Work and Study Rights While Holding a Visa 482
The visa 482 is designed to tie a worker to a specific sponsor in a specific occupation. This creates certain limits on work rights — different from an unrestricted visa such as a family visa or PR.
What you are allowed to do
Work full-time for your sponsor
The most basic right of the visa 482: you may work full-time for the company that sponsored you, in the exact occupational position approved in the nomination.
You can also work part-time for the same sponsor — as long as the salary still meets the market salary rate.
Study without limits
The visa 482 has no study limitation condition. You can take any course — university, postgraduate, English, vocational skills — without needing further permission. This is a big difference from the student visa (500), which limits work hours.
Move freely within Australia
There is no geographic condition — you can live and travel within Australia freely. However, remember that your work must still be tied to the nomination (the right occupation, the right employer).
What you are NOT allowed to do
Work for a second employer
This is the most important point: the visa 482 does not automatically allow you to work for another employer, whether part-time or casual.
There is no “side work” mechanism on the visa 482 — if you want to work for a second employer, you must:
- Change sponsor entirely (the new employer sponsors you)
- Have a new nomination approved
- Or apply for a different visa that allows multiple employers
Breaching this condition can lead to visa cancellation.
Run your own business (sole trader, your own ABN)
The visa 482 does not allow you to run your own business or work as an independent contractor. You cannot:
- Open your own ABN to take on contracts
- Freelance for multiple independent clients
- Run your own business
If you want to run your own business, you would need to consider other visas such as a business investment visa or a partner visa (if eligible).
Change occupation at will
The nomination is tied to a specific ANZSCO code. You cannot move to work in a different occupation on your own, even within the same company. To change, the company must lodge a new nomination.
Rights of accompanying family
Spouse and partner
An accompanying visa 482 holder (a secondary visa holder) usually can:
- Work without limits — not bound to a specific employer or occupation
- Study without limits
- Use Medicare (if your country has an agreement with Australia)
Children
Accompanying children can study at public schools at the resident student fee (significantly lower than the full international fee — depending on the state).
What happens if you lose your job
If your sponsor ends the employment contract or withdraws the nomination, you have 180 days from the day you stop work to:
- Find a new sponsor
- Apply for another visa
- Leave Australia
Changing sponsor
If you want to move to work for another company, you must complete a formal change of sponsor before leaving your current job — or within 180 days of stopping work. This is a point many people overlook, leading to a breach of visa conditions.