Work and study

Check your VISA rules

Do your visa conditions allow you to work? Check your visa information using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

Australian student visa holders are normally eligible to work up to 20 hours a week during semester, and full-time during holidays.

If you have a scholarship, check the conditions to make sure you are allowed to work.

Most institutions have employment services to help you find work. Some warn against working because it diverts your attention away from your studies. Work can also prevent you from socialising and getting the most from your stay.

You can start your search for work on websites Seek, Career One, Careerjet and the Federal Government’s Jobsearch website.

Many students work in the service and hospitality industries, earning approximately AU$14 to AU$20 an hour. You won’t be able to depend on this work alone to cover the cost of living in Victoria.

Family members

If your student visa was granted on or after 26 April 2008, you and your family already have permission to work automatically included with your visa.

You and your family can only start work when your course has started. Dependent family members can work up to 20 hours a week. Family members of Masters and Doctorate students are not restricted.

See the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website for more information.

Read more about student visas in Australia.

Pay and your rights

Read about pay, superannuation and your rights to a minimum wage and working conditions under Australian laws.

Tax and students

You need a Tax File Number (TFN) to work in Australia. Learn how to apply for a TFN and avoid paying too much tax in Australia.

Starting a business

As an international student, you can be self-employed for up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session.

If you are interested in starting a business in Victoria you may need to register the business in Victoria. Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website for information on registering a business name along with the required online forms and details about your rights and responsibilities.

You may also need to register for an Australian Business Number through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).