Working while studying in Australia

There are many opportunities for students who were granted student visas on or after the 26 April 2008 and are eligible to work. Even if your visa was granted after this date, you can still apply to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to work once you begin your course.

If you receive permission to work, it will be up to 20 hours per week whilst studying – however not before your course commences. If you have dependents with you they may also work up to 20 hours, however if you are studying a Masters or Doctorate degree your dependents may work any amount. Be sure to adhere to these restrictions or your visa may be cancelled.

Although Australia is an affordable place to live compared to the USA or UK, part-time or casual work is a good way to support your lifestyle and pay for essentials like groceries, rent and bills.

If you plan to work, be sure to apply for a Tax File Number from the Australian Taxation Office – this is similar to a social security number, and allows you to work and open a bank account in Australia.

Some industries are good for students to approach as they offer flexible hours and may be willing to train new employees. Hospitality is one such industry, with hotels, bars, cafes, clubs, takeaway food chains, restaurants and catering companies offering the following positions – waiter/waitressing, kitchen hand, barista, bar service, food preparation and pizza delivery. Other industries that are often student-friendly include security companies, retail and sales work, IT, cleaning and housekeeping, promotional work, babysitting, administration and office temping work.

Wages vary depending on your age and the industry you are working in – anything from $8 to $25 per hour is common.

Private tutoring in a discipline you are familiar with is a good way of making money - approximately $40 per hour. If you speak another language other than English, tutoring work in your native language is also an option.


Getting Work

There are several ways to seek a job when in Australia. One such way is to approach employment agencies, which may be government based, run by a charity or your own educational institute – these places can also help with job interview skills and give resume building tips.

Another way to seek work may be to look online at job databases, online at jobs advertised on a business’s specific website or in the job section of your local newspaper. One of the most successful methods is to approach businesses face-to-face, by resume dropping. Be sure to look professional and well-presented when using this technique.