Introduction
If you are a student with a Student Visa, you may be able to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during the year (and full time during scheduled study breaks), but not all students will be eligible.
This section explains some of the rules and regulations of employment, as well as the various options open to you.
1) FINDING A JOB - Starting your search for work
1.1 Check your visa rules
Australian Student Visa holders are normally eligible to work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during holidays, but it is important to check your visa rules to ensure you are allowed to work before you start looking for a job. Check the rules at Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
Depending on your qualification you may be entitled to work rights after your studies, but not all students will be eligible. Check the eligibility criteria and rules on the official Department of Home Affairs website.
1.2 Internet job search sites
Australia has a huge range of job search websites including:
Australian Government Job Search
Adzuna
Career One
Explore Jobs
Grad Australia
Seek
Student Job Australia
1.3 Costs and earnings
You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (P.A.C.T) to find out pay rates, penalties and allowances, leave entitlements and more. If you have questions about your pay and conditions at work you can visit fairwork.gov.au for help. This website has information available in 27 languages.
Tax – do not forget that you should be taxed on your earnings – learn more about Tax here.
2) WORK EXPERIENCE AND INTERNSHIPS
Different types of opportunities
There are different types of work experience options available to international students, and your educational institution will often help you make the arrangements.
Cadetships: Cadetships are paid, part-time employment while you study and full time during holidays.
Co-operative education: This is a full-time year of paid industry learning that is taken as part of your third or fourth year of study. It earns you credit towards your degree.
Holiday work: This usually takes place in the second to last year of your study and lasts around 12 weeks.
Internships: Can be paid or unpaid. This supervised work experience has set learning outcomes for the student.
2.1 Volunteering
Volunteering is unpaid work, and is a valuable way to get hands-on experience or to try out a job or an industry that you think you might like.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities
2.2 Work Integrated Learning opportunity
The International Student Welcome Desk at Sydney Airport is staffed by local and international student volunteers through a work integrated learning program. The student volunteers are responsible for greeting arriving students and providing them with assistance and information.
We want you to be a part of it. Study NSW is looking for students to take part in a Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) program with their institutions and the NSW Government.
Expressions of interest are now open.
2.3 Virtual Startup Internship Program
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to work in a startup? Get behind the scenes of three startups at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey and see where working in this dynamic space could take you.
Designed by Sydney School of Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Sydney Startup Hub, this virtual internship gives you real life problems and supports you as you come up with innovative solutions that could make a real difference.
This program is open to anyone and everyone interested in the startup lifecycle!
3) EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
Your right to fair working conditions - Fair Work Ombudsman
International students have the same workplace rights as all other workers in Australia. It is important to understand your workplace rights and entitlements if you plan to get a job, especially if it’s your first job in Australia.
The Fair Work Ombudsman can help you prepare for your new job. It offers a range of free resources and tools, including a Guide to Starting a New Job and the ‘Starting a New Job’ online course at www.fairwork.gov.au/learning.
Here are some simple tips to get you started.
3.1 Be careful when finding work
Take the time to find an employer that pays correctly and doesn’t try to take advantage of you. Your employer must pay money for the work you do. Don’t accept offers of 'paid in-kind' (for example, with goods such as food) instead of your wages. Don't respond to questionable advertisements where there is only a first name and a mobile number provided. Know who you are working for – ask the question: What is the business name and Australian Business Number (ABN)?
3.2 Know what you should be paid
You should be paid at least the minimum wage for all hours that you work. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to work out the minimum wage for the work that you do.
3.3 Keep your own records
Pay slips and record-keeping are important for making sure you're being paid the correct wages and getting your employee entitlements. Keep a diary of the hours you work and the type of work you are doing.
The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Record My Hours app can help you record and store the hours you work, plus other information about your employment. The free app is available in 18 languages and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
3.4 Ask for help
Remember that it’s OK to ask your boss about your pay and conditions at work. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for help if you're having workplace issues, without fear of your visa being cancelled.
Read Jessica's story to find out how the Fair Work Ombudsman can help you sort out workplace issues to do with your pay and conditions.
If you know a workplace that isn’t doing the right thing, but don’t want to get involved or disclose your identity, you can report it anonymously in English or 16 other languages to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
To find out more about your rights and entitlements at work, register for My account with the Fair Work Ombudsman at www.fairwork.gov.au/register or call 13 13 94.
To access information in your own language, go to www.fairwork.gov.au/languages or call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
You can also subscribe to email and media release updates, and follow the Fair Work Ombudsman on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube) to keep up to date on current issues.
Other useful resources
International student factsheet – a factsheet created for international students that provides information on minimum entitlements
Unpaid work – information about unpaid work, including unpaid internships and unpaid trials