If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work included with your visa. You and your family members must not breach the work conditions that apply to their student visa. Students and their families must not breach the work conditions that apply to their student visa.

Permission to work

From 1 July 2023, the number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters will be capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight.

You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. Once your course has commenced you are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight.

Work that is formal registered part of your course is not included in the limit of 48 hours per fortnight.

Voluntary, unpaid work, is not included in the limit of 48 hours per fortnight if it:

• is of benefit to the community
• is for a non-profit organisation
• is genuinely voluntary (that is, you are not paid either in cash or other—board and lodging is acceptable).

If the voluntary work could have been undertaken by an Australian resident who would have received a wage, then this is included in the 48 hours.

Family members granted permission to work

Family members:

• must not start work until the primary visa holder has commenced their course in Australia
• can work up to 48 hours per fortnight at all times unless the primary visa holder has commenced a course towards a masters or doctoral degree and holds a Student visa (subclass 500). Subclass 500 Student visa (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Additional information about student visa work conditions

You can view your visa online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Busi/visas-and-migration/visa-entitlement-verification-online-(vevo). VEVO is a free internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows you, and your employer or education provider, to view your visa details online.

Tax File Number

You must obtain a Australian Tax File Number to be able to work in Australia. This is available from the Australian Tax Office. https://taxfilenumberaustralia.com.au

Your workplace rights

Workers in Australia – including visa holders with permission to work – have rights under Australian workplace law.

The Fair Work Ombudsman Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) provides information on pay rates, shift calculations, leave arrangements and notice and redundancy entitlements.

More information is available about Workplace rights – for all visa holders working in Australia.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing