TL;DR — Part-Time Work Rights for International Students in Australia
Student visa holders (Subclass 500) can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during official breaks. The national minimum wage is AUD 24.95/hour (casual rate AUD 31.19/hour with 25% loading). You need a Tax File Number (TFN) before starting work. International students have the same workplace rights as Australian workers under the Fair Work Act — employers cannot threaten your visa for raising concerns.
When you receive your Subclass 500 student visa, it comes with specific work conditions attached. Understanding these conditions is essential — breaching them can result in visa cancellation.
| Condition | Applies To | During Semester | During Breaks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition 8105 | Primary student visa holder | Max 48 hours per fortnight | Unlimited |
| Condition 8104 | Dependant visa holder | Max 48 hours per fortnight | Max 48 hours per fortnight* |
*Dependants of research master’s or PhD students can work unlimited hours at all times. Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (visa conditions list).
Important: You cannot start work until your course has officially commenced. Working before your course start date is a visa condition breach, even if you have already arrived in Australia.
The work limit was increased from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight on 1 July 2023. This limit applies across all jobs combined — if you have two part-time jobs, your total hours across both must not exceed 48 per fortnight.
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum hours | 48 hours per fortnight (rolling 14-day period starting Monday) |
| Multiple jobs | Total across ALL employers combined |
| Semester breaks | Unlimited hours (primary students only) |
| Volunteer work | Genuine unpaid volunteering does not count toward hours |
| Work integrated learning | Mandatory placements as part of your course do not count |
Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (student visa work conditions).
Practical tip: The fortnight is calculated on a rolling basis starting from any Monday. Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking your hours across all jobs to ensure you stay within the limit. Some students accidentally exceed the limit by picking up extra shifts across two jobs — this is still a breach even if each individual employer only gives you 24 hours.
International students are entitled to the same minimum pay rates as Australian workers. The national minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission and typically increases each 1 July.
| Employment Type | Hourly Rate (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time / part-time (national minimum) | $24.95 | Base rate for permanent employees |
| Casual (national minimum + 25% loading) | $31.19 | Most common for students — loading compensates for no paid leave |
| Weekend / public holiday penalty rates | Varies by award | Often 150–200% of base rate on Sundays/holidays |
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au (national minimum wage).
Many industries covered by Modern Awards pay higher than the national minimum. Hospitality, retail, and fast food have specific award rates that are typically above the base minimum. Use the Fair Work Pay Calculator (fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/pay-calculator) to check the exact rate for your role and industry.
Red flag: If an employer offers you less than $24.95/hour (or less than $31.19 as a casual), they are underpaying you. This is illegal regardless of your visa status or nationality. You do not need to accept lower pay because you are an international student.
Before starting any paid work in Australia, you need to arrange your tax and superannuation.
Tax File Number (TFN): Apply for a free TFN through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online Individual Auto-Registration system. Processing takes up to 28 business days. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate (45% plus Medicare levy) — so apply as soon as you arrive.
Tax rates for residents: If you are a tax resident of Australia (most students who stay more than six months are), you pay no tax on the first $18,200 you earn in a financial year (July to June). Earnings above $18,200 are taxed at progressive rates starting at 16 cents per dollar.
Tax returns: You must lodge a tax return each year by 31 October (or later if using a tax agent). Many students receive a tax refund because their annual earnings fall below the tax-free threshold but tax was withheld from each pay.
Superannuation: Your employer must pay superannuation (retirement savings) at 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. You are entitled to super regardless of visa status. When you permanently leave Australia, you can apply to withdraw your super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) through the ATO.
| Job Type | Typical Casual Rate (AUD/hr) | Flexibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality (cafe, restaurant) | $28–$35 | High | Tips possible; weekend penalty rates boost earnings |
| Retail (supermarket, clothing) | $29–$35 | Medium | Retail Award rates; weekend/evening loadings |
| Delivery / rideshare (gig work) | $20–$30 (variable) | Very high | Contractor — no guaranteed minimum; must track own hours |
| Tutoring / academic support | $30–$50 | High | Higher rate; good for academic CV; often via university |
| On-campus roles | $30–$40 | Medium | Library, student services, lab assistant — convenient location |
| Aged care / disability support | $30–$38 | Medium | High demand; may require cert or police check |
| IT / freelance (web, design) | $35–$60+ | Very high | Contractor — need ABN; must manage own tax |
Rates are indicative based on relevant Modern Award rates and market data. Source: Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au (Pay Calculator, Modern Awards).
University career services: Your university’s careers team maintains a job board specifically for students. These jobs are typically vetted, properly paid, and flexible around study schedules. Register with your university’s career portal as soon as you arrive.
Online job platforms: Seek (seek.com.au), Indeed (au.indeed.com), and Jora are the main Australian job search platforms. Filter by “casual” or “part-time” and your suburb. LinkedIn is useful for professional or industry-relevant roles.
In-person approaches: Walk into cafes, restaurants, and retail shops with your resume. Many hospitality jobs are filled through walk-ins, especially in busy areas near universities. Dress neatly and ask if they are hiring.
Networking: Join student clubs, attend university events, and connect with your course peers. Many part-time opportunities come through word of mouth. Nepali student communities in Australian cities often share job leads.
Gig platforms: Apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and Airtasker offer flexible work. Note that gig work treats you as an independent contractor — you need an Australian Business Number (ABN), must track your own hours, and are responsible for your own tax. Gig work does not always guarantee minimum wage protections.
International students have exactly the same workplace rights as Australian citizens and permanent residents. Your visa status does not reduce your entitlements under the Fair Work Act 2009.
| Right | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Minimum pay | You must be paid at least the national minimum wage or applicable Modern Award rate |
| Pay slips | Employer must provide a pay slip within one business day of payment |
| Superannuation | 12% super on top of your pay (reclaimable as DASP when you leave Australia) |
| Safe workplace | Your employer must provide a safe and healthy working environment |
| No discrimination | Cannot be treated unfairly based on nationality, race, or visa status |
| Leave entitlements (if permanent) | Part-time employees get pro-rata annual leave and sick leave; casuals receive loading instead |
| Written employment record | You should receive written terms of employment or a Fair Work Information Statement |
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au (international students fact sheet).
Workplace exploitation of international students is taken seriously by the Australian government. Recent legislative changes have significantly strengthened protections.
Your visa is protected when you report: Contacting the Fair Work Ombudsman about workplace issues will not result in your visa being cancelled. The Department of Home Affairs has committed to not cancelling visas of workers who report exploitation, even if they have breached work condition hours as a result of employer coercion.
Employer penalties: From January 2025, intentional wage underpayment is a criminal offence carrying penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. Civil penalties for underpayment can reach AUD 19,800 per contravention for individuals and AUD 99,000 for companies. For serious contraventions, penalties increase to AUD 495,000 (individuals) and AUD 4,950,000 (companies).
Workplace Justice visa: If you experience serious exploitation, you may be eligible for a Workplace Justice visa (Subclass 408), which allows you to remain in Australia for six to twelve months (extendable up to four years) to pursue legal action against your employer.
Warning signs of an exploitative employer: being paid cash with no pay slip, being paid below minimum wage, being asked to pay back part of your wages, being threatened with visa cancellation for raising concerns, not receiving superannuation, or being required to work more than your visa allows without your consent.
Where to report: Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94) to report underpayment or exploitation. You can also seek free legal advice from your university’s student legal service or community legal centres.
Prepare your resume Australian-style: Australian resumes are typically two pages, reverse-chronological, with no photo. Focus on skills and experience relevant to the role. Include your Australian phone number and local address. Remove personal details like date of birth, marital status, or parents’ names that may be standard on Nepali CVs.
Get your RSA early: If you plan to work in hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars), you need a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate. The training takes one day and costs AUD 50–150 depending on the state. Complete it in your first few weeks so you are ready when opportunities arise.
Understand cash-in-hand risks: Some employers in certain industries offer to pay cash without records. This is illegal and puts you at risk — you have no proof of employment, no superannuation, no pay slips, and if anything goes wrong you have no recourse. Always insist on proper employment with a TFN declaration.
Track your hours carefully: Use a simple spreadsheet or app to log every shift across all jobs. The 48-hour fortnight is strictly enforced and the Department of Home Affairs can check your records. Accidental breaches due to poor record-keeping are still breaches.
Connect with the Nepali community: Nepali student associations (NRNA chapters, university Nepali societies) often share job leads and can warn you about exploitative employers. However, do not rely solely on community networks — also use formal job platforms and university career services to access properly paid positions.
Consider on-campus work first: University jobs (library, student services, lab assistant, peer tutoring) are guaranteed to be properly paid, flexible around your study schedule, and look excellent on your CV. Check your university’s internal job board regularly.
Need help understanding your work rights in Australia?
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International students on a Subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the academic semester. During official scheduled course breaks, primary student visa holders can work unlimited hours. The 48-hour limit applies across all jobs combined.
International students are entitled to the same minimum wage as all Australian workers. From 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage is AUD 24.95 per hour for full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, bringing the casual minimum to AUD 31.19 per hour.
Yes, you need a Tax File Number (TFN) to work legally in Australia. Apply for free through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) online system. Processing takes up to 28 business days. Without a TFN, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate (45% plus Medicare levy), so apply as soon as you arrive in Australia.
Yes. When you permanently leave Australia and your visa has expired or been cancelled, you can apply for a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP) through the ATO. The payment is subject to a departing tax rate (typically 65% for working holiday makers or 35-45% for student visa holders), but you will receive the remaining balance. Apply online through the ATO website after you have left Australia.
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94). Reporting underpayment will not affect your visa status. You can also seek free legal advice from your university’s student legal service. Keep records of your hours worked and any pay received as evidence.
Yes, you can do freelance work or operate as a sole trader on a student visa, but the 48-hour fortnight limit still applies to all work including freelancing. You will need an Australian Business Number (ABN) and must manage your own tax obligations (including GST if your annual turnover exceeds AUD 75,000). Freelance hours count toward your total work limit.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (student visa conditions 8104, 8105, work rights) · Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au (national minimum wage, international students fact sheet, workplace rights) · Australian Taxation Office — ato.gov.au (TFN, superannuation, DASP, tax rates).
Originally published July 2026. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
