Working in Australia
International students have the same rights as all workers in Australia.
Australian Student Visa holders can work for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time during school holidays. We recommend that students check their visa conditions before starting to look for a job:
To maintain your student visa, students should remember that keeping up to date and managing studies is your top priority. Work should not interfere with class attendance, independent study time, and importantly, sleep and exercise to maintain a healthy balance of physical and mental health.
Students who plan to work in Australia whilst studying will need to apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN) here.
Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) protects workers’ rights, and workers can report issues.
You will not lose your student visa by talking to FWO.
Hotline: 13 13 94
Website: www.fairwork.gov.au
Legal Support
On campus
As an international student, you have access to free legal advice. This is available on campus here:
https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/legal
Off campus
Redfern Legal in the city are helpful for international students
https://rlc.org.au/our-services/international-students
Translation Support
If your official documents are not in English, you must supply copies of the following documents:
- the original language document
- a complete English translation of the original language document
Your documents must be translated by one of the following:
- Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural New South Wales, call 1300 651 500 (Tollfree) or visit multicultural.nsw.gov.au
- a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). The translator must be accredited as at least a ‘professional translator’. Translated documents must display the official NAATI stamp provided to qualified translators; the stamp shows the level of accreditation and the direction in which they are accredited to translate. A list of NAATI-accredited translators in Australia and some overseas locations is available at www.naati.com.au or call (02) 9267 1357
- an interstate office of the Community Relations Commission
Each translation must be accompanied by a statement which states “The translated text in this document is an accurate and complete translation of the original document” and should then also contain the translator’s signature, printed name, membership of the relevant accredited translation body (and membership number if applicable) and the date the statement is made.
