Australia is a famous study abroad destination for International Students from across the world due to the top-tier education and comfortable lifestyle. However, the living expenses in Australia are considered fairly high even though education might be cheaper in comparison to the USA. Thus, applying for a part-time job while studying at university is beneficial for both your financial needs and growth.
A thorough plan is needed to establish a solid foundation for your part-time career, you will need to understand about the Visa Rules for International Students, Work Conditions & Permissions, Average Wage & Salary, and many more. You will also need to understand about your career pathway after graduation. Here, we explain a-z the essential things you need to know to study and work in Australia
Work conditions for international students in Australia
According to the standard rules for student visa holders to work in Australia, a valid student visa can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during school sessions, and there is no time limit for an international student to work during recognized school vacations. Students are not allowed to start work prior to the beginning of their course.
Work that is formally recognized as a part of the course does not tie in the work time limitation, but a voluntary work does fall on the 40 hours per fortnight working time rule.
If one has commenced masters by research or doctoral degree in Australia, there is no restriction on the time limit that one may work. Failed at following the student visa rules will result in the termination of their student visa.
Apart from part-time, students can also broaden their experience through volunteer work or internship. Plenty of companies offers a short term internship period ranging from 3-6 months, or even more. For volunteering, you can easily check govolunteer.com.au for voluntary jobs that are available for you.
To make yourself familiar with Australia’s workplace regulation, rates of pay and the working condition, you can visit www.fairwork.gov.au.
Work conditions for family in Australia
If family members are accompanying the international student under their student visa will have the same work rights as the student which is 40 hours per fortnight, even during the holidays. If the student is pursuing a graduate degree, their family will be able to work unlimited hours.
Similar to the student visa rules for international students, their family members are not allowed to work before the students started their course.
What are the part-time work options for International Students in Australia?
Working in a part-time job helps you to experience the work style that is similar to your field of study. You will be able to build a solid foundation on the particular career that you are interested to pursue in the near future. There is a wide range of part-time career options for international students to explore that suits the flexibility of students’ time, such as
- Retail (supermarkets, department stores, boutiques, sales)
- Hospitality (cafes, bars, restaurants, delivery)
- Farming and fruit-picking (seasonal work)
- Services (childcare, aged care, and cleaning)
- Administration and clerical work
- Tutoring
- Freelance
How much is the wage and salary in Australia?
A part-time job serves as financial support for daily budget, not primary financial source. Therefore, the salary from a part-time job is not as high as a full-time job. In 2019, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) increased the minimum national wage in Australia by 3% equivalent to AUD 19.49 per hour. International students have the same rights in the workplace as all other Australian employees, including minimum pay rates to be charged based on the work they perform.
However, the amount of salary depends on the type of job, company, and location. Urban cities such as Sydney and Melbourne offer higher salaries than smaller towns. As an international student, it is expected to earn on average AUD 500 in two weeks from a part-time job in Australia.
Can International Students work after graduate?
Due to the recent changes in the government policies in Australia, international students who graduated from Bachelors & Masters are able to obtain a post-study work visa in Australia for a minimum of 2 years, and up to 4 years for Ph.D./research students. The visa costs AUD 1,650 for the main application.
If you want to continue to work in Australia but your student visa has expired, you can still apply for a job visa. You’ll need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN), a personal reference number used in the tax and super systems. Without one, 45% of your payment will be withheld as tax.
Recommended website for job search in Australia
- Glassdoor
- Australian Government JobActive
- Seek
- Indeed
- Careerjet
- Jora
- Angel List (for startup company)
- Careerone
- Truelance (for freelancer)
For more information about study and work in Australia, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll help you 100% and we provide best consultancy services for FREE!
Read also: International Scholarships for A-Level and UEC Students in Australia 2020
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Amanda Kaffah
I am a part-time content writer, a part-time Computer Science student, and a full-time dreamer. Likes to munch some food while doing some work or watching netflix.
