Working on a student visa

You are allowed to work a limited number of hours while in Australia on a student visa.

Work restrictions

From 1 July 2023, work restrictions for student visa holders will be re-introduced.

Student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the pandemic, and completely removed in January 2022 to allow primary and secondary student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight to address workforce shortages. This will end on 30 June 2023.

From 1 July 2023, work restrictions for student visa holders will be re-introduced and capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight.

Student visas are subject to condition 8104 or 8105, which allow limited work in Australia. Under these conditions:

  • You (and your dependants, if any) can only work after you have commenced your course
  • You (and your dependants, if any) must adhere to the work hour restrictions set out in your visa conditions.

For a complete overview of work conditions, please see the Department of Home Affairs website.

Student work hour restrictions

Student type When course is in session When course isn't in session
Coursework students who have started their degree 48 hours per fortnight* Unlimited hours
Graduate researchers who have started their degree Unlimited hours N/A
AusAwards or Defence students 48 hours per fortnight* Unlimited hours

Dependant work hour restrictions

Dependant type When course is in session When course isn't in session
Dependants of student visa holders enrolled in a Master or Doctorate degree Unlimited hours N/A
Dependants of all other student visa holders 48 hours per fortnight* N/A


*48 hours per fortnight takes effect from 1 July 2023

More information

  • How is 48 hours per fortnight calculated?

    A fortnight is a 14-day period which starts on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. You may not work more than 48 hours during any fortnight (after 1 July 2023).

    For example, if you worked the following hours:

    • Week 1: 10 hours
    • Week 2: 30 hours
    • Week 3: 20 hours
    • Week 4: 20 hours

    You would have worked more than 48 hours during the second fortnight (weeks 2 and 3) and would be in breach of visa conditions.

  • When is my course in session?

    Your course is considered in session:

    • For the duration of advertised semesters, including examination periods (even if you do not have any exams) and mid-semester breaks
    • Any time you are enrolled in one or more subjects which will count as credit towards your main course.

    To find out the Semester 1 and Semester 2 dates, as well as the examination period dates, see the University dates page. If you are enrolled in an intensive or non-standard subject, refer to the subject's entry in the University Handbook for teaching and assessment period dates.

  • How can someone else check my work restrictions?

    Many organisations across Australia, including employers, recruitment agencies and banks, can also check your work conditions after getting your consent.

    If someone wants to you to verify your work rights, provide them with a copy of your visa grant letter or a link to Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).

  • Does the University provide support for finding a job?

    The Careers and Employability team provides support for students to obtain work during studies and after graduation. Current opportunities are posted on the Careers Online: Jobs Board.

Internship subjects

Hours worked for internship subjects undertaken as electives will count towards your student visa work hour limits.

Hours worked for internship subjects which are a mandatory requirement of your course will not count towards your student visa work hour limits.

If you’re unsure whether your internship is mandatory, check the list of courses with a mandatory work experience component.

Undertaking an internship while offshore

If your course has a for-credit internship opportunity, you can work with your faculty internship coordinator on gaining approval to undertake your internship in your home country. Some opportunities are also being advertised through faculties. For some professional programs, it may not be possible to undertake practicum requirement outside of Australia.

Internship visa requirements for international students outside Australia

You do not need an Australian student visa to undertake an internship, either in-person or remotely, while you are outside of Australia. However, you should think about obtaining a visa so that your time studying remotely is counted towards your study period for your post-study work visa application.

Courses with a mandatory work experience component

The following courses have a work experience component included in their CRICOS registration. Work experience hours required for these courses will not count towards your visa work hours limit.

  • Associate Degree in Urban Horticulture
  • Bachelor of Oral Health
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
  • Doctor of Clinical Dentistry
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Physiotherapy
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
  • Executive Master of Arts
  • Graduate Certificate in Modern Languages Education
  • Graduate Certificate in Modern Languages Education (Stream A)
  • Graduate Certificate in TESOL
  • Graduate Certificate in TESOL (Stream A)
  • Graduate Diploma in Pedagogy
  • Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood)
  • Master of Agricultural Sciences
  • Master of Biotechnology
  • Master of Business Analytics
  • Master of Clinical Audiology
  • Master of Computational Biology
  • Master of Creative Arts Therapy
  • Master of Data Science
  • Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation
  • Master of Environment
  • Master of Environmental Science
  • Master of Industrial Research (Chemistry)
  • Master of Marketing Communications
  • Master of Music (Orchestral Performance)
  • Master of Music (Performance Teaching)
  • Master of Music Therapy
  • Master of Nursing Science
  • Master of Production Design
  • Master of Social Work
  • Master of Teaching
  • Master of Teaching
  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
  • Master of Teaching (Primary)
  • Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  • Master of Theatre (Voice)
  • Master of Translation
  • Master of Translation (Enhanced)

Voluntary work

One way to gain work experience and professional skills is to work as a volunteer. Hours spent volunteering will not count towards your student visa work hour limits, if:

  • your main purpose in Australia continues to be your studies (and any work remains a secondary activity)
  • the work is genuinely voluntary, and would not otherwise be undertaken by an Australian resident as employment
  • the activities are for a non-profit organisation and no remuneration (in cash or kind) is received in return.

For more information, see the Fair Work Ombudsman fact sheet on unpaid work.

Workplace rights

If you will be working while in Australia, it's important to understand your workplace rights about things like pay, working conditions and health and safety.

Our careers website has information about pay rates, work rights, and employment contracts. It also has specific information about your work rights during an internship.

Other useful resources include: