Your work rights as an international student in Australia

Getting a part-time job is a popular way to help cover the costs of studying abroad, and one that you should take seriously. There are always rules you must follow, as well as protections to ensure you are treated fairly in your employment. Although this may appear complicated, it is worth understanding. Get started now, as we set out your work rights as an international student in Australia, and how they change after graduation.

How many hours can international students work in Australia?

Most international students in Australia can work for up to 48 hours in any 14-day period during term time. During holidays, there are no limits.

This applies to students at vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate level. However, if you are studying a master's by research or a doctoral degree, your work hours will always be unlimited.

Learn more about student visas in Australia.

What jobs can international students do in Australia?

There are no restrictions on the types of job that international students can do in Australia.

Popular areas of employment include retail and hospitality, but none are off-limits. Providing that you are hired on a part-time or casual basis, you can work in any position.

Work placements and internships are also permitted. If one is a compulsory part of your course, it will not contribute to your work hour limit. However, if it is optional, it will.

Self-employment is allowed, but comes with specific considerations. To enter into it, you must apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) from the government. With this, you can set yourself up as an independent contractor, and work on a freelance basis. 

Volunteering is permitted. The time you spend doing it does not count towards your work hour limit. Any reasonable expenses involved – such as travel – may be paid for you. However, if you receive any direct payment, the work will not be classed as voluntary. It will then be included in your work hour limit.

Find out which workers the country needs right now with our guide to the most in-demand jobs in Australia.

Minimum wage for international students in Australia

The minimum wage in Australia varies according to your job, age and experience level. However, it applies to international students in exactly the same way as it applies to permanent residents.

Some job roles have a nationally agreed pay award. This sets the minimum wage you can be paid to do them. It also sets out how this changes according to your age and seniority. Younger and entry-level workers may be paid less than others.

Jobs that are not covered by a pay award are subject to the National Minimum Wage. Currently, this is set at AUD 24.95 per hour or AUD 948 per week. Both of these figures are based on annual reviews by the Fair Work Commission. Typically, they increase in July of each year.

If you are employed as a casual worker, you are entitled to a higher minimum wage. Currently, this is AUD 31.19 per hour (a 25 per cent increase on the National Minimum Wage). However, it is important to remember that casual work is often more insecure than part-time work.

If you are under the age of 21, you are not entitled to the full National Minimum Wage. Until you reach that point, your minimum will be calculated as an annually increasing percentage of the full figure. This is known as a junior rate.

Hourly minimum wages at the junior rates are as follows:

Explore even more of the job market in Australia.

Paying tax in Australia

Income tax

International students in Australia must pay tax on income they receive in the country.

Residents

If you study in Australia for more than six months, you will be considered a resident of the country. As such, you will be subject to resident tax rates.

Under these, you will pay no tax on income up to AUD 18,200. Any additional income you receive up to a total of AUD 45,000 will be taxed at 16 per cent. The rate of tax increases beyond this point, but most international students will not reach it.

The tax you pay will be withheld from your wages by your employer under a system known as pay-as-you-go (PAYG). Despite this, you will still need to file a tax return for the most recent financial year by October 31. This is important, as it will be used to calculate any tax refund you should receive.

As a resident, you may also benefit from superannuation. This involves your employer paying at least 12 per cent of your wages into something called a super fund. For most people, this is intended for retirement, but international students can sometimes access it early. Once your visa has expired and you have left the country, you may be able to claim it in the form of a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).

Resident taxpayers can also claim tax deductions. If you have had to cover certain costs in the course of your work without being refunded, they may be taken off the amount of income tax you pay. These include many things, such as the purchase and cleaning of uniforms, and equipment used to work from home.

Non-residents

If you study and live in Australia for fewer than six months, you will be classed as a non-resident. As a result, you will be charged a higher rate of tax on your Australian income.

Currently, this is 30 per cent on income up to AUD 135,000. Unlike residents, none of your income will be tax-free.

In addition, non-residents are not eligible for superannuation, or able to claim income tax deductions. However, you remain protected in other ways. Basic safeguards and work rights for international students in Australia are the same as they are for everyone else.

Tax File Number

Before starting work in Australia, you should apply for a Tax File Number (TFN). This makes it possible for your employment to be officially registered with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You may also need it to open an Australian bank account.

You may only apply for a TFN after arriving in Australia on your student visa. However, you are permitted to work before your application has been approved. To do so, you must note that it is being processed when you complete your TFN declaration upon starting work. If you have not received a TFN within 28 days of this, you may be charged additional tax.

Looking forward to your future in the country? Take some inspiration from our list of top employers in Australia.

Who can help me with employment issues in Australia?

If you ever need support or advice regarding work in Australia as an international student, you will be able to find it. The country has a number of organisations dedicated to your rights in and outside employment.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent government agency that offers help to workers and employers, free of charge. As its name suggests, it is responsible for making work fair throughout Australia. You can go to it for everything from information on your work rights to resolving issues in the workplace. This can be done anonymously and in a number of languages, with an emphasis on being safe and inclusive.

Study Australia is the government's official source of advice and information about studying in the country. While it centres on education, it can help you with every aspect of living and learning in Australia. That includes visas, everyday costs and your employment rights and responsibilities.

You should also be able to seek support from your university about almost anything you could imagine. Find out how with our guides to careers services and international offices.

Can my family work in Australia?

Dependant family members of international students are allowed to work in Australia, under the same work hour limits. That means they can usually work for no longer than 48 hours in every 14 days. Dependants of PhD and master's by research students are the exception, with permission to work unlimited hours.

Not all family members can come with you to Australia as dependants. Only the following are eligible:

• Your spouse or de facto partner
• Your children under 18
• Your partner's children under 18

Find out all about bringing family on a student visa.

Working after graduation in Australia

Once you finish studying in Australia, your right to work changes. For the time between the course end date on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and the expiry of your student visa, you will be able to work unlimited hours. Providing that you have sufficient health insurance, this can be up to three months.

After this point, you will need a new visa. The most common is the Temporary Graduate visa. Depending on the type of course you studied and various eligibility requirements, this could allow you to stay and work in Australia for up to three years (or more, if you are from India or Hong Kong).

You are also able to continue working on an extended student visa. This is required if you plan to enrol on a new course shortly after the one you have just completed. In that case, it is advisable to apply for a new student visa around three months before your current one expires. For this, you will need a CoE for a new course, and the necessary health insurance. If approved, you will be able to work under the standard limits for international students.

For more information on your options after graduation, read our guide to post-study visas in Australia.

We hope that this has given you assurance on your work rights as an international student in Australia. Remember that you are always protected, and that help will always be available if you are unsure about your employment. Find out more about where it can be accessed with our guide to getting support at university. Alternatively, you can explore further with our guide to international student work rights around the world.