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Inquiry on Bridging Visa
I arrived in Sydney at the end of December 2023 with plans to apply for a partner visa. However, circumstances changed, and I decided to pursue further studies instead. With the support of friends, I enrolled in a CRICOS-registered school in Sydney, where I am completing a Graduate Diploma in Management (Leadership). I am now on a year-long bridging visa with no work rights.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing back home and have over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. I am currently in term 5 of my course, which is expected to finish by December 2025. Given my bridging visa status with no work rights, securing employer sponsorship for a 407 or 482 visa has been challenging. What do you think the best possible thing to do next is?
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1 Reply
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Hi Vera, welcome to our community! 😊
Thanks for sharing your situation. Based on your background and current status, here’s a clear path forward with some practical suggestions:
1. Consider applying for a new Student Visa (subclass 500):
If you’re currently on a Bridging Visa without work rights, applying for a proper Student Visa might be a smart move. The Student Visa typically includes limited work rights (up to 48 hours per fortnight during study terms), which may help with your finances and improve your employment prospects in Australia.Details: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500
2. Look into Skilled Migration options (subclass 189, 190, 491):
Given your Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and your experience in the pharmaceutical industry, you might qualify under one of the skilled visas. However, eligibility depends heavily on your specific occupation’s ANZSCO code and whether it appears on a relevant skilled occupation list. For example:-
If your experience aligns with Sales and Marketing Manager (ANZSCO 131112), it is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), which supports permanent skilled migration options.
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Alternatively, if your experience is more aligned with Pharmaceutical Representative (ANZSCO 225412), this is on the STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), which is more restrictive but still supports options like the subclass 482 and 190 visas.
We can narrow this down further if you can describe your role in more detail.
3. Consider employer-sponsored pathways once your visa status allows work rights:
Sponsorship on a Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) or a Training Visa (subclass 407) is possible, but your current visa status makes it hard for employers. Once on a Student Visa with work rights, you’ll be in a stronger position to secure a job and build relationships that could lead to sponsorship.For employer-sponsored roles, start searching on:
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https://482jobs.com (our job board with only visa-sponsored roles)
Also consider uploading your resume to our recruiter database here: https://482jobs.com/candidates/submit-resume/ Recruiters search this regularly for visa-sponsored candidates.
4. Network with recruiters on LinkedIn:
Optimise your LinkedIn profile to attract attention from Australian employers. We’ve got a great article with tips here:
https://482jobs.com/15-expert-tips-to-get-noticed-by-australian-recruiters-on-linkedinI’d be happy to help you assess your eligibility for skilled migration or sponsorship pathways if you can share more about your job title, daily duties, and whether you’ve had any formal skills assessments done.
Hope this helps you feel more confident about your next steps. Let me know if you’d like help working through the skilled visa options based on your background.
Warm regards,
Markimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Immigration and citizenship Website
Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.
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