Working in Australia while studying
Jan 13th, 2008 by Study Abroad
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can apply for permission to work once they commence their course. Applying for a student visa with permission to work can be done electronically or on paper using form 157P.
A visa with permission to work enables you to work up to 20 hours a week on a casual basis during course time and full-time during vacation periods. In some cases family members can also apply for permission to work up to 20 hours a week throughout the year. In the case of masters and doctorate students and AusAID or Defence-sponsored students, family members can apply for permission to work unlimited hours. If you are the family member of a student who has commenced a masters or doctorate course, you must bring evidence from the education provider that the student has started this course. Under certain circumstances dependants of students are permitted to work.
The application charge for a student visa with permission to work is A$60 however this is subject to yearly review. Check the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website for up to date details
The money you earn from working in Australia should only supplement your income and not be used as your only source of income. Before you come to Australia, you must show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of your study.
Most students take part-time or casual jobs at some time during their studies. Some jobs are closely tied to courses of study (such as formal cadetships and informal arrangements such as part-time work by law students in solicitors’ offices). Some students tutor school children or get jobs on campus in the canteen, the bookshop, in the institution’s offices and as laboratory assistants. Some jobs are entirely outside the education community such as bartending, babysitting, gardening, hospitality, sales, information technology, restaurants, checkout work or fruit picking.
Some institutions offer a job placement service. If work is available you will need to obtain a tax file number (TFN) from the Australian Tax Office.
A TFN is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems. It’s one of your most important forms of identification in Australia. It’s yours for life and keeping it secure is a good defence against identity theft.
While it is not compulsory to quote a TFN without one you may:
* pay more tax than necessary, or
* not be able to get government benefits you are entitled to receive.
A TFN will also help you:
* lodge a tax return
* ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
* start or change jobs
* limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.
Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.
Applying for a TFN
If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia you can apply for a TFN online after you arrive in Australia if you have a:
* visa that allows work rights
* visa that allows permanent migration
* valid overseas student visa, or
* valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
To apply complete the Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration. When applying online, you do not have to physically provide proof of your identity.
Applying for a TFN using false or other peoples’ identity details, or misusing your TFN, can mean heavy fines or jail.
If you need more information about TFNs, you can:
* visit the Tax Office website at http://www.ato.gov.au/ or
* phone +61 2 6216 1111 between 8.00am and 6.00pm AEST, Monday to Friday.
Student visa information on this website is an outline only and subject to change. For more detailed, accurate and up-to-date information on student visas and visa requirements please check the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.