Studying abroad is a big investment for every student. A majority of international students prefer remaining engaged in a part-time job, as it can support them financially to a great extent. If you are an international student in Australia and wish to work while studying, then this post is for you. International students studying in Australia, holding the student visa subclass 500 are eligible to work in Australia.
Forty hours, every two weeks, are the maximum permissible number of hours that a student can work while studying. However, international students can work for unlimited hours when they are on holiday or on a significant break from study sessions.
In the following sections, we will discuss the various opportunities and ways of working while studying in Australia.
Places to work in Australia
There are many options to earn extra spending money and get a taste of the local culture. The following are a few things to keep in mind for international students pursuing higher studies in Australia:
- Workplace protections: Students enjoy the same protections at work as anyone else, working in Australia.
- Minimum wage: International students receive at least a minimum rate of pay per hour no matter what job they do.
- Strong support: You will have a strong support system at every step of your journey while working in your student days. As an international student, educational institutions, the government and private sectors will provide any necessary support that you may need.
Part-time employment opportunities
Taking up a part-time job whilst studying in Australia is truly rewarding and beneficial. It can help international students with living expenses. Also, working part-time gives you an opportunity to improve your English language skills, that is if you aren’t competent in the language. You will be speaking with native speakers in workplace environments outside the institution. It helps to build fluency and inculcates confidence.
Another advantage of part-time work is that you get to learn a lot about the new country you are living in such as the culture, native people, teamwork, problem-solving, communication skills, and other useful skills. These valuable skills remain with you for life and help you to grow in your career too. The part-time job might not be related to your field of study, but it helps you develop various professional traits to tackle unprecedented situations in your life.
International students can opt from the following list of Industries that provide part-time employment opportunities:
- Retail – including supermarkets, department stores, boutiques
- Hospitality – cafés, bars, restaurants, delivery
- Tourism
- Education
- Agricultural
- Sales and telemarketing
- Administration or clerical roles
- Tutoring
Internship opportunities
Apart from regular part-time work, student visa subclass 500 in Australia allows international students to take up any paid and non-paid internship opportunities.
Internships help students bolster their existing skills. It also helps them learn new ones necessary to manage real-world challenges and provide a great platform for networking with professional contacts.
The education provider usually offers a wide range of internships, work experience and volunteer opportunities to international students. There are several cities and states in Australia that develop and manage internship programs or student entrepreneurship programs to get them started with their own business set-up.
Volunteering opportunities
This is another great opportunity for international students to improve their soft skills. Through various volunteering programs, you get the chance to meet, interact and become friends with the Australian locals. Bagging a volunteering opportunity helps to build skills related to your field of study.
Some examples of volunteering are:
- Events management
- Social media coordinators
- Mentors
- Drivers
- Administration
The following are a few state-wise volunteering opportunities that students may pay heed to:
- Australian Capital Territory (Canberra, ACT) – Volunteering and Contact ACT
- New South Wales (NSW) – The Centre for Volunteering NSW
- Northern Territory (NT) – Volunteering SA & NT
- Queensland (QLD) – Volunteering Queensland
- South Australia (SA) – Volunteering SA & NT
- Tasmania (TAS) – Volunteering Tasmania
- Victoria (VIC) – Volunteering Victoria
- Western Australia (WA) – Volunteering WA
Consider these relevant factors while studying in Australia
Apart from the work opportunities available, there are other aspects to also look at as you proceed to work while studying.
Tax File Number (TFN)
Individuals working in Australia need to register for a tax file number. TFN is a personal reference number issued by the Australia Taxation Office (ATO). It is used to file tax reports and important government documents. To know more, you can read this guide for tax returns in Australia.
Minimum wage and superannuation
The minimum wage is applicable to everyone working in Australia, including international students. The current minimum wage in Australia stands at $18.93 per hour. Any employer offering an amount less than the specified amount is eventually breaking the law.
Wages can be paid in cash, but, an employer must present a payslip reflecting the amount paid, the amount of tax withheld, the number of hours the person has worked, contributions to superannuation and other details such as leave entitlements where appropriate. International students are also entitled to superannuation, which is an amount paid to an account beyond your wages. The current minimum superannuation rate stands at 9%.
Challenges of unfair dismissal from a job
Everyone working in Australia, including international students, has certain rights at work which are governed by national laws. If a person loses his job on unfair grounds such as; exercising fundamental rights or being discriminated against, then he or she is entitled to make a claim to be compensated for lost pay or reclaim her job upon presenting firm evidence.
Leave, breaks and rest periods
Employees are entitled to leave and breaks while working at any firm in Australia. Make sure to check these conditions are mentioned in your employment contract letter.
Opportunities after graduation for international students
If you wish to work in Australia after completing your graduation degree, you will need another work visa before the expiry of the student visa. It is the post-study work visa – subclass 485 allows international students to stay in Australia for two to four years. The 485 temporary graduate visa lets qualified and skilled graduates fill the occupational needs in Australia.