The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is calling on all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Filipino nationals traveling to Australia to strictly observe visa conditions and ensure they are utilizing the correct visa categories for their intended stay.
The advisory comes after the DMW observed an increasing trend of travelers applying for the Australian Visitor visa (Subclass 600) for purposes that deviate from its legal intent.
The DMW emphasizes that the Subclass 600 visa is strictly for short-term activities, including:
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Tourism and leisure.
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Business visitor activities (e.g., attending conferences or negotiations).
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Family visits.
In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Migration Affairs and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, the DMW warns that using a visitor visa for unauthorized activities—such as employment, extended caregiving, or other work-related tasks—carries severe penalties.
“Violating visa conditions is a serious matter,” the DMW stated. “Non-compliance could lead to immediate visa cancellation, deportation, and long-term bans on future travel to Australia.”
Aligned with Republic Act No. 11641 and the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos overseas, the DMW underscores the importance of the “legal route.”
Filipinos intending to work in Australia are urged to:
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Secure the appropriate work visa specific to their trade or profession.
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Fulfill all host-country immigration requirements prior to departure.
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Participate in DMW-sanctioned Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) to stay informed on host-country laws.
The DMW remains committed to enhancing its public information campaigns to ensure that migration remains safe, orderly, and regular.
