Working in Australia

Before commencing work in Australia, you will need to obtain a Tax File Number (TFN). You can do this online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website.

If you have any tax taken from your earnings, you will need to lodge a tax return at the end of the financial year using your TFN. The ATO does not use the same rules as the Department of Home Affairs. To find out your residency status for tax purposes, click here.

If you are on a student visa, you can work up to 40 hours per fortnight (14 days) in trimesters with a full-time study load. During trimester breaks and holidays, there are no restrictions on your working hours. If you are enrolled in units for the summer trimester, although it is optional, you will only be able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.

There is a set of basic working rights, including minimum pay and conditions that protects everyone who works in Australia, including international students. To find out more about your rights at work, view commonly asked questions and download the fact sheet from the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

When you have completed your studies, you may want to explore and apply for graduate positions offered by a variety of organisations. If you are an international student, there is a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) which allows graduates to stay and work in Australia temporarily upon completion of their studies. For further information, visit the Department of Home Affairs’s Post Study work arrangements website.

Jessica’s story (based on a real FWO investigation) – this story includes details of an international student’s experience at work and receiving help from the FWO.
Top tools and resources most relevant to international students.