Can international students work in Australia?
- Work entitlements come automatically with a student visa. There is no need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.
- Community work and work that is part of the course are not counted towards the 40-hour limit.
- There is no limit on fortnightly work hours when the course is out of session.
- Family members are entitled to work 40 hours per fortnight at all times, starting from when the course commences.
For postgraduate research students, you can work unlimited hours.
- There is no work limit for students on a subclass 574 visa (postgraduate research) after beginning a masters by research or a doctoral degree.
Living and working in Australia after graduating
Studying in Australia is a path for international students to successfully apply for a General Skilled Migration Visa to the country. This is a permanent visa.
The General Skilled Migration Visa is allocated under a competitive, point-based system. Points are awarded for characteristics that include youth (applicants must be under 45), English language skills, post-secondary (university or trade) qualifications, and work experience.
A major component of the points test is the Skilled Occupations List (SOL): a list of priority occupations in high demand. You get extra points for qualifications, work experience and job offers in the priority occupations.
Although the SOL is regularly updated, students can target areas likely to be on the list when they graduate. Studying in Australia also helps students to get points for English language skills, an accredited Australian qualification, and a job offer.