There are many benefits of working alongside your studies including financial support, learning new skills or meeting new people. In New Zealand, international students can work during their studies, depending on the level and duration of the degree programme.

Full-time students

You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours per week during holidays such as Christmas and New Year.

To be eligible, you must fulfil one of the following requirements:

• Study a course for at least 2 years

• Pursue a foundation programme lasting 1 year at level 4+ as part of the New Zealand Qualification Framework in Canterbury
• Study a course that gives you points as part of the Skilled Migrant Category

Research and master’s students

As an international postgraduate student, you can work up to 40 hours per week all year round. This is a major advantage of pursuing a master’s degree in New Zealand.

What’s the minimum wage?

New Zealand has the 4^th highest minimum wage in the world at NZD 17.70/hour, an increase from NZD 16.50 since 2018. The new minimum wage is roughly the equivalent USD 11.38.

Will my earnings be taxed?

Yes. At a rate of 10.5% of your annual salary, so long as it does not exceed NZD 14,000 per year.

The only restriction on working while you study is that you cannot be self-employed.

As you can see, international students living in New Zealand are given the opportunity to financially support themselves while completing their studies. This flexibility enables international students to balance their studies with other commitments, allowing for regular study breaks.