A WA 010 visa is the Bridging Visa A. It keeps you lawful in Australia while Home Affairs decides your next visa application. Here is what it means, when it starts and what you can do on it, including work and travel.

WA 010 Visa Explained: What the Bridging Visa A Means

Seeing “WA 010” on your visa record can be confusing. It looks like a code, and the rules are not clear at first glance.

Here is the short answer. A WA 010 visa is the Bridging Visa A. It lets you stay in Australia legally while Home Affairs decides your next visa application.

This guide explains what it is, when it starts and what you can and cannot do. Your own grant notice always comes first, because conditions differ from person to person.

What Is a WA 010 Visa? Simple Meaning

A WA 010 visa is a temporary visa, also called a BVA. It is not a substantive visa. It does not give you a long stay on its own.

Its only job is to keep you lawful in Australia while your new application is being processed.

WA 010 Visa Meaning: Class WA, Subclass 010

“WA” is the visa class, which stands for Bridging A. “010” is the subclass number. So WA 010, WA/010 and BVA all mean the same visa.

Who Gets a WA 010 Visa Automatically?

Most people get a BVA when they apply for a new visa inside Australia while still holding a substantive visa. Home Affairs normally grants it with your application. In most cases you do not lodge a separate form.

Examples of Who Can Hold a WA 010 Visa

• A student visa holder who applies for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
• A temporary visa holder who lodges a partner visa (subclass 820) application
• A person who asks for review or court action after a refusal, in some cases

When Does a WA 010 Visa Come Into Effect?

Your WA 010 visa does not start on the day you apply. It starts when your current substantive visa ends.

Until then, you stay on your current visa and follow its conditions. Say your student visa ends on 30 June and you applied in May. Your WA 010 visa takes over from 1 July.

WA 010 Visa Timeline at a Glance

WA 010 Visa Work Rights: Can You Work?

Sometimes yes. There is no single work rule for every BVA holder.

Your WA 010 visa usually carries the same work rights as your last substantive visa. If that visa had condition 8101 (no work), your BVA can have it too. Some holders also face limits on hours or type of work.

Before you start or keep working:

1. Read your visa grant notice.
2. Check your conditions in VEVO on the Home Affairs website.
3. If you see 8101, do not work. Get advice first.

Can You Travel on a WA 010 Visa?

Not freely. If you leave Australia on a BVA, the visa ends and you may not be able to return.

WA 010 Visa Travel: Why You Need a BVB

To leave and come back, you need a Bridging Visa B (subclass 020) first. It comes with a travel period, and you must return within it.

A BVB is not automatic. Home Affairs looks at your reasons for travel. Read the official Bridging Visa B page, and wait until it is granted before you book flights.

How Long Does a WA 010 Visa Last?

There is no fixed end date. The visa lasts until Home Affairs makes a final decision on your application.

• If your new visa is granted: the WA 010 visa ends and the new visa starts.
• If your application is refused: the WA 010 visa usually ends 28 or 35 days after the decision, depending on your case. Your notice shows the exact rule.

WA 010 Visa After a Refusal: What Happens

If you apply for review within the time limit, your WA 010 visa can continue while the review is open. Time limits are strict, so act fast after a refusal.

WA 010 Visa Conditions to Check in VEVO

Two people can hold the same WA 010 visa and still have different conditions. These are the ones people see most often.

WA 010 Visa and Health Insurance (8501)

If your visa has condition 8501, you must hold health insurance for as long as the visa is in effect. Check your grant notice for this condition.

WA 010 Visa and Medicare or Centrelink

A WA 010 visa does not automatically give you Medicare. It also does not make you residentially qualified for most Centrelink payments. Confirm your own situation with Services Australia.

WA 010 Visa vs Other Bridging Visas

Not every bridging visa works the same way. This table shows the main differences.

Common WA 010 Visa Mistakes to Avoid

• Flying out without a Bridging Visa B
• Working without checking for condition 8101
• Missing the review deadline after a refusal
• Trusting an old email instead of a fresh VEVO check
• Thinking a WA 010 visa is a long-term or permanent visa

WA 010 Visa FAQs: Quick Answers

Is a WA 010 Visa the Same as Bridging Visa A?

Yes. WA is the class and 010 is the subclass. Both names point to the same visa.

Can I Work on a WA 010 Visa?

It depends on your conditions. Check your grant notice and VEVO. If condition 8101 is listed, you cannot work.

How Long Can I Stay on a WA 010 Visa?

Until Home Affairs makes a final decision on your application, plus the short period set in your notice if it is refused.

Do I Apply Separately for a WA 010 Visa?

Usually no. It is normally granted with a valid application made in Australia. Some cases, such as review or court matters, work differently.

How Do I Check My WA 010 Visa Online?

Use VEVO through the Home Affairs website. It shows your visa and every condition.

Need Help With a WA 010 Visa?

A WA 010 visa keeps you lawful, but one wrong step on work or travel can cause real trouble. The rules also change with each case.

Asia Pacific Group’s MARA-registered migration agents can read your grant notice, check your conditions and explain your next step.

Book a consultation with Asia Pacific Group today.

This article is general information only. It is not legal advice. For the latest visa rules, see the official Bridging Visa A page on the Home Affairs website.