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Your working rights in Australia will depend on your visa. The subclass 500 Student visa is the most common visa type for international students and allows you to work during your studies.

If you have a different visa, make sure you check your working rights carefully. You can find more information on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

Working hours

If you hold a subclass 500 Student visa, you’re allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester. You can also work unlimited hours over your study breaks, making holidays an excellent time to save up some extra money!

Minimum wage

In Australia, employers are required to pay you fairly. This means you must be paid at least the federal minimum wage, which is set at $23.23 per hour as of 1 July 2023.

Your minimum wage may differ from this, depending on the industry you’re in and the award you’re under. You’ll also receive a higher rate of pay if you’re a casual employee. 

If you’re unsure of your entitlements, The Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO’s) Pay and Conditions Calculator can help you figure out your minimum pay rate.

So, you’re ready to find your perfect job, but where do you start? Luckily, there are lots of fantastic resources on hand.

Websites like Seek, Indeed and Jora are good for exploring a wide range of jobs in different industries. Alternatively, specialised job boards, like I work for NSW and EthicalJobs, can be great places to go to look for roles in specific areas, like the public or non-profit sectors. 

As an international student in Sydney, you can also access NSW Jobs Connect for International Students, which is delivered by Study NSW and SEEK. This initiative connects you with employers who have expressed interest in hiring international students. 

UTS students also have access to CareerHub. CareerHub’s job board makes it easier than ever to find your ideal role, with tailored opportunities for jobs, internships, volunteering and more.

Lastly, don’t forget to leverage your network! Talk to your friends, peers and even your lecturers to let them know you’re looking for work. You might be surprised at the opportunities you uncover!

The FWO is the best place to go for information and advice on your rights and obligations at work.

The FWO website has plenty of excellent resources for you to explore, including calculators, templates and fact sheets. They even have information just for international students. 

If you feel you’ve been exploited or treated unfairly by an employer, contact the FWO directly.

If you need a little support with your job search, UTS Careers offers a wide range of services to get you employment-ready and help you land your next student job.

In particular, you’ll find lots of fantastic workshops, events and competitions throughout the year. In these sessions, you’ll learn essential skills, enhance your employability and boost your chances of success throughout all stages of your career journey.

With UTS Careers, you can even sign up for professional mentoring or upload your resume online to receive instant advice and feedback on how it can be improved.

If you need more guidance or want to learn more about the resources on offer, you can always speak to a Peer Career Advisor. Advisors are available from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, and you can easily book an appointment online.