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Working in Australia

WORK WHILE YOU STUDY

You may be eligible to work in Australia while you study, depending on your visa. Students that study English at Greenwich College often choose to work in industries such as hospitality, construction or office cleaning whereas those studying vocational courses typically opt for office work to help advance their career.

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How many hours can I work?

Student visa holders are able to work over 40 hours per week.* If you hold a working holiday visa, you can work as long as you like for a maximum of 6 months with any one employer.
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*Working hours for student visa holders have been temporarily relaxed. This means that international students can work more than 20 hours per week. This covers secondary applications as well. This is a temporary agreement that the government will evaluate in April 2022.
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You need a Tax File Number (TFN)

Once you have working rights, you will need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) for taxation purposes. If you start work before you get your TFN, you have 28 days to provide your TFN to your employer.
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You can apply for a TFN online here: TFN application form. You can also visit the Australian Taxation Office. Call 13 28 61 to make an appointment. Greenwich English College Student Services offers you advice on how to apply for a Tax File Number.
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Types of jobs

Most students work in hospitality and services because it offers flexible working hours, which allows students to study at the same time. 
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Starting out, you can look to find work as:

  • Waitress/waiter
  • Bar staff
  • Kitchen hand
  • Shop assistant
  • Delivery person
  • Cleaner

As your English improves, the chances of finding employment in more professional areas increase. Higher level students, and students who complete Greenwich’s courses in Business of Management often find jobs in the following types of roles

  • Customer Service
  • Office administration
  • Marketing
  • Business administration
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Rates of pay

The rates of pay will be different from place to place, but you could expect to earn anywhere from AUD$21 to AUD$38 per hour for hospitality and bar jobs. Office based jobs tend to pay about $25-$50 per hour.
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Greenwich Job Club

Job Club is held each Friday – providing students with the opportunity to learn skills and techniques to improve their employment prospects and to seek specific advice to help get secure a job.
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You’ll learn something new each week – such as:

  • How to write a resume
  • Interview skills and practice
  • Common behaviours and etiquette in an Australian workplace
  • City tours - showcasing places to apply for jobs
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We're here to help

Our Student Services Officer can help you prepare for your job search in Australia. We offer advice and guidance on bank accounts, Tax File Number, creating a resume, cover letter and interviews.
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Useful resources

Job sites that can help you find roles