Working while on a student visa

Part-time work

You can work up to 20 hours a week if you’re studying full time and:

• your course is at least 2 years long, or
• you’re studying for a qualification that gives you points towards an application for a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.

Points Indicator for Skilled Migrant Expression of Interest

If you have to complete work experience as part of your training, this is additional to part-time work of 20 hours a week.

Full-time work

If you’re studying full time, you can work full time:

• over the Christmas and New Year holidays
• during the scheduled breaks — for example, between semesters.

Your course is full time if it lasts for at least:

• 1 academic year and gives you 120 credits or more, or
• 2 semesters over 8 months or more.

If you’re studying for a Masters degree by research or a PhD

Masters by research and PhD students can work as many hours as they like.

If your course is 6 months or longer

You can work up to 20 hours each week if:

• you’re studying full time
• the main reason for your study is to improve your English
• you have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate with an overall band score of 5.0 that’s no more than 2 years old — you’ll need to provide this with your application.

If your course is 14 weeks or longer

You can work up to 20 hours each week if you’re studying English language full time at a university or a high quality education provider.

If your course is less than 14 weeks

You may be able to work if you’ve:

• studied English on a previous student visa
• your new course follows on from the previous one, and
• it’s with the same education provider.

Secondary school students in years 12 and 13 can work up to 20 hours a week during the school year and full-time in the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

If you’re under 18, you’ll need letters giving you permission to work from:

• your school, and
• your parent or legal guardian.