How many hours can I work while my course is in session?

Since 1 July 2023, while your course is in session you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight . This is an increase from the previous limit (40 hours). During your education provider's officially scheduled breaks and holidays, you can work without an hour limit. Check the exact limit against the condition 8105 wording on your own visa.

What exactly does 'fortnight' mean?

Under the Home Affairs definition, a fortnight is a 14-day (two-week) period that begins on a Monday . As long as your total working hours within these two weeks do not exceed 48, you are fine. You do not have to split it evenly at 24 hours each week; for example, 10 hours one week and 38 hours the next is fine, provided the total is 48 hours or less.

Does the 48-hour limit also apply during breaks?

No. During officially scheduled course breaks set by your education provider, the work-hour cap does not apply . However, the definition of 'a period when your course is not in session' follows your course schedule, so you should confirm it is an official break set by your education provider rather than a personal holiday you decide on your own.

Can I start working in advance before my course begins?

No. Work is only permitted after your course has commenced . Even if you received your visa in advance and have already arrived in Australia, you cannot work before your course start date. Confirm the start date through your CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) and your education provider's academic calendar.

What happens if I exceed the permitted hours?

Working beyond the hours permitted while your course is in session amounts to a breach of your visa conditions, such as condition 8105 , and risks visa cancellation. Employers also have a responsibility to check work rights and hour conditions via VEVO. If you are concerned about compliance, consult a registered migration agent.

I went over my work hours — can I still get paid? And what about the minimum wage?

Separately from the work-hour limit, once you work, Fair Work's minimum wage and the National Employment Standards (NES) apply equally regardless of visa type. Even if you worked beyond your permitted hours, you still have the right to be paid for the work you have already done. Unpaid wages and unfair treatment can be reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman .

Are there hour-limit exceptions for certain industries?

In the past there were temporary measures that relaxed the hour limit for certain industries (for example, aged care), but such exceptions have been ended or changed . Whether any exception currently applies to you must be verified through the official Department of Home Affairs guidance. Do not rely on outdated information.

Australian student (subclass 500) work-hour limit guide - Western Australia

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The complete guide to work-hour limits for Australian students (subclass 500)

A clear summary, based on official information, of the work-hour limits for holders of the Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

What is the student work-hour limit?

Holders of the Australian Student visa (subclass 500) can take on work such as part-time jobs, as long as they meet the conditions. However, while the course is in session there is a cap on working hours. Since 1 July 2023, the cap has been 48 hours per fortnight. By contrast, during official course breaks set by your education provider, you can work without an hour limit. This work restriction is managed through condition 8105, which is attached to most visas, and you should check the exact wording in your own visa grant letter.

Course in session vs. break — what's the difference

The key point is whether it is currently 'course in session' or an 'official break'. While your course is in session, the 48-hours-per-fortnight cap applies, and during an officially scheduled course break set by your education provider, there is no cap. In either case, however, work is only possible after the course has commenced. A 'break' is not something an individual decides arbitrarily but follows the education provider's academic calendar.

How to calculate 48 hours per fortnight

The unit for calculating the cap is not the 'week' but the fortnight (two weeks). Under the Home Affairs definition, a fortnight is a 14-day period that begins on a Monday. As long as your total working hours within these 14 days do not exceed 48, you are fine. You do not have to divide it into exactly 24 hours each week; you can distribute it freely across the two weeks, and as long as the total is 48 hours or less you have kept to the rules.

Not 'per week' but 'fortnight total'

A common misconception is thinking that only '24 hours evenly each week' is allowed. In reality, the standard is a total of 48 hours per fortnight, so you can concentrate your work — for example, 10 hours one week and 38 hours the next. Also remember that a fortnight is a fixed 14-day window starting on a Monday. If you tally your work records by cutting them off at each Monday, you can accurately manage whether you have gone over.

fortnight = 14 days that begin on a Monday. Total working hours within this period must be within 48 hours (while the course is in session).

What to check before working

Before you start working, there are a few things you must check. The most important is that work is only possible after the course has commenced. Before the start date, you cannot work even if you have already received your visa. You also need a TFN for tax purposes and to check your own visa conditions.

Check the course start date — based on your CoE and academic calendar. No work before commencement.
Apply for a TFN (Tax File Number) — apply with the ATO. Without one, a higher tax rate is withheld from your pay.
Check your visa conditions via VEVO — check your work rights and hour conditions and, if needed, prove them to your employer.

Permitted working hours by situation

Even with the same student visa, the hours you can work vary depending on 'when and what activity' it is. Here are four representative cases.

Course in session

You can work within 48 hours per Monday-starting fortnight (14 days).

Official course breaks

During breaks set by your education provider, you can work without an hour limit.

Before the course commences

Before your course start date, you cannot work. It becomes possible from commencement onwards.

Postgraduate research programs / registered placements

Master's (research) and doctoral programs may not have an hour limit applied after commencement, and a compulsory placement registered as part of the course may not count towards the 48-hour cap (check your conditions).

A checklist for working safely

This is a practical checklist for working safely without breaching the rules.

Record your working hours from each Monday to keep track that your fortnight total does not exceed 48 hours (while the course is in session).
Check the start and end dates of 'course in session' and 'official course breaks' in advance from your academic calendar.
If you work at multiple places, manage this by adding up the working hours from all employers (based on the total).

Common mistakes and points to watch out for

These are mistakes that actually happen often and points to watch out for.

Misunderstanding it as 'up to 24 hours per week' — the standard is a fortnight total of 48 hours (distribution is free).
Counting the hours of multiple part-time jobs separately — in reality you must add them all together.
Working before the course start date — it is only possible after commencement.

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