Student Visa Rules

Updated on Wednesday 20 August 2008

International students in Australia on a valid student visa can work for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and there is no limit on the number of hours an international student can work during recognized school vacations. A few additional points:

• Family members accompanying the international student (spouse and children) have the same work rights – 20 hours per week. For those students obtaining a graduate degree, like a masters degree, their family can work unlimited hours.

• • Volunteer and unpaid work counts towards 20 hours.
• • Work that is a required part of a course of study is not subject to the 20 hour per week limit.
• • You may not start working until after your courses begin.
• • A work week is Monday through the following Sunday.
• • If you work more than the Australian restrictions, your visa may be cancelled. You must maintain satisfactory attendance in your course and course progress for each study period as required by your school and you must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) during your stay in Australia .

There are other technical points that you should be aware of when working in Australia .

For more information on working rights visit the student visa section of the Australian Government website.