You should have most of the information you need to work in Australia as an international student and after graduation after reading this section. While you are a student, working in Australia is very easy; after graduation, it is more difficult. Keep in mind that as an international student, you shouldn’t expect to survive on the money you earn while you study, but the extra money can certainly help you cover your expenses.
Rules for Student Visas
There will be a lot of international students studying abroad in Australia who want to work while they are there. It is essential for these students to be aware of the work restrictions stipulated by their student visa.
Rules for Employing International Students
While school is in session, international students in Australia with a valid student visa can work up to 20 hours per week, and they can work as many hours as they want during recognized school vacations. In Australia, a work week is defined as beginning on Monday and ending on Sunday. Students are not permitted to begin working until after their courses have begun, despite the fact that they are permitted to arrive in Australia up to 90 days prior to their start date.
Anything the student is required to do as part of his or her studies or training is exempt from the 20-hour weekly limit. However, volunteer work and unpaid labor do count toward the 20 hours. A student’s visa could be revoked if he or she works more than the Australian regulations allow.
Work Requirements for International Students’ Families
Under their student visa, the international student’s family members—spouses and children—have the same work rights as the student—20 hours per week. Family members cannot work more than 20 hours per week, even during holidays, unlike students. Families of students who earn a graduate degree, such as a master’s, can work as much as they want. Family members, like students, can’t start working until the student starts his or her course.
Visa and Work Permission Applications
Students applying for a student visa to Australia had to apply separately for permission to work prior to April 26, 2008. However, as of April 26, 2008, students can now receive permission to work alongside their visa. This is true for both the student and any members of the student’s family who may be accompanying the student on their visa. When students apply for work permits and visas, this saves them time and money. At the moment, the application fee for a visa in Australia is A$535.
Before applying for a student visa, international students who want to study in Australia must first be accepted into an Australian educational institution. Students will be required to submit a confirmation of enrollment issued by the Australian educational institution they intend to attend when applying for a visa. This shows that the student is actually staying in Australia for school. Due to the time it can take to process a visa application, it is also recommended that students apply for a visa as soon as possible to begin their stay in Australia.
Additional Regulations and Rules
The following are additional restrictions that apply to Australian student visas:
- The Australian government has approved a consistent academic program for students to follow.
- All of the requirements of the study program in which they are enrolled must be met by students.
- As required by their school, students are obligated to maintain satisfactory course progress and attendance during each study period.
- Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC) is required of all students.
International students can make additional money by working while they are in Australia. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be aware of the restrictions you face as an international student. Your student visa could be revoked and you could be expelled from Australia if you break any of these rules.
Permission to Work and Other Practical Matters
A student visa with work authorization is required in order to work in Australia while you are a student. In Australia, you can start working as soon as your classes start by paying A$575 for both a student visa and work permit. A student visa allows students in Australia to work up to 20 hours per week, with no limit on hours worked during holidays. Your student visa could be revoked if you start working before classes start or if you work more than the 20 hours a week limit.
You can apply for a student visa online, in person, or by mail. The procedure for each differs slightly. Before you can apply online, you need to electronically notify your education provider that you have started your course. You should allow at least an hour for this information to be incorporated into the department’s system after this. After that, you should check the application fee. After that, you complete the online application and follow the on-screen instructions.
You must have either a letter from your educational institution confirming that you have begun your coursework or the front of a Form 157P Application for a Student Visa with Permission to Work signed and stamped by your educational institution in order to submit an application in person or by mail. Examine the application’s costs. EFTPOS, credit card, money order, or bank check are all methods of payment. After that, you need to fill out a Form 157P, mail or deliver your application to the departmental office that is closest to you.
After Obtaining Your Visa
Using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO), you or an employer can view your visa information online once you have a visa. You or someone else who might need the information can now see your immigration status.
Tax File Number
In Australia, you need a TFN (Tax File Number) to get a job or open a bank account. Keep your TFN safe because it is private, just like a social security number in the United States. One is only given to you once in your lifetime, and it is used to file important government documents and tax reports.
A tax return that is linked to your TFN must be filed if you work in Australia. When you file your tax return, you probably will get a refund because you are an international student. Visit Taxback.com for additional information about your potential tax refund; They can assist you in obtaining the appropriate tax refund at an affordable cost. Utilizing Taxback.com, part-time workers have received an average of AU$2600 in tax refunds. Their professional staff is committed to providing assistance to international students.
You can apply online for a TFN only if you are currently in Australia and you have:
- A valid permanent migrant visa
- A valid visa with work rights
- A valid overseas student visa
- A valid visa allowing you to stay in Australia indefinitely
The Australian Tax Office is the place students should go if they need to apply for a TFN. Your name, address, date of birth, passport, arrival date, and proof of school enrollment are required for application.
If you have a visa with work rights, you can also apply for your TFN online. The systems of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will check your identity when you apply online. Keep a record of your receipt number at all times.
Finding Work in Australia
Find out how to get a job in Australia, what kinds of jobs to look for, how much they might pay, where to look for them, and how to keep your best foot forward when you do.
Finding Work
When looking for a job, one of the first things you should do is research the businesses that interest you. You should submit an application or resume to the company and schedule an interview after doing your research. When interviewing for a job, a student must behave professionally and arrive on time. Always keep your phone handy in case a potential employer calls. Keep trying. When looking for work, keep in mind that school comes first, so the jobs you’ll be looking for will have nighttime hours.
When You Get the Job
After getting a job in Australia, keep these things in mind:
- When working around food, clean hands and nails are a must.
- Classes take precedence over work.
- You should never sit down in front of an employer unless the job is designed to require it.
- Maintain good hygiene.
- On average, student tutors charge A$40 per hour.
- Depending on your employer, you might get paid more to work on a Sunday or a holiday.
Jobs that weren’t appealing to you at home might be seen differently in a new country. Even though the easiest jobs may not be the most interesting, having a job will help you immerse yourself in the culture. More important than what you are doing is the fact that you will be in a new location with interesting new people.
Examples of typical jobs for international students include
- Picking/packing fruits and vegetables
- Department store staff
- Bartender
- Kitchen hand
- Waiter
- Cleaner
- Gardener
- Clerical assistant
- Babysitter
- Tutor
- Staff in fast food chain
- Supermarket staff
- Cinema staff
- Translators
Do you struggle with English?
Although it is helpful, English proficiency is not required. There are a lot of jobs that students who are still having trouble with the language can do. There are often a lot of manual labor jobs for people who don’t speak English well.
Working in Australia After College
In contrast to some other English-speaking nations, you will not automatically be granted the right to stay and work in Australia after completing your degree. The government grants you a temporary permit to study when you receive your student visa, assuming that you will leave before your visa runs out and your course is over. There is still a need for foreign workers in Australia, and students who have completed their education in Australia qualify for a special category of work visa. International students are eligible for a number of additional visa categories, and Australia offers a straightforward points-based pathway to permanent residency. A work visa must be applied for if you want to stay and work after graduation.
Categories of VISAs in Australia
Here are a few of the categories of visas that are available:
- After graduation, the most common type of visa for international students is the 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa. You can only stay in Australia for 18 months on a 485 visa to gain work experience if you have just completed at least two years of study there.
- The 442 visa, another option for international students, allows them to enhance their work skills for up to two years under the sponsorship of an employer.
- 487 Regional Sponsored Visa: This visa opens the door to permanent residency and allows you to work in a specialized regional area for three years.
- 887 Skilled Regional Residence Visa: With the 887 visa, you can stay and work in Australia permanently. You must have sufficient points, a year of work experience, and two years of living in Australia.
- 885 Skilled Independent Residence Visa: With the 885 visa, you can work and live as a permanent resident without being sponsored.
- 886 Skilled Sponsor Resident Visa: An overseas student can apply for permanent residency and work while sponsored by an employer with the 886 visa.
