Work & Career in Australia - Study in Australia

Work & Career in Australia

Australia offers some of the best work opportunities for international students anywhere in the world. The minimum wage is among the highest globally (AUD 24.10/hour in 2026), student work rights are generous, and the post-study work visa gives you 2–4 years to launch your career after graduation. Many international students cover most of their living costs through part-time work alone.

This guide covers everything: your work rights, how to find a job, what you can earn, the post-study work visa, and long-term career pathways.

Student Work Rights

During Semester

On a Subclass 500 student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (a fortnight is 2 weeks, the standard Australian pay cycle). This works out to roughly 24 hours per week, though you can split the hours however you like — for example, 30 hours one week and 18 the next.

During Semester Breaks

During scheduled course breaks (university holidays), you can work unlimited hours. This is a great opportunity to save money, gain experience, and take on full-time temporary roles.

What counts as a scheduled break:

• The period between semesters (typically 3–5 weeks)
• Summer break (November–February for most universities)
• Any other break listed in your institution's academic calendar

What does NOT count:

• Study breaks before exams (you're still in semester)
• Deferred semester breaks (if you fail and re-enroll)

When Work Begins

You can start working as soon as your course starts — not before. If you arrive two weeks before semester, you cannot work during those two weeks.

Exception: If your course includes a mandatory work component (clinical placement, internship, practicum), this does not count toward your 48-hour fortnightly limit.

Volunteer Work

Unpaid volunteer work is generally allowed and does not count toward your work limit. However, if the volunteering benefits a for-profit business (rather than a genuine charity), it may be considered work.

Getting Set Up to Work

Before you can start working, you need three things:

1. Tax File Number (TFN)

Your TFN is your tax identification number. Without it, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate (45%).

How to apply:

1. Go to the ATO website after arriving in Australia
2. Apply online — it takes about 10 minutes
3. You'll receive your TFN by mail within 28 days
4. You can start working while waiting — just provide your TFN to your employer once you receive it

Cost: Free

2. Australian Bank Account

You need a local bank account for your wages. Open one within your first 6 weeks in Australia (simpler ID requirements). See our living in Australia guide for bank comparisons.

3. Superannuation

Superannuation (super) is Australia's retirement savings system. Your employer must contribute 11.5% of your earnings into a super fund on top of your wages.

Important for international students: When you permanently leave Australia, you can claim your super back (minus tax). This is called a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) — it can be a nice lump sum of AUD 2,000–5,000+ after a few years of part-time work.

Choose a low-fee super fund. Australian Super, Hostplus, and Sunsuper are popular options with low fees for working students.

Finding Part-Time Work

Job Search Platforms

Walk-In Applications

For hospitality and retail, the old-fashioned approach still works in Australia. Print 10–20 copies of your resume, walk into cafes, restaurants, and shops, and ask if they're hiring. The best times to walk in:

• Tuesday–Thursday, 2–4 PM (after lunch rush, before dinner)
• Avoid Mondays (busy with admin) and weekends (too busy with customers)

Campus Jobs

Universities are significant employers of students. Roles include:

• Library assistants — AUD 28–35/hour
• IT help desk — AUD 30–38/hour
• Research assistants — AUD 35–45/hour
• Administration — AUD 28–35/hour
• Student ambassadors — AUD 28–35/hour
• Tutors and demonstrators — AUD 40–55/hour (for postgraduate students)

Check your university's careers website or student employment portal.

Internships

Internships are common in Australia and can be paid or unpaid:

Paid internships: AUD 25–45/hour. Common in IT, engineering, finance, and consulting. Usually arranged through university career services or direct applications to companies.

Unpaid internships: Legal only if they're part of a formal educational program or a genuine vocational placement. An unpaid internship at a for-profit company that's not part of your course is likely illegal — the company should be paying you.

Where to find internships:

• University career services (the best resource)
• LinkedIn
• GradConnection (gradconnection.com)
• Company careers pages directly
• Professional networking events

What You Can Earn

Wages by Job Type

Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world. The national minimum wage is AUD 24.10/hour (2026), but most student jobs pay more. Casual employees (which most student workers are) receive an additional 25% casual loading on top of the base rate, compensating for the lack of paid leave.

Penalty Rates

Australia has penalty rates for working outside standard hours:

• Saturday: 125–150% of base rate
• Sunday: 150–200% of base rate
• Public holidays: 200–250% of base rate
• Evenings (after 6 PM): 115–130% of base rate

Monthly Earning Potential

Working the maximum 48 hours per fortnight (24 hours/week) at AUD 30/hour average (including casual loading):

• Weekly: AUD 720
• Fortnightly: AUD 1,440
• Monthly: Approximately AUD 2,880
• Annual (52 weeks, including breaks with more hours): AUD 30,000–38,000

This is enough to cover living costs in every Australian city.

Your Rights as a Worker

International students have the exact same workplace rights as Australian citizens and permanent residents. This means:

• Fair Work Act protections apply to you
• You must be paid at least the minimum wage (including casual loading if applicable)
• You're entitled to a safe workplace
• You cannot be discriminated against based on nationality, race, or visa status
• Your employer cannot confiscate your passport or threaten your visa status

Reporting Exploitation

If you're being underpaid, working in unsafe conditions, or your employer is threatening your visa:

• Fair Work Ombudsman: 13 13 94 or fairwork.gov.au
• Your university's student support services
• Reporting exploitation will NOT affect your visa status — the Australian government has specific protections for workers who report underpayment

Post-Study Work: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is one of Australia's biggest advantages as a study destination. It lets you stay and work full-time after completing your degree.

Post-Study Work Stream Duration

Eligibility Requirements

• Completed a CRICOS-registered course of at least 2 academic years (92 weeks)
• Held a student visa at the time of completing your course
• Are under 50 years of age
• Meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.0 overall, or equivalent)
• Apply within 6 months of receiving your course completion letter
• Have OSHC or adequate health insurance

Application Details

Regional Study Benefit

Students who studied and lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years qualify for an additional 1–2 years on their 485 visa. Regional areas include everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane inner city — so Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, and Wollongong all count.

Career Services at Universities

Every Australian university has a careers service for students and recent graduates. These are often underutilized but extremely valuable:

What they offer:

• Resume and cover letter reviews — Free, one-on-one feedback
• Interview preparation — Mock interviews with industry professionals
• Job boards — Exclusive listings not on public platforms
• Career fairs — Multiple per year, with major employers attending
• Industry mentoring programs — Connect with professionals in your field
• Employer presentations — Companies visit campus to recruit
• LinkedIn optimization — Workshops on building your professional profile
• Networking events — Industry-specific mixers and panels

Networking in Australia

Networking is how most professional jobs are filled in Australia. Up to 70% of roles are never publicly advertised (the "hidden job market").

How to network effectively:

1. LinkedIn — Connect with alumni from your program, engage with content in your industry, join relevant groups
2. Industry events — Meetup.com lists hundreds of professional events monthly in every major city
3. Professional associations — Join the relevant body for your field (often free or discounted for students):
   • ACS (IT) — Australian Computer Society
   • EA (Engineering) — Engineers Australia
   • CPA (Accounting) — CPA Australia
   • AHPRA (Health) — Various health profession boards
4. Alumni networks — Your university's alumni association connects current students with graduates
5. Volunteering — Professional volunteering builds your network while giving back

High-Demand Occupations (2025–2026)

Australia's skills shortage list identifies occupations where demand exceeds supply. Graduates in these fields have the strongest career and migration prospects:

Skilled Migration Pathways

Many international students use their Australian education as a stepping stone toward permanent residency. Here's how the pathway typically works:

The Common Route

1. Complete your degree (2–4 years on student visa)
2. Get a 485 graduate visa (2–4 years of full-time work rights)
3. Gain work experience in a skilled occupation (2+ years)
4. Apply for permanent residency through a points-based visa

Points-Based Skilled Visas

The main pathways are:

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa (permanent)

• No employer or state sponsorship needed
• Points-based (age, English, qualifications, work experience)
• Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa (permanent)

• Requires state/territory government nomination
• More occupations eligible than subclass 189
• Must be willing to live in the nominating state for 2 years

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional visa (provisional, leads to PR)

• For regional areas
• More occupations and lower points threshold
• After 3 years, apply for permanent residence (subclass 191)

Points Breakdown (Subclass 189/190)

Minimum points required: 65 (but competitive invitations typically require 80–90+)

Professional Year Programs

Available in accounting, IT, and engineering. These 44–52 week programs include:

• Formal training
• A 12-week internship with an Australian company
• 5 extra points toward skilled migration

Cost: AUD 10,000–16,000. Worth considering if you need the extra points.

Tax and Superannuation for Students

Tax

• The tax-free threshold for residents is AUD 18,200/year. If you earn less than this, you pay no income tax.
• Most students working part-time earn below or near this threshold
• You must lodge a tax return each year by October 31 (for the financial year ending June 30)
• Use myTax (free, through the ATO website) to lodge your return online
• You may get a tax refund if too much tax was withheld during the year

Getting Your Super Back

When you permanently leave Australia:

1. Ensure your super fund has your current overseas contact details
2. Request a DASP (Departing Australia Superannuation Payment) through the ATO
3. Tax on DASP: 35–45% (unfortunately high, but it's still money you wouldn't otherwise receive)

Next Steps

• Understand your visa work conditions — Make sure you know the rules before you start working
• Calculate your budget with work income — See how part-time earnings offset your costs
• Find housing near your workplace — Balance commute time between campus and work
• Choose the right program for career outcomes — Pick programs with strong graduate employment rates