Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

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Bridging visas – Code of Behaviour

The Australian Government’s Code of Behaviour is important if you have a Bridging visa E or are getting one.

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To get or renew your Bridging visa E (also called a Bridging E visa), you must sign a Code of Behaviour form.

The Code of Behaviour lists things that you must and must not do while in Australia. It is a promise you make to follow Australian laws, and other rules listed in the code.

If you sign the Code of Behaviour and do not obey it, your visa may be cancelled.

It is very important to get legal advice (talk to a lawyer) quickly if:

  • you are in trouble, or think you may be in trouble, with police
  • your visa will end soon and you have been in trouble with police in the past
  • you think your visa might be cancelled
  • you get a Notice of intention to consider cancelling your visa.

What is a Bridging visa E?

A Bridging visa E is a temporary visa that lets you stay in Australia while you:

  • arrange to go to another country
  • finalise your immigration application
  • wait for an immigration decision.

Learn more about the Bridging visa E on the Department of Home Affairs website.

If you do not know what visa you have, you can:

What is the Code of Behaviour?

To get or renew your Bridging visa E, you must sign a form called Code of Behaviour for Subclass 050 Bridging (General) visa holders (form 1443). To access this form, search for 'Form 1443' on the Department of Home Affairs – Immigration and citizenship website.

The Code of Behaviour lists things that you must and must not do while you live in Australia.

By signing the Code of Behaviour, you promise to obey Australian laws and extra rules while you are in the Australian community. This includes:

  • treating other people with respect
  • doing what the department says (for example, attending important appointments).

If you have questions about the code, you can ask your case worker or contact a legal service.

What if I do not sign the code?

If you do not sign the Code of Behaviour, you will not be able to get or renew your Bridging visa E.

How must I behave under the code?

Like everyone in Australia, you must obey Australian laws.

For example, you must not break the law by:

  • driving dangerously or driving a car that is unsafe
  • hurting someone or using family violence
  • damaging property on purpose.

The Code of Behaviour also means that your visa could be cancelled if you:

  • do things that make people feel very unsafe, even if you are not breaking the law
  • do not do something the department tells you to – for example, go to an important appointment
  • harass, intimidate or bully someone – the Code of Behaviour for Subclass 050 Bridging (General) visa holders (form 1443) explains what these words mean.

What if I do not know Australian laws?

It is up to you to know what laws you must follow in Australia. It may not sound fair, but it is no excuse to say ‘I did not know about the law’.

To learn about the laws in Victoria, you can:

What happens if the department says I have not followed the code?

The department may cancel your visa if you do not follow the Code of Behaviour.

Before cancelling your visa, the department might:

  • give you a warning
  • change some of your visa conditions
  • reduce or cancel your income support
  • ask you to attend a meeting with your case worker or the department
  • give you a Notice of intention to consider cancelling your visa.

If any of these things happen, you need to respond quickly. Before you respond, it is important to get legal advice (talk to a lawyer).

What happens if my visa is cancelled?

If your visa is cancelled, the department will send or give you a letter confirming this.

It is important to get legal advice immediately. You may be able to appeal the cancellation. If you want to appeal, you must do this within two working days.

Learn more about appealing a visa decision.

If your bridging visa is cancelled, you will:

  • go to immigration detention
  • not be able to apply for a new bridging visa.

Yes, you can get free legal help if:

  • you get a Notice of intention to consider cancelling your visa
  • you are in trouble, or think you may be in trouble, with police
  • your visa will end soon and you have been in trouble with police in the past
  • you think the department might cancel your visa.

Do not wait. It is very important to get legal advice quickly.

Legal services can give you advice about criminal law and other legal problems. They can explain where you can get advice about migration law.

To find legal services, visit Other support for immigration and migration.

Tell the legal service about your visa so they can give you the right information. Tell them it is urgent.

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