Australia continues to be a top destination for international students, that’s why understanding student visa work rights is crucial. With rising living costs and academic responsibilities, knowing how many hours you can legally work while studying can help you better manage both your finances and your future.
Student visa working hours refer to the number of hours an international student can legally work while studying in Australia under a student subclass 500 visa. These regulations are set by the Australian Government to ensure that work doesn’t interfere with the primary purpose of the visa—education.
As of 2025, student visa holders are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight (2 weeks) during the academic semester. During official semester breaks or holidays, students can work unlimited hours.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Student visa working hours define how much paid employment a student can engage in while holding a student visa subclass 500.
These hours are limited to promote academic focus while allowing for financial and practical support.
The working hour limitations are set by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
These rules apply to all international students studying full-time in a registered course.
Students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (14 consecutive days) while their course is in session.
This limit includes all paid work across any number of employers.
It is the student’s responsibility to track and ensure they do not exceed this limit.
Students are allowed to work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, such as semester vacations or between terms.
This includes university holidays that are officially recognized.
Postgraduate research students may be eligible to work unlimited hours once their course has officially started, particularly if enrolled in a research-based program.
Volunteer and unpaid work may not count towards the limit if:
The role is genuinely voluntary (not replacing a paid position).
It benefits the community and is for a non-profit organization.
To ensure students prioritize their education.
To protect students from exploitation and overwork.
To maintain the integrity of Australia’s international education system.
A "fortnight" is a 14-day period starting on any Monday. Under the Australia student visa work restrictions, you must ensure that you don’t exceed the 48-hour limit in any given fortnight. This means:
Week 1: 25 hours
Week 2: 23 hours
Total: 48 hours
Even 49 hours in a fortnight is a violation, no matter how small the overage is.
The fortnight resets every Monday, not based on when your workweek starts or ends.
Track your hours carefully with a planner, calendar app, or timesheet.
Coordinate with your employer so they understand your restrictions and help you avoid accidental breaches.
Understanding and following the fortnightly cycle is essential to stay compliant with your visa conditions and avoid serious consequences. Exceeding the cap even by an hour can violate visa conditions.
International students are allowed to work unlimited hours in Australia during semester breaks, which can be a great opportunity to earn extra income and gain valuable experience. Here's a breakdown to help you better understand what this means:
Mid-semester breaks
Summer and winter vacations
End-of-semester breaks between academic terms
Benefits of Working During Breaks:
Earn More Money: You can work full-time and potentially save up for the next semester.
Gain Work Experience: Full-time work offers deeper learning and skill-building opportunities.
Explore Internships: Interning during the break helps boost your resume and build a professional network.
Try New Roles: Without study commitments, you can take on more responsibilities or explore different industries.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind:
Check Academic Dates: Always refer to your university's official academic calendar to confirm when your break starts and ends.
Confirm with Employers: Clearly communicate your availability and confirm your eligibility to work full-time.
Track Your Hours: Once the break ends, you must return to working within the allowed 48 hours per fortnight.
Taking advantage of semester breaks responsibly can provide both financial and career benefits, all while staying compliant with your student visa conditions.
Student Visa Work Limits in Australia
Knowing the Australia student visa work limit is crucial because exceeding your allowed hours can lead to serious consequences that affect your education and stay in the country. These restrictions are in place not just for legal compliance but also to ensure student safety and academic performance.
Visa Cancellation: If you're found working beyond your legal limit, the Department of Home Affairs may cancel your visa, leading to forced departure from Australia.
Fines and Penalties: Violating work conditions can also result in monetary fines or sanctions, impacting your immigration record.
Deportation: Repeated or severe breaches can trigger deportation and restrictions on future visa applications.
To Ensure Academic Focus: The primary purpose of a student visa is education. The work limit helps you maintain a strong academic performance without burnout.
To Prevent Exploitation: Employers may try to overwork international students. Work limits reduce the risk of being taken advantage of.
To Support Fair Employment: Keeping work hours limited ensures a level playing field with local workers and avoids labor market disruption.
To Demonstrate Compliance: Following visa rules shows respect for Australia's immigration policies, which can benefit you in future visa applications or permanent residency processes.
In recent years, there have been several adjustments to the working hours for international students in Australia to address labor shortages and economic shifts. Here’s what’s new in 2025:
Standard Limit: 48 hours per fortnight during study periods.
Holiday Periods: No work limit during official university breaks.
Postgraduate Research Students: May work unlimited hours if their course is considered full-time research-based.
Voluntary Work: Unpaid, volunteer roles in non-profit organizations are not counted toward the work limit if they meet certain conditions.
These changes aim to offer a better work-study balance while supporting students' financial needs.
Many international students in Australia find part-time jobs in sectors such as:
Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars)
Retail (supermarkets, stores)
Aged care and disability support
Cleaning and maintenance
Delivery services
Most of these roles offer flexible schedules, making them ideal for working within your Australia student visa work restrictions.
Working part-time can enrich your study experience but maintaining the right balance is essential. Overworking can lead to fatigue, poor grades, and even breaches in visa conditions. Universities often provide student support services—use them for advice on managing your schedule.
The Department of Home Affairs takes breaches of Australia student visa work restrictions seriously. Penalties include:
Visa cancellation
Deportation
Ban on future visa applications
Employers may also face legal consequences if they knowingly allow international students to work beyond their legal limits.
Keep a record of your working hours—either through your employer’s timesheets or your personal log. If you’re ever audited or questioned, this documentation will be crucial in proving your compliance.
Once you graduate, you can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), which allows you to work full-time. This is separate from the student visa working hours regulations but offers a pathway to gain full-time work experience in Australia.
You may also consider switching to an Australia work visa or consulting a migration agent Australia for long-term immigration planning.
The student visa working hours in Australia for 2025 are designed to protect international students while allowing them to gain valuable work experience. Staying informed about the Australia student visa work limit helps you avoid legal trouble and make the most of your time in Australia.
Whether you're a student juggling studies and shifts, a parent supporting a child overseas, or a consultant guiding international applicants, knowing the ins and outs of working hours for international students in Australia is essential.
Make the most of your Australian study journey—legally, safely, and successfully!
A student can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the academic term and unlimited hours during official breaks.
Yes, but the total combined hours from all jobs must not exceed 48 hours per fortnight.
Exceeding the work limit can lead to visa cancellation and legal action. Always stay within the allowed hours.
Unpaid voluntary work in legitimate non-profit organizations may not be counted, but internships that are part of the curriculum are typically exempt.
Yes, students can work unlimited hours during official university holidays and semester breaks.
If you're paid for it and it qualifies as employment under Australian law, it counts toward your 48-hour fortnightly limit.
Maintain detailed records like payslips, shift schedules, and timesheets.
