Permission to Work

You cannot work in Australia until you have received permission from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Most people granted student visas on or after 26 April 2008 will receive permission to work with their visa grant. As a result, most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.

To check how these new arrangements effect you, see DIAC's fact sheet: "New permission to work arrangement for student visa holders"

If your visa was issued before 26 April 2008 and you plan to work in Australia, and you do not currently have work rights attached to your visa grant please see the how to apply section below or visit the DIAC web site.

Please note that you can only apply for work rights:

after you have arrived in Australia; and
after you have commenced your study program.

DIAC have set a broad definition of work that includes both unpaid and paid work. They define work as 'an activity that, in Australia, normally attracts renumeration'. Two examples are:

a student who is living with a home-stay family and helps out in the family business, a fruit and veg shop. The student is not paid. As shop assistants normally receive pay, this is considered work.
a student who is a tutor at a Residential College receives a reduction in rent for certain tasks. This is considered work.

In both of these situations, the student needs to have work rights on his/her visa.

There are strict restrictions on how many hours you can work per week. This can vary according to what visa subclass you are on. It is important that you are aware of the relevant conditions: visit the DIAC web site.

Please note that students found to be working in excess of their limited work rights may have their visas cancelled.

How to Apply

There are two ways you can apply for a visa with work rights: the preferred (and quickest) method is to apply online. You can ONLY apply online if you have a credit card. If you do not have a credit card you can follow the steps below under the heading "Applying with a Form".

ONLINE APPLICATION	APPLYING WITH A FORM
1. Complete 'Student Visa with Permission to Work: Request for Education Provider Declaration' form at the International Student Centre (ISC).	1. Download and complete a DIAC 157P Application For A Student Visa With Permission To Work form from the DIAC website here. Paper copies available at the International Student Centre (ISC)
2. Submit the form to the ISC.	2. Give the completed form to the ISC to sign and stamp. It will be available to collect in three business days.
3. Three days later, complete the online application available on DIAC's website: click here for the form.	3. Take the completed form, your passport and the application fee (a cheque or money order AUD$60) to the local DIAC office and deposit it in the lodgement box during office hours.
4. Wait for an email from DIAC that will advise you that your work visa has been granted.	4. Ask at DIAC when your passport will be ready to collect.
5. Go to DIAC with your passport to obtain a new visa label.

The University of Adelaide - International Students

Permission to Work

How to Apply