A popular study destination, Australia attracts millions of students every year. Its rich cultural diversity, world-class education, and wide range of employment opportunities are some of the factors that have contributed to this growth.
Managing finances while studying become important for international students once they start their study program. Working part-time along with studying helps them earn some extra income and gain exposure. Before we move further to know about the types of part-time jobs in Australia, let’s start by knowing about some employment rights in the country.
Part time jobs in Australia for students- Rules to follow
There are several rules for part time jobs in Australia for students. These govern the application and execution of part time jobs in Australia for international students. Student Visas have undergone a change in Australia from 1st July 2016. The previous Subclasses, namely 571-576 have been clustered under Subclass 500. Hence, students venturing to the country under this subclass will have eligibility for working up to 40 hours every fortnight while their course is in session and unlimited hours when the course is not in session, i.e., during breaks and holidays. However, the student cannot start working till the course starts. The fortnight means a duration of 14 days, commencing on a Monday and concluding on the Sunday of the following week. Hours may be divided as per the convenience of students. For example, students may work for 10 hours in a week and 30 hours in the second week or even 15 and 25 hours respectively in the two weeks.
Breaching the guideline of 40 hours will lead to the visa cancellation. Those seeking continuous part-time work should restrict themselves to working for 20 hours every week on average. As mentioned, students may not start working until the beginning of the session. For example, suppose a course begins in January this year and you arrive by December in the previous year. Then you cannot start part time work until the session officially starts. If casework is a regular component of the course curriculum that you have enrolled in, then this limit will not be applicable. This will apply only in case of compulsory internships linked to integrated courses. Students falling under the Post Graduate Research Sector may work for unlimited hours when their doctoral thesis or research work starts. If there are any preliminary courses that students have enrolled in, they will have the eligibility to work for 40 hours every fortnight as per the standard guidelines.
Those completing study requirements for Australia may apply for the Post Study Work Permit in the Graduate Stream. Yet, those enrolling in ELICOS will be unable to apply for Post Study Work Permit for Australia. If students are applying under the Post Graduate Research Sector or taking any preliminary course, then they will have the eligibility to work for just 40 hours in a fortnight throughout the tenure of the course that they have enrolled in. Only when the Research Course starts, students will have permission for working for unlimited hours. You should remember that a Tax File Number is required for working part time and as a global student with a foreign passport, and you may apply for TFN online itself courtesy of the official website.
The Australian Government has stipulated that all students will have similar privileges with regard to working while they are studying. They will have the right to minimum wages as laid down under the Fair Work Act of 2009 and may challenge unfair dismissal from any job along with being entitled to rest periods and breaks while being entitled to safe and healthy working environments as well.
With an Australian student visa, international students can work for more than 40 hours a fortnight during the semester. However, they can work unlimited hours during semester breaks. As an employee, they receive some specific entitlements known as National Employment Standards including;
Annual leave
Long service leave
Community service leave
Public holidays
Parental leave and related entitlements
Compassionate leave and personal carer’s leave
Provision of a Fair Work Information Statement
Requests for flexible working arrangements
Notice of termination and redundancy pay
How to find part time work in Australia
Finding part-time jobs in a foreign country may seem like a difficult task but it isn’t. Here are some platforms that can help you with your job search while you pursue your education in Australia.
Type of part time jobs in Australia and minimum wages
There are two types of part-time jobs that students can explore while studying in Australia.
On-campus
Peer Tutoring
One of the best jobs that students can take up is peer tutoring, helping other students who might face difficulty in studying certain subjects. As a tutor students will be responsible for helping the tutee with completing the syllabus and assignments.
Teaching Assistant
Another interesting part-time role that the students can take up is of a teaching assistant where they will be responsible for assisting the professors in fulfilling their daily duties that including planning lectures, checking assignments, etc.
Research Assistant
As a Research Assistant, students are responsible for helping the managers with research projects that involve collecting and analyzing data and laboratory experiments.
Library Assistant
Library assistants are responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the library. Their duties include helping the visitors in picking the books, arranging the bookshelves, etc.
Off-campus
Customer Support Representative
A customer support representative is responsible for informing the customers about the products and services of the organization and solving their queries along the way.
Store Associate
A store associate carries out all administrative tasks that must be performed for the smooth running of the store. These tasks include recommending products to customers, cleaning the store, etc.
Translator
Another compelling off-campus role that students can explore is of a translator. This is an excellent opportunity that allows the students to learn new languages as a part of their role
Waiter
Waitering is probably one of the most popular part-time jobs. It is an interesting job profile to get an idea to get a brief overview of the hospitality industry.
Highest paying part-time jobs in Australia for international students
Part-time jobs
Average pay per hour
Aged care worker
AUD 35 (INR 1,961)
Delivery driver
AUD 20.33 (INR 1,136)
Personal tutor
AUD 20.33 (INR 1,136)
Sales representative
AUD 30 (INR 1,681)
Customer Service
AUD 26 (INR 1,457)
Secretary
AUD 25 (INR 1,401)
Oral Hygienist
AUD 32 (INR 1,793)
Waiter
AUD 24 with tip (INR 1,345)
Personal trainer
AUD 25 (INR 1,401)
Admin Executive
AUD 30 (INR 1,681)
Average salary of part-time jobs in Australia
The below table shows the average salary of some lucrative part-time jobs in Australia
If you take admission in a course at an Australian university lasting more than six months or more, you may be regarded as an Australian resident for tax purposes. This means:
You would be required to pay taxes on your earnings at the same rate as other residents
You are eligible to receive the benefits of the Australian tax system, such as the tax-free threshold (or part of it, if you stay in Australia for just one part of the financial year)
tax offsets
generally lower tax rates than a foreign resident
Things to remember know when searching part-time jobs in Australia
A student cannot start his part-time job before the official start of the academic session. He/she may be able to arrive a few months or days early but can’t begin his/her job.
This limit doesn’t apply to students who are enrolled in a course that demands casework regularly.
Students who are enrolled in a PhD program or are from the postgraduate research sector can work for unlimited hours when the thesis work begins. Working hours in Australia are limited to 40 per fortnight if these students are pursuing a preliminary course.
You can get a post-study work permit in Australia if you fulfill all the study requirements.
Laws applicable to international students working part-time in Australia
Studying and working in Australia for international students has been made rewarding because of the several laws that are in place to protect their rights. Here are some of the rights reserved by the Australian government for part-timers, irrespective of nationality:
A minimum wage of AUD 20.33/hour or AUD 772.60/week as dictated by the Fair Work Act 2009.
Proper rests and breaks.
Right to oppose unfair dismissal.
A secure and healthy workplace.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in Australia
Purchasing and maintaining OSHC for your entire span of stay is an important requirement if you want to go to Australia on a student visa. It is a key visa requirement as well.
It covers the cost of hospitalization and health treatment. An OSHC can also help you save on ambulance service. The cover for singles will cost a minimum of AUD 478 (INR 26,740) for a year.
Manage your cost of living in Australia with upGrad Abroad
While the part-time jobs for international students in Australia pay decently, they can cause some discomfort to those who find it difficult to multitask or solely want to focus on their studies.
So, how can one manage one’s living expenses if they don’t wish to work part-time? The answer is simple! Reach out to upGrad Abroad and explore its UA Accelerator Programs to reduce your education and living costs by a whopping number.
Our UA Accelerator Programs in collaboration with Australian universities like Torrens University, University of Canberra, and others allow a blended model of study. Under this system, the students can learn online for the first few semesters with a renowned Indian college and then move to complete the rest of the course on-campus in Australia.
Is it easy to get a part-time job in Australia for international students?
Part-time jobs are not very difficult to get as an international student. Some of the top job-searching platforms you can use for the same are Linkedin, Adzuna, CareerOne, Indeed Australia, and Gumtree.
What is the average part-time salary in Australia?
The average part-time salary in Australia is $35 per hour and $68,253 per year.
What are some of the in-demand part-time jobs in Australia for international students?
Some of the most popular part-time jobs in Australia are Tutor, Cashier, Waiter, Babysitter, Personal trainer, and Customer Service Representative.
Do international students pay taxes in Australia?
Yes, international students must pay taxes in Australia provided that they are enrolled in a course that would last more than six months.
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.
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