Work in Australia while studying
OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND THEIR SPOUSES ARE ENTITLED TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA WHILE STUDYING (subject to the migration criteria)*
*For all official information about work entitlements in Australia for overseas students, please, refer to the relevant section of DIAC web site.
Students: You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the term and unlimited hours when your course is not in session.
Student`s Spouse in Australia: You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year.
Exceptions: Family members of the following students can apply to work unlimited hours once the student starts their main course:
- students studying in Masters by coursework (visa 573);
- students studying in Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 574);
- students sponsored by AusAID or Defence and studying in Masters by coursework, Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 576);
Your student visa is granted on condition that you cannot work more than 20 hours per week when your course is in session (Condition 8105)
Please, note that failure to comply with the work conditions prescribed by law (i.e. working more than 20 hours per week during the study term) will result in your student visa being cancelled. Upon the visa cancellation you will have to depart Australia within 28 days.
You must obtain a Tax File Number to be able to work in Australia. This is available from the Australian Tax Office.
If you were granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you and your dependent family members will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa. You do not need a visa label to be placed in your passport as evidence of your work rights. Your visa information is held electronically and you can access it at any time using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. Employers, banks and government services can also check details about your visa entitlements on VEVO once they have your consent to do so. 
Please, feel free to contact us, should you have any queries or require any additional information. Thank you!
