Where do I find my work conditions as an international student?

Your visa work conditions are listed on your grant notice and can be checked through VEVO, the Australian Department of Home Affairs' free checking service. Conditions change periodically, so verify your current limits if you hear they have changed.

Do I need a Tax File Number before working in Australia?

A Tax File Number is free and issued by the Australian Taxation Office. You apply online once in Australia with an address. You can start work before it arrives, but your employer must have it to avoid tax being withheld at the highest rate. Most students receive the difference back when lodging a tax return.

Are my workplace rights protected if I work illegally or exceed my visa hours?

Yes. Australian workplace law protects everyone working in Australia, including international students working more hours than their visa allows. This protection exists deliberately so employers cannot use visa status as leverage to underpay workers or deny legal entitlements.

What should I do if my employer underpays me or won't provide a payslip?

Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman, the free government service for workplace disputes, or your institution's student support office. Keep records of all hours worked and payslips from day one, as disputes are decided on evidence. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help recover unpaid wages.

Working While You Study in Australia | AusBridge

International students in Australia have legal rights to minimum wage, payslips, and fair working conditions regardless of their visa type or hours worked. Work conditions are set on your visa grant notice and can be checked through VEVO, the government's free service. Before starting work, apply for a Tax File Number with the Australian Taxation Office to avoid highest-rate tax withholding. Most students find first jobs in hospitality and retail, which hire continuously. Australian workplace law protects all workers, including students, and employers cannot use visa status to justify underpayment or deny rights. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free support for wage disputes and recovery of unpaid wages. Keep records of hours worked and payslips from day one, as disputes are decided on evidence. Cash payments do not remove rights, and unpaid trials beyond brief demonstrations are generally unlawful.

FAQ

Where do I find my work conditions as an international student?: Your visa work conditions are listed on your grant notice and can be checked through VEVO, the Australian Department of Home Affairs' free checking service. Conditions change periodically, so verify your current limits if you hear they have changed.
Do I need a Tax File Number before working in Australia?: A Tax File Number is free and issued by the Australian Taxation Office. You apply online once in Australia with an address. You can start work before it arrives, but your employer must have it to avoid tax being withheld at the highest rate. Most students receive the difference back when lodging a tax return.
Are my workplace rights protected if I work illegally or exceed my visa hours?: Yes. Australian workplace law protects everyone working in Australia, including international students working more hours than their visa allows. This protection exists deliberately so employers cannot use visa status as leverage to underpay workers or deny legal entitlements.
What should I do if my employer underpays me or won't provide a payslip?: Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman, the free government service for workplace disputes, or your institution's student support office. Keep records of all hours worked and payslips from day one, as disputes are decided on evidence. The Fair Work Ombudsman can help recover unpaid wages.