Work Rights on a Bridging Visa: Conditional or Unrestricted

Many people assume a bridging visa automatically carries work rights. The reality is more complex — work rights depend on the specific case and need to be checked clearly through VEVO.

The general principle: inherited from the previous visa

For a Bridging Visa A (BVA), work rights are usually determined by the previous visa:

• If the previous visa had unrestricted work rights: the BVA usually has them too
• If the previous visa had conditional work rights (for example, limited to one employer): the BVA may inherit that condition
• If the previous visa had no work rights: the BVA usually has none

This is the general principle — but it is not always the case. Check VEVO to be sure.

482 visa → BVA: employer limitation

This is the most common situation: someone on a 482 visa lodges a renewal or moves to a 186 visa, the 482 visa expires and the BVA activates.

In this situation the BVA usually:

• Allows work to continue
• For the same employer or within the same occupation — depending on the conditions the Department records on the BVA

Do not assume — read the visa conditions in VEVO.

When a BVA has no work rights

A BVA has no work rights when:

• The applicant was on a visa with no work rights (for example, a visitor visa)
• The BVA was granted with condition 8101 (no work)

If you are in this situation and need to work, you may be able to request that a work condition be added — but it is not automatic.

Bridging Visa C: usually no work rights

A BVC (granted when an onshore visa is lodged while already unlawful) usually carries condition 8101 (no work). This is one reason to maintain a valid visa — to avoid ending up in a BVC situation.

Check the specific conditions

The only reliable step: Log in to VEVO and read the visa conditions recorded for you.

Work-related conditions:

• 8101: No work — you cannot work
• 8104: Work limited to [hours/employer] — a limit on hours or employer
• 8105: Work limited to nominated occupation and employer — a limit on occupation and employer (common on the 482)
• No work condition: usually means you may work without restriction

Working when your rights are unclear: the risks

Working in breach of a visa condition is a serious breach:

• It can lead to cancellation of the bridging visa
• It can affect the visa application being processed
• It can create a “bad character” record that affects future visa applications

If you are not sure: check VEVO or consult a migration agent before continuing to work.