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Working in Australia: How to Find Work During and After Your Studies
Written by Hannah Slack
Many students like the idea of studying in Australia because of the work opportunities available. This guide takes you through how to secure part-time roles and internships during your studies. It also covers how to secure a career in the country after graduation.
Working while studying a postgraduate degree is a great way to supplement any funding you’ve received and cover additional living costs. Domestic and international students are allowed to work during a degree in Australia and there are many jobs available for students.
How much can you work on a student visa in Australia
According to the conditions of your student visa, you can work for 48 hours a fortnight during term time. This limit doesn’t include placements, internships or other activities required by your course.
Voluntary / unpaid work isn’t included in the limit either, as long as it benefits the community, is for a non-profit organisation and satisfies certain other conditions.
You can work unlimited hours during the holidays.
Note that your right to work while studying abroad in Australia only applies for the duration of your course. You can’t work until your registration period has started and will lose your right to work in Australia if you exit your programme.
What kind of work can you do
The most common types of work postgraduate students undertake in Australia are part-time, casual contracts and internships. Each come with their own benefits and drawbacks. Make sure to consider income requirements, career direction and hours before committing to a role.
Part-time and casual work
It’s very common for students to take up part-time work both on and off campus. You may be able to pick up work in a student bar, the local shop or cafes and restaurants. Postgraduate students may also be able to find more advanced roles working for the Students’ Union or university administration.
Research assistantships and graduate teaching
As a PhD student, there may be opportunities within your department to aid academics with their research or to teach undergraduate seminars. Both these roles are typically semester dependant and so won’t necessarily provide a stable income throughout the year. However, they can be excellent opportunities to hone your research, communication and project management skills, all of which are useful for a career both in and outside of academia.
Internships
Another popular type of work among postgraduate students is internships. These tend to last between six weeks to six months in Australia and the rate of pay will depend on the employer. Internships aren’t included in your visa work allowance and so you may choose to take one alongside a casual or part-time contract.
Internships are available through educational institutions, multinational organisations and small local businesses. There are many government schemes which also help to promote these opportunities. You may be able to take an internship as part of your course and develop the key skills needed for a career in industry. Make sure to talk to your university career service to find out about any opportunities available to you.
How to find a student job in Australia
The best way to find a student job in Australia is to contact your university’s career service. They will be able to highlight any current listings and can point you in the direction of local job boards. Another option is to seek out alumni groups which may be able to help you secure internships or placements within a particular industry.
After you’ve graduated, you’ll need a new visa if you want to stay and work in Australia. There are a couple of different options, so make sure to choose the best one for you.
Post study work visas for Australia
The first option (and most common post study work visa for Australia) is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This will allow you to stay in the country while you find a job. British Overseas passport holders and Hong Kong nationals may stay up to five years. The visa also allows you to bring your family with you.
Another option is that if you’re able to secure employment for when you graduate, then your employer may sponsor your new visa. This will allow you to live in the country and work for the company who nominated you.
The final option is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). You will have to submit English test results and undergo a skills assessment to determine whether or not you will be invited to apply for a skilled visa. More information can be found on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa
The Australian government has annouced that the length of Temporary Graduate Visas granted will be reduced from up to three years to up to two years for Masters by coursework. The length granted for Masters by research stays the same at up to three years. The minimum IELTS score required is also increasing to 6.5 from 6.0 starting next year.
How to find a job in Australia once you graduate
Similarly to finding a student job, it’s recommended that you talk to the university career services about your visa options, potential employers and popular job boards for your industry. They will be able to advise you on application timescales and provide help for CV and personal statement writing.
You may also choose to reach out to alumni groups, such as the Australia Global Alumni community. Contacts are usually willing to share their own experiences, offer advice and may be able to provide information about networking opportunities.
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Hannah Slack
Hannah worked at FindAPhD as a Content Writer from 2020 to 2023. She started with us part-time whilst studying for her PhD, giving her personal experience with balancing work responsibilities with academia. Hannah has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of East Anglia, and both a Masters in Early Modern History and a PhD on Early Modern English seafarers from the University of Sheffield.
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