You are currently viewing 🇦🇺 How to Apply for an Australian Visa Online: Step-by-Step via ImmiAccount

🇦🇺 How to Apply for an Australian Visa Online: Step-by-Step via ImmiAccount

Australia doesn’t offer a dedicated “Digital Nomad Visa,” but you can legally work remotely under a few existing visa categories:

Table of Contents show

✈️ 1. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

  • Ideal for short stays (3–12 months) and universally available to all nationalities.
  • No specific “application form” — all applications are done online via the Australian Department of Home Affairs through ImmiAccount
  • Conditions:
    • You must demonstrate that online work is incidental to travel (i.e., not taking local jobs)
    • Sufficient funds, valid health insurance, and genuine intention to leave the country after the visa expires.

🌍 2. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) & eVisitor

  • Lightweight visas for short visits (up to 3 months per entry).
  • ETA (subclass 601) is processed via the Australian ETA app
  • eVisitor is similar but limited to EU citizens.

🧳 3. Working Holiday & Work and Holiday Visas

  • If you’re aged 18–30 (or 35 for certain nationalities), consider:
    • Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
    • Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
  • Valid for up to 12 months and allow limited types of work (including remote work for foreign employers)
  • Available only to citizens of participating countries.

✅ How to Find & Access the Application Form

All visa applications for Australia are submitted through ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs’ official online portal. Steps:

  1. Create an ImmiAccount:
    Visit the official portal → create your account.
  2. Start an application: Choose one of:
    • Visitor Visa (600)
    • ETA (601)
    • eVisitor
    • Working Holiday (417/462)
  3. Fill out the online form, upload documents (passport, finances, insurance), and pay the fee.
  • Create ImmiAccount: via the Department of Home Affairs website
  • Subclass 600 Visitor Visa info & apply: found by searching “Visitor visa 600 ImmiAccount”
  • ETA subclass 601:

📝 Takeaway

  • ✅ You can work remotely in Australia under Visitor/ETA/eVisitor if it’s not your main focus while visiting Citizen Remote.
  • 🌐 Fill out the appropriate form via ImmiAccount — there are no downloadable PDF forms.
  • For longer stays and more flexibility, Working Holiday visas may be your best bet.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a visa using Australia’s ImmiAccount, specifically for digital nomads applying for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) or Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462):

🧭 Step-by-Step Guide to ImmiAccount Application

🪪 Step 1: Create Your ImmiAccount

  1. Go to the official portal:
    👉 https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register
  2. Click “Create ImmiAccount”.
  3. Fill out your personal details:
    • Name, email, password
    • Set secret questions for security
  4. Confirm your email address via the verification email you receive.

📄 Step 2: Start a New Application

  1. Log into your ImmiAccount:
    👉 https://online.immi.gov.au
  2. On the dashboard, click:
    “New Application” → “Visitor” → “Visitor Visa (600)”
    or
    “Work and Holiday” → Subclass 417 or 462 (depending on your country)
  3. You’ll be redirected to the online application form.

✍️ Step 3: Fill in the Application Form

You will be guided through several sections:

1. Applicant Details

  • Full name, date of birth, passport details
  • Your country of citizenship and residence

2. Travel History

  • Past trips to Australia or other countries
  • Purpose of travel: select “Tourism”, or “Visiting friends/family”

3. Current Employment & Finances

  • If working remotely: select “Self-Employed” or “Employed Abroad”
  • Upload proof of income, e.g. bank statements or client invoices
  • State that your work will be remote and for non-Australian clients

4. Health and Character

  • Declare any criminal records or serious medical conditions
  • You may be asked for a health check or police certificate, depending on the duration of your stay and country of origin

📎 Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Prepare these files in advance (PDF or JPG):

  • Passport scan (clear, full-page)
  • Proof of funds (bank balance, payslips, etc.)
  • Travel itinerary or flight reservations (optional)
  • Letter of explanation (if needed — e.g., clarifying remote work)

📌 For Working Holiday Visas:
You’ll also need:

  • Recent photo
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of English proficiency (for subclass 462)

💳 Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee

  • Visitor Visa 600: around AUD 190
  • WHV 417/462: around AUD 510

Pay by credit/debit card or PayPal.

📤 Step 6: Submit Your Application

  • Review all answers
  • Submit the form
  • You’ll receive a Transaction Reference Number (TRN)

📬 Step 7: Wait for Processing & Approval

  • Processing time: typically 2–4 weeks
  • You’ll receive email updates or requests for further documents

Once approved, your eVisa will be linked to your passport — no physical label is required.

✅ Pro Tips

  • 📄 Save a PDF copy of your application before submitting
  • 📧 Add noreply@homeaffairs.gov.au to your email whitelist
  • 📍 Be honest about your intentions — mention remote work only as incidental
  • 🛂 You do not need to go to the embassy unless specifically requested