🇦🇺 Australia · Visa Conditions

Condition 8110: Domestic Worker — Work in Employer Household Only

✓ MARA · Last reviewed: March 2026 · MARN 2518872

Condition 8110 restricts your employment strictly to your sponsoring employer's household. You must not take any other paid work, and you must not remain in Australia if your employer permanently departs. This is a mandatory condition on domestic worker visas.

Condition at a glance
Condition Code
8110
Status
Mandatory
Category
Work Restriction
Legislative Reference
Schedule 8 clause 8110
Commonly Applied To
Subclass 110, Subclass various
Work in Employer Household Only: You must work only in your sponsoring employer's household—no other employment is permitted. You cannot remain in Australia if your employer permanently departs.
In This Guide ▾
  1. What this condition means
  2. Which visas carry this condition
  3. Consequences of breaching
  4. Waiver and removal
  5. What to do if you have this condition

1. What Condition 8110 Means

Condition 8110 is a work restriction that applies to certain domestic workers. It requires that you work only in the household of your sponsoring employer—no other employment is permitted. This means you cannot take a second job, accept casual work elsewhere, or work for any other employer, even if the work is similar to your household duties.

The condition defines 'household' specifically: it means the private residence of your employer and their family, and any associated outbuildings used solely for household purposes (such as a garage or storage shed). Work in the household includes tasks directly related to the maintenance and care of the household and family, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, childcare, elderly care, or household maintenance.

A critical ancillary obligation is that you must not remain in Australia if your sponsoring employer permanently departs the country. This means if your employer relocates overseas and does not intend to return, you are no longer permitted to stay in Australia under this condition. You must either depart with your employer, seek sponsorship from another employer, or apply for a different visa type.

2. Which Visas Carry This Condition

Condition 8110 is imposed on various visa subclasses that sponsor domestic workers. While it is most commonly associated with visa applications for household employment, it can appear on other employer-sponsored work visas where the employment is specifically for domestic or household duties. The condition exists to protect both the visa holder (by ensuring a clear employment relationship) and Australia's labour market (by preventing domestic workers from becoming trapped in exploitative arrangements or competing unfairly with domestic workers in the open market).

Domestic worker visas are granted to employees sponsored by individual employers for household work. This may include nannies, housekeepers, gardeners, cooks, cleaners, or elderly care workers employed directly by a household. The sponsor must be the head of the household, and the employment must be genuine and documented. The condition ensures that the visa holder remains accountable to a single, identified employer and cannot drift into informal or unlawful employment.

Some visa holders are sponsored by diplomatic missions or international organisations. In these cases, Condition 8110 still applies—the domestic worker must work only within the employer's diplomatic household. These arrangements often include additional protections and oversight due to the international nature of the employment and the legal immunities involved.

3. Consequences of Breaching Condition 8110

Breaching Condition 8110 is a serious matter that can result in cancellation of your visa. Under s116 of the Migration Act, the Department can cancel your visa if you breach a mandatory condition. This is not discretionary—if evidence of breach is found, cancellation is likely. You would lose your lawful status immediately, become a person unlawfully in Australia, and be liable for deportation.

Beyond cancellation, a breach of Condition 8110 can affect your character assessment under the Migration Act. If you work without authorisation in breach of a visa condition, this may be considered conduct that contradicts character requirements. Such a finding can make it very difficult to obtain future Australian visas and may trigger criminal charges under s245AB of the Migration Act (working in breach of visa conditions).

If your visa is cancelled due to breach of Condition 8110, you will not be able to remain in Australia. You will also face significant barriers to re-entry. Most other visa applications will require you to demonstrate rehabilitation and the original breach will be recorded against your migration history. Additionally, if your employer has sponsored you, that sponsorship arrangement ends immediately, and your employer may face penalty notices from the Department for employing a person without a valid work visa.

4. Waiver and Removal Options

Condition 8110 cannot be permanently removed from your visa, but it can be varied under Regulation 2.05 of the Migration Regulations 1994. A variation is different from a removal: variation means the condition is modified or relaxed, rather than deleted entirely. For example, a variation might allow you to accept work from a second member of the employer's household, or to work in a related household property in changed circumstances.

Variations of Condition 8110 are uncommon and are only granted in genuine cases of hardship or changed circumstances. You would need to apply through your IMMI account with supporting evidence—for instance, if your employer's circumstances have changed (such as a serious illness affecting their household needs) or if there is a valid reason the condition should be modified. The application is assessed at the Department's discretion and there is no automatic right to variation.

If you believe your circumstances warrant a variation, seek advice from a registered migration agent. The agent can assess whether an application is likely to succeed and can lodge the request on your behalf with proper supporting documentation. Do not breach the condition in the hope of obtaining a variation later—this will only strengthen the case for cancellation.

5. What to Do If You Have This Condition

  1. Check your visa details. Log into IMMI account or request your visa grant letter. Locate Condition 8110 in the conditions section and read the exact wording. Note the date it was imposed and any variations already recorded.
  2. Understand what constitutes household work. Review the definition of 'household' as applied to your specific employment arrangement. Confirm with your employer that your duties are within this definition. If there is any ambiguity, seek advice before starting work.
  3. Avoid all supplementary income. Do not accept payment for work outside your employer's household, even for similar tasks. This includes casual babysitting, cleaning, or gardening work for friends or relatives. Any paid work constitutes a breach.
  4. Document your employer's residency status. Be aware of your employer's plans regarding Australia. If your employer intends to leave Australia permanently, clarify what will happen to your employment and visa status. Plan ahead if your employer is likely to depart.
  5. Report changes in circumstances to your employer and the Department. If your employment arrangement changes (change of address, change of duties, change of pay rate), notify your employer and consider whether notification to the Department is required. Significant changes may require a new condition assessment.
  6. Maintain records of your employment. Keep copies of your employment contract, pay slips, and evidence of work in the household. This documentation protects you in case of any question about whether your work was within the condition.
  7. Seek legal advice before taking any additional work. If you are unsure whether a proposed task falls within 'household work' or whether you should accept work from another household member, consult a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before proceeding.
Practitioner Note
I frequently advise domestic workers who have unknowingly breached this condition by accepting what they believed was minor supplementary work. Many assume that informal paid assistance to family friends does not count as 'work', or that their employer's relatives can engage them separately. The condition is strict: any paid work outside the specified household is a breach. I recommend reviewing VEVO carefully, obtaining the employer's written confirmation of your duties, and rejecting any offers of additional paid work—no matter how small.
MARN 2518872 (AU) · immi.tv

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work for other members of my employer's family who live in a different household?+

No. The condition specifies your employer's household, not their broader family. Working for a family member in a different residence breaches Condition 8110. Only work in the household where your employer resides. If other family members wish to employ you, they would need to be a new sponsor and you would require a new visa grant.

What happens if my employer asks me to work at their workplace or business premises?+

This breaches Condition 8110. The condition is specific: work must be in the employer's household, not at their office, shop, or business. If your employer needs work done at their business premises, you cannot legally accept that work. Your employer would need to sponsor a different visa type or engage another worker.

Can I remain in Australia if my employer leaves and I find another employer to sponsor me?+

Not under the same visa. Once your original employer departs Australia permanently, Condition 8110 is breached and your visa becomes invalid. You cannot remain under Condition 8110 or transfer it to a new employer. You would need to apply for a new visa from the new employer. Consult a migration agent immediately if this occurs.

Do you have Condition 8110 on your visa and need advice about your employment obligations?

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General Information Only

This page provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice, legal advice, or any form of professional advice. It is not tailored to your individual circumstances and must not be relied upon as the basis for any decision, action, or omission.

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For advice specific to your circumstances, consult a registered migration agent or immigration consultant. MARN 2518872 (AU) · RCIC R705748 (CA).
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