Planning a workation in Sydney? Or a business trip to Melbourne or Brisbane? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Australia, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Canberra
Telephone code
+61
Official language
English
Currency
Australian Dollar (AUD)
Time zone
Multiple zones (UTC+8 to UTC+10)
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Australia has social security agreements with several countries, available here, to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Australia has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation, available here. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Australia. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Australia, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Working" section.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Australia are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. See the recent information on minimum wage in Australia here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Australia, here's a quick overview:
- Visa-Free Entry: Limited to specific cases (e.g., New Zealand citizens)
- ETA: Available for many nationalities
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for ETA
- E-Visa: Available for eligible nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Not available
- Digital Nomad Visa: Australia does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa program.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to Australia:
- ETA: Primary method for eligible nationalities
- Visa-Free Entry: Limited exceptions apply
- Standard Visa: Required for non-ETA eligible nationalities
- E-Visa: Available for eligible nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Not available
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Australia work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 38 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 30-60 minutes in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
National holidays:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 26: Australia Day
- April: Good Friday and Easter Monday
- April 25: ANZAC Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Boxing Day
Additional state/territory holidays vary by location. Common ones include:
- Labour Day/Eight Hours Day (dates vary by state)
- King's Birthday (June in most states)
- Bank Holiday (varies by state)
- Melbourne Cup Day (Victoria)
- Picnic Day (Northern Territory)
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Australia has implemented The federal Privacy Act 1988 that regulates personal data. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as heavy. That means the country enforces strict, comprehensive data protection laws with robust regulatory oversight. These laws cover all aspects of data privacy and impose severe penalties for non-compliance, either adopting or aligning closely with frameworks like the GDPR, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Australia for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Australia uses a five-level terrorism alert system, with the current level set at Level 3 ("Probable"). This indicates over a 50% likelihood of an attack within the next 12 months, although no specific measures are required for the general public.
Recommendations:
- Remain vigilant in crowded areas such as shopping centers, transportation hubs, and during special events.
- Stay informed about global and local security advisories.
Domestic political situation
Australia's political landscape is stable, with no significant internal unrest.
Recommendations:
- Stay updated through local media.
- Avoid attending demonstrations, even if peaceful.
Crime
While crime rates in Australia are generally low, certain risks exist, particularly for tourists:
- Theft and car break-ins are reported in popular tourist areas, including Sydney, Gold Coast, and Cairns.
- Credit card fraud involving cloned cards occurs occasionally.
- Backpackers in budget accommodations face theft risks.
- Isolated assaults on tourists, including sexual assaults, have been reported, especially for those camping outside organized sites in areas like Alice Springs and Kings Cross.
Safety recommendations:
- Stay alert in crowded areas like airports, public transport, bars, and cafes.
- Keep belongings secure; do not leave valuables in cars or unattended.
- Use guarded camping sites when traveling in motorhomes or camping vehicles.
- Secure cash, IDs, and critical documents in a safe location. Store digital backups in case of loss or theft.
- Carry only the cash you need for the day and avoid displaying valuables. Prefer cashless payments.
- Be cautious about unsolicited communications (emails, phone calls, or prize notifications) and verify their authenticity. Consult the police if unsure.
Northern Australia:
- Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons
- Wet season (November-April) temperatures: 24°C to 33°C (75°F to 91°F)
- Dry season (May-October) temperatures: 21°C to 32°C (70°F to 90°F)
- High humidity during wet season
- Risk of tropical cyclones
Southern Australia:
- Four distinct seasons
- Summer (December-February) temperatures: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter (June-August) temperatures: 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
- More temperate climate
- Occasional extreme heat in summer
Central Australia:
- Desert climate
- Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F)
- Winter nights can drop below 0°C (32°F)
- Very low humidity
- Large temperature variations between day and night
Airports
Sydney Airport (SYD)
- Location: Sydney, New South Wales
- When to use: Main international hub, east coast access
Melbourne Airport (MEL)
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria
- When to use: Southern region access, major business center
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland
- When to use: Queensland access, northern business hub
Train stations
Interstate services
- Indian Pacific (Sydney-Perth)
- The Ghan (Adelaide-Darwin)
- XPT Services (Sydney-Melbourne/Brisbane)
- The Overland (Melbourne-Adelaide)
Regional networks
- Queensland Rail
- NSW TrainLink
- V/Line (Victoria)
- TransWA
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- DiDi
- Ola
- 13cabs app
Public transportation
Major cities:
- Extensive train networks
- Bus services
- Light rail/tram systems
- Ferry services in coastal cities
Regional transport:
- Regional train services
- Interstate coaches
- Regional bus networks
- Regional air services