Working while studying

You may find it difficult to cover your basic living costs while studying in Australia unless you got a part-time job. Studying in Australia can be expensive when you take into account costs such as accommodation, meals, tuition, and other expenses. The Changes in the regulations governing student visas have made it easier for international students to work in Australia. As a result, any student granted a visa has also automatically received permission to work.

Remember that international students are only allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester. This is so you can focus mainly on your studies.

To find work within a field which is applicable to your studies, is not always possible — especially if you are studying in a field such as medicine or else! It is primarily for this reason that many international students tend to work in othere industries such as retail or hospitality, which have a high demand for part-time workers. These kinds of jobs can be beneficial as you will find it an opportunity to practise your English language skills in an environment outside of your institution. You can also learn to understand Australian culture through interacting with your employers, colleagues, and the general public.

You should also be aware of the rights that you have as a worker in Australia. Visit www.fairwork.gov.au and familiarise yourself with Australia’s laws regarding workplace rights, and important facts such as rates of pay and working conditions. The following categories of job can give you illustration of how you can work in Australia as international student:

Paid work

There are many part time job opportunities:

Retail - supermarkets, department and clothing stores.
Hospitality - cafes, bars and restaurants.
Tourism - hotels and motels.
Agricultural - farming and fruit-picking.
Sales and telemarketing.
Administration or Clerical roles.
Tutoring.

If you have existing qualifications and/or professional work experience, you may be able to secure casual or part time work in your field.

Internships

Paid or unpaid internships can be a great way to get exposure to the professional, financial and creative industries.

Volunteering

There are many charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) in Australia and they always need volunteers to help out. It can be a great way to meet friends, get some hands on work experience and give back to the community. To find out more about volunteering, start your search at: http://www.govolunteer.com.au/

What about working after studying?

You can continue to live and work in Australia after completing your studies by applying for permanent residency . There is a specific permanent residency visa for international students who have graduated from Australian study. Remember though that permanent residency regulations and eligibility criteria often change, so you shouldn’t rely on your study as being a direct path to permanent residency.

Everyone working in Australia, including international students or those on working holiday visas, have basic rights at work. These rights protect entitlement to:

Minimum wage.
Challenge of unfair dismissal from the job
Breaks and rest periods.
A healthy and safe work environment.
Most employers in Australia are covered by an ‘award’, which sets minimum wages and conditions for a given field of work or industry. To find out more about your work rights visit the Australian Government's Fair Work website.

You will also need to get a tax file number to work in Australia. Visit the Australian Taxation Office website to find out more information on getting a tax file number, as well as information about paying taxes in Australia.

Looking for jobs

There are plenty of ways to find work that suits you, including:

Newspapers and online job sites.
Some institutions provide job notice-boards on campus and online. Contact your institution’s international student support staff to find out what options your institution offers.
Register your details at a recruitment firm; many of them help place people in casual or short-term work.