Living in Sydney
Australia is a great place to live and study in. By studying in Sydney you will enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Australia's most visited cities. You will also be close to many of our finest east coast tourist destinations.
Sydney was rated the number nine student city in the world (QS Best Student Cities, 2019).
Working in Sydney
An Australian student visa (subclass 500) allows you to work in Australia once your course has commenced.
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 the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for permission to work.
Work rights allow you to work:
- for the duration of your visa
- once you have started your course
- for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight (40 hours per two weeks) while your course is in session
- unlimited hours during the summer or winter non-teaching periods in the academic calendar.
Work that is formally registered as a requirement of your course, such as work placements, is not included in the 40 hours per fortnight limit, nor is some voluntary or unpaid work.
Please see the Department of Home Affairs website for further details.
Taxes
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 the Australian Taxation Office.
Schooling for your children
If you have children aged between 5 and 18 accompanying you to Australia, they must by law attend school. Most temporary resident students pay the temporary resident administration fee and education fee to enrol in a NSW government school. Allow schooling costs of at least A$8000 per year for each child.
There are many public, private and multi-faith/religious schools for all ages, which charge fees ranging from quite low to very expensive. Find out more about the schooling system and education in New South Wales.