EnuImagine landing in Australia on your subclass 500 student visa, ready to study hard and cover living costs. You spot a cafe job posting that fits your schedule perfectly. But how many hours can you actually work without risking your visa? Student work rights Australia set clear rules to balance study and income. This guide breaks down the latest 2026 limits on hours, fair pay expectations, and reliable job sites. You’ll get practical steps to start earning legally and safely.
Australia welcomes international students to work part-time. These rules help you gain experience while protecting your studies. Always check your visa via VEVO for personal conditions.
Work Hour Limits Under Student Work Rights Australia
Student work rights Australia cap hours at 48 hours per fortnight during course sessions. A fortnight means 14 days, starting Monday. This covers all paid and unpaid jobs combined.
Count classes, exams, or any term time as “in session.” You hit the limit fast if juggling two gigs. Exceed it, and face visa warnings or cancellation.
During official breaks, like semester holidays, work unlimited hours. Masters by research or PhD students skip limits entirely after their course begins. No work allowed before day one of classes.
| Scenario | Hour Limit |
|---|---|
| Term time (classes/exams) | 48 per fortnight |
| Course breaks | Unlimited |
| PhD/research masters (post-start) | Unlimited anytime |
| Pre-course | Zero |
| CRICOS work placements | Unlimited if required |
Track hours weekly to stay safe. Apps like Timesheet help. For details, see the Australian Department of Education’s page on student work rights.
Fair Pay: Minimum Wages for Casual Student Jobs
Casual jobs dominate for students: think retail, hospitality, or delivery. Australia’s national minimum wage hits about $23.50 per hour for adults in 2026. Casuals add 25% loading, bumping it to $29.38 hourly.
Under-21s get junior rates. A 20-year-old earns $24.38 base, or $30.48 casual. Younger students see lower scales, like $18.03 casual at age 17.
Awards boost pay in sectors like cafes (often $27+). Full-time equivalent? $893 weekly base for 38 hours. Students prorate by shifts.
Expect payslips weekly or fortnightly. Superannuation (retirement savings) kicks in too, at 11.5%. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s fact sheet for international students to verify your rate.
Example: Four 6-hour cafe shifts at $28 casual = $672 fortnightly, under the 48-hour cap.
Top Job Sites and Strategies for International Students
SEEK leads with 90,000+ listings. Filter for “casual” and “part-time” near your campus. Indeed follows, easy for quick applies.
Student Job Board targets internationals with mobile alerts and tips. Jora and Adzuna aggregate postings nationwide.
LinkedIn shines for networking; join uni groups. Gumtree suits local gigs, while university career portals offer vetted roles.
Other picks: StudentEdge for perks, GradConnection for grads, Workforce Australia for guidance.
Quick job hunt tips:
- Tailor resumes to Aussie style (2 pages max).
- Highlight visa work rights upfront.
- Network at campus events; referrals beat apps.
Hospitality pays $25-30 hourly, tutoring $35-45. Check Study Australia’s rights guide for employer checks.
Key Workplace Protections in Student Work Rights Australia
You enjoy full employee rights. Bosses must pay on time, provide safe conditions, and allow breaks. No discrimination based on visa status.
Fair Work handles disputes. Get penalty rates for nights/weekends (up to 200% base). Unpaid work? Only for CRICOS placements.
Tax file number (TFN) needed first week. Earnings under $18,200? No tax. Over? Lodge a return.
Breaks: 30 minutes paid after 5 hours. Overtime rare for casuals, but claim if offered.
Pitfalls to Dodge When Working Part-Time
Overworking kills visas. One student lost theirs after 50 hours in week two.
Ignore junior rates; demand award pay. Sketchy cash jobs hide exploitation.
Forget tax setup; fines follow. Skip uni priority; grades drop, visa at risk.
Avoidance moves:
- Log hours daily.
- Confirm pay before shifts.
- Read contracts fully.
- Report issues to Fair Work hotline.
See updates on PTE Magic’s student visa hours page.
Balancing Work, Study, and Life Down Under
Pick evening/weekend shifts. Cafes near campuses hire fast.
Budget wisely: $29 hourly covers rent/food after tax. Save for post-study work.
Build skills; hospitality leads to networks. Health insurance (OSHC) covers work injuries.
Join student unions for free advice.
FAQs on Student Work Rights Australia
Can I switch jobs freely?
Yes, as long as total hours stay under 48 fortnightly.
What if my course changes terms?
Limits reset per fortnight; check dates with uni.
Casual loading mandatory?
Yes for no leave entitlements.
Post-study work?
Separate visa; hours unlimited then.
Under 18 rules?
Same limits, plus child work laws.
Visa expired mid-shift?
Stop immediately; apply extension first.
Student work rights Australia make part-time jobs a smart move. Earn $1,000+ monthly legally, gain resume boosters, and fund adventures. Verify your VEVO today, hit SEEK for gigs, and track those 48 hours. Your Aussie chapter starts strong. Ready to apply?
Enu
