QUOTE(hairypotter9394 @ Mar 3 2019, 01:30 AM)
Hi....just asking....I am too old to be sponsored or even quality for a work visa...but have employer keen to take me ( am hair stylist)....in short ....come to work with tourist visa....is it possible to work 5 months...fly back to Malaysia.... then go over in a month later.....repeat this cycle again n again.. Is this an option I can take ....will immigration be suspicious..... Thanks for your response
I am in no position to tell you what you can or cannot do. The fact is, it is illegal to work in Australia without a visa with work rights. You seem to understand the situation as well, and I would not be surprised many others managed to make some money with similar short stints. Terms like "jump aeroplane" and "wash big plates" came about since my grandparents' generation, maybe even prior to that. Who am I to say that you absolutely cannot do this. However, before things get a little rosy...https://theconversation.com/amp/what-its-li...australia-81478
Expect to get queried by immigration kaw kaw the 2nd time you come back in. I know of someone who can attest to that. It's different when you come in regularly on short business trips, vs continuously coming in months after months, unless you have family/dependents within Australia as your reason for travel.
Beware of people charging fees for promises of work. Travel and lodging are not cheap. Or lodging can be cheap, but do you feel guaranteed about living conditions? If you end up getting stranded, you have to have sufficient funds to support yourself until your return to home country.
While it is legal to be paid in cash, the illegal part of it is in not paying tax, but then you do not have legal rights to work. Hence, you are open to being exploited, i.e. low wages, no overtime pay, no pay at all.
If you are not young anymore, then unexpected medical expenses is another thing you need to consider. You will need to pay for the full healthcare costs, unless you have private insurance cover for overseas visitors or maybe your local private insurance covers for international travel up to a certain period of time. Obviously, I am no subject matter expert in what is covered and not covered.
Maybe you have close friends or relatives in Australia who can help ensure you don't get into trouble, then it is not so daunting. Common scenarios I have heard of is paying for confinement ladies from Malaysia, which can be far cheaper than hiring one in Australia. So again, who am I to say you cannot do this or that.
Good luck, and stay out of trouble.