Last Updated: 8 October 2026
Applied for a student visa from inside Australia and wondering whether you can keep working while you wait? Your work rights on a bridging visa depend on the conditions attached to it. They are not the same for everyone.
This guide covers when a bridging visa starts, how its work rights are set, and what changes once a student visa is granted. It is written for people who have lodged a student visa application in Australia and hold a Bridging Visa A (BVA).
Key Takeaways
- A BVA is generally granted automatically when you lodge a valid visa application in Australia. It is free.
- A BVA starts when your current visa ceases. Until then, your current visa conditions continue to apply.
- The conditions on your BVA decide whether you can work. Your grant letter and VEVO show them.
- If your BVA does not allow work, you may apply for a further BVA that does. This usually requires showing financial hardship.
- Once a student visa is granted, its conditions apply. Generally this means up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session, and no work before your course starts.
- A BVA ceases when you leave Australia. Travel and return generally requires a Bridging Visa B (BVB), granted before you depart.
- From 2 October 2026, most student visa applications must be lodged from outside Australia.
Who This Guide Applies To
From 2 October 2026, new rules change who can apply for a student visa while in Australia. This guide applies to:
- People who lodged a student visa application in Australia before 2 October 2026. These applications are assessed under the rules in place on the day they were lodged.
- Current student visa holders who meet one of the Department of Home Affairs exemptions to apply for a further student visa in Australia. Examples include needing up to 12 more months to finish the same course with the same provider, or moving to a higher AQF level course after completing a main course.
Holders of some visas are not able to lodge a student visa application in Australia, and no exemptions apply. These include the Working Holiday (417), Work and Holiday (462), Temporary Graduate (485), Visitor (600) and eVisitor (651) visas. If you are unsure which group you are in, a registered migration agent can review your visa history.
Read the full breakdown
Our guide lists the visas affected, the exemptions that still apply, and how the 2 October 2026 rules treat family members.
A Bridging Visa Starts When Your Current Visa Ceases
A BVA does not replace your current visa straight away. It starts when your current visa ceases and continues while your application is being decided. Until then, you follow the conditions of your current visa.
Example: your student visa ends on 15 December and your further student visa application is still being processed. You stay on your student visa until 15 December. The BVA then takes effect.
A BVA is generally applied for as part of your visa application, so a separate application is not usually needed. You can check whether you hold one in VEVO. For a broader overview, see our Bridging Visa guide.
Your Bridging Visa Conditions Decide Your Work Rights
The conditions on your BVA set whether, and how much, you can work. The Department of Home Affairs lists them in your visa grant letter and in VEVO.
A BVA's work conditions often reflect those of the visa you held before it. Conditions can differ, so always check your own.
If your BVA does not allow work, you may apply for a further BVA that does. The Department usually asks you to show financial hardship, and each claim is assessed individually.
Want your conditions checked against your work plans?
A registered migration agent can read your grant letter with you and explain each condition in plain English, so you can plan your hours with more clarity.
Your Student Visa Conditions Apply Once it is Granted
Once your student visa is granted, its conditions apply in place of your BVA. Generally, student visa holders can:
- Work up to 48 hours a fortnight while their course is in session
- Work unlimited hours when their course is not in session
Students in a doctoral degree or master's by research have no work limit. Work rights begin when your course starts.
Example: Your student visa is granted a month before your course start date. You have no work rights until the course starts.
Thinking about your next course?
See how the student visa process works, from choosing a course to lodging your application.
In case you don't find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you work on a Bridging Visa A?
It depends on the conditions on your BVA. Some allow work and some restrict it. Your grant letter and VEVO show yours. A BVA's work conditions often reflect those of your previous visa, but this is not always the case.
How long does bridging visa A take to process?
A BVA has no processing time and no cost. It is generally applied for automatically when you lodge a valid visa application in Australia. You can check whether you hold one in VEVO.
When would I move onto the bridging visa?
Generally when your current visa ceases, if your new application has not been decided by then. Once the new visa is granted, its conditions apply instead.
What is the duration of a bridging visa?
A BVA has no fixed end date. It generally continues until your application is finally decided. It also ends if you leave Australia or are granted the visa. After a refusal decision, a BVA generally continues for a further 35 calendar days.
Can I travel on a bridging visa?
A BVA does not allow return travel. To leave and return to Australia while your application is processed, you need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) granted before you depart.
How much does a Bridging Visa A cost in Australia?
A BVA is free. According to the Department of Home Affairs, a BVB costs AUD575 except in limited circumstances. A lower cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026.
How do I get work rights on a bridging visa?
If your BVA does not allow work, you may apply for a further BVA that does. The Department usually asks you to show financial hardship, and each claim is assessed individually. Check your current conditions in VEVO first.
Is Bridging Visa A automatically granted?
Nearly all bridging visas are applied for automatically as part of a visa application, and the Department notifies you. A separate BVA application may be needed in some situations, such as after a previous bridging visa has ceased.
Can I drive Uber on bridging visa?
Rideshare is a type of work, so it depends on your BVA's work conditions. Check your grant letter or VEVO before you start. If you are unsure, a registered migration agent can review your conditions.
What happens if you leave Australia on a Bridging Visa A?
A BVA that is in effect ceases when you depart Australia and does not allow you to return. If you plan to travel, apply for a BVB and wait until it is granted before you leave.
Is a Bridging Visa A eligible for Centrelink?
Eligibility depends on your visa and circumstances. Contact Centrelink to check whether you qualify.
Is a Bridging Visa A eligible for Medicare?
Eligibility depends on your visa and circumstances. Some BVA holders may be eligible. Contact Medicare to confirm.
