Working While Studying in Australia: Rules

Work rights come with your student visa

Most international students in Australia hold a student visa (subclass 500), which generally includes limited work rights. The exact conditions are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and attached to your visa.

This page is general information only and is not immigration advice. Work-rights rules have changed in recent years and can change again, so always confirm the current conditions on the official Department of Home Affairs source and on your own visa grant notice before working.

The work-hours limit during term

While your course is in session, student-visa holders are generally limited in how many hours they may work. The current cap is up to 48 hours per fortnight (a "fortnight" is a two-week period) during study sessions. This is applied through the standard work-limit visa condition (commonly condition 8105).

Because this figure has changed before, do not assume it — verify the current per-fortnight limit on the official Home Affairs source. Working more than your visa allows can put your visa at risk.

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session (verify current rule)
• A fortnight means a 14-day period
• Applied via a visa work-limit condition (commonly 8105)

During scheduled breaks

During recognised course breaks (for example, official holiday periods set by your institution), the fortnightly hours limit is generally relaxed for student-visa holders. The precise treatment of breaks is defined by Home Affairs, so confirm what applies to your course and visa.

Keep evidence of your enrolment and term dates, and check whether any work you do — paid or unpaid — counts toward the limit.

Course progress and other conditions

A student visa also carries other conditions — for example, maintaining enrolment and satisfactory course progress and attendance. Work should not come at the cost of these conditions, since your primary purpose on a subclass 500 visa is study.

Family members included on some student visas may have their own, different work rights. Always read your own grant notice and the official guidance rather than relying on what other students tell you.

Where to verify the rules

Work conditions, the hours limit, and how breaks are treated are all set by the Australian Government and can change. Rules change frequently — verify on the official government source before acting.

This is general information, not immigration advice. For advice about your own situation, consider a registered migration agent, your institution's international student support office, or the official Home Affairs channels.