Dependant, Partner and Spouse Employment Permit
The permit for family members of a Critical Skills or researcher permit holder. No labour market needs test, no minimum salary, and it covers almost every occupation.
The Dependant, Partner and Spouse Employment Permit is available to eligible family members of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, researchers on hosting agreements and holders of certain other permissions.
Employment conditions and fees
There is no labour market needs test. The employer does not have to advertise the role.
There is no minimum annual remuneration. National minimum wage law still applies, but the permit thresholds do not.
Almost every occupation is eligible. The ineligible occupations list largely does not apply, allowing access to roles excluded under other permit types.
There is no employment permit fee.
Family members should first check whether their existing residence permission already allows them to work without a permit.
Who the primary permit holder has to be
Eligibility depends on the primary holder’s permission. This route covers family members of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, researchers on hosting agreements and a small number of other categories.
Family members of General Employment Permit holders are outside this route and normally need their own permit under the standard requirements if they wish to work.
Where it interacts with Stamp 1G
In practice many spouses and partners of Critical Skills holders are granted Stamp 1G, which allows employment without any permit at all. Where that has been granted, this permit is unnecessary.
This permit is relevant where the family member’s permission does not allow work, or where residence and employment permission need to be arranged together.
Where applications go wrong
The Department needs evidence that the relationship is genuine and subsisting, as well as evidence of the job. Missing relationship documents can lead to queries.
The primary holder’s permission must also be current. Check the timing carefully if that permission is being renewed when the family member plans to apply.
Common questions
Do I need this permit if I already have Stamp 1G?
No. A spouse or partner of a Critical Skills permit holder who has been granted Stamp 1G can work without any employment permit. The Dependant permit matters where the family member does not hold permission that already allows work.
Is there a minimum salary?
No minimum annual remuneration applies to this permit type, although national minimum wage law still does.
Sources
- Ministers Burke and Dillon publish new roadmap for employment permit salary thresholds — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment