Can International Students Work Unlimited Hours During Academic Terms?

Australia is one of the world’s foremost destinations for international students, recognised for its academic excellence and dynamic lifestyle. In 2024, more than 650,000 international students were enrolled across Australian institutions, highlighting the country’s strong appeal. For many of these students, combining study with part-time work is integral to their experience.

• Global reputation: Australian universities consistently rank among the top worldwide.
• Strong international presence: Over 650,000 overseas students enrolled in 2024.
• Work rights with study: Student visas allow limited employment alongside academic commitments.
• Career readiness: Part-time roles build practical skills and enhance employability.
• Cultural engagement: Work opportunities encourage integration into Australian society.

A common question emerges: Can international students work unlimited hours during academic terms? The answer is complex and shaped by visa conditions, government updates, and policy changes.

 

Understanding the Work Rights of International Students

International students entering Australia usually hold a Student Visa (subclass 500), which is designed to balance education with the opportunity to work. This visa grants holders the ability to:

• Pursue full-time study at a registered Australian institution.
• Reside in Australia for the length of their chosen study program.
• Undertake part-time employment, within conditions set by the Australian Government.

These work conditions are outlined in the visa grant notice and monitored by the Department of Home Affairs. The framework ensures that students can support themselves financially while keeping their academic commitments as the primary focus.

 

Standard Work Restrictions for International Students

To maintain a balance between academic responsibilities and employment, the Australian Government places clear limits on the work rights of international students. As of July 2023, the following conditions apply:

Situation	Work Rights
During academic terms	Up to 48 hours per fortnight (approximately 24 hours per week)
During scheduled breaks	Unlimited hours
Postgraduate research students	Unlimited hours
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)	Not counted toward work limit

This framework ensures that students can gain valuable professional experience and financial support while maintaining their primary focus on academic success.

 

Common Part-Time Jobs and Industries for International Students

International students frequently balance their studies with part-time or casual employment. These roles are flexible, allowing students to earn an income while managing academic schedules. Below are popular sectors and their typical hourly wage ranges:

• Hospitality and retail: Roles in cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops are common, with wages around AUD 22–28 per hour.
• Tutoring and education support: Students proficient in English, maths, or STEM subjects can earn AUD 30–45 per hour.
• Aged care and health services: Growing demand has increased wages to AUD 25–35 per hour.
• Administrative and office support: Universities and local businesses offer part-time roles, paying AUD 24–32 per hour.
• Delivery and ride-share services: Flexible app-based work usually provides AUD 23–30 per hour, though awareness of worker rights is essential.

These opportunities not only provide financial support but also build transferable skills, workplace experience, and networks that can support long-term career goals.

 

Current Work Hour Policies for International Students

The Australian Government regulates international student work conditions under the Department of Home Affairs. As of 2025:

• During study periods: Up to 48 hours per fortnight.
• During official breaks: No limits during semester breaks or holidays.
• Postgraduate research students: Unlimited work hours permitted.
• Critical sector exemptions: Temporary concessions (e.g., aged care) have ended, restoring pre-pandemic norms.

Exceptions within this framework include:

• Course-integrated placements (not counted toward the cap).
• Scheduled academic holidays (full-time work permitted).
• Government-announced exemptions in labour-shortage industries.

 

Why Work Limits Are Enforced for International Students

Work restrictions for international students in Australia are carefully designed to maintain a balance between education and employment. While part-time work provides financial and professional benefits, the government ensures that study remains the primary focus of the Student Visa. The limits exist for several important reasons:

• Academic success: International students make a significant investment in their education, and the cap ensures they can devote sufficient time to lectures, assignments, and exams. Excessive work commitments could compromise academic outcomes, reducing the long-term value of their studies.
• Health and wellbeing: Balancing study, work, and life in a new country can be challenging. By limiting work hours, the policy helps prevent burnout, stress, and mental health concerns, promoting a healthier student experience overall.
• Immigration integrity: The Student Visa is intended primarily for education, not as a pathway for unrestricted employment. Work limits safeguard the integrity of the visa system and maintain public confidence in Australia’s immigration framework.
• Fair labour practices: Restrictions protect international students from exploitation in industries where long hours and low wages are common. They also help ensure that employment opportunities are shared fairly between local and international workers.

By enforcing these measures, Australia ensures that international students not only gain financial support and experience but also succeed in their academic journey and maintain overall wellbeing.

 

Global Comparison of International Student Work Rights and Hourly Wages

International students often rely on part-time work to support their living expenses. While work-hour restrictions are common across study destinations, the typical wages vary depending on country and industry. Below is a comparison of hourly earnings:

Country	Work Hour Limit (During Term)	Average Hourly Wage	in AUD
Australia	48 hours per fortnight	AUD 23–35	AUD 23–35
Canada	20 hours per week	CAD 14–20	~AUD 16–23
United Kingdom	20 hours per week	GBP 12–15	~AUD 23–29
United States	20 hours per week (on-campus, off-campus requires approval)	USD 12–15	~AUD 18–23
New Zealand	20 hours per week	NZD 22–28	~AUD 20–25

 

Benefits of Part-Time Work for International Students

Even with hour caps, part-time work offers significant advantages for international students:

• Financial support: Helps offset living costs such as rent, food, and transportation.
• Work experience: Builds transferable skills and strengthens résumés.
• Cultural integration: Provides opportunities to interact with locals and understand Australian workplace culture.
• Networking: Opens doors to future employment or internships.
• Pathway to migration: Some roles in high-demand industries may align with skilled migration opportunities after graduation.

 

Post-Graduation Work Rights for International Students

Completing studies often opens the door to post-graduation work opportunities. Many countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, offer post-study work visas that allow graduates to remain and gain professional experience.

• Australia: The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows graduates to work between 2–6 years, depending on qualification and location.
• Canada: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) can last up to 3 years, depending on program length.
• United Kingdom: The Graduate Route allows 2 years of work rights (3 years for doctoral graduates).
• United States: OPT (Optional Practical Training) provides up to 12 months of work rights, extendable to 36 months for STEM graduates.
• New Zealand: Post-study work visas allow up to 3 years of employment depending on qualification.

These pathways highlight the long-term value of studying abroad: students not only gain education but also real-world experience that strengthens career prospects and future immigration opportunities.

 

Industries Where International Students Commonly Work

International students in Australia often find employment in industries with flexible hours and high demand for casual workers. These include:

• Hospitality and retail: Cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops.
• Aged care and health services: Growing demand, especially after pandemic-driven workforce shortages.
• Tutoring and education support: Particularly for students strong in English, maths, or STEM subjects.
• Administration and office support: Roles available on campus or within businesses.
• Delivery and ride-sharing services: Flexible but requires awareness of rights and protections.

 

The Importance of Staying Within Work Limits

Respecting visa work conditions is an essential step in ensuring a smooth and successful study abroad journey. By following the permitted work-hour rules, international students can:

• Safeguard visa status: Compliance ensures uninterrupted residency while studying.
• Retain employment rights: Staying within limits preserves ongoing access to work opportunities.
• Build strong immigration records: A history of compliance strengthens future visa or residency applications.
• Encourage fair workplaces: Observing regulations supports equitable treatment for both international and local workers.

Tips– Tracking Your Hours

To avoid exceeding limits, students can use:

• Employer-provided timesheets.
• Mobile apps or shift trackers.
• Payroll/tax accounts to monitor income and hours.
• Student support services offering workplace compliance advice.

 

Insights from Recent Data on Student Work Rights

International student work plays a key role in balancing education and financial support. Recent highlights include:

• Over 650,000 international students in Australia in 2024, a post-pandemic record.
• Around 60% of students undertake part-time or casual jobs.
• Hospitality, retail, and care services remain the top sectors.
• Postgraduate research students, exempt from work caps, form about 10% of enrolments.

These patterns reinforce that regulated work supports both financial stability and academic focus.

 

Balancing Work and Study

To gain the most from their academic and professional journey, students are encouraged to:

• Prioritise study commitments, using employment as a supplement rather than a substitute for learning.
• Select flexible jobs that align with class timetables and academic requirements.
• Pursue roles offering career-relevant skills for long-term professional development.
• Maintain wellbeing by balancing study, work, rest, and social life effectively.

 

Support for International Students

International students can access a variety of support resources, which may include:

• Labour rights organisations that protect workers from exploitation and ensure fair treatment.
• Universities and colleges, offering career centres, job boards, and advisory services.
• Government immigration or labour departments, which publish official guidelines on visa and work conditions.
• Community organisations, providing tailored advice and support to help students succeed in new environments.

International students contribute significantly to education systems and local economies worldwide. Work-hour limits during academic terms are designed to ensure that study remains the primary focus while still allowing students to gain financial support and valuable experience. By balancing employment with academic commitments, respecting visa conditions, and accessing available support services, students can thrive both academically and personally. Similar policies across major study destinations reflect a global standard that promotes a safe, rewarding, and sustainable study experience abroad.

 

FAQs

Can international students work unlimited hours during academic terms in 2025?

No, international students cannot work unlimited hours during academic terms in 2025. Current policies limit students to 48 hours per fortnight (around 24 hours per week) while enrolled in classes. This rule ensures that students prioritise academic commitments while still gaining financial support and work experience. The cap reflects the government’s emphasis on education as the main purpose of a student visa. While these restrictions may seem limiting, they are consistent with global standards in other study destinations such as Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.

 

Can international students work full-time during holidays?

Yes, international students are permitted to work unlimited hours during official holiday periods and scheduled course breaks. These include semester breaks, end-of-year holidays, and periods between academic terms. This flexibility allows students to earn additional income, gain more work experience, and recover from financial pressures during study terms. Many students take advantage of these breaks to work full-time in sectors such as hospitality, retail, or seasonal industries. This arrangement balances financial needs with academic success by ensuring students can dedicate time to studies during term while enjoying work freedom during breaks.

 

Are there exceptions for certain industries?

Yes, certain exceptions exist, but they are limited and typically tied to critical sectors facing workforce shortages. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, students working in health care, aged care, and disability services were temporarily allowed to work unlimited hours. While most of those concessions have now ended, governments may still grant targeted exemptions based on labour market needs. These are generally time-bound and sector-specific rather than permanent. Students should stay updated through official immigration websites to ensure they remain compliant with visa conditions while exploring work in high-demand industries.

 

What happens if a student exceeds the 48-hour limit?

Exceeding permitted work hours is considered a visa breach and may have serious consequences. Students found violating conditions risk visa cancellation, loss of work rights, or negative impacts on future visa applications. Employers may also face penalties if they knowingly allow students to work beyond restrictions. To avoid issues, students are encouraged to carefully track hours using employer timesheets, mobile apps, or payslips. Staying compliant not only ensures academic focus but also helps maintain a clean immigration record, which is vital for those planning future pathways such as graduate visas or permanent residency.

 

Do postgraduate students have unlimited work rights?

Yes, postgraduate research students undertaking a Master’s by Research or a Doctoral degree are permitted to work unlimited hours during both study and holiday periods. This reflects the flexible and independent nature of research programs, where students are not bound by fixed lecture schedules. While they enjoy greater work rights, research students must still balance employment with progress on their thesis or research milestones. For many, unlimited work rights also create opportunities to take up academic roles, research assistantships, or skilled employment aligned with their field of study, strengthening both career prospects and academic outcomes.