Australia changes Bridging B protection rules and restores selected Bridging E conditions
Part 2 of F2026L01448 applies to new visa applications from 1 November. The Bridging E conditions remain discretionary and category-specific.
Australia’s F2026L01448 was made on 29 October, registered on 31 October and commenced on 1 November 2026. Alongside the separately reported protection-review fee changes, Schedule 1 Part 2 amends Bridging B and Bridging E visa rules.[1][2]
Bridging B applicants must have an unresolved substantive visa application other than Protection (Class XA), or unfinished judicial review concerning that application, lodged within statutory time limits. An outstanding valid Protection (Class XA) application, or unfinished judicial review concerning it, excludes an applicant at both application-validity and decision stages. A concurrent visa application does not bypass this exclusion.[1][2]
For specified Bridging E grants, the amendment restores the Minister’s discretion to impose conditions 8564, prohibiting criminal conduct, and 8566, requiring compliance with a code of behaviour. The changes concern subclauses 050.613(1), 050.613A(2) and 050.616A(1), not every Bridging E holder automatically.[1][2]
Subclause 16501(3) applies Part 2 to visa applications made on or after commencement. Its transition must be distinguished from the separate fee provisions in the same instrument.[1]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.