Working while you are an international student
Can I work if I am an international student?
Answer ID 921 | Last updated on 22/04/2024 11.14 AM
If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work as a condition of your visa. You and your family members must not breach the work conditions that apply to your student visa.
From 1 July 2023, work restrictions for student visa holders will be re-introduced and capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight. This ensures that student visa holders are able to focus on obtaining a quality Australian education and qualification while remaining able to support themselves financially, gain valuable work experience, and contribute to Australia’s workforce needs.
Work conditions for student visa holders
You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. Once your course has commenced you are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight when your course is in session and unlimited hours when your course is out of session. Work that is formally registered as part of your course is not included in the 48 hours per fortnight limitation.
The Department of Home Affairs website has an example of how the 48 hours a fortnight is calculated under Condition 8105 working restriction. See Check visa details and conditions (homeaffairs.gov.au).
As information about visa conditions may change, student visa holders should refer to their particular conditions and check on the Home Affairs web page for the breakdown of each condition.
Fortnights
Most student visas allow you to work for up to 48 hours every fortnight (two weeks) while your course is in session, and unrestricted hours during any scheduled course break. Before you undertake any paid work, you need to make sure your visa allows you to work. If you exceed the number of hours you are entitled to work, you will be non-compliant with the work limitation and may be subject to visa cancellation.
Defining course in session and out of session
The Department of Home Affairs considers your course to be in session:
- for the duration of the advertised semesters, including exam periods. Refer to the published dates
- when you are undertaking another course, during a break from your main course points from that course will be credited to your main course
They consider your course to be out of session:
- during scheduled course breaks
- if you have completed your course as scheduled (as per the dates listed on your CoE) and still hold a valid student visa
Work won't count towards the 48-hour limitation if the work was specified as a requirement of the course when the course particulars were entered in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). If an elective is a requirement of the course but the work itself was not specified when the course was registered with CRICOS, you can still complete these electives, but it would be counted towards the 48-hour work limitation. This may be the case even if you are not being paid for undertaking the work. However, volunteer work, that is work that would not normally be paid, may be exempt. Always check with the Department of Home Affairs if you have any concerns – Contact us (homeaffairs.gov.au).
You can view your visa online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows you, and your employer (with your permission), to view your visa details online.
- Fair Work Ombudsman - your work rights as an international student
- Study in Australia - information about working and studying