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Balancing work and study is a big part of student life in Queensland. Fortunately, student visa holders have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, earn income, and immerse themselves in the local culture during their studies.
This guide has all the information student visa holders need for working in Australia – including Queensland. From the number of hours you can work, to preparing for a job, to tips on finding employment, here’s what you need to know about your study and work commitments.
How many hours can a student work in Australia?
The Australian international student visa (subclass 500) allows you to work while you study. While you can’t always work unrestricted hours, it’s still a great opportunity to gain work experience and support yourself financially.
The Australian government allows students to work up to 48 hours per fortnight (two-week period) when their course of study or training is in session. During semester breaks, students can work unrestricted hours. Additionally, students studying a master's by research or doctoral degree, and their family members, have no work limits.
Look for jobs that offer flexible hours to balance your study and work commitments. Part-time work, casual jobs and internships are popular among students as they provide flexibility and the chance to get industry-relevant experience. To ensure satisfactory course progress, remember to prioritise your studies over work and ensure your work hours don’t interfere with your academic performance.
Explore your career path
Starting your career in Queensland opens up numerous opportunities for international students. Whether you are looking for part-time work, internships or volunteering experiences, Queensland is the perfect place to build your career while studying.
Working in Queensland
Students can find casual and part-time work across a range of industries. Some popular fields that students choose during their studies are hospitality, retail, tourism and administrative roles. Queensland’s strong economy and growing industries, such as healthcare, education and technology, are also excellent places for students to seek out more specialised roles. Just make sure you check your visa conditions as a student visa holder and always follow Australian workplace law.
Build your career
Building your career in Queensland on a student visa involves taking advantage of various opportunities such as internships, volunteering and vocational placements. These experiences will not only boost your resume but also give you practical skills and professional networks that are invaluable for your future career.
Queensland’s educational facilities often have strong ties with local industries, which is a way for students to forge their own path through internships and job placements.
How can I prepare myself for a job?
Preparing for a job in Queensland involves getting enough relevant experience and skills that make you an attractive candidate to employers. Here are seven key ways to get started working in Australia:
Build Your Career Tiles
Work experience
Taking part in work experience can help students transition from school to work by completing paid or voluntary activities at workplaces. It's a practical way to apply your classroom learning in real-world settings and work integrated learning opportunities are embedded in many Queensland university degree programs.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get real-world skills and give back to the community. It also looks good on your resume and can create valuable networking opportunities.
Vocational placement
This involves being placed in a workplace to receive practical training and experience that is an assessable part of your course. Vocational placements are helpful for gaining industry-critical skills and knowledge.
Work integrated learning
A common component of many university degrees, Work Integrated Learning, or WIL, is a great way to build hands-on skills in your field of study, while building your professional networks and experience and gaining credit toward your studies
Working holiday with study
Combine study, travel and work with a working holiday visa. Courses of 17 weeks (4 months) or less can be completed part-time or full-time on this particular visa type, so there's plenty of flexibility and adventure ahead.
Working while studying
This is a good way to earn money and meet new people. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (two-week period) during the academic term and unlimited hours during semester breaks.
PhD and research
PhD and research work is highly encouraged in Queensland. The state government has invested millions of dollars through its Advance Queensland program to create more knowledge-based jobs. Queensland has world-leading research capabilities across multiple fields.
How do I find a job?
You can look for a job in Queensland through various resources and platforms. There are plenty of schools, agencies and websites that can assist you in securing employment. Your local Study Cluster or Regional Development Agency might also have resources to assist with job searches in your region, including:
- Cairns
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Toowoomba
- Townsville
- Regional Development Australia - Jobs North Queensland
Contact your educational institution to see if they provide job placement services or explore job search engines such as:
Internships are also a valuable way to get practical training in a real work environment. Here are some internship providers to research:
These resources and networks will help you more easily navigate the job market in Queensland. Start your search today and begin an exciting new stage of your career.
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Being a prepared job seeker
Building your employability skills is crucial to helping you succeed in the global workforce, and these are skills that you can begin to work on as soon as you start your study journey in Queensland.
Study Queensland offers resources like the Working in Queensland modules to help you build an understanding of what the world of work looks like in key industries in our state.