How to Apply for Work Rights on a Bridging Visa in Australia
If you’ve applied for a new visa in Australia, you will be granted a Bridging Visa, allowing you to stay in Australia lawfully until the decision is made on your application. Usually, a Bridging Visa is granted with work right, but if it doesn’t have, you can submit an application for work right.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know about:
- Types of Bridging Visas and their work rights
- How to apply for work rights on a Bridging Visa
- What evidence you need to show
- Common mistakes that lead to refusal
- How a migration agent can improve your chances
Types of Bridging Visas and Their Work Rights
Not all Bridging Visas are the same. Each type has different conditions:
- Bridging Visa A (BVA). The BVA is granted if you apply for a new visa while holding a substantive Visa. This may or may not include work rights depending on the visa you applied for.
- Bridging Visa B (BVB). The BVB is similar to the BVA, but lets you travel outside Australia while waiting. Work rights also depend on your main visa application.
- Bridging Visa C (BVC). The BVC is granted if you apply for a visa without holding a substantive visa, and it often comes with no work rights.
- Bridging Visa E (BVE). The BVE is granted to those who are unlawful or have overstayed. It may come with restrictions and require strong evidence to gain work rights.
In short, many Bridging Visas are issued with no work conditions or restricted work conditions.
Learn more: Type of bridging visa in Australia: Must Check Information
Can you apply for work rights on a Bridging Visa?
Yes, you can. If your Bridging Visa has no work condition, you may apply to have this condition removed. However, you must provide evidence that you are facing financial hardship or your circumstances have significantly changed since the Bridging Visa was granted.
How to submit a Work Right application on a Bridging Visa
The process generally involves:
1. Prepare Form 1005. This is the official application for a Bridging Visa to request work rights.
2. Provide evidence of financial hardship. You can provide bank statements, rental agreements, bills, and any other documents that show you cannot meet your living costs without work.
3. Attach supporting documents. If you have dependents (partner or children), include their expenses to demonstrate greater hardship. Letters of support from community leaders, schools, or employers may also strengthen your case.
4. Lodge the application. Submit the application online through this page, ImmiAccount, or by paper if required. The Department of Home Affairs will assess whether your circumstances justify lifting the work restriction.
5. Wait for the outcome. Note that the processing times vary, but applications are generally prioritised if you demonstrate urgent need.
What counts as financial hardship?
The Department defines financial hardships as being unable to meet the cost of basic needs, such as:
- Rent or mortgage
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
- Food and groceries
- Medical care
- Schooling for dependent children
Merely wanting to work or improve your lifestyle is not enough. You must prove that you genuinely cannot support yourself without work rights.
Common mistakes that lead to refusal
- Submitting insufficient financial evidence.
- Assuming a letter from an employer offering work is enough.
- Not showing dependents’ expenses if you have a family.
- Failing to explain how your circumstances have changed since your visa grant.
Read more: Can I Apply for Partner Visa While On Bridging Visa?
Can a Migration Agent help?
Yes. Submitting the proper application for a Bridging Visa can be stressful, especially if you are already under financial pressure. A registered migration agent can:
- Assess your situation and advise whether you meet the hardship threshold.
- Help you prepare strong supporting evidence.
- Draft a detailed submission letter explaining your case to the Department.
- Reduce the risk of refusal and unnecessary delays.
If your Bridging Visa has no work rights, remember, you are not stuck forever. With the proper evidence and application process, you can successfully request work rights and continue supporting yourself and your family while waiting for your main visa outcome.
If you need assistance in applying for work right on your Bridging Visa, book an appointment with our Registered Migration Agent now:
We are here to help you.
Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will assist you in submitting an application for work right on your Bridging Visa. With a 98% success rate and as one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents, you can trust our expertise. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews to see the difference we’ve made for others. You can be confident that you are in good hands.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are honest, accountable and professional. Contact us via email at [email protected], phone at 1300 827 159, or WhatsApp at +61494372414. Alternatively, you can book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program, which ensures that if you are not satisfied with our service for any reason, you will receive a full refund. We are confident in our ability to assist you and want you to feel secure in your decision to work with us.
