Permission to Work
Visa conditions and entitlements | Workplace rights | Applying for permission to work
Working whilst studying
If you or members of your family wish to work whilst you are studying, you must hold a visa with permission to work. Student visas that were granted on or after 26 April 2008 automatically include permission to work.
See: New permission to work arrangements for students (57KB)
If your student visa was granted before 26 April 2008 and you have not applied for permission to work, you and your family members can lodge an application as soon as you have commenced your studies. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) prefers on-line applications.
Visa conditions and entitlements
It is essential that you check your visa to ensure that condition 8105 (students) or 8104 (family members) is included on your visa before you start working. You and your family members can only work when you have commenced your course of study.
For a complete overview of visa conditions, see: DIAC - Conditions for Working While Studying.
Coursework students
You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week when your course is in session and unlimited hours during periods of vacation. A week is defined as the seven-day period starting on a Monday. You course is in session during standard semesters or trimesters (including examination or assessment periods) and Summer Term if you are enrolled in subjects that counts towards your course. Please refer to the University's Academic Calendar for principal dates. Work restrictions may vary for family members of international students.
Research students
You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year if you are enrolled in a course of study leading to a master by research or doctorate degree. This restriction does not apply after you have submitted your thesis and International Student Services has notified DIAC that you are required to remain in Australia during the marking of your thesis.
Family members
Members of your family who are holding a student dependant visa cannot work for more than 20 hours per week. This restriction does not apply to family members of students who have commenced a course of study leading to a master or doctorate degree.
Verifying your entitlements
If you do not have a visa label placed in your passport, you can access your visa information by using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) at any time. Many organisations across Australia, including businesses and recruitment agencies and banks, can also check your work rights after having obtained your consent.
If you wish to have a visa label placed in your passport, please visit the nearest DIAC office. During the first weeks of each semester, you can also receive your visa label from DIAC officers on campus.
Workplace rights
For information about workplace rights for international students, read the What Are My Workplace Rights? fact sheet from the Workplace Ombudsman.
Applying for permission to work
The following information is only applicable to students who were granted student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for permission to work:
Online application
| Step 1: | Submit an online request to International Student Services (ISS) to notify DIAC that you have commenced your studies. |
| Step 2: | After you have received email confirmation from ISS, submit the online application on the DIAC website. |
| Step 3: | After you have received confirmation from DIAC that your Permission to Work has been granted, visit the nearest DIAC office to receive a new visa label with Permission to Work. During the first weeks of each semester, you can also receive your visa label from DIAC officers on campus. |
Paper application
| Step 1: | Download and complete Form 157P Application for Permission to Work. |
| Step 2: | Hand in Form 157P at the International Centre and ask International Student Services to confirm your study commencement. This will take approximately 3 days to process. |
| Step 3: | After you have received an email from ISS, collect your form and send the application by registered mail to: Department of Immigration and Citizenship Please include with your application a money order from Australia Post or bank cheque made payable to “DIAC”, or complete the credit card details on Form 157P to pay the application fee. DIAC will send a letter advising you of a time and date to visit a DIAC office and receive a new visa label with Permission to Work. |