Conditions for Working While Studying

If you have been granted Permission to Work, there are restrictions on the number of hours you can work.

If you were granted a Student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you and your dependent family members will already have Permission to Work automatically included with your visa.

If you were granted a Student visa before 26 April 2008 and have not yet applied for Permission to Work, you and your family members may only apply for Permission to Work after you have started your course in Australia.

The table below outlines the work entitlements for you and your dependent family members if you have permission to work.

See: How to Apply for Permission to Work

Type of Applicant	Work Entitlement
Students granted Permission to Work	You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the term and unlimited hours when your course is not in session. Notes: Work that is a formal registered part of your course is not included in the limit of 20 hours per week. If you are doing voluntary, unpaid work, it is not included in the limit of 20 hours per week if it: is of benefit to the community is for a non-profit organisation would not otherwise be undertaken in return for wages by an Australian resident (that is, it is a designated volunteer position), and is genuinely voluntary (that is, no remuneration, either in cash or kind is received, – board and lodging acceptable).
Dependent family members granted Permission to Work	Dependent family members. can work up to 20 hours per week at all times must not start work until the primary visa holder has commenced the course in Australia have unlimited work rights if the primary visa holder has commenced a course towards a masters or doctorate degree.

Important: You must also comply with the State and Territory laws of Australia. Under all State and Territory laws, you cannot work during school hours if you are under the school leaving age, which in most states is 15 years of age.

When is your course in session?

The department considers your course to be 'in session':

• for the duration of the advertised semesters (including periods when exams are being held)
• if you have completed your studies and your Confirmation of Enrolment is still in effect
• if you are undertaking another course, during a break from your main course and the points will be credited to your main course.

See: How to apply for permission to work

Research students
You can work unlimited hours if you are a PhD student and you have submitted your thesis for marking.