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 or unpaid work you must apply for Permission to Work. It is included in the limit of 20 hours per week.
Dependent family members granted Permission to Work	You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year. Exceptions: Family members of the following students can apply to work unlimited hours once the student starts their main course: students studying in Masters by coursework (visa 573) students studying in Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 574) students sponsored by AusAID or Defence and studying in Masters by coursework, Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 576).

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 or unpaid work you must apply for Permission to Work. It is included in the limit of 20 hours per week.

Dependent family members granted Permission to Work

You can work a maximum of 20 hours per week throughout the year.
Exceptions: Family members of the following students can apply to work unlimited hours once the student starts their main course:

students studying in Masters by coursework (visa 573)
students studying in Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 574)
students sponsored by AusAID or Defence and studying in Masters by coursework, Masters by research or Doctoral degree (visa 576).

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 your education provider wants you to remain in Australia after your Confirmation of Enrolment is no longer in effect while your postgraduate thesis is being marked.

Example: If your Confirmation of Enrolment is in effect until 30 November 2006 and you submit your thesis in September 2006, your course is in session either:

up to 30 November 2006
or
until your education provider notifies the department of your early course completion.

Visas & Immigration

Students

Conditions for Working While Studying

When is your course in session?