Work While You Study: Australia Student Visa Subclass 500 Work Rules 2025 – In‑Depth Guide

Australia remains one of the world’s top destinations for international students, not just for its high-quality education but also for the unique opportunity to work while you study. In 2025, the rules around working on a Student Visa (Subclass 500) have become even more detailed and strictly enforced, impacting how, when, and how much students can work. This guide breaks down the real details you need to know if you want to work in Australia during your studies, without risking your visa status or academic future.

Student Work Rights in 2025
International students in Australia on a Subclass 500 visa are allowed to work while studying, but only within clearly defined limits. The work conditions are attached directly to the visa and monitored electronically, so it’s essential to understand exactly what you’re permitted to do.

What is the Current Work Limit?
From 2025, the standard work limit for most international students is 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods. This is not a simple “week-by-week” rule—the 14-day period is rolling, meaning at any given point, your last 14 days of work must not exceed 48 hours. During official school breaks (e.g., semester holidays), you may work unlimited hours.

When Does the Work Condition Start?
You are only allowed to start working after your course officially begins. Arriving early and working before your start date is a breach of your visa.

Postgraduate Research Students
If you are undertaking a master’s by research or a doctoral degree, you may work unlimited hours, but only after your research program or thesis work officially commences. Coursework master’s students are not included in this exemption.

Dependent Family Members
Family members of certain postgraduate students may also be allowed to work full-time. For undergraduates, dependents are generally restricted to 48 hours per fortnight.

Aged Care & Critical Sectors
Aged care workers and some students in critical sectors may have special work concessions, but these are reviewed annually and typically require registration with government programs.

Why “Fortnight” Isn’t Just Two Calendar Weeks
Australia’s definition of a “fortnight” is any consecutive 14-day period. If you work 30 hours in one week and 18 in the next, but those 30 and 18 overlap over 14 days, you risk breaching your limit. Always count your hours on a rolling basis.

Best Practice: Track Your Hours Daily
Keep a work diary and update your hours at the end of every shift. Relying on employer pay periods is risky, as the Department of Home Affairs uses the rolling period calculation when monitoring compliance.

Common Jobs for Students

• Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars)
• Retail (supermarkets, shops)
• Tutoring and academic support
• Administration and office work
• Cleaning, delivery, and logistics
• Aged care and health support roles

Pay Rates in 2025
Minimum wage in Australia is robust, and most student jobs pay between AUD $23–$27 per hour. Tips are rare in Australia; pay is almost always at or above minimum wage. Employers are required to pay superannuation (retirement savings) for eligible students.

Record-Keeping and Tax

• Tax File Number (TFN): If you work, you must have a TFN for legal tax deductions.
• Payslips: Your employer must give you payslips for every pay period.
• Record Your Shifts: Keep your own copy of hours worked for cross-checking with your payslips.

Consequences of Breaching Work Conditions

• Visa cancellation
• Detention and deportation
• Ineligibility for future Australian visas
• Employers may also be fined or barred from hiring overseas students

Full-Time Study Load
Your primary purpose in Australia is study.

• Maintain full-time enrolment
• Attend required classes and tutorials
• Make satisfactory academic progress

If your academic performance drops or you fail to attend, your institution must report this, which can result in visa cancellation.

Changing Courses or Reducing Study Load

• Changing courses or dropping units may impact your full-time status
• Always check with your international student advisor before making academic changes

What Counts as a Break?

• Official breaks are periods listed by your education provider (e.g., winter/summer vacation, not personal leave)
• You must still remain enrolled in your course, not just be between semesters

Risks of Overworking
Working unlimited hours is only allowed during official breaks. Working more than 48 hours in a fortnight during regular teaching periods is a breach—even if you think you’re on a “break” but it’s not institution-approved.

Higher Financial Proof
In 2025, applicants must show proof of funds to cover living costs, tuition, and travel—often exceeding AUD $29,000 per year, not including tuition.

Visa Application Fee
The Subclass 500 visa application fee is over AUD $1,600 in 2025, making compliance and accurate application more important than ever.

Health Insurance
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory throughout your stay and must cover your entire course period.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
On graduation, students can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa, which allows full-time work rights. Eligibility is dependent on your course type, CRICOS registration, and other changing policy requirements in 2025.

Recent Changes
Duration and eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa are being tightened in 2025. There are age limits and stricter requirements based on the field of study, especially outside health and STEM sectors.

• Use a work hours tracker app or physical diary to avoid accidental breaches
• Consult your university or TAFE’s international student support for job listings and legal work advice
• Never accept cash-in-hand or “under the table” jobs—these are illegal and put your visa at risk
• Prioritise your studies—your future career prospects depend on strong academic performance and a clean visa record

Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Australian Student Visa in 2025

Working while studying in Australia offers tremendous benefits—from financial support to professional growth—but the system is built on trust, integrity, and strict rules. In 2025, the rules are clearer and enforcement is stronger than ever. Stick to your work limits, stay on top of your studies, and follow the rules, and you’ll have a safe, productive, and successful experience as an international student in Australia.