Written by Gaurav Duggal · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 1805710 · Last updated October 2026
Before an Australian employer hires anyone who is not a citizen, one question has to be answered with evidence: can this person legally work for us? Checking visa work rights with VEVO is the Department of Home Affairs’ recommended method, and getting it wrong can put both the worker and the business at risk. This guide walks employers through the steps, what counts as proof, how often to recheck, and the special rules for sponsored 482 workers. It is general information current as at October 2026, based on the Department of Home Affairs website, and is not a substitute for personal advice.
Who can legally work in Australia?
Home Affairs states that a person can legally work in Australia if they are an Australian citizen or they hold a valid visa with permission to work. Some visa holders can work without restriction, others can work a limited amount, and some cannot work at all. Australian citizens and permanent residents can work unrestricted, in line with Australian employment law.
The responsibility to check sits with the employer. You must make sure you are employing someone who can legally work, and you should keep a record of how you checked.
How do you check a worker’s visa status step by step?
Home Affairs sets out a simple process for hiring someone in Australia.
- Step 1: Check citizenship. Ask whether the person is an Australian citizen and see the evidence Home Affairs lists for proving citizenship.
- Step 2: Check permanent residence. If they are not a citizen, ask to see their overseas passport and evidence that they hold an Australian permanent visa, which you can confirm using VEVO.
- Step 3: Check work entitlements. If they are neither, check they hold a visa with work entitlements. You can ask the person to email you their current visa details from VEVO, or use VEVO yourself with their permission.
- Step 4: Keep checking. Make sure the employee has a valid work visa for the whole time they work for you.
What is VEVO and what does it show?
VEVO stands for Visa Entitlement Verification Online. It is the Department’s online tool for confirming a visa holder’s status. According to Home Affairs, it will tell you the visa grant and expiry date and whether the person has work entitlements. If there are no work restrictions on the visa, the person has unlimited rights to work in Australia.
When is it safe to hire a visa holder?
Home Affairs says to hire someone only if all of the following are true:
- Their visa is in effect.
- The conditions do not say “No work”.
- They will not breach any other visa condition by working for you.
- Their visa has not expired or been cancelled.
- They are allowed to do the type of work you want them to do.
A visa holder must also not work more hours than their visa conditions allow. Some visa holders can work only a limited number of hours, so always read the conditions in VEVO rather than assuming.
What does not count as proof?
Home Affairs is explicit that a Medicare card, a tax file number and a driver licence are not enough by themselves to show that a non-citizen can work in Australia. These documents confirm other things, but they do not confirm work rights. A VEVO check or other visa evidence is what shows entitlements.
How often should you recheck?
A valid visa on day one does not guarantee a valid visa a year later. Home Affairs advises employers to check the employee’s visa within 2 days of its expiry, or whenever you know their visa circumstances have changed. If the worker holds a bridging visa and VEVO does not show an expiry date, you should check every 3 months to confirm they still have work rights. Diarise these dates so they are not missed.
What about workers sponsored on a 482 visa?
Sponsored workers have extra restrictions. Home Affairs states that a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa holder can usually only work for the business that sponsored them. If the sponsor is an Australian business, they can work for that business or one of its associated entities. This means an employer who is not the sponsor cannot simply take on a 482 holder because their visa shows work rights. If you want to employ a worker who is currently sponsored by someone else, speak to a registered migration agent before they start.
Home Affairs also states that a 482 holder who has been laid off has up to 180 days to find a new employer or make arrangements to leave Australia, and must tell the Department of changes to their employer and employment status. Employers who sponsor should understand their own duties as well, which our sponsorship obligations guide and article on what happens when a sponsored 482 worker resigns explain.
Are visa workers protected by workplace laws?
Yes. Home Affairs states that national workplace laws protect all workers, regardless of their immigration status. Checking work rights is not a reason to treat visa holders differently once they are employed.
Next steps for employers
Build the check into your onboarding checklist, record the date and result of each VEVO check, and set reminders for expiry dates. If you are thinking about sponsoring a worker because no suitable local candidate is available, start with our complete guide to sponsoring an employee, estimate costs with the sponsor cost calculator and download the Employer Sponsorship Readiness Checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if someone can work in Australia?
Home Affairs sets out four steps: check whether the person is an Australian citizen, check whether they are a permanent resident, check that any other visa has work entitlements using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO), and make sure the visa stays valid for the whole time they work for you.
Is a tax file number or Medicare card enough to prove someone can work?
No. Home Affairs states that a Medicare card, a tax file number and a driver licence are not enough evidence by themselves that a non-citizen can work in Australia.
How often should I recheck a worker’s visa?
Home Affairs says to check their visa within 2 days of expiry, or if you know their circumstances have changed. If they hold a bridging visa and VEVO does not show an expiry date, you should check their visa every 3 months to ensure they still have work rights.
Can a 482 visa holder work for any employer?
Usually not. Home Affairs states that a Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa holder can usually only work for the business that sponsored them, or, if the sponsor is an Australian business, for that business or one of its associated entities.
Can I use VEVO without the worker knowing?
No. Home Affairs says you can ask the person to email you their current VEVO details, or use VEVO yourself with the visa holder’s permission.
Do workplace laws protect workers on visas?
Yes. Home Affairs states that national workplace laws protect all workers, regardless of their immigration status.
This article is general information only and is not migration advice. Complex cases need personal advice from a registered migration agent.
Hiring a visa holder or planning to sponsor?
Book a consultation with Immigrad and we will help you confirm work rights and choose the right sponsorship path.