WORK WHILE YOU STUDY
We understand that students might need to work to cover their living expenses. We will do our best to provide you with tips and local agencies contacts to help you get started with your job search. However please make sure you have enough funds to cover your whole stay in Australia as we cannot guarantee that you will find a job.
You can find jobs on :
Please note this article is for indicative information purposes. This information is taken from personal research by the author and cannot be used as official advice. For relevant and updated visa information please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Study & Work in Australia
Australia is a great choice for study and work. As a student, you can study and work in Australia for the duration of your studies. During your studies, you are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight (two weeks) and full-time during your school breaks.
Studying in another country, especially one which has a stronger currency than yours, may seem scary at first. For a student, there are costs involved such as accommodation, meals, tuition fees, and other expenses. As an international student in Australia, it can be quite easy to cover those expenses as every International student automatically has the right to work part-time with a student visa.
International students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester. This is because you can focus mainly on your studies.
Many students find work as part-time employees in industries such as retail or hospitality, though many others find work in a field relevant to their studies. Getting any part-time job is a great experience and helps you practise your English language skills, understand the Australian culture and meet other people.
Students also have rights as workers in Australia. You can visit www.fairwork.gov.au and familiarise yourself with Australia’s laws regarding workplace rights, rates of pay and working conditions.
Working after completion of studies:
International students who have graduated with some specific qualification can get a 485 visa which allows them to stay and work full time for 1-2 years. If they find work in their field they might be eligible for other visas like sponsorship for example.
How to get a job in Australia?
After graduation, you can get help from alumni from your training organisation to help you find work. Most qualifications also include an internship so you can have that first experience and foot in the door in the industry. There are also many groups on social media for job seekers or your specific industry. When you are back in your country of origin you can also connect with fresh graduates or people who have had a similar experience to yours and exchange tips to help each other find jobs.
Work Permissions on a Student Visa
Rules for Student Visas for Australia were significantly modified on July 1, 2016. The previous Subclasses 571 – 576 were gathered under Subclass 500. According to the new standards, students going to Australia under Visa Subclass 500 are qualified to work for as long as 40 hours per fortnight while the course is running and for unlimited hours during holiday breaks. Another important rule is that the student cannot begin working until the course starts.
A fortnight is defined as 14 days beginning on a Monday and finishing on the Sunday of the following week. Hours can be isolated according to the student’s accommodation. For example, a student may work for 10 hours in week one and 30 hours in week 2 or 15 and 25 hours individually. Students need to make sure they calculate their fortnightly hours correctly as breaching this condition could lead to visa cancellation.
Students should limit their work hours to around 20 hours per week.
What laws apply to international students working in Australia while studying?
When it comes to working while studying, the Australian government gives all students the same opportunity. As a result, you are entitled to a minimum wage under the Fair Work Act of 2009. Unfair dismissal from work is a problem that you can discuss with Fairwork if it happens to you.
Rest and break times must be respected and the employer must provide a setting that is both healthy and safe to work in.
Student Visa eligibility
You can get a student visa for durations from 6 months to 5 years depending on the length of your course. There is no age restriction to apply for an Australian Student Visa.
After a Working Holiday Visa or a Work and Holiday Visa, the Student Visa is an excellent way to extend your stay in Australia for example.
If you are under the age of 18, however, specific rules apply.
You can enrol into many different types of qualifications, from Certificate III, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor, Master or even PhD. Australian qualifications are often highly regarded as the country has one of the world’s top educational levels.
When submitting your student visa application, you can include family members and/or your partner. This implies that if you are studying in Australia, your family may be able to join you.
Your partner is usually limited to 20 hours of work per week but different conditions might apply for higher qualifications
Post-Graduate Visa
Once you graduate, you might be able to apply for a two-year Post-Study Work Visa. You could be eligible for a two-year Post-Study Work Visa if you study for two years at a higher education level or in a field that leads to an occupation that is in demand in Australia.
This means you could have up to two years to work full-time in an Australian company, get experience working in an Australian setting, and get a better understanding of what the job entails.
We can assist you in finding a course that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Education agents
An education agency can assist you with visas, course applications, and living arrangements.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through all the procedures for obtaining an international student visa in Australia.
Choosing to study in Australia is a bold and exciting move toward a bright future. One of the first things you will need after approval of your enrolment at an institution is a student visa.
What are the requirements for submitting a successful application?
What are the prerequisites for an Australian student visa and the cost associated with it?
Even if you are unable to study face-to-face in Australia currently, getting enrolled in a course and starting your studies online is an option offered by many education providers. You can already apply for a student visa while being offshore and have it ready once the borders reopen.
Let us look at what you need to know about applying for an Australian student visa.
You must have successfully applied to an Australian education provider, either directly or through an Australian education agent, to obtain a visa.
- Enrol for a course with an Australian education provider and get a letter of offer
The following documents are usually requested by the institution along with a completed enrolment form and GTE Form:
- Certificates attesting to your past education, including any qualifications you may already have
- Proof of your level of English
- Passport
- Proof of OSHC
- If you are looking for course credit, you will need certificates or documentation that prove your previous studies or employment experience. It is necessary to translate these into English.
- Apply for your student visa
The following documents are usually required to submit a student visa application :
- English proficiency
You must provide a certificate from an English language test if you are not a native English speaker. This will demonstrate to the Australian government that you have the required English proficiency levels to complete your degree. Only a few tests will be accepted by the Australian government, but they are all easily available from anywhere in the world. Keep in mind that minimal requirements differ by educational level and those institutions may raise these criteria for specific courses.
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) is another Australian student visa requirement. You must write a statement that addresses two criteria to achieve this requirement:
1) That you are going to Australia for the sole purpose of studying and not for any other reason.
2) That you will only be in Australia for a short time (and not overstaying your visa).
You can add facts about your ties to home (such as friends and family, or work that you must return to) as well as the importance of the course to your future aspirations in your statement. This will demonstrate your actual purpose to study in Australia as well as your intention to return home at the end of your visa.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
You must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as an overseas student in Australia for the duration of your stay. Your student visa application will be refused if you do not present proof that you have purchased this insurance.
- Health requirement
Before visiting Australia, the Australian government requires all international students to be in excellent health. As a result, you may be required to have a physical examination and present a medical certificate stating that you meet certain health standards.
- Character requirement
If you wish to study in Australia, you must also fulfil specific character standards. You will be asked some basic questions about your character and past behaviour as part of your application. You may even be required to provide a police background check in some situations.
- Other requirements
In some cases, especially if you are applying from offshore you might need to show financial capacity evidence to show the government you can support yourself and your family members if applicable for the duration of the course.
COVID-19 and visas
Many Australian providers offer online courses to international students who want to start their studies from offshore. You will still need to apply for a student visa to be able to come to Australia once the borders reopen.