Work While Studying in Australia

 

Are you wondering if you can work while studying in Australia? The answer is yes! As an international student in Australia, your student visa will allow you to work part-time while studying. However, you are only entitled to work 20 hours per week and unrestricted hours during your scheduled course break.

It’s only the spouse or common-law partner of Master of PhD students that can work for unlimited hours. Furthermore, international students in Australia who are working part-time see it as an opportunity to earn extra money. As well as to help them cover expenses, become a part of the community, and meet new people.

Additionally, you’ll get the opportunity to explore and experience the local culture or gain valuable insights. Even if you’re eligible to work while studying in Australia, you must have an idea of the type of jobs you can do. You must also know about the working rights of international students on visas in Australia.

In this article, we’ll discuss extensively the kind of jobs you can do while studying in Australia and the requirements. Let’s get started!

 

Working in Australia as an International Student

Now we are aware that you can work while studying in Australia. However, there are some rules and conditions that apply to the jobs you can do and how many hours you can work for. If you’re issued a valid offer of admission to study at an Australian university, you’ll be granted a student visa. With your student visa, you will have the right to work in Australia. 

Below are the conditions attached to the student visa. Scroll down!

1. You are eligible to work up to 48 hours every two weeks.
2. You are also eligible to work for unlimited hours during the semester break.

Meanwhile, the essence of this limitation on working hours is to ensure that most of your time is dedicated to obtaining your degree. Your work mustn’t be to the detriment of your academic performance. If you want to work while studying in Australia, you still have to observe the following.

1. You must maintain your course enrollment. 
2. You must also maintain proper and regular course attendance.
3. Make the necessary course progress. 

Keep in mind that you can only start working after the official start date of your study program. Meanwhile, you must ensure to maintain a good academic standard so you can keep working part-time. 

Jobs You Can Do While on a Student Visa in Australia

Even though your student visa starts to take effect 90 days before your university program begins, you’re not eligible to work during this time. In terms of the type of jobs you can do, there are numerous options to choose from. However, you must continue to meet the conditions of your visa.

In Australia, most international students take on part-time jobs for the hours they are allowed to work on their visa. Furthermore, listed below are some jobs that international students can easily apply for. Read on!

1. Tutor.
2. Cashier.
3. Store keeper.
4. Customer service.
5. Driver.
6. Restaurant and cafe.
7. Delivery person.
8. Cleaner.

 1. Tutor

Do you have extensive knowledge of a particular topic and wish to educate others? You can work as a private teacher. The job role of a tutor is flexible, as you can work whenever it’s convenient for you. Additionally, you can earn a good salary by being a tutor. Depending on your skills as a tutor in Australia, you can earn $20 to $40 per hour.

2. Cashier

Accountants and cashiers are always in demand to take care of cash handling in the daily business. If you want to work while studying in Australia, you can take up these positions and earn between $20 and $30 per hour. Meanwhile, if you have fundamental computer knowledge, you can easily apply for these positions. 

3. Store Keeper

The job of a storekeeper is available for international students in Australia. This is because supermarkets need staff to manage customers and stock shelves. Furthermore, students can make from $20 to $25 per hour working as a storekeeper. Some factors such as the size of the store, the number of staff, and the number of customers, may affect your pay.

4. Customer Service Rep

Working as a customer service rep is one of the part-time jobs for international students in Australia. You must be skilled enough to be able to respond to inquiries from clients regarding the company’s products and services. As a customer service rep in Australia, you can earn between $25 and $32 per hour.

5. Driver

You can also take up the job role of a personal driver in Australia. You will earn a salary of $20 to $25 per hour. Additionally, you’ll enjoy driving and discovering new locations, just have a valid international driving license and a spotless driving record. 

6. Restaurants and cafes

One of the finest industries for International students to work in is the hospitality sector. These jobs are highly in demand in Australia and do not require any extra training. Working in a restaurant and cafes can earn international students a salary between $25 and $30 per hour.

7. Delivery person

You can apply for the role of a delivery person while still studying in Australia. One of the ideal occupations for students to take on allows them to work whenever they choose. Furthermore, to work as a delivery person, you must have a bike or car and drive carefully.

You must also follow traffic rules while making the delivery on time. A lot of outlets offer their vehicles as well. You can make $20 to $25 per hour if you work as a delivery agent.

8. Cleaner

Do you have a passion for cleaning and are searching for a high-paying part-time job? You can take up the job role of a cleaner. With an average salary of $25 per hour. Meanwhile, you may begin by working for a cleaning business and as you gain more experience, you can move on to working in private residences, hotels, restaurants, etc. Applying for cleaning jobs, you don’t need fundamental skills, and you can work whenever it is convenient for you. 

How Long Can I Work While Studying in Australia?

With a student visa, you can work for 40 hours every two weeks which has increased from the initial 20 hours. However, the restrictions on the number of hours an international student can work have been adjusted until mid-2023. This implies that students can work for no restricted number of hours/week in any industry, without going against their visa.

To show that you obey the student visa requirements, you must remain enrolled in your university course. As well as to have satisfactory course attendance and satisfactory course progress while working. However, international students can work for an unlimited number of hours during holidays when classes are not in session.

Kindly note that you might still have assignments and revisions to do over the holidays, so don’t accept additional working hours if you can’t handle it. As an international student in Australia, you can also start businesses while on a student visa. You have the opportunity to launch any kind of business and interestingly, it may even fit around your studies compared to being employed elsewhere.

 

Restricted Jobs on a Student Visa in Australia

There are just a few limits on the type of jobs that students can do on a student visa. However, you cannot work full-time as a student because you’ll exceed the appointed hours. When choosing your part-time work, ensure that you have enough time to put in the job.

Working Rights in Australia on a Student Visa 

If you relocate to Australia as a foreigner, you will receive the same working rights as residents. This means that you are eligible for the same minimum salary, which is currently $23.23 per hour. As such, if you are working for the full 40 hours each fortnight, you may earn $1,858.40 per month.

Can I Take Volunteer Work on a Student Visa in Australia? 

In Australia, volunteer work does not count towards your allotted working hours. You can decide to take up volunteer work as soon as you move to the country and not wait for 90 days before your program begins.

Furthermore, volunteer jobs in Australia are classed as any unpaid activity you partake in for an organization (private or non-profit). With volunteer work, international students can gain work experience without worrying about the stricter rules of paid work.

Tax and National Insurance Working as an International Student in Australia 

To the Australian Tax Office, all international students are seen as temporary residents. This means you don’t have to declare any foreign income you earn. But, any income you earn in Australia must be declared by completing a tax return.

If your enrollment lasts less than six months, you will be considered a non-Australian resident and will be required to declare all income earned while in the country. However, you will not be eligible for the tax threshold and will be taxed at a higher rate than temporary or permanent residents.

Conclusion

The plan to work while studying in Australia is a fantastic one, You will get to earn more and support yourself financially. All the best!