No — receiving a skilled invitation does not oblige you to keep working for your 482 visa sponsor. Since 1 July 2024, condition 8607 permits you to work for other employers for up to 180 consecutive days at a time, and up to 365 days in total across the life of the visa, once your employment with the sponsor has ended — even in occupations outside your nomination.
Dr Cyrus Ahmadi, Australian migration lawyer, MARA 0854826, regards this as one of the most frequent concerns raised by 482 visa holders. He explains that the common assumption — “until your skilled visa is granted you may only work for your sponsor” — does not sit with the amendments made by the Migration Amendment (Work Related Visa Conditions) Regulations 2024 or with the current wording of condition 8607 in Schedule 8.
Two practical but decisive limits apply. First, this working window only opens once your employment with the sponsor has ended; that is, apart from exempt occupations, there is no right to work concurrently for a second employer while you remain employed by your sponsor. Exempt occupations are set out in the Minister’s legislative instrument (LIN 19/212), which focuses on the medical profession and also covers roles such as Chief Executive, Managing Director and Corporate General Manager; the precise list must always be checked against the version of that instrument currently in force.
Second, this mechanism is not an “open work right until the visa expires” — it is a permitted period of employment without a sponsor. Exceeding either the 180 consecutive days or the 365 cumulative days without a new nomination or another visa application on foot exposes your 482 visa to cancellation under section 116 of the Migration Act. Breaching a visa condition carries the same risk, and can make later applications considerably harder through unlawful status or case integrity issues.
A final point Dr Ahmadi stresses: an invitation (ITA) in itself creates no work rights at all. If your 482 visa expires before the skilled visa is granted, your work rights depend on the conditions attached to the bridging visa that issues; where the last substantive visa was subject to condition 8607, a similar restriction may be imposed on the bridging visa, and this must be checked and confirmed on your own file before you make any employment decision.
If you are on the verge of resigning or changing employers while waiting for a skilled visa grant, a careful review of your 180/365-day calendar and your visa status can bring real peace of mind. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please contact the office of Dr Cyrus Ahmadi.
This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on September 29, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.