Remote Working and the 489/491 Visas

How does remote working fit in with the visa conditions imposed upon the 491 and 489 visas? How does it work when it comes to applying for PR later?

Australian Immigration Law Services is based in Sydney and provides visa and related services. Karl Konrad, our Founder, has over 23 years of experience and leads a team of MARA registered migration specialists. Our team provides honest and accurate advice.

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Information provided are a general guide and do not constitute legal or immigration advice; there are many regulations that may apply depending on each individual’s circumstances alongside changes in the industry. It is the users responsibility to verify the currency of information. Those seeking advice should engage a MARA registered migration agent.

[mohammedwasique]

Hello,
First of all, really knowledgeable insights. Can you please point out as to where can this information be found on the Australian government or immigration websites or documents?
That would be really helpful.

Thanks,
Kamy

[JamesTJoseph]

OMG, I was so sad to leave my job if I move to Australia. Looks like I can still work with my US employer. ❤️ Thank you for the information.

[OurOzzyLife]

I love to watch your videos Karl.

Every time I need to find some information related to immigration, I first try to look it up on your YouTube channel.

You are a great professional and a very empathetic person too I feel.

I am on 489 (SA) too and have missed out on opportunities where the employer was in Sydney.

However after watching this video of yours - looks like I can work for a Sydney employer if I am WFH in Adelaide, without breaching my visa conditions.

[SpeersBois]

Thanks for sharing the information. Can You please confirm if a 491 visa holder can buy shares of a company based in non-regional area?

[matthewking]

I did not know this! I actually left my old job and was unemployed for a long period. This is HUGE news. Is there any information on the Immi website regarding this? As having Melbourne and Sydney open as potential areas of employment moving forward is a major win.

[sammy]

So say for the 491 visa for qld, if you're a tradie etc and your employer sends you to a job site in central Brisbane etc, what are you meant to do about that as you're not willingly breaking the restrictions

[lethanhha]

What would be your answer Karl for PhD students who are studying at a university in a metro area? Would they choose their home address in regional areas as a study location too?

[PrakashVl]

Hi Karl, I heard a few months ago that COVID restrictions were lifted in Australia. Does this impact remote working on the 491 visa?

[kavitakhadka]

Hi Karl,
Thankyou for the information. Is there any website link or reference from the official site confirming about the information?

[Andre_Becker]

Thank you, your team's videos and consultancy through your company helped me so much as a 491 visa holder. Really good and informed team 👍

[TheIrvanism]

Hi Karl, thank you for this valuable information. I would like to know regarding the tax for overseas employer. does the employer need to pay tax portion? and for the employee, I understand that we need to declare our foreign income and pay the resident tax?

[matthewdurham]

Im about to move to NSW on a 491, I am in touch with a company based within Sydney who have reached out to an immigration lawyer for me to clarify this point. Based on the fact that they only have offices within Sydney (not a DRA) i can not work for them even if im working remotely as they do not have "offices or a branch" in a DRA. I have been told that its not true that just working remotely is enough to get around this.

[parassindhi]

Hello Karl,
Thank you for always providing with the accurate information. Correct me please if I understood incorrectly. Can I apply for 491 if I am living in a designated regional area and working from home but my employer is based in Melbourne and other parts of the world? Regards

[SirLeo-wstv]

What about the 494? If there’s no physical office space but an entity registered in Australia?

[aafranky]

Wow... It is really a very informative and useful video!! I was worried that i have to give up my consultant job if i move to Australia. Now, i can work from Australia as long as my income tax file is registered with ATO. Thanks a Ton!!!

[ma.bernadettecalixterio]

Hi Karl.

Thank you for this very informative video. If one is staying in a regional area on 491 visa and employer is in Singapore, how do you file the tax in Australia? I know filing a tax is very important as it’s one of the requirements for applying for 191. Hope you can discuss this topic too. 🙏🏻

[mommyknowsitall]

Hello I have regional visa sponsored by SA .. can I work remotely for an employer based in USA ? Thank you ❤

[annavictoria]

What would we do without you, Karl?! Thanks for the information!!!

[abhishekrasanecfa]

Great video, Karl. Relieving to hear. Thank you so much. What If I live in Melbourne regional area and once a week I need to go to the office which is based out of Sydney?

[animeenglishdublv]

Hi Karl, I am not familiar with how the taxable income in AU works. If a company that offers me $53, 900 annual income, is the $53, 900 will become my taxable income?