Working in Australia

Student visa holders may work a maximum of forty-eight hours per fortnight during trimesters. The only purpose of a student visa is to let you study. Your job must not stop you from attending classes or doing private study. MHE cannot accept work commitments or pressure from your employer as an excuse for absenteeism, not submitting an assessment on time or not being prepared for an exam.

MHE’s Student Support Officer can help you with some essential job search skills. Good places to look for work include newspapers and notice boards. Let your local friends and neighbours know that you are looking for a job. Go into businesses near your home or MHE with your CV and introduce yourself. If you look keen and confident, they may call you when they need work.

There are several federal and state government requirements which govern your working conditions. The Federal Government enforces a minimum wage, which is set at $23·23 per hour. Paying cash in hand is illegal because it encourages tax evasion. Income tax is automatically deducted from your income. To arrange this, you need to apply for a Tax File Number with the Australian Taxation Office. You need to be sure that your employer can deposit your pay directly into your bank account, which might be difficult if you still use an overseas bank.

If you get a work contract, you cannot be pressured to sign it before you have read it carefully. Tell the employer that you have a student visa and have to abide by its rules. You must receive appropriate training and supervision. Australia has extensive Work Health and Safety legislation.

Your employer has to contribute a percentage of your income to a compulsory savings which you cannot access until you are at least 65 years old. If you leave Australia permanently before you turn 65, you can take it but it is heavily taxed.