Part Time Jobs in Australia for International Students 2023

There are certain rules that apply to part-time jobs in Australia for international students so that they can choose to work while studying in Australia. There are certain part-time work hours in Australia along with a variety of jobs available for international students. Australia is a famous study-abroad destination for Indian Students, and also for International Students from across the world. While an internationally acclaimed quality education system is one of the many attractions, the fact remains that students wish to explore the country’s many tourist places as well.

Also, education might be cheaper in comparison to the USA (the top choice for students planning to study abroad), but the living expenses in Australia are fairly high. As such, students studying in Australia can gain a good amount of pocket money to both supplement their living costs as well as enjoy their stay in the country. Part-time jobs in Australia for international students can guarantee them an average hourly pay of AUD 34.62 or a monthly average salary of AUD 67,500.

Australia offers more than just permission to work while studying in Australia. Before deciding to go for higher education one must know what is it like to work and live in Australia from India. Students should also check the cost of studying in Australia.

Part-Time Work Permissions on Australian Student Visa

Student Visas for Australia have changed with effect from July 1, 2016. The earlier Subclasses 571 - 576 have now been grouped under Subclass 500. As per the new rules, students going to Australia under Visa Subclass 500 are eligible to work for up to 48 hours in a fortnight from July 1, 2023, while the course is in session and for unlimited hours when the course is not in session (during breaks). The only provision is that the student cannot start working until the course commences. Check: Australia Increases Part-Time Working Hours to 48 Hours. 

Also, a fortnight refers to a period of 14 days starting on a Monday and ending on the Sunday of the following week. The hours can be divided at the student’s convenience. So how much work can international students do in Australia can be understood through this example - a student may work for 10 hours in week one and 30 hours in week 2 or 15 and 25 hours respectively. Students must, however, note that in the above example, if the student works for 30 hours in week 2, then he/she can only work for 10 hours in the following week or else the condition of 48 hours in a fortnight would be breached – which in turn can lead to cancellation of Visas. Ideally, a student looking for continuous part-time work must limit their work to about 20 hours a week. Hence, this is how much an international student can work in Australia.

A few things to remember:

• Students cannot work until the session begins. For instance, say your course starts in January 2023 and you reach Australia by December 2022, then you cannot take up employment till your session begins.
• If casework is a normal part of the curriculum of the course you are enrolled on then this limit does not apply. This is usually applicable in the case of compulsory internships of integrated courses.
• Also, students that fall under the Post Graduate Research Sector can work for unlimited hours when the research work or doctoral thesis begins. Also, in case there are any preliminary courses that the student has enrolled in, the student is eligible to work as per the 40 hours per fortnight rule mentioned above.
• Students completing the Australian study requirement can apply for a Post Study Work Permit under Graduate Stream. However, students enrolled in an ELICOS cannot apply for a Post Study Work Permit for Australia.

* Note that if students applying under the category Post Graduate Research Sector are taking a preliminary course, they are eligible to work only for 40 hours in a fortnight during the tenure of the course he/she is enrolled in. Only when the Research Course begins does the student have permission to work for unlimited hours.

Do remember, you would need to apply for and get a Tax File Number to work part-time. As an international student with a foreign passport, you can apply for a TFN online from their official website.

Related Reads:

• Popular Job Sectors in Australia
• Life after MBA from Australia: Placements and Job Prospects

What laws apply to International Students for working while studying in Australia?

The Australian government allows all students the same privilege when it relates to working while studying. As such you have the right to:

• A minimum wage as stipulated under the Fair Work Act 2009
• The challenge of unfair dismissal from the job
• Breaks and rest periods
• A healthy and safe work environment

Temporary subclass 408 - COVID-19 Pandemic Visa for International Students in Australia

After restrictions are lifted from Australia in 2020 and 2021, students who applied for a student visa in March 2022 are eligible to work for 40 hours per fortnight during their studies. This visa allows students to get enrollment in critical skills sectors where jobs and assistance to the general public are in higher need. Some of the sectors which are categorised under critical skills include - travel and tourism; healthcare/childcare; food processing; agriculture, etc.

Subclass 408 visa has been introduced to bridge the unemployment gap of 68% and hire more and more part-time students for now. This is a temporary visa and may function up to a certain time period only. As of March 2022, this visa is still in force and as per the Australian Government sources, the visa may be functional until there is no major gap between employment. Under this visa, part-time jobs for international students will be benefitted to work beyond 40 hours per fortnight, visa of these students will not get cancelled if they are recruited somewhere and they can be eligible for a full-time job after their course completes. Amidst all this, students must maintain good attendance and get good grades to sustain their student visas.

Get more information at COVID-19 Pandemic (subclass 408) Visa for International Students

Popular Part-Time Jobs in Australia for International Students

In case you are a professional who is taking up further education in Australia, you can apply for and get a job that is commensurate with your qualification. Apart from that, usually, Indian students get part-time jobs in the following sectors in Australia:

• Retail sales jobs in supermarkets, departmental stores
• In restaurants, cafes, and bars
• In hotels and motels (both in the kitchens and administration and housekeeping)
• Farming and related activities
• Sales and telemarketing
• Administration or Clerical roles in different companies
• As a Tutor – both personally as well as in institutions

To conclude, Australia offers part-time jobs across various sectors and industries in Australia for international students. While it would not be enough to subset the tuition fees, it is usually able to assist a moderate living style. Also, there are many options available to work in Australia part-time for Indian students. Hence, if you are planning to study in Australia, be assured there is more to it than just quality education. All the best!