Australia flag oceania Updated January 20, 2026

Work Remotely from Australia: Complete Guide

Everything about working remotely from Australia for US/EU companies. Visa options, tax implications, best cities, and timezone considerations for digital nomads.

Updated January 20, 2026 • Verified current for 2026

Australia doesn’t currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers can stay for up to 3 months on a tourist visa (eVisitor or ETA). For longer stays, consider the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) or Working Holiday visa if you’re under 31 from an eligible country. The high cost of living is offset by excellent infrastructure, world-class internet, and an English-speaking environment.

Key Facts

Visa Options

Australia offers several pathways for remote workers:

Tourist Visas (eVisitor or ETA)

  • Duration: Up to 3 months
  • Cost: Free (eVisitor for EU) or AUD 20 (ETA)
  • Work allowed: Remote work for foreign employers (gray area)
  • Processing: Instant to 24 hours

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417/462)

  • Duration: 12 months (extendable to 3 years with regional work)
  • Age limit: 18-30 or 18-35 (country-dependent)
  • Cost: AUD 635
  • Work allowed: Yes, including remote work

Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)

  • Duration: Varies (usually 3-12 months)
  • Cost: From AUD 325
  • Requirements: Sponsorship or invitation
  • Work allowed: Specific activities only

Australia is considering a digital nomad visa program but hasn’t implemented one as of 2026.

Tax Implications

Tax Residency Rules You become an Australian tax resident if you:

  • Reside in Australia for more than 183 days in a tax year
  • Have permanent accommodation in Australia
  • Intention to stay long-term

Tax Rates for Residents

  • $0 - $18,200: 0%
  • $18,201 - $45,000: 19%
  • $45,001 - $120,000: 32.5%
  • $120,001 - $180,000: 37%
  • $180,001+: 45%

Non-Residents

  • Taxed from first dollar at 32.5% up to $120,000

Double Taxation Treaties Australia has tax treaties with 45+ countries including the US, UK, Canada, and most EU nations to prevent double taxation.

Recommendations

  • Keep stays under 183 days to avoid tax residency
  • Maintain ties to your home country
  • Consult a tax professional for your specific situation
  • Consider superannuation (retirement) implications if working locally

Best Cities for Remote Work

Sydney

  • Pros: Global city, excellent infrastructure, beaches, diverse culture
  • Cons: Highest cost of living in Australia
  • Rent: $2,500-4,000/month for 1BR apartment
  • Coworking: WeWork, Fishburners, Tank Stream Labs
  • Internet: Fiber optic widely available (50-100 Mbps typical)

Melbourne

  • Pros: Arts, culture, coffee scene, more affordable than Sydney
  • Cons: Variable weather, less beachy
  • Rent: $1,800-3,000/month for 1BR apartment
  • Coworking: The Commons, York Butter Factory, Inspire9
  • Internet: Excellent fiber and NBN coverage

Brisbane

  • Pros: Subtropical climate, growing tech scene, more affordable
  • Cons: Smaller city feel, fewer international flights
  • Rent: $1,600-2,500/month for 1BR apartment
  • Coworking: Fishburners, Little Tokyo Two, River City Labs
  • Internet: Good NBN coverage

Byron Bay

  • Pros: Beach lifestyle, wellness community, relaxed pace
  • Cons: Limited infrastructure, seasonal crowds, expensive
  • Rent: $2,000-3,500/month for 1BR
  • Coworking: Byron Shire Coworking, limited options
  • Internet: Adequate but not as reliable as major cities

Perth

  • Pros: Most affordable major city, beautiful beaches, sunshine
  • Cons: Most isolated major city, very challenging timezone for US/EU
  • Rent: $1,500-2,500/month for 1BR apartment
  • Coworking: Spacecubed, FLUX, Co-Labs
  • Internet: Good NBN coverage

Timezone Overlap Challenges

Working from Australia presents significant timezone challenges:

For US Companies

  • Sydney/Melbourne (AEDT): 16-19 hours ahead of US timezones
  • Minimal overlap: 6-8 AM Sydney = 2-4 PM ET (previous day)
  • Most challenging: West Coast US (no practical overlap)

For EU Companies

  • Sydney/Melbourne (AEDT): 10-11 hours ahead of Central Europe
  • Morning overlap: 8 AM Sydney = 10 PM CET (previous day)
  • Better than US but still challenging for real-time collaboration

Solutions

  • Negotiate async-first work arrangements
  • Be prepared for early morning or late night calls
  • Use tools like Loom for async video updates
  • Consider shorter stays (1-3 months) to minimize impact
  • Perth offers slightly better overlap (3 hours behind Sydney)

Pre-Departure Checklist

  1. 1
    Apply for appropriate visa (eVisitor/ETA or Working Holiday)
  2. 2
    Verify your health insurance covers Australia
  3. 3
    Open a Wise or similar account for AUD currency
  4. 4
    Book accommodation in advance (high demand in major cities)
  5. 5
    Inform your bank of international travel
  6. 6
    Check if you need an IDP for driving
  7. 7
    Download offline maps and useful apps (TripView, Opal Travel)
  8. 8
    Research coworking spaces and book day passes
  9. 9
    Set up VPN for secure internet access
  10. 10
    Confirm timezone expectations with your employer
  11. 11
    Research tax implications with a professional
  12. 12
    Get Australian SIM card or eSIM (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Australia on a tourist visa?

Technically, tourist visas prohibit work in Australia, but working remotely for a foreign company while visiting exists in a gray area. Many digital nomads do this for short stays (under 3 months), but it's not officially sanctioned. For longer stays or more certainty, consider a Working Holiday visa if eligible.

How expensive is Australia for remote workers?

Australia is one of the more expensive countries for remote work. Expect to spend $3,000-5,000+ USD per month including accommodation, food, transport, and coworking. Sydney and Melbourne are most expensive; Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth offer better value.

Is the internet reliable enough for video calls?

Yes, Australia has excellent internet infrastructure in cities. The National Broadband Network (NBN) provides fiber and high-speed connections in most urban areas. Expect 50-100 Mbps in typical accommodations, faster in coworking spaces. Mobile coverage (4G/5G) is also excellent in cities.

Can I handle the timezone difference with US/EU?

This is the biggest challenge. Australia is 16-19 hours ahead of the US and 10-11 hours ahead of Europe, making real-time collaboration difficult. You'll need an async-first work culture or willingness to work very early mornings or late nights. Many remote workers find it sustainable for 1-3 months but challenging long-term.

Do I need a car or is public transport sufficient?

In Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, public transport is good and you won't need a car. Perth and smaller cities benefit from having a car. Byron Bay and beach towns often require a car for full mobility. Uber and rideshares are widely available in cities.

What's the best time of year to visit?

Australian summer (December-February) offers the best beach weather but is peak tourist season with higher prices. Autumn (March-May) and Spring (September-November) offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and better value. Winter (June-August) is fine in northern cities but can be cold in Melbourne and Sydney.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Australia for a US company?

Yes, you can work remotely from Australia for a US company. Most remote workers use tourist visas for short stays or apply for specific work/residence visas for longer periods. You'll typically continue to be paid in USD and remain on your US employer's payroll while working abroad. Check the visa section above for specific options and durations available in Australia.

Do I need a visa to work remotely from Australia?

It depends on your nationality and intended length of stay. Many nationalities can enter Australia visa-free for tourism (usually 30-90 days), during which remote work for foreign companies is generally tolerated. For longer stays, you'll need a specific visa such as a digital nomad visa, work visa, or residence permit. Check the requirements specific to your passport and planned duration of stay.

What's the cost of living for remote workers in Australia?

The cost of living in Australia is relatively expensive, with monthly budgets of $3,000-5,000 being typical for a comfortable lifestyle including rent, food, and coworking space. Major cities tend to be more expensive than smaller towns or rural areas. Your actual budget will depend on your lifestyle choices, accommodation preferences, and which city you choose to live in.

Does Australia have a digital nomad visa?

Check the visa section above for Australia's specific visa options. Many countries now offer dedicated digital nomad visas, remote work visas, or freelance visas designed for location-independent workers. Even without a specific digital nomad visa, there are often alternative visa categories that allow remote work, such as temporary residence permits or self-employment visas.

What are the best cities for remote work in Australia?

The best cities for remote workers in Australia typically offer a combination of reliable high-speed internet, coworking spaces, affordable cost of living, and quality of life. Check the cities section above for specific recommendations, including internet speeds, cost indexes, and the number of coworking spaces in each location. Consider factors like timezone overlap with your team, climate preferences, and local amenities when choosing.

Working Remotely from Australia?

Get visa updates, tax tips, and remote work news for Australia and beyond.