One of the most common questions international students ask before arriving in Australia is: can I work while studying? The answer is yes — and the rules are clearer than you might think. Whether you want to cover your living expenses, build your CV, or just experience Australian working culture, this guide covers everything you need to know.
📋 Work Rules for Student Visa Holders
With a Student Visa (Subclass 500), your work rights are straightforward:
during study periods
during course breaks
What counts as a course break?
During scheduled course breaks — holidays officially built into your academic calendar — you can work unlimited hours. Most students use these periods to work full-time and save money. Your enrolment letter or academic schedule will show when your official breaks are.
🏢 Which Industries Hire International Students?
Australia has a strong casual and part-time job market, and international students are actively sought after in several industries. Here are the most common — with realistic pay rates based on 2026 minimum wage rules:
Cafés, restaurants, bars, hotels. One of the most accessible industries for students of any English level.
Supermarkets, clothing stores, department stores. Good for students who prefer weekday shifts.
High demand across Australia. Especially relevant for students studying early childhood education.
Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog. Popular because shifts are completely flexible around study schedules.
Aged care, disability support, nursing assistants. Growing industry with consistent demand.
Commercial and residential cleaning. Early morning shifts suit students who study during the day.
Pay rates shown are minimum casual rates under the relevant Modern Award — actual rates may be higher depending on the employer, penalty rates (weekends and public holidays), and experience. Always check the current minimum at fairwork.gov.au.
💼 Types of Work Experience Available
The most common option. Casual roles give you flexibility — you're not locked into fixed hours and can reduce shifts during busy study periods. Look for jobs in hospitality, retail, cleaning, and delivery first.
Volunteering with non-profits and community organisations does not count toward your 48-hour fortnight limit. It's an excellent way to build your CV, improve your English, and make connections — especially in your first months in Australia.
Internships — whether formal placements or self-arranged — are one of the best ways to gain industry-specific experience. Many VET and degree courses include a work placement component. Paid internships count toward your 48-hour limit; unpaid workplace learning may be treated differently — check with your institution.
If your English needs work before you feel job-ready, an English course at Study Destination gives you both language skills and Australian workplace vocabulary. Even 4–8 weeks of General English significantly improves your employability.
🔍 How to Find a Job in Australia as an International Student
Job platforms to use
Walk-in applications still work
For hospitality and retail, walking in directly with a printed CV during off-peak hours (2pm–4pm on weekdays) remains one of the most effective methods. Many café and restaurant owners hire based on personality and availability rather than formal applications.
Use your institution's resources
- Most TAFE and university campuses have a careers centre or student employment board
- Many institutions partner with local employers specifically looking to hire international students
- Industry placement units in VET courses often include guaranteed work experience as part of the course
Which city you study in matters
Job availability varies significantly by city. Melbourne and Sydney have the largest number of student jobs but also the most competition. Brisbane and the Gold Coast have strong hospitality and tourism markets. Perth has mining and construction support roles with higher casual rates and less competition. See our city guides: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast.
💰 Pay, Tax, and Superannuation
National minimum wage as of July 2026. Casual workers receive a 25% loading on top of this. Check fairwork.gov.au for your specific Award rate.
Your employer pays 12% of your earnings into a super fund. You can claim this back when you leave Australia permanently via the DASP system.
Tax File Number (TFN)
Before starting any paid work, apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Without a TFN, your employer is required to withhold tax at the highest rate (47%). With a TFN, you pay the standard rate for your income bracket. You can apply online — approval usually takes 1–4 weeks.
Tax return
At the end of each financial year (30 June), most working students are entitled to a tax refund. Read our complete guide to doing your tax return in Australia.
Superannuation — don't forget to claim it back
Every employer in Australia must pay 12% superannuation on top of your wages into a super fund. When you leave Australia permanently, you can claim this back through the Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) system. Read our superannuation guide for step-by-step instructions.
🗣️ What If My English Isn't Perfect Yet?
Many international students worry that their English level will stop them from getting a job in Australia. In reality, your English level determines which jobs you can access — not whether you can work at all.
Jobs that require minimal English
- Kitchen hand / dishwasher in a restaurant
- Fruit picking and agricultural work
- Cleaning — commercial and residential
- Gardening and landscaping
- Factory and warehouse packing
- Delivery driver (with a valid Australian licence)
Improve your English and unlock better-paying jobs
Students who complete even a short English course before starting work report significantly better job outcomes — faster hiring, better pay, and more career-relevant roles. Study Destination offers English courses from 4 weeks across all major Australian cities.
⚖️ Balancing Work and Study
Australia's student visa rules exist for a reason — your education is the priority. Here are practical tips for balancing both without either suffering:
- Choose shifts that fit your timetable — most casual employers in hospitality and retail are flexible about when you work
- Front-load your work hours in the week before assignments are due — reduce shifts to focus on assessments, then increase hours again after submission
- Use course breaks for full-time work — this is your opportunity to save significantly without affecting your study or visa
- Keep a fortnight tracker — a simple spreadsheet or phone note showing your hours per 14-day rolling period keeps you clearly within the 48-hour limit
- Talk to your employer early — most Australian employers are familiar with student visa rules and will accommodate your study schedule if you communicate clearly
- Don't sacrifice attendance for extra shifts — your attendance record (minimum 80%) is a visa condition, and your employer's casual shifts will still be there next week
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while studying in Australia on a Student Visa?
Yes. The Student Visa (Subclass 500) allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your study periods, and unlimited hours during officially scheduled course breaks. This applies to most paid employment including casual, part-time, and contract work.
How many hours can international students work in Australia?
Up to 48 hours per fortnight (any rolling 14-day period) during study. Unlimited during scheduled course breaks. A fortnight is not a fixed Monday-to-Sunday week — it's any 14-day period, so you can spread your 48 hours however suits your schedule.
What is the minimum wage for students in Australia in 2026?
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour as of July 2026. Casual workers receive an additional 25% loading. Some industries have higher Award rates — always check your specific Award at fairwork.gov.au.
What jobs can I get as an international student in Australia?
The most common jobs for international students are in hospitality (cafés, restaurants, bars), retail, cleaning, childcare, healthcare support, and delivery. The job market for international students is strong in all major cities — Melbourne and Sydney have the most volume, Perth and Brisbane have less competition.
Do I need a Tax File Number to work in Australia?
Yes — apply for a TFN through the ATO at ato.gov.au before starting work. Without one, your employer must withhold tax at 47%. With a TFN, you pay the standard rate for your income. Applications are free and approval takes 1–4 weeks.
Can I do volunteer work on a Student Visa?
Yes. Volunteer work for a non-profit or community organisation does not count toward your 48-hour fortnight limit. It's a great way to build experience and connections, especially in your first months in Australia when paid work can be harder to find.
Does delivery work (Uber Eats, DoorDash) count toward my 48 hours?
Yes. Delivery work is paid employment and counts toward your 48-hour fortnight limit. These platforms do not actively track your visa conditions — the responsibility is entirely yours to stay within the limit. Keep a record of your hours each fortnight.
What happens to my superannuation when I leave Australia?
Your employer pays 12% superannuation on top of your wages into a registered super fund. When you leave Australia permanently, you can claim this back through the DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment) system. Note that a 35% tax is withheld on DASP payments — still worth claiming. Read our superannuation guide for full instructions.
Can I work and study in Australia without an English course first?
Yes — many jobs (cleaning, kitchen hand, picking, gardening, packing) require minimal English. However, completing even a short English course significantly expands your job options and earning potential. Study Destination offers English courses from 4 weeks across all major cities.
Is it easy to find a job in Australia as an international student?
It depends on the city and your English level. In hospitality and cleaning, most students find casual work within 2–4 weeks of arriving. Walking into cafés with a printed CV during quiet hours (2–4pm weekdays) still works well. Childcare and healthcare support roles take longer due to background check requirements but pay better.
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