It all depends whether you are classed as a tax resident in Australia for the tax year in question. If you spend more than 183 days in the country in the tax year, you’re usually considered a tax resident there - and so have to pay income tax on worldwide income.³

It’s different if you’re running a business in Australia, as you’ll then be liable for corporate taxes rather than personal income tax.

Save on your relocation costs with Wise

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Australia. Make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements ahead of applying.

Before moving to Australia, you’re likely to have lots of costs to cover. Some of these, such as real estate costs, visa application fees and rental deposits, will need to cross borders and can get expensive because of the transfer fees and exchange rate markups.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and 140+ countries in 40+ currencies for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. It's not a bank account but offers some similar features and your money is safeguarded.

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**Capital at risk. In the UK, Interest and Stocks are provided by Wise Assets — this is the trading name of Wise Assets UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Wise. Wise Assets UK Ltd is authorised as an investment firm and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 839689. We do not give investment advice, and you may be subject to pay tax. If you're not sure, seek qualified advice. You can find more information about the funds on our website.

FAQs

Can a UK citizen work remotely in Australia?

Yes, you can work remotely in Australia as a UK citizen as long as you have the right visa. This may be a Working Holiday visa or another kind of work visa. You won’t be able to work in Australia on a tourist or visitor visa.

Does an Australia digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

No, the Australia Working Holiday visa is a temporary visa and so doesn’t provide a route to citizenship or permanent residency in Australia.

Can I bring my family with me on the Australia digital nomad visa?

No, you can’t bring any dependents with you on the Australia Working Holiday visa - you’ll need to apply and travel alone (unless your partner also has their own valid visa).

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 04-Aug-2025