We get asked about bridging visas in Australia all the time in our community — and for good reason. Navigating the Australian visa maze is stressful enough, but trying to land a job while sitting in limbo? That’s next-level.
So when the crew at True Blue Migration offered to share this honest, lived-experience post from one of their clients, we were all ears.
Whether you’re fresh off the boat or knee-deep in paperwork, this one’s packed with straight-talking advice, smart tips, and a few “wish I knew that earlier” moments you won’t find on government websites.
A Bit About Me & Why I’m Chuffed to Help
Look, people who’ve actually been through the wringer are absolute gold when it comes to proper advice, yeah? Real, lived experience – the kind that tells you what actually works and what’s a complete waste of time. I’d say that’s precisely why you’ve landed here, right?
Now, I’m not Irish myself, but I am a Yank who’s been kicking around Australia for nearly 8 years. I managed to get citizenship in the end, but Jaysus, what a journey! I went down the Partner visa route, bridging visa and all. And fair dinkum, trying to find work while on that thing was absolutely brutal, even with full work rights.
The bridging visa does exactly what it says on the tin – it ‘bridges’ you from your temporary visa to your permanent one. Most come with full work rights, but finding someone willing to actually hire you? That’s a different story altogether. If I’d known what I’m about to share with you, maybe I would have found that first job sooner.
First Things First – Know Your Actual Work Rights
Right, here’s where most people get caught out. Not all bridging visas are the same, and even the ones that should give you full work rights can be trickier than you’d think.
Bridging Visa A (BVA): You’ll likely have work rights, but here’s the kicker – those work rights might carry over from whatever visa you had before. So if you were on a student visa that only let you work 48 hours per fortnight, your BVA might have the same restrictions. Mental, I know.
Bridging C and E visas: These usually come with no work rights when first granted, though you can apply to have them added.
Pro tip: Get crystal clear on what your specific bridging visa allows. Ring the Department or check your grant letter properly – don’t just assume you can work freely.
The Brutal Truth About Employer Reactions
Eventually, I copped on to what was happening: employers hear “bridging visa,” and you’re basically written off before you’ve even started. Fair enough, I didn’t like it one bit, but I got it. Sure, HR departments are genuinely baffled about what bridging visas actually allow, and when they haven’t a clue, they just say no. If you do manage to get past all that filtering craic, employers still think you’re about to leg it. They’re picturing having to replace you in six months when your visa gets refused – even though bridging visas can drag on for years, and most people do get their permanent visas sorted in the end.
The Numbers Game – The Real Story
Let’s have a proper look at the numbers then, because this is where people start doing their heads in, not knowing where they actually stand.
Partner Visas: The government aims to grant 40,500 Partner visas annually. Despite conflicting reports showing 50% approval rates, the actual approval rate for genuine relationships is much higher – more like 85-90%. Those lower figures include withdrawals, incomplete applications, and relationships that genuinely broke down.
The Reality: If you’re in a genuine relationship with solid evidence, your chances are deadly. The government isn’t in the business of refusing legitimate applications.
When explaining your situation to employers, you can confidently say: “I’m on a bridging visa while my partner visa is being processed. The government processes about 40,000 of these each year, and approval rates for genuine relationships are very high.”
How to Actually Find Work
The Soft Reveal: Don’t lead your CV with “I’m on a bridging visa,” but don’t hide it either. Get them interested in you first, then explain your situation at the interview stage.
Be Your Own Advocate : Learn to explain things simply. Instead of “I’m on a BVA pending my 820 decision,” try “I have full work rights while my permanent partner visa is being processed, which typically takes 18-24 months.” In my case, I threw in a “my agent, True Blue Migration, are legends when it comes to keeping me updated.” I wanted to show them that I was on top of things and like them, did not want any surprises!
Contract Over Permanent: Some employers get the jitters about offering permanent roles to bridging visa holders (even though it’s perfectly legal), but they’re grand with contracts.
Network Like Mad: Sometimes, a personal recommendation can overcome visa concerns that a cold application can’t. Join those Irish Around Oz Facebook groups and ask around!
Partner Visa? Your networking circle is right there waiting for you! Your partner’s network is such an obvious resource that people often overlook. Their workmates, their family connections, even their local pub crowd – all potential leads for that crucial first Australian job. This is exactly what I did to land my first job, and it worked a treat. Much more practical than trying to build a network from scratch when you’re already dealing with visa stress! Once you’ve got that first bit of Australian experience under your belt, the going gets much easier. When I finally got my PR sorted, I was ready to move on, and sure enough, the doors opened like magic!
Tell Your Story: Once you get to the interview stage, explain clearly what your work rights are and potentially how long your visa process might take.
Where to Look (And Where Not to Bother)
More Bridging Visa-Friendly:
- Hospitality and retail (they get temporary workers)
- Casual labour and trades
- Call centres and temp agencies
- Contract work in your professional field
Tougher Nuts to Crack:
- Government jobs (most require citizenship)
- Big corporations with strict HR policies
- Graduate programs with long-term training
The Bottom Line on your bridging visa in Australia
Look, it’s not going to be easy, but it’s absolutely doable. With current labour shortages, hiring people on bridging visas might just be the answer employers are looking for. The key is being smart about your approach, knowing your rights, and not letting the initial rejections get to you.
If you’ve got a solid visa application, the numbers are on your side. Most people on bridging visas do get their permanent visas approved – it’s just a matter of when, not if. And once you land that first Australian job, you’re sorted.