Working in Australia

Learn about your rights to work as a student visa holder in Australia.

As an international student in Australia, you are not able to work until:

  • your course commences, and
  • you have been granted a visa with permission to work by the Department of Home Affairs.

For more information on your visa conditions—including work restrictions—visit the Department of Home Affairs website (opens an external site).

You should not rely on part-time work as your main source of financial support while in Australia. While working you must abide by Australian taxation laws.

Work restrictions

The Australian Government has announced that student visa holders may work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight from July 1, 2023.

The Australian government restricts the hours student visa holders can work. These restrictions are liable to change at any time, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information on your visa conditions.


Visit UTS CareerHub for a list of part-time jobs and internship opportunities. The UTS Careers Service can help you prepare a resume and practise interview skills.

Post-study work visa

Students who complete an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree in Australia can apply for a post-study work visa from the Department of Home Affairs. This visa enables international student graduates to gain practical work experience in Australia after completing their degree.

The duration of the post-study work visa will depend on the degree attained by the graduate. These durations are liable to change, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.

Tax in Australia

If you are a student enrolled in a course of six months duration or more, you are considered a resident for tax purposes and must pay income tax. To work in Australia, you must have a tax file number (opens external site), also known as a TFN. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is responsible for the administration of Australian Government taxation.

Information regarding taxation in Australia is available on the ATO website's studying in Australia page (opens an external site).

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.