How to find part time student jobs in Australia


Students can work with ease for 40 hours per two weeks at part-time jobs while they study in Australia, and full-time on course breaks. Their dependants are also allowed to work for 40 hours a week. Find out more about working while you study in Australia.

Studying in Australia for Indian students – and international students in general – can be expensive. Add to that the disadvantage of Indian students in currency conversions. Not only are the tuition fees some of the highest, but the cost of living is also not any cheaper in Australia's leading cities.

Check out our detailed guide on studying abroad in Australia.

Part-Time-Jobs-in-Australia

Cost of living in Australia for foreign students


Austrade – the Australian Trade Commission estimates the cost of living in Australia to be as follows -

Different types of accommodations

  • Guesthouse & hostel accommodation cost between AUD80/week and AUD135/week
  • Cost of weekly shared rented can be between AUD70 and AUD 250
  • On campus stay costs almost the same as shared rental – AUD80 – AUD250
  • Homestays cost around AUD110 to AUD270 for a week
  • Rental will set you back around AUD100 to AUD400 a week
  • Boarding schools can charge anywhere between AUD10,000 to AUD20,000 per annum

Miscellaneous expenses

  • Eating out and provisions – between AUD80 and AUD200 for a week
  • Electricity & gas – between AUD70 to AUD 100 for a week's supply
  • Public transport – AUD10 and AUD50 for a week
  • Entertainment – up to AUD 100 per week
  • Internet & phone – between AUD 20 and AUD50 for a week

Given the high cost of living, even if you do manage to score partial scholarships from the Indian or Australian government or your overseas university, you may still want to work part time while you study to supplement your monthly allowance.

Rules for Part-time Work for international students in Australia


The good news is that unlike many other countries, however, you can work while you study in Australia. What you need for it is a student visa with work permission. If you were issued a student visa after (or on) 26 April 2008, then your visa already gives you permission to work, as well as any dependent family members who have gone overseas with you. If your visa was granted before this date, then you can only apply for a Work Permit after you have started your course.

Visa interviews can give the jitters to the most seasoned of people. It is understandable, for you, as an aspirant to be nervous. This guide on cracking the Australian Visa interview will provide you with some helpful tips.

There are also additional details to note if you have the permission to work. The number of hours you can work during your course is 40 hours per fortnight (14 days from Monday to second following Sunday). Note that this means if in a month you have worked with the following schedule per week – 15 hours/ 25 hours/ 25 hours/ 10 hours – then you have not breached rules in weeks 1-2, but you have gone over the 40-hour per two weeks allowance in weeks 2 to 3. Also note you can only begin work when your course is in session. During course holidays, however, there is no limit on how long you can work.

If you are working voluntarily for no pay, or for a non-profit then you don't have a 40-hour limit. Current PG Research students (those with visa subclass 574) can also work as long as they want, if they have started their doctoral or master's research work.

Work opportunities for your family members/dependents


Similar rules apply to your family members in Australia. They are also restricted to 40 hours every two weeks, but this limit applies to them even during your course breaks. There is a special case when family members can also work unlimited hours. If you have begun a master's or doctoral course with a visa subclass 573 (a higher education visa), 574 (postgraduate research) or 576 (Foreign affairs and defence sector), then there is no limit on how long your dependents can work in Australia.

Working rights for international students


You have rights to protect you while you work part-time or full-time (on breaks) as a student in Australia. These include a right to minimum wage, a safe & healthy environment, appeal against unfair dismissal and rest periods and breaks.

The rules for working while you study in Australia are quite advantageous to students, and you can easily supplement your daily expenses with your earnings from your part-time job. Be careful not to breach the rules, however, as it can lead to a cancellation of your visa.

It's not just Australia but there are many other countries that allow you work while studying. Learn more about the countries that allow part time job while studying.


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