Most students and all Working Holiday Visa holders are able to work in Australia and there are employment opportunities available to those who are prepared to prepare for persevere with job hunting.

It is critical that job seekers have appropriate permission to work from the Australian Immigration Office. Failure to do this can lead to criminal charges or deportation.

Working on a Student Visa

Extract from Australian Immigration Department Fact Sheet 50:
Students and their family members do not automatically have permission to work in Australia. They can only apply for permission to work after they arrive in Australia and the student has commenced their course of study.

Students granted a student visa with permission to work are limited to 20 hours work per week while their course is in session. They may work full-time during formal holiday periods. Student visa holders found to be working in excess of their limited work rights are subject to mandatory visa cancellation.

Family members of students who have commenced a Masters or Doctorate degree may apply for unrestricted permission to work. Family members of all other overseas students may apply to work up to 20 hours per week. Click here to view the complete fact sheet.

Working Holiday Visa

Extract from Australian Immigration Department Fact Sheet 49:
Australia's Working Holiday programme allows working holiday makers to have an extended holiday in Australia by supplementing their travel funds through incidental employment and to experience closer contact with a local community.

Australia has reciprocal working holiday arrangements with Belgium, Canada, the Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Most working holiday-eligible passport holders are able to apply for a first Working Holiday visa anywhere outside Australia. However, passport holders from the following places can only lodge first Working Holiday visa applications in the place of their passport: Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malta, the Republic of Cyprus, Taiwan and HKSAR (including British National Overseas). Second Working Holiday visa applications may be made from any location either in or outside Australia.

The reciprocal nature of the arrangements ensures young Australians are also offered similar opportunities for cultural understanding through working holidays overseas.

Working holiday makers are permitted to do any kind of work in Australia. However, work for longer than six months with any one employer is not allowed. People working in Australia on a Working Holiday visa are entitled to the same pay and work conditions as Australian residents and citizens. Click here to view the complete fact sheet.