Studying in Australia isn’t just about lectures and late-night assignments — it’s also about managing living costs, gaining local work experience, and making the most of your student visa.
And if you're an international student trying to juggle all that, one question probably keeps popping up:
“How many hours can I work in Australia as a student?”
It’s not just a casual curiosity — it affects your income, visa status, and even academic performance. Whether you're picking up weekend shifts at a café or working online after classes, knowing your legal limits could save you from visa trouble down the line.
Let’s break it down clearly, so you don’t risk making the wrong move.
Straight to the point: If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session.
During official semester breaks: Unlimited hours are allowed.
Note for research degrees: Masters by research and PhD students aren’t capped during teaching periods. Always check your own visa in VEVO. Department of Education
What’s a “fortnight”? A 14-day window (Mon–Sun) used to total your hours.
If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500) and your course has started, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods, and unlimited hours in official breaks.
All international students on a valid Student visa (subclass 500) visa once classes commence. Use VEVO to confirm your personal work conditions.
You cannot work before your course begins (condition 8105). Once you’ve officially started, normal limits apply.
COVID-era unlimited work ended 30 June 2023; from 1 July 2023 the cap is 48 hours/fortnight in session. (There was a specific aged-care carve-out that ended 31 Dec 2023.) (Department of Home Affairs Website, Study Australia, Department of Education)
If you’re studying a master’s or doctorate, your eligible family members can work unrestricted hours once your course has started. Otherwise, they’re generally limited to 48 hours/fortnight.
For masters students in Australia, the rule is the same as for undergraduates — you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during official breaks.
The only exception is for research students (Masters by Research, MPhil, and PhD), who enjoy no cap on working hours during study periods. This flexibility recognises that their workload is project- and thesis-based rather than fixed to classroom hours.
Not every activity that looks like “work” is treated the same under Australian visa rules. Misunderstanding this is one of the easiest ways for students to breach conditions. Here’s what you need to know:
Any job where you receive wages or salary — retail, hospitality, admin, campus work — all count towards your 48-hour/fortnight limit.
If it’s arranged by your employer, those hours still count.
Only mandatory placements built into your course are usually exempt.
🚗 Uber, 🍔 food delivery, 💻 online gigs → yes, they’re counted as work.
The tricky part? Some platforms don’t show clear shift records, so it’s on you to track hours.
If training is part of your employment contract (e.g., induction shifts or mandatory safety training), those hours are included in your total.
👉 Many students overstep by assuming only paid shifts matter. To avoid mistakes, confirm your obligations in VEVO and, if unsure, ask experts like PickMyUni before saying yes to extra hours.
Working beyond your permitted hours isn’t just a small mistake — it’s a serious breach of your student visa. The consequences can follow you for years:
❌ Visa cancellation – The Department of Home Affairs can cancel your Student visa if you’re found in breach.
✈️ Deportation risks – You may be required to leave Australia immediately, disrupting your studies and career plans.
🚫 Future visa problems – Overstaying your work rights leaves a record on your immigration file, making it harder to apply for future visas (including post-study work visas or permanent residency).
Minimum wage: As of 2025, the national minimum wage is AUD $24.10 per hour — though many student jobs may pay slightly above this depending on the industry and penalty rates (like weekends or late nights).
👉 Need more time to work without breaching visa rules? PickMyUni can help you switch to part-time study pathways so you can free up your schedule and increase your income options.
