Is this your situation?
You are on a bridging visa and you need to work to support yourself and potentially your family. But you are not sure whether your bridging visa allows you to work, or whether there are restrictions on the type of work or hours.
How work rights on bridging visas are determined
Work rights on a bridging visa are not standard. They depend on the conditions attached to your specific bridging visa, which in turn depend on what visa you previously held and what application triggered the bridging visa.
If your previous substantive visa had full work rights (for example, a subclass 482 employer sponsored visa), your bridging visa may carry similar conditions. If your previous visa had no work rights or limited work rights (for example, a visitor visa with condition 8101 – no work), your bridging visa may also have no work permission.
Some bridging visas come with condition 8101 (no work at all). Others have condition 8104 (limited work). Others have no work restriction.
How to check your conditions
Check your bridging visa grant notification letter. The conditions will be listed. You can also check VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) for your current visa status and conditions. Your employer may also check VEVO to verify your work rights.
What to do if you need work rights and do not have them
If your bridging visa does not include work rights and you need to work, you can apply to the Department for a change of conditions (permission to work). This is not automatic and requires justification. The standard ground is financial hardship: you need to demonstrate that without working, you cannot support yourself or your family.
The application for a change of conditions involves providing evidence of your financial situation, including bank statements, evidence of expenses, evidence of any support you are receiving, and a statement explaining why you need to work.
How Bullseye Consultant can help
If you need work rights added to your bridging visa, Amanpreet Bhangoo (MARN 1573884) can prepare and lodge the application for a change of conditions. Call (07) 3519 7009.
FAQ
Q: How long does a change of conditions application take?
Processing times vary. It can take several weeks. During this time, you cannot work unless the change is granted. Working without permission while the application is pending is still a breach.
Q: Will I get full-time work rights or limited hours?
This depends on the Department’s assessment. Some bridging visa work permissions allow full-time work. Others may impose hour restrictions.
