When it comes to studying in Australia, in addition to the world-class quality of education, the issue of part-time work for international students in Australia always receives special attention. Many international students want to study and work at the same time to cover living expenses, gain experience and improve their English skills.
I. Why are international students interested in working part-time while studying in Australia?
- Reduce financial burden when studying abroad in Australia: Tuition and living expenses in Australia are quite high, so many students choose to work part-time to cover some of their expenses. With part-time wages in Australia of about 23-25 AUD/hour, international students can pay for food, accommodation and basic living expenses.
- Opportunity to improve English communication: When participating in part-time jobs while studying abroad in Australia in the service, retail or restaurant industries, students have the opportunity to interact directly with native speakers, thereby improving their English and communication skills in an international environment.
- Accumulate experience and soft skills: Studying and working in Australia helps students learn time management skills, teamwork and problem solving. These are factors that are highly valued by Australian employers.
- Expanding employment opportunities after graduation: Part-time jobs, casual jobs or internships not only help students earn extra income but are also an important foundation for finding a full-time job after graduation and even support in applying for a skilled migration visa in Australia.
- Cultural integration and life in Australia: Part-time work is also a quick way for international students to integrate into the community, understand more about Australian culture and build useful social relationships for the future.
II. Regulations on part-time work for international students in Australia
1. Can I work part-time while studying in Australia?
The answer is yes. The Australian government allows international students to work part-time while studying, as long as they hold a valid student visa (Student Visa - Subclass 500). This helps many young people feel more secure when deciding to study in Australia, because in addition to studying, they can earn extra income to cover living expenses.
However, international students need to strictly follow the regulations on working part-time in Australia to avoid visa violations, because if they violate the regulations, students can be warned or have their visas revoked immediately.
2. Limit on overtime hours according to Australian law (20 hours/week, 48 hours/2 weeks)
Under current Australian law, international students are allowed to work up to 48 hours per 2-week semester, equivalent to about 20-24 hours/week. During official vacations, students can work full-time without any restrictions. This is a regulation to ensure that studying and working in Australia does not affect academic results.
3. Latest regulations 2025 on part-time work for international students in Australia
From 2025, the regulations on working part-time in Australia for international students will have some notable updates. The Australian government will tighten the management of part-time working hours to prevent students from neglecting their studies just to work.
At the same time, the minimum wage has also been adjusted to increase to 23.23 AUD/hour, helping students have a more stable source of income when participating in part-time jobs.
4. Legal and illegal forms of working part-time in Australia
When it comes to part-time work for international students in Australia, there are two common forms: legal and illegal. Working legally means that students have an official contract with an employer, pay taxes and enjoy full rights under Australian labor law.
On the contrary, illegal part-time work, which means not declaring, not paying taxes and often receiving wages below the minimum wage, still exists in the international student community. However, this form of work carries many risks: from being exploited, being paid low wages to the risk of being discovered and having your visa revoked.
III. Popular part-time jobs for international students in Australia
1. Work part-time in the restaurant, coffee shop, fast food industry
Jobs such as waiters, bartenders, cashiers or kitchen staff in restaurants, cafes, fast food in Australia often do not require much experience and allow students to flexibly work shifts according to their study schedule. The average salary ranges from 23-28 AUD/hour, especially if working evening or weekend shifts can be higher.
2. Part-time jobs at supermarkets, convenience stores, retail
Working part-time in supermarkets or retail stores in Australia is also very popular thanks to the stable environment and official contracts. Salaries are usually from 24-30 AUD/hour, depending on the location and working time. In addition, working in large supermarket chains such as Coles, Woolworths or 7-Eleven helps students have the opportunity to access a more professional working environment.
3. Part-time jobs for international students in Australia in the field of customer care
The customer service industry in Australia is always in need of a large workforce, making it easy for international students to find work. Income in this field is often higher than the minimum wage, around 26-32 AUD/hour, but requires students to have good English skills and good problem-solving skills.
4. Work part-time at university or as a research assistant
Some Australian universities offer on-campus employment opportunities for students, such as library staff, administrative support, or research assistantships for lecturers. The advantages of this job are that it is close to the learning environment, does not require much travel time, and the salary is usually quite high, ranging from 28-35 AUD/hour.
5. Freelance and online jobs suitable for international students in Australia
In addition to traditional jobs, many international students choose to freelance or work online such as content writing, graphic design, online tutoring or online marketing services. The advantage is that students can work anytime, anywhere, flexibly according to their study schedule. Income is not fixed, ranging from 15 to 50 AUD/hour depending on ability and field.
IV. Advantages and disadvantages of studying and working in Australia
1. Advantages: Gain experience, increase income, improve English
- Reduce financial burden
Living expenses and tuition fees in Australia are quite high, especially in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Thanks to part-time jobs in Australia, which pay from 23-30 AUD/hour, international students can pay for part of their rent, food, and transportation, reducing pressure on their families.
- Gain practical experience
Working part-time helps international students experience an international working environment while still in school. Part-time jobs for international students in Australia often require discipline, communication skills and teamwork, factors that are highly valued by future employers.
- Improve English communication
Many part-time jobs for international students in Australia in the restaurant, retail or service sectors require direct communication with customers. This helps students practice English every day, improving pronunciation, reflexes and speaking confidence. Regular communication in a multicultural environment also helps students easily integrate into life in Australia.
- Create long-term employment opportunities
Part-time jobs or internships often open up full-time opportunities after graduation. Australian employers highly value candidates with Australian work experience, as it demonstrates adaptability and understanding of local working culture. In addition, part-time work experience is also a big advantage if students want to apply for a skilled migration visa in Australia.
2. Disadvantages: Affects study, health and time balance
- Impact on learning outcomes
One of the major risks of working while studying is not being able to control time, leading to neglecting studies. Some students, in order to earn extra income, work overtime, causing mental fatigue and lack of concentration in class. The consequences can be a decrease in grades, even academic warning.
- Health decline
Many part-time jobs for international students in Australia, such as restaurant service or night shifts in supermarkets, often require long hours of standing or irregular shifts. This can lead to fatigue, lack of sleep and long-term health problems. If not balanced well, international students can easily fall into a state of stress and burnout.
- Difficult to balance time
Studying in Australia already requires a lot of time for studying, group work, and research. When combined with a part-time job, students often have to arrange a tight schedule, which is not for everyone. Lack of time management skills can lead to stress and affect both study and work.
- Risk of illegal employment
Due to financial pressure, some international students accept illegal jobs (underground jobs) to earn extra income. These jobs often pay less than the regulated level, do not guarantee rights and can get students into legal trouble. If discovered, students can be heavily fined or lose their Australian student visa.
3. Should you rely entirely on part-time work to cover your study costs in Australia?
Many students wonder whether working part-time while studying in Australia is enough to cover all expenses. In fact, although part-time wages in Australia are quite high compared to many countries, they are only enough to cover basic living expenses.
The average tuition fee of AUD 20,000 - 40,000/year far exceeds the part-time income, so students cannot rely entirely on part-time jobs to cover the entire cost of studying abroad. Part-time jobs should be considered as a tool to supplement finances, gain experience and improve life skills, not as the main source of income to maintain the study abroad journey.
V. How to find a part-time job while studying in Australia easily and quickly
1. Reputable websites for finding part-time jobs in Australia (Seek, Gumtree, Indeed...)
One of the most popular ways to find part-time work while studying in Australia is through online recruitment sites. Websites such as Seek, Gumtree, Indeed, Jora often post thousands of part-time job opportunities in many different fields such as restaurants, retail, customer service. International students can easily filter by location, salary and type of job to suit their study time.
2. Network of Vietnamese students and community groups in Australia
In addition to websites, many Australian international students find part-time jobs through community groups on Facebook, Zalo or student clubs. Vietnamese groups in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane often share recruitment information in the restaurant, nail, sales or cleaning industries.
3. Student Employment Support Center in Australian Universities
Most Australian universities have a Career Centre or Student Job Hub – which provides information on part-time jobs, internships and career skills workshops. These centres often have direct links with local businesses, helping students easily access legitimate jobs in their field of study.
4. Secrets to writing a CV and having a successful part-time job interview
To get a part-time job in Australia, a short, clear CV that emphasizes soft skills is very important. International students should highlight their communication skills, teamwork spirit, punctuality and diligence, which are factors that Australian employers value more than qualifications.
VI. Experience working part-time while studying in Australia
- Managing time between study and work
One of the most important part-time experiences for international students in Australia is knowing how to manage time properly. If you only focus on making money and neglect your studies, you risk being warned about your studies, affecting your study results and visa. Make a specific plan, allocate time for studying, part-time work, and rest to always maintain a balance.
- Avoid illegal "underground" jobs
Due to financial pressure, many students turn to illegal jobs (usually paying less than minimum wage). However, illegal work has many potential risks such as labor exploitation, no insurance benefits and the risk of visa cancellation if discovered. To be safe, international students in Australia should prioritize part-time jobs with clear contracts and legal protection.
- Sharing real experiences from Vietnamese students studying in Australia
Many Vietnamese students have shared that part-time work in Australia not only helps them earn extra income but also opens up opportunities to make friends and learn more about Australian culture. Some students start by working as waiters in cafes, then gradually find jobs in their field such as teaching assistants or interns in businesses.
- Tips to make the most of your part-time job in Australia
To make part-time work truly valuable, international students in Australia should choose a job that fits their study schedule and offers learning opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on income, prioritize jobs that help develop foreign languages, professional skills, or support future careers. At the same time, don’t forget to stay healthy and take reasonable breaks to avoid exhaustion while studying and working.
Conclusion
Working part-time while studying in Australia brings financial opportunities, skills and cultural experiences, but also poses challenges in terms of time and health. It is important that international students understand the regulations on part-time work in Australia, choose a job that is legal and fits with their study schedule.
