Australia offers international students valuable opportunities to work while studying, but it is important to follow the official part-time work rules for students in Australia to avoid visa issues. These rules ensure students maintain their academic focus while gaining financial support and practical experience.

This updated guide explains everything you need to know about work limits, minimum wages, workplace rights, and student visa compliance in 2025.

Part-Time Work Rules for Students in Australia

International students holding a Student Visa (Subclass 500) are legally allowed to work part-time while studying in Australia. This is a key benefit of studying in Australia, as it allows students to gain practical work experience, earn income to support living expenses, and understand the Australian workplace.

However, all employment must strictly follow the part-time work rules for students in Australia, including limits on work hours, what counts as paid work, and compliance with visa responsibilities. By following these rules, students can safely balance work and study while staying fully compliant with Australia student visa work hours and enjoying their part-time work in Australia.

These part-time work rights are designed to ensure students can balance earning opportunities without negatively affecting their academic performance. By understanding and respecting the part-time work rules for students in Australia, you can enjoy the financial and professional benefits of part-time employment while staying fully compliant with your visa conditions.

Official Work-Hour Limits for Students (2025)

Understanding your work-hour limits is one of the most important parts of staying compliant with your visa conditions. The Australian Government has set clear rules to ensure that part-time work in Australia supports your study goals rather than interferes with them. These regulations form the foundation of all part-time work rules for students in Australia, and every international student must follow them closely to avoid visa complications.

During Study Period (48 Hours Per Fortnight)

International students are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their classes are in session. A fortnight refers to a 14-day period, and this limit applies regardless of how many jobs you hold.

This gives students flexibility to manage their schedules, because you may:

• Work around 20–24 hours per week, OR
• Divide your hours in any way, as long as your total remains below 48 hours per fortnight

This rule is the core of all part-time work rules for students in Australia, and it is directly connected to Australia student visa work hours, which must be respected at all times. Exceeding these limits can result in serious visa-related consequences, so students must keep track of their hours carefully.

During Holidays and Breaks (Unlimited Hours)

One of the biggest benefits of studying in Australia is that during official holidays, international students can work unlimited hours. This is especially helpful for students who want to save money, gain more experience, or support their living costs during academic breaks.

You can work full-time during:

• Semester breaks
• Summer or winter vacation
• Public holidays (if allowed by employer)
• Institution-declared breaks

These flexible periods offer more freedom for part-time work in Australia, but students should still ensure that work does not impact their academic commitments once classes resume.

Masters by Research & PhD Students (Unlimited Hours All Year)

Students enrolled in Masters by Research or PhD programs enjoy the highest level of flexibility. They are allowed to work unlimited hours, even while their course is in session. This exemption acknowledges the different study structure for research-based programs and allows students more opportunities to engage in professional work or academic-related employment.

For these students, the usual 48-hour fortnight rule does not apply, giving them greater freedom within the broader framework of part-time work rules for students in Australia.

Read our blog Australia Post-Study work rights to know more.

What Counts as “Work” Under Australian Law?

To properly follow the part-time work rules for students in Australia, it is essential to clearly understand what the Australian Government considers “work.” Many international students assume that only traditional jobs count, but the definition is much broader. Failing to understand this can lead to accidental breaches of Australia student visa work hours, so knowing exactly what is included is extremely important.

Under Australian law, any activity where you receive financial payment, rewards, or benefits is considered work. This applies whether the job is formal, informal, part-time, casual, or online. These rules ensure that all types of part-time work in Australia are tracked fairly and consistently. Following includes work:

Any paid employment

This covers all traditional jobs such as retail, hospitality, administration, cleaning, warehouse work, and customer service roles. If you receive wages, salary, or hourly payment, it counts toward your work-hour limit.

Paid internships or placements

If your internship provides financial payment, stipends, or allowances, it is considered work and must be included in your total hours. This applies even if the role is related to your field of study.

Commission-based tasks

Jobs where you’re paid based on commission such as sales-based roles, telemarketing, or client-based earnings are considered work. Even if the payment depends on performance, the activity itself counts.

Gig work (UberEats, DoorDash, Menulog)

Any gig-economy tasks, such as food delivery, rideshare support, or micro-tasks on gig platforms, fall under the definition of work. These earnings are monitored like any other form of part-time work in Australia.

Freelance or online paid work

Work such as graphic design, video editing, tutoring, content creation, social media management, or online freelancing also counts. If you’re getting paid locally or internationally, it is still considered work under Australian law.

Genuine unpaid volunteering does not count toward hours, but unpaid tasks that benefit a business may still be considered as work.

Minimum Wage Rules for Student Workers

Australia is known for having some of the strongest workplace protections in the world, and these laws apply equally to international students. Whether you’re working in retail, hospitality, delivery services, or any other industry, you are legally entitled to fair payment. Understanding minimum wage regulations is a crucial part of following the part-time work rules for students in Australia, as it ensures you are treated fairly and not exploited while working.

Minimum Wage (2025):

AUD $24.10 per hour

This national minimum wage applies to most casual part-time jobs across the country. Some industries may offer higher rates depending on award agreements, weekend penalty rates, night shifts, or public holiday pay. No matter where you work, your employer must follow the official pay standards that govern part-time work in Australia.

As per the part-time work rules for students in Australia and general workplace laws, you must receive:

• Legal hourly wage: You should never accept pay below the mandated minimum wage.
• Payslips: Employers must provide a detailed payslip for each pay cycle.
• Proper tax deductions: Your income must be taxed correctly under your Tax File Number (TFN).
• Superannuation contributions: If you earn $450 or more per month, your employer must pay superannuation into your retirement fund.

It’s important to avoid cash-in-hand jobs that offer very low pay or no documentation. These jobs may violate Australian student visa work conditions, putting both your employment rights and your visa at risk. Staying compliant ensures you remain protected under Australian law.

Under the part-time work rules for students in Australia, all international students must be paid at least the national minimum wage of AUD $24.10/hour (2025). According to international student work rights in Australia, you must receive legal payslips, correct tax deductions, and superannuation (if earning $450+/month). Cash-in-hand or underpaid work is considered illegal and can affect your visa compliance.

Check out our Budgeting tips blog to know major expenses you’ll face and practical budgeting strategies that will help you stay financially confident throughout your studies.

Key Visa Conditions for Student Workers

To work legally in Australia, every international student must follow the official conditions of the Student Visa (Subclass 500). These rules exist to ensure that students prioritize their studies while participating in part-time work in Australia. Maintaining compliance with these visa conditions is just as important as following the Australia student visa work hours limit.

To align with the part-time work rules for students in Australia, you must:

Stay enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course

You must maintain continuous enrollment in an CRICOS-registered course. Withdrawal or extended absence can lead to visa issues.

Attend classes and maintain satisfactory academic performance

Studying is your primary purpose in Australia. Excessive working hours that negatively impact your grades or attendance may breach Australia student visa work conditions.

Hold valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

You must have OSHC for the entire duration of your stay in Australia. This is a mandatory visa requirement.

Respect the work-hour limits

The most important rule is sticking to the 48 hours per fortnight limit during study periods. This is the central element of the part-time work rules for students in Australia and is closely monitored by the Australian Government.

To follow the part-time work rules for students in Australia, international students must comply with Visa Subclass 500 conditions, stay enrolled in a CRICOS course, attend classes, maintain academic performance, hold valid OSHC, and follow all work-hour limits. As part of international student work rights in Australia, failing to meet these conditions may result in warnings or even visa cancellation.

Workplace Rights for International Students

Under the part-time work rules for students in Australia, international students are fully protected by national workplace laws. Your rights remain the same as any Australian employee, ensuring you are treated fairly while balancing study and work.

You are entitled to:

• Minimum wage and legal payment
• A safe and hazard-free workplace
• Paid training before starting your job
• Meal and rest breaks during shifts
• Fair and predictable rosters
• Protection against discrimination, bullying, or exploitation

According to international student work rights in Australia, no employer can force you to work overtime illegally or breach your visa conditions.
If an employer pressures you to exceed your allowed hours, you can report the issue to the Fair Work Ombudsman for support.

International students are fully protected under the part-time work rules for students in Australia, meaning they must receive minimum wage, safe working conditions, proper breaks, and fair treatment. Under international student work rights in Australia, students can report any employer who forces illegal hours or exploitation, ensuring workplace fairness and legal compliance.

Consequences of Breaking Work Rules

Breaking the part-time work rules for students in Australia is a serious offence because your work permission is directly linked to your Visa Subclass 500 conditions. Failure to follow these rules can trigger investigations and affect your legal stay.

Possible penalties include:

• Official visa breach warnings
• Employer audits and investigations
• Loss of work rights
• Complete visa cancellation in severe cases

As part of international student work rights in Australia, it is your responsibility to track your hours carefully and stay within the 48-hour-per-fortnight limit to maintain full compliance.

Breaking the part-time work rules for students in Australia such as working beyond 48 hours per fortnight, can trigger warnings, employer investigations, or even visa cancellation. Under international student work rights in Australia, students must track their hours carefully to remain compliant and protect their visa status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the part-time work rules for students in Australia?

Under the part-time work rules for students in Australia, students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. During official holidays and semester breaks, students are allowed unlimited hours. These rules are part of Australia student visa work hours regulations to help students balance work and study.

2. Can I work two different jobs?

Yes. You can hold multiple jobs as long as the total combined hours stay within the 48-hour per fortnight limit. Staying within the limit ensures compliance with part-time work rules for students in Australia and protects your visa status.

3. Do unpaid internships count as work?

Unpaid, genuine volunteering does not count toward your work hours. However, any paid internship or role counts toward your total, in line with part-time work in Australia regulations.

4. Can my visa be cancelled for working too many hours?

Yes. Exceeding the work-hour limit is a breach of the part-time work rules for students in Australia. Under international student work rights in Australia, working illegally can lead to warnings or even visa cancellation.

5. Do international students get the same minimum wage?

Yes. All students must be paid according to national and award wage laws. This is part of the international student work rights in Australia, ensuring fair treatment in part-time work in Australia.

6. Can research students work full-time?

Yes. PhD and Masters by Research students have no work-hour restrictions. They are exempt from the 48-hour per fortnight rule under the part-time work rules for students in Australia.

Conclusion

Understanding the part-time work rules for students in Australia is essential for every international student. Following these rules ensures that you balance your academic responsibilities with work, maintain compliance with Australia student visa work hours, and enjoy your rights under international student work rights in Australia. Staying within legal limits protects your visa, ensures fair pay, and allows you to safely gain valuable work experience while studying in Australia.

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