On a student visa, am I able to get a working visa?

[protmind]

Right now, I'm on a one year student visa and I'm thinking of hanging around after that. Do I have to leave and then re-enter in order to get a working visa, or is this something I can do on the tail end of a student visa?

[Steve Bildermann]

In simplistic terms, yes you can change to a working visa *if* you have a valid contract from the hiring company and have a suitable sponsor (which can be the hiring company)

Don't wait till the last moment to apply though as you might (and probably will) have to come up with more paperwork proving you can support yourself, have a fixed residence etc.

As always YMMV.