Working on a student visa
From 1 July 2023:
Part-time employment is an excellent way to balance work with your study. As a part-time employee, you’ll receive the same benefits as a full-time employee on a pro-rata basis.
You will generally work regular and ongoing hours and be entitled to annual leave, sick and carer's leave.
Casual employment gives you more flexibility, but often fewer guaranteed hours than a part-time employee.
As a casual employee, you’ll get a higher hourly pay rate, but aren't entitled to paid sick leave or annual leave.
It’s illegal to be discriminated against or disadvantaged by race, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexuality or disability. Find out more at the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Your employer must provide a safe and healthy working environment. This includes managing hazards and risks and looking after your health and wellbeing in a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Find out more at SafeWork SA.
For some jobs, you’ll need an industry certification or licence to operate equipment. For example, to work in security jobs, the gambling industry or childcare, you’ll need a certification. And if you’re operating specific equipment like scissor lifters, you’ll need a licence. Find out more by speaking with your employer.
You have the right to join a union which can help protect your rights at work (union fees apply). It’s illegal for your employer to stop you from joining a union or to discriminate against you for being a union member. Find out more from the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Your employer may ask for a police record check or a background screening check (especially if you will be working with children, the elderly or in the disability sector).
For more information on what your employer can't do view these resources:
You should never agree to let an employer pay you in cash (without a pay slip) or allow you to work more hours than your visa allows.
If you do, you might:
If you think your employer is doing the wrong thing, here are some tips on how to start a conversation with your employer.
You can also contact the Fairwork Ombudsman, which has information available in 30 different languages, for advice and assistance.
The Australian Government is fully committed to preventing the exploitation of international students. The work hour restriction is one such measure, put in place to ensure a balanced approach that addresses both the need for income and the importance of academic pursuits.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is dedicated to securing workplace rights and protections for all workers in Australia, including international students.
If you’re going to work in Australia, you should make sure you know how much you’re going to be paid and understand how the Australian tax system works.
Your pay rate will depend on the type of work you’re doing. Your pay should be confirmed in your contract of employment, Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, or it might be governed by an industry award.
Your employer should give you a copy of your contract or award. If they don’t, you should ask for it.
You should be aware that:
More information: Fairwork Australia
When you work in Australia, you must pay tax. In order to do that, you will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) with the Australian Taxation Office to provide to your employer.
If you don’t have a TFN, your employer will withhold more of your pay as tax, so it’s a good idea to get one.
Here are some things you should be aware of:
If you’re over 18 and earning more than $450 per month (before tax), your employer must pay superannuation (or ‘super’) into your nominated fund. This money grows over your lifetime and provides for your retirement.
This money will stay in your super fund, unless you decide to claim it back when you leave Australia.
When researching study abroad destinations in Australia, Parul looked at Melbourne and Sydney, but chose Adelaide instead.
Read more about Parul's experience working part-time in Adelaide whil studying.
Common questions about work rights for international students in Australia.
The cap applies to all international students, regardless of when they started their studies.
Yes, during recognised periods of vacation provided by your education provider, you are allowed to work unlimited hours.
No, if you are a postgraduate research student on a student visa (subclass 500), you have no limit on the number of hours you can work once your course has commenced.
The 48 hours a fortnight work limit does not apply if you engage in work that is specified as a requirement of your course of study or training.
For all other types of work, you will need to count these hours towards the 48-hour fortnightly limit.
You can check your visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs. Their website provides detailed information on different visa types, including student visas.
A fortnight is a period of 14 days starting on a Monday.
No, the 48 hours cap is the total number of hours you can work per fortnight across all your paid employment.
If you are working under an ABN you will still need to abide by the working hours cap of 48 hours per fortnight.
No, an employer cannot cancel your student visa.
It depends on your level of study. Partners or spouses of student visa holders who have started studying a masters or doctorate degree can work unrestricted hours.
Partners or spouses of all other student visa holders can work no more than 48 hours a fortnight. It’s important to remember partners or spouses of student visa holders cannot work before the student’s course starts.
You can learn more about visa conditions at the Department of Home Affairs.