Working in Australia

As an international student at TAFE NSW, you have the opportunity to work while studying. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the Australian community, practise your English language skills and make new friends. If you’re considering working in Australia, it's important to understand the laws around working on a Student Visa, our tax system and your working rights.

In Australia, if you are on a Student Visa, you are permitted to work as a casual or part-time employee up to a certain number of hours each week. You can begin working once you have started your TAFE NSW course. You can visit the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) to check the details of how many number of hours per fortnight you’re able to work.

The Australian Tax Office and Tax File Numbers

To be able to lodge a tax return in Australia you need a Tax File Number (TFN). This is issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). To work in Australia, it is recommended that you apply for a TFN to ensure that you pay the right amount of tax.

While having a TFN is not necessary, if you don't have one you will end up paying more tax. If you have a TFN, you can claim a tax refund from the ATO at the end of the financial year (30 June).

How do I apply for a TFN?

Once you’ve arrived in Australia you can apply for a TFN. It’s a good idea to do this before you start a job. You will need your passport details to complete the application.
If you need help applying for your TFN, or have any questions, you can contact your International Customer Experience Coordinator and they will be happy to assist you.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is a government agency that offers free advice and information about your rights at work. Before you start working, it’s important that you are aware of how much you should be paid and what to expect from your working conditions.

The Fair Work Ombudsman also helps to:

• solve problems at work
• investigate complaints
• ensure that employers follow the law.

For more information about your workplace rights, download the international students fact sheet on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or call them on 13 13 94. If you need the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS), please call 13 14 50 and ask for the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Minimum wage

Australia has minimum wage laws to ensure fair pay for all workers, including international students. The current minimum wage in Australia is regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living. It's important to familiarise yourself with minimum wage regulations to ensure you receive correct pay for the work you do. To find out the minimum pay rates for your job, you can use the pay and conditions tool.

Superannuation

Superannuation or ‘super', as Australians commonly call it, refers to the compulsory payments your employer makes towards your pension or retirement fund. By law, your employer must pay a minimum of 11.5% of your earnings into your superannuation account. In most cases, you can access your super when you permanently leave Australia.

There are many ways to find casual or part-time work. The following gives you an idea of where you can start to look.

• Jobs Connect: make the most of this free service that helps TAFE NSW learners take their next career step by providing recruitment support and connecting you with employers.
• TAFE NSW counselling and career development services: you can book an in-person appointment or phone appointment with one of our career counsellors. They can provide you with free education and career counselling to carefully evaluate options that match your skills, interests and career goals.
• Online job search portals: explore online job portals such as SEEK, CareerOne and Indeed to search for casual or part-time jobs in your study area or other fields of interest.
• Local newspapers: check your local newspapers for job advertisements and employment opportunities in your area.
• Networking: chat with friends, teachers and attend TAFE NSW workshops/support sessions organised by your International Customer Coordinator.
• Volunteering: consider volunteering as a way to gain experience, build skills and expand your network while contributing to the community. If you’re interested in volunteer work, visit the Centre for Volunteering website.

When you finish studying, you can temporarily live, work and even study again in Australia with the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This is a great opportunity to gain practical work experience and enhance your qualification(s).

There are three streams of the Temporary Graduate visa. Depending on your educational background you may qualify to apply for the:

• Post-Vocational Education Work stream if you have a VET qualification relevant to the needs of the Australian workforce
• Post-Higher Education Work stream if you have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian education provider
• Second Post-Higher Education Work stream if you hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa and have a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area.

As you embark on your TAFE NSW study journey, and in Australia, we want to ensure that you have all the information and support you need to succeed. Remember, your International Customer Experience Coordinator is available to assist with any questions or concerns you may have, so don't hesitate to reach out.