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WORK IN AUSTRALIA
 

WORK IN AUSTRALIA ON A STUDENT VISA

The student visa entitles you to work 48 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.

How much is the cheapest student visa course for international students in Australia? The cheapest CRICOS course for international students in Australia is AU$1,250 every 3 months. The course duration is 6 - 12 months per course. You can study a package of multiple courses, for example 1 year Certificate III in Business + 1 year Certificate IV in Marketing + 1 year Diploma of Marketing. Speak to our Education Consultants to learn more about the right student visa course for you!

>Click here for a free quote

>Click here to learn more about Study in Australia Group - International Study & Career Advisors

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

  • Office jobs

  • Tutoring

  • Nannying

  • Pet Sitting > check out Mad Paws

 

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.

>>Click here and get support to polish and keyword-optimise your CV and LinkedIn profile

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

>>Click here and learn how to access the hidden job market in Australia

Internship work placement programs

Diploma of Social Media Marketing incl. internship

Diploma of Screen & Media incl. internship

Certificate / Diploma of Early Childhood Education & Care incl. internship

Individual support, aged care and disability courses incl. work placement

 

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 Australian culture, gain work experience and give back to the community. Visit volunteer.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). Study in Australia Group has teamed up with taxback.com to help you claim your superannuation back.

 

TAX FILE NUMBER

You will need to get a tax file number ("TFN') 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. 

ABN NUMBER

Student Visa holders and working holiday makers are allowed to work under ABN/Contract (for example as a Sole Trader, Freelancer or Personal Trainer). Having an ABN number as an option when it comes to working in Australia can open up a lot of employment options that students would not normally have access to. If you work on an ABN number you usually issue invoices to your clients or companies that you work for.

 

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 

  • Drop off your CV to retailers, hotels, restaurants, cafes and ask for work
     

>> Click here and get your customised list of potential employers, job offers, recruiting agencies and networking events

 

JOB AND CAREER PORTALS IN AUSTRALIA

 

CAREER COACHING
 

>>Click here to get career counselling for expats, international students and working holiday makers


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.

 

Study in Australia Group offers one free CV check and resume update to students who enrolled in a course through this website (offer available within the first 3 months of studies).

 

Study in Australia Group 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.


MINIMUM WAGE IN AUSTRALIA


As of 1 July 2023 the national minimum salary in Australia is $882.80 per week (for a 38 hour week) or $23.23 per hour. Penalty rates are higher pay rates that employees need to be paid for working particular hours or days. Employees may be entitled to a penalty rate when working:

  • weekends

  • public holidays

  • overtime

  • late night shifts or

  • early morning shifts

For example, penalty rates could be 150% (time and a half) of the normal base wage for work performed on a Saturday and 200% (double time) for employees who perform work on a Sunday.

Sources: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages, https://employsure.com.au/guides/wage-and-pay/penalty-rates/

>>Click here to learn more about the costs of living in Australia

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