A Guide to Part-Time Work for International Students in Australia

Starting uni in Australia is exciting. New campuses to explore, new routines to find and new friends to make.

In the mix of lectures and late-night study sessions, something else can fall by the wayside: your budget. Rent, groceries, transport and entertainment costs all quickly add up. Part-time work for students not only helps you earn extra income to take the sting out of your expenses, but it also builds confidence, opens the door to new friendships and enriches your experience of local life.

Here’s our guide to finding part-time work in Australia as a student from overseas. 

Domestic vs. International Requirements

As an international student on a Subclass 500 visa, you’re generally allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and unlimited hours during your breaks. 

These conditions can change, so have a quick look at the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest details.

The 48-hour fortnightly limit might seem restrictive, but it still earns enough to support your lifestyle while keeping your studies and social life on track.

Before you start working, you’ll need:

• A Tax File Number (TFN)

• An Australian bank account

• Superannuation details

If you’re worried about the superannuation part, your employer can usually help set this up.

One final thing is to make sure you are being paid correctly. Australia has strict minimum wage laws, which you are entitled to. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman website to find out the correct award rates for your role.

Why Location is Your Secret Weapon in Managing Living Costs

It might not seem like it, but where you live has a big impact on shaping how you work.

For a start, centrally located accommodation offers easy access to retail precincts, cafes and supermarkets, making part-time work easier to fit around your classes. It also lowers the cost of commuting – win, win!

With Accolade’s properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra, you’re positioned in the best place possible: close to CBDs, major shopping centres and hospitality strips, as well as some of Australia’s top-ranked universities.

Being so close to it all allows you to finish a shift and be home in minutes, or pick up extra last-minute work without reorganising your entire schedule.

When your living setup fits around your study schedule and your part-time job, everything else starts to fit into place. It’s one of those quiet wins that builds confidence in a new country. 

Where to Look

Like lots of things in life, finding part-time work for uni students is often about knowing where to start. 

• SEEK or LinkedIn: Australia’s largest job platforms, SEEK and LinkedIn both allow you to filter jobs by ‘part-time only’.

• StudentVIP: Designed specifically for students, StudentVIP lists casual and flexible roles you can fit around your uni timetable.

• University Career Hubs: Your uni’s careers portal can be a wealth of unfilled jobs.

• Major Retail Centres: Shopping centres often have noticeboards or signs in shop windows looking for casual staff.

• Walk the Neighbourhood: Some of the best opportunities are never listed online. Visit local businesses with a short CV and introduce yourself confidently. 

Typical Part-Time Roles for Students

Part-time work for uni students can be varied but generally falls into a few categories.

• Hospitality: Baristas, waitstaff and kitchen hands often work evening or weekend shifts that fit around your study schedule and social life.

• Retail: Supermarkets, clothing stores and tech shops offer structured shifts and regular hours in a team environment.

• Tutoring: If you excel academically, on-campus roles like tutoring or assisting with research can provide employment opportunities that support your degree.

Beyond these, you might also consider customer service roles, delivery driving or paid internships related your course.

Regardless of the job you choose, you’ll be building confidence and amassing a network in a new country. It all adds up.

Tips to Balance Work, Study & Living Costs

With your hard-earned cash in hand, it’s now time to budget. Do this effectively, and you’ll maximise your student experience while reducing stress over bills . 

Tip 1: Minimise the Commute, Maximise the Shift

The closer you live to work, the more time and energy you can dedicate to your job and your degree.

Tip 2: Use On-Site Amenities to Reclaim Your Time

When shared study spaces, fast Wi-Fi and communal kitchens are all in one place, you’ll spend less time organising life and more time doing the things you enjoy.

Tip 3: Set a Weekly Cap

Plan your assessment deadlines, work hours and social blocks accordingly. Find the balance that works for you, knowing it’ll change week by week.

How Accolade Student Accommodation Supports Your Work-Study Balance

Part-time work for students is a great way of boosting your confidence and independence as you settle into a new country.

It’s made even more manageable by centrally located, secure accommodation designed for students. You’re never far from campus, work, home or your next opportunity.

Explore our properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra, and find the room that stacks work, study and socialising into bigger accomplishments.