post JET visa status...can I stay & work

can i transfer my JET Programme instructr visa to a work visa? Do I need to?

KT,
Yes, I believe you can do this if you find an employer willing to sponsor you.

you must extend your work visa. If you stay past your visa expiration, you are illegal and that could be trouble. Your options then are:
find work/sponsor before your JET visa expires (don't skimp your JET contract, just arrange to start work as soon as JET contract ends).

or

extend your JET working visa into a travel/visitor visa until you find a job (you'll have 3 months or so depending on where you're from). You may have to leave the country and/or go back to your home country in order to get your new working visa.

You may be able to change to a working holiday visa if you are from certain countries. Check with your local embassy or consulate.

SORRY - I obviously didnt make myself clear - My JET visa is a three year instructor visa, and I have only done a year..........does this mean I still have to change to a tourist/working visa

hi...I was also on JET and have finished my 1st yr contract and want to stay on...my visa is a 3 yr one...how do i change this to a working visa?? i think otherwise i have to change it into a tourist one and that means my "working" ability becomes difficult...PLEASE HELP. I am interviewing for jobs at the moment

You will need a new employer, who will sponsor your work visa. If you can't find one and process the certificate of eligibility before the expiry date of your current visa, you will have to switch to a tourist visa for a while.