Work in Australia

WORK IN AUSTRALIA ON A STUDENT VISA

The student visa entitles you to work 40 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during your studies and unlimited hours during course breaks. You can use the student visa to extend your stay in Australia after a Working Holiday Visa and gain a qualification in an English speaking country.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to work while studying in Australia, including assisting with living expenses and gaining work experience in your study area.

PAID WORK

Australia has a brought range of industries and many have part-time employment opportunities, including:

Retail: Supermarkets, department and clothing stores
Hospitality: Cafes, bars and restaurants
Tourism: Hotels, hostels and travel agencies
Agriculture: Farming and fruit-picking
Sales, telemarketing and market research
Administration and assistant roles
Tutoring
Nannying

If you already have a qualification and/or professional work experience, you may be able to secure casual or part-time work in your field.

What is the difference between casual and part time work?

Part-time employees work regular hours each week and receive the same benefits as full-time employees on a proportional or pro-rata basis. They receive sick leave and annual leave. Part-time employees must give or receive notice to end the employment.

Casual employees are less likely to have regular work hours and do not receive guaranteed hours, sick leave or annual leave. They do not have a firm commitment in advance from an employer about how long they will be employed for. Casual employees also do not have to commit to all work an employer might offer. For example, an employee who works to a roster that could change each week, can refuse or swap shifts if on a casual contract.

Casual employees usually do not have to give or receive notice to end the employment. They must receive a higher hourly pay rate than equivalent to full-time or part-time employees. This is called a 'casual loading' and is paid because casual employees don't get benefits such as sick leave or annual leave.

INTERNSHIPS

Paid or unpaid internships can be a great way to get exposure to the professional industries and gain work experience in the area of your study.

Internships are typically temporary placements in workplaces. Internships can be paid or unpaid depending on the company and the length of your placement.

Benefits of undertaking an internship in Australia can include:

Contributing to your education through course credits
Gaining international work experience in an English speaking country
Improving your Business English
Working in Australia can help your chances of finding similar work after graduating.
Helping you to develop a network of professional contacts
Gaining references for future employment
Developing and learning new work skills

VOLUNTEERING

Australia’s charity and non-government organisations (NGOs) are always looking for volunteers to help out. It can be a great way to make new friends, learn more about the Australian culture, gain work experience and give back to the community. Visit govolunteer.com.au to find out more about volunteering and volunteering opportunities in Australia.

WORK RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA

Everyone working in Australia is protected by basic rights at work:

A minimum wage and superannuation
Dispute of unfair dismissal from the job
Leave and breaks
A healthy and safe work environment. Your employer must have insurance for you in case you get injured at work.

To find out more about your workplace rights and obligations in Australia, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman's website.

SUPERANNUATION

Superannuation in Australia is the arrangement put in place by the Government of Australia to assist people in Australia to accumulate money while working for an income in retirement.

If you are a temporary resident working in Australia your employer has to pay superannuation (often simply known as 'super') for you if you are eligible. There are various superannuation providers you can choose from. Most banks also offer superannuation funds. If you don't choose a super fund, your employer will automatically use their chosen fund.

When you leave Australia, you can claim your superannuation back (‘Departing Australia Superannuation Payment’ or ‘DASP’) if you meet all the requirements. To find out more about super for temporary residents visit the website of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or Moneysmart.gov.au.

TAX FILE NUMBER

You will need to get a tax file number to work in Australia. Visit the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website to apply for your tax file number and find more information about paying taxes in Australia.

HOW TO FIND WORK IN AUSTRALIA

There are various ways to find work in Australia, including:

Newspapers and online job sites
Recruitment agencies
Job notice-boards on campus (does not apply to all colleges)
Drop off your CV to retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafes and ask for work

Job and Career Sites in Australia

Career Guides (German Language)

Bewerbungsratgeber Australien

Australian CV / Resume

The format and layout of an Australian resume may differ from the standards in your home country. The German format for example is not applicable for Australia. Do not include a photo, date of birth, religion, marriage status and number of children. Including these details could be used as a basis for discrimination and can automatically disqualify your application from consideration.

German Australian Marketing Services offer a free CV check and resume updates to students who enrolled for a course through this website.

German Australian Marketing Services has a strong knowledge of the Australian job market and will work with you to ensure your resume is tailored for your desired role and industry. We will highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

You don’t qualify for the free resume service? Not a problem! Click here to get an online quotation.