Douglas Olsen
International students in Australia can work while studying, but finding a job can be challenging. Students must ensure they meet visa requirements, which include a maximum of 48 hours of work per fortnight during the school term. Students can work unlimited hours during semester breaks. While Australia has relaxed rules for international student workers, full-time employment rates for international graduates are lower than for domestic graduates. International students often take jobs unrelated to their field of study and face lower wages. However, there are many job opportunities for international students in Australia, including retail, hospitality, administration, services, and freelance work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | Up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks |
| Minimum wage | 21.38 Australian dollars per hour |
| Full-time work | Not permitted |
| Part-time work | Permitted |
| Volunteering work | Permitted and does not count towards permitted working hours |
| Job portals | SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn, Uni Hub |
| Workplace rights | Same workplace rights and protections as everyone else working in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time work
International students in Australia can work part-time while studying, which is a great way to gain work experience and support their education. The Australian government allows international students to work up to 48 hours every two weeks during their studies and unlimited hours during specific breaks. It is important to note that working more than the allowed hours can lead to serious consequences, including visa cancellation.
To find a part-time job in Australia, international students can use job search websites such as Seek, MyCareer, CareerOne, and ApplyDirect. They can also connect with their university's alumni, as well as utilise social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to find job openings.
There are various part-time job options available for international students in Australia, including both skilled and unskilled professions. Some popular choices include retail, hospitality, and service or industry. Students can also work as delivery agents, cleaners, or in supermarkets and departmental stores. Online part-time jobs are also an option for international students, with opportunities in freelance domains such as graphic design, content writing, customer care, and video editing.
When looking for part-time work in Australia, international students should be aware of their employment rights and ensure they are paid a fair wage. It is recommended to apply for a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office to avoid being taxed at a high rate. Students should also be familiar with the pay and conditions for their area of employment and carefully read any employment contracts before signing.
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Visa requirements
International students in Australia must hold a student visa to work while studying. The Australian international student visa is called subclass 500. Under this visa, students can work up to 48 hours every two weeks while their course is in session and unlimited hours during study breaks. Students granted visas offshore can only start working once their course begins.
There are different work rights depending on the type of visa held. For instance, students enrolled in a postgraduate degree can work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during the early stages of their degree. In contrast, an unlimited number of work hours is allowed for students starting a doctoral or master's by research degree.
After completing a bachelor's degree, students can apply for a two-year work visa. This period is extended to three years for a master's by research degree and four years for a PhD graduate. As of July 2023, a two-year work extension of post-study work rights is available to international graduates on their Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
To apply for a student visa, students need to submit personal documents, including a birth certificate, passport identity page, national identity card, household registration book, and a curriculum vitae. They also need to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) code or a letter from their education provider. After submitting the visa application, the Department of Home Affairs will send a letter of acknowledgement and a copy of a Bridging Visa to allow students to stay in Australia while their application is processed.
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Job search platforms
As an international student in Australia, you can work up to 40 or 48 hours per fortnight (2-week period) while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Working beyond the permissible hours can lead to visa breaches and potential consequences, including visa cancellation.
There are many job search platforms and websites that international students can use to find work in Australia. Here are some of the popular ones:
- SEEK: This is Australia's largest employment site, featuring over 90,000 jobs, job emails, and career tools. You can also create a dedicated profile on the platform so that employers can easily search for you.
- Indeed: Indeed is the world's most popular job search site and one of the most popular in Australia. It features job listings and opportunities across various cities and industries.
- LinkedIn: This is a business and employment-focused social media platform that is great for networking and discovering new roles. You can set up a profile to promote your skills and search for opportunities that match your profile.
- CareerOne: CareerOne publishes many job listings Australia-wide and includes job alerts, resume tips, interview advice, and training.
- Gumtree: Gumtree is a popular marketplace for classified ads in Australia. While you can buy and sell items, there are also thousands of jobs available on the platform across various industries.
- Uber and Uber Eats: While you need a car, a driver's license, and insurance, ridesharing apps like Uber and Uber Eats are popular in Australia. You can also deliver food by car, scooter, or bike.
- Airtasker: Airtasker is an online marketplace for various tasks, from moving house to administration and digital marketing. You can send offers to complete tasks posted by individuals or businesses.
- Workforce Australia: A platform where Australians can search and apply for jobs or find information on their pathway to employment.
- Ethical Jobs: A platform for finding jobs with purpose in the not-for-profit, charity, community, and for-profit sectors, as well as local council jobs.
- Work From Home Jobs Australia: A platform specialising in connecting job seekers who value work-from-home opportunities.
- Sports People: Australia's largest job board for sports, fitness, and aquatic job opportunities.
In addition to these platforms, international students can directly visit the websites of companies they are interested in and check their career pages for vacancies. Many organisations prefer to advertise job openings on their websites before listing them on external job boards. Students can also explore opportunities within specific sectors, such as hospitality and retail, which offer abundant part-time and casual employment options.
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Internships and volunteering
As an international student in Australia, internships and volunteering can be great ways to gain work experience and build your resume.
Internships
Australia offers a variety of internship opportunities across different fields and locations. For instance, internships in Melbourne are great if you love sports and the thriving art scene, while Sydney is ideal for those interested in the arts and the outdoors.
If you're looking for an internship in computers or the web, Australia is an excellent choice, with opportunities in web and app development, programming, and software and systems engineering.
Before applying for an internship, ensure you meet the visa requirements. The visa you'll need depends on your country of origin, so check with the local consulate. It's also beneficial to research Australian culture to help you fit in with your coworkers and neighbours. Australians value sincerity, honesty, modesty, and a good sense of humour.
Volunteering
Volunteering is another valuable option for international students in Australia. It doesn't count towards your permitted working hours, and it can provide numerous benefits, such as helping you feel part of a community and improving your communication and interpersonal skills. Volunteering can also give you valuable work experience and enhance your resume. Many employers in Australia value the skills gained through volunteering, and volunteering programs often offer additional training.
To find volunteering opportunities, you can explore platforms like Uni Hub, which offers both employment and volunteering listings, or attend information sessions provided by organisations like Australian Volunteers to learn more about their programs.
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Full-time work after graduation
International students in Australia are only permitted to work part-time while they are studying. This is because a full-time position would exceed the fortnightly number of hours that they are allowed to work. Therefore, if an international student wishes to work full-time after graduation, they must apply for a new visa.
There is no automatic right to stay and work in Australia after graduation associated with a student visa. This means that, upon completion of a course, the visa will expire, and the student must leave the country. However, there are several visa options available for international students who want to stay and work in Australia after graduation.
One option is the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Post-Study Work stream. This visa allows students who have earned a degree in Australia to stay and work in the country. It is important to note that the eligibility requirements for this visa have changed as of 1 July 2024, so it is recommended to refer to the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.
Another option is the 886 visa, which allows an overseas student to apply for permanent residency while being sponsored by an employer. Australia uses a point system to evaluate eligibility for most visas, and there are several factors that can increase an applicant's points, such as earning a degree in Australia.
There are many job opportunities for international students in Australia, especially in Melbourne. Graduate programs are a common way for students to gain paid employment for a set period, typically 1-2 years, and can help to fast-track their careers. Many organisations in Australia offer graduate programs, and it is recommended that students apply early, as these opportunities can be quite competitive. Students can search for graduate opportunities on platforms like Prosple (formerly GradAustralia), SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Jora.
Additionally, international students can seek support from their education provider's dedicated careers teams, which often include career counsellors who can help refine resumes and connect students with relevant employers. Alumni networks are also a valuable resource, providing access to social events and activities, and allowing students to connect with fellow alumni working in their field.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in Australia can work while they study, with access to a wide range of options for building networks and gaining valuable industry experience. They can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
There are several avenues to explore when looking for a job as an international student in Australia. Online career portals such as SEEK and Indeed, and employment-focused social media platforms like LinkedIn are great places to start. University career centres, such as the UWA Careers and Employability Centre, can also help students find jobs that suit their lifestyles and provide advice on applications.
Popular industries for international students to work in while studying include retail, hospitality, administration, services (such as tutoring, babysitting, cleaning, or dog walking), and freelance work.
Finding a job in Australia as an international student can be challenging due to the competitive job market and the cap on work hours for student visa holders. International graduates may struggle to find well-paying jobs related to their field of study and often take up positions unrelated to their studies, sometimes for low wages.
International students can improve their employability by gaining relevant experience through internships, even if they are unpaid, and volunteering for not-for-profit organisations. Building a strong network and utilising university career services can also enhance their chances of finding employment in Australia.
