As an international student at SAIBT, you can work part-time while you are studying, but it is important to be aware of the rules on your student visa.
If you are on a student visa, you are limited to 48 hours of work per fortnight during the trimester and unlimited hours during holidays.
You won’t be able to work until after your course has commenced. If your employer requires confirmation of the SAIBT holiday period, you can lead them to our website or ask us for an official letter from SAIBT.
Be aware that your visa requires you to be a full-time student (studying at least 3 units per trimester) and complete your course within the duration specified in your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
If you have dependent family members included on your student visa, they are also eligible to work.
Make sure you are aware of all the working conditions for international students on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
If you are working in Australia, you will need a Tax File Number (TFN) so that your employer can pay you and you can pay the right amount of tax. This is a number - unique to you - that stays the same even if you change your job, personal details or residency status.
When you start work, your employer will ask you to fill out a Tax File Number declaration to provide them with your TFN.
You can apply for a TFN on the Australian Taxation Office website
International students have the same workplace rights as all other workers in Australia.
· You must be paid at least the minimum wage
· You must pay tax on your income
· You must receive a payslip
· Casual work means you don’t have a fixed number of hours every week.
The Australian Government Department of Education has a range of videos and resources for international students about workplace rights which have been translated into different languages.
International students can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or phone 13 13 94 for help if they’re having workplace issues, without fear of their visa being cancelled.
Austrade’s Employability Hub provides international students with resources to enhance their employability and job readiness and information on their work rights.
Find out more about your rights at work.
Get real-world experience while you study
Once you start your studies at SAIBT, you may wish to think about getting some real-world experience by working part-time, undertaking an internship or volunteering for a cause. Working or volunteering while you study is a fantastic way to expand your life skills and make new friends.
SAIBT provides assistance writing resumes and also offers job search workshops regularly. Speak with our Student Experience Coordinator for more information.
StudyAdelaide offers excellent opportunities through networking, leadership roles and workshops. It is recommend to participate with StudyAdelaide forums and events.
Claim your tax benefits
If you’re enrolled to study at SAIBT, you will most likely be regarded as an Australian resident for tax purposes. This means:
· you pay tax on your earnings at the same rate as other residents
· you are entitled to the benefits of the Australian tax system, such as the tax-free threshold (or part of it, if you’re here for only part of the financial year)
· tax offsets
· generally lower tax rates than a foreign resident.
It is important that you provide your employer with your Tax File Number and that you receive payslips detailing the amount you have earned and the tax you have paid.
Find out more about taxation in Australia.
Know your rights as an international student
The Australian Government’s Education Services for Overseas Students Act , or ESOS Act, provides consumer protection for international students on a student visa, aims to enhance the quality of the student experience and protects the student visa program.
Find out more about your rights and responsibilities as an international student under the ESOS Act.