Working while Studying
If you decide to work a part-time job while studying there are a few things to consider.
It's important to make sure the extra workload doesn’t negatively affect your studies. Here are some resources to aid your awareness of student visa conditions surrounding working hours and to be sure that you are being treated fairly by your employer.
You can start working up to 48 hours per fortnight once the teaching period begins for your course. This is under condition 8105 (work restriction), which states you must not start work before your course begins. Click here to view the critical dates for your program.
The 48-hour per fortnight limit applies when your course is in session:
- During teaching, mid-semester breaks, and primary examination periods (even if you do not have any exams).
- Any time you are enrolled in one or more subjects which will count as credit towards your main course.
The 48-hour work restriction does not apply if:
- The work is a mandatory component of your CRICOS registered course (e.g., compulsory placements required to complete your program). To check whether your course has a registered work component, go to the CRICOS website, enter your CRICOS course code, and make sure there's a 'YES' next to Work Component, or
- You’ve started a masters by research or a doctorate degree.
Check your visa conditions and read the information from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) regarding work restrictions (Condition 8105 - Work limitation).
You can check your conditions on your visa grant letter or use DHA's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
In addition to your visa conditions, there are also working conditions you need to be aware of if you are going to work in Australia.
Make sure you understand these things before agreeing to work in Australia.
- You will need to obtain a tax file number and provide this to your employer.
- The FairWork Ombudsman offers an helpful overview of your workplace rights in Australia.
- There are State and Federal awards to protect workers' entitlements. Most legal pay rates and working conditions are set down in these awards.
- SafeWork SA provides advice on employment conditions in Australia on a State and National level.
- Workers rights information maintained by the Department of Home Affairs - check visa details and conditions.
