Your work rights

You have automatic work rights if your student visa was granted after 26 April 2008. If you were granted a student visa on or before 26 April 2008, you can apply to DIAC for permission to work.

Work rights allow you to work:

• for the duration of your visa
• once you have started your course
• a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight (40 hours per two weeks) while your course is in session
• any number of hours during the summer or winter non-teaching periods.

Please see the Department of Immigration website for further details. Study Australia also have information on finding work as an international student on their website.  

Unpaid work

Students who undertake paid work will also need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) and complete an income tax return at the end of each financial year.
For further information, please refer to: www.ato.gov.au