Work while studying in Australia

Australian Government allows student who had granted a student visa to work and earn money. Nonetheless, international students are permitted to work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight (a period of 14 days commencing on any Monday and ending on the second following Sunday), unless you are doing voluntary, unpaid work, it is not included in the limit of 40 hours per fortnight, such as: Internship as part of your course, work for the benefit to the community, for a non-profit organisation, etc.

Here is an example of how 40 hours of fortnight is calculated: 

• Week 1 – 15 hours work
• Week 2 – 25 hours work
• Week 3 – 25 hours work
• Week 4 – 10 hours work

Attention: You must obey the State and Territory laws of Australia in all states and you as a student will not allow to work during school hours.

How to Apply for Permission to Work on a Student Visa

There are four-steps procedures to apply in person for permission to Work on a Student Visa.

Steps:

You must have on of the following:

• A letter from the University stating that you have started your course
• The front of form 157P Application for a student visa with permission to work signed and stamped by your University

1. Pay the application charge by EFTPOS, credit card, money order, or bank cheque.
2. Complete form 157P (Application for a student visa with permission to work)

Post or submit your application to the nearest departmental office.