If you’re planning to visit Australia on a Visitor visa (subclass 600), it’s essential to understand Condition 8101, which prohibits engaging in any work during your stay. At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, we provide expert guidance to help you comply with visa conditions and avoid unintentional breaches that could impact your future travel or visa status.
A Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows people to travel to Australia for tourism, to visit family and friends, or for short-term business activities. It is a temporary visa and is available in several streams, including Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business Visitor, and Approved Destination Status. The visa duration can vary depending on your circumstances and the stream you apply for. While in Australia on this visa, holders must comply with all visa conditions, including Condition 8101.
Condition 8101 states that “the holder must not engage in work in Australia.” Under immigration law, work means any activity that normally attracts payment. This condition is designed to ensure that visitor visa holders do not take up employment that could otherwise be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Condition 8101 is a mandatory condition for the following streams of the Visitor visa (subclass 600):
Tourist stream
Sponsored Family stream
Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream
This condition does not apply to the Business Visitor stream or Frequent Traveller stream, where different limitations (such as Condition 8115) are used to regulate business visitor activity.
While Condition 8101 prohibits work, some non-paid and limited activities are still allowed under specific conditions.
Short-term unpaid volunteer work is generally permitted if it:
Is genuinely voluntary and not paid in any form
Is short term (less than three months)
Does not replace a job that would normally be filled by a paid worker
Is usually for a not-for-profit or community organisation
You cannot volunteer in roles that would normally attract remuneration, such as cleaners or administrative assistants, even if the organisation is a charity.
Providing short-term, unpaid support to a family member is usually allowed. For example, helping a daughter who has recently had a baby may be permitted. However, long-term caregiving or support that substitutes for a paid role is not allowed.
Visitors may carry out online work for an overseas employer, provided they are not working for an Australian business or receiving income from within Australia. This includes digital nomads, bloggers, and remote workers who continue employment with an overseas company while in Australia on a short stay.
If your situation changes after arriving in Australia and you face financial hardship, you may apply for a new Visitor visa (subclass 600) without Condition 8101. This is the only way to gain permission to work legally while in Australia.
To be eligible, you must meet all four of the following criteria:
You are experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected changes in your circumstances
You or a family member is at risk of becoming a burden on public funds in Australia
You are unable to leave Australia for reasons beyond your control
You have compelling personal reasons to work in Australia
If these criteria are met, and your new visa is granted without Condition 8101, you will be permitted to work. In such cases, the visa application fee may be refunded.
Condition 8101 is critical in maintaining the integrity of the visitor visa program. It ensures:
Employment opportunities remain available to Australians
Visitors do not overstay or misuse their visa
The purpose of the visit (tourism or family support) is preserved
Breaching this condition can lead to visa cancellation, deportation, or future visa refusals.
Whether you are planning a short holiday, visiting family, or providing temporary support, navigating Condition 8101 and other visa conditions can be complex. At Heenan & Browne Visa and Migration Services, we provide:
Expert visa advice tailored to your purpose of travel
Help with visa applications and understanding conditions
Support if your situation changes while in Australia
If you’re unsure about what activities are allowed on your Visitor visa or you need help applying, our team is here to assist. Avoid costly mistakes and ensure your visit is fully compliant with Australian immigration law.
Book a consultation today with one of our registered migration agents and get trusted, professional advice.
