Partners of a Worker Work Visa can receive open work rights if their partner holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa

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The Government has announced that more partners of migrant workers will soon receive visas with open work rights, allowing them to work for any employer.

From 2 December 2024, people granted a Partner of a Worker Work Visa can receive open work rights if their partner holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa and works in a higher-skilled role, or a lower-skilled role on a pathway to residence. This includes migrants:

• working in an ANZSCO Level 1-3 role and paid at least $25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage for skilled residence visas)
• working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role on the Green List or covered by the Transport or Care Workforce Sector Agreements, and earning at least the wage thresholds for residence
• working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role and paid at least 1.5 times the median wage.

It also includes migrants on an Essential Skills Work Visa earning at least $25.29 an hour.

Current Partner of a Worker Work Visa holders will be able to apply for a variation of their visa conditions to switch to open work rights from 2 December, if their partner meets the new criteria.