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Study and Work in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

Q: As an employee within the Australian workforce, what rights do international students have?

International students have the right to:1. Fair pay and entitlements2. Safe work environment3. Protection from discrimination and bullying4. Access to appropriate safety gear and training

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3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Apr 05,2024 12:59 PM IST

• International students can work and study in Australia with the same rights as other Australians.

• Students must research thoroughly and connect with recruiting agencies in the country. This will help them get a job that caters to their interests.

• International students must be aware of their rights and responsibilities as members of the Australian workforce.

Australia is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for international students. It is famous for its natural wonders, wide-open spaces, beaches and deserts. The country, famously known as ‘The Land Down Under’ is renowned for assisting its international student community through ample opportunities to work while studying. The opportunity to pay for their expenses while studying is a crucial aspect of the enriching experience of living in Australia as an international student.

While making the decision to study in Australia, international students often research about the benefits of working while they pursue their education in the country. For that they have a reason to rejoice as with a valid study visa, they can work for 24 hours per week or 48 hours per fortnight. Let’s understand the types of work opportunities Australia has to offer to students :

Types of Work Opportunities in Australia for International Students

Australia offers three types of work opportunities to international students. The table below illustrates them:

Types of Work in Australia

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Casual Work

Before international students begin the process of finding work while studying in Australia, they must be aware of the key differences between part-time, full-time and casual work.

• The main difference between the three types is the number of hours, rights of the worker, entitlements and benefits such as wages.

• Students with part-time jobs work for a set number of hours per week, which is usually less than 24 hours per week.

• Part-time employees are entitled to paid leaves, annual leaves and sick/carer’s leaves.

• In case their employer terminates their contract, part-time employers are entitled to a written notice.

When looking for part-time jobs while studying in Australia, international students must take some steps to find a job where they will be the right fit.

How can International Students find Work while Studying in Australia?

Below mentioned are the ways how international students can find work while studying in Australia:

• Students must contact the careers or employability services at their college or university for dedicated help or advice.

• They must look out for jobs posted on noticeboards and alumni groups of their educational institution.

• Students must continuously maintain connections through friends, family, and peers at the college or university. Actively participating in clubs and community groups is recommended. Students must actively share with people their availability for work and their preference for part-time jobs.

• They should get their contact details added to the database of Australian recruitment agencies such as Ignite, Hays Australia, Chandler Macleod, and Robert Half. They must contact multiple agencies by phone or email to request a meeting. Connecting with Australian recruiting agencies will increase their chances of getting work.

• Students must look for internships and volunteering opportunities to enhance their professional experience and build a strong network which can be helpful when looking for a part-time job while studying.

• They should also utilize online resources such as popular search engines, job portals, such as Graduate Australia, Career One, Explore Jobs, and Seek, and social media to search for a position online.

Once a student has researched thoroughly for a part-time job, they must do some essential tasks.

Things to do Before Start Working in Australia

International students must take care of some essential things when looking for a part-time job in Australia:

things to do before start working in australia.webp

Students must calculate minimum wage in their industry and occupation with tools such as PACT calculator (P.A.C.T Pay Calculator - Find your award (fairwork.gov.au)).

They must understand their employment contract, which enlists all terms and conditions of their employment. A thorough read of the employment contract will help students understand their pay, what is expected from their role at the organization, and entitlements such as maximum working hours in a week, annual leaves, and written notice at termination of contract.

International students must be up to date with their rights and responsibilities as an employee in the Australian workforce.

Rights & Responsibilities of Working While Studying in Australia

International students must understand their workplace rights and responsibilities regarding pay and conditions, health and safety, and workplace bullying. They must remember that they have the same workplace rights and protections as anyone else working in Australia.

As an employee in the Australian workforce, international students are responsible for:

• Knowing their rate of pay, working hours, and entitlements to breaks and leaves

• Working while keeping the health and safety of them and others in mind

• Knowing what to do if, according to them, their employer is not meeting their responsibilities

• Understanding their rights with respect to discrimination and bullying at the workplace. They should know what to do if they experience or witness such an act in their workplace

• Knowing health and safety requirements of their workplace. They should know how to maintain a safe environment for themselves and other colleagues in the workplace

• They should have easy access to appropriate safety gear and equipment. They must know what to do in the event of a mishap

• They must have an understanding of getting help regarding workplace health and safety issues from relevant sources

Apart from the above-mentioned responsibilities, international students have some legal responsibilities as employees in the Australian workforce.

• Apply for a tax file number and make sure that the employer receives it before starting the job

• Make sure not to work for more than 48 hours in a fortnight during your study term at your university when on a student visa

• Follow reasonable health and safety instructions set by their employer.

Work Rights as a Part-time Employee in Australia

Australian workforce treats all its employees fairly and with respect. International students have the following rights when they are studying and working in Australia:

work rights as part-time employee in australia.webp

Fair Pay & Entitlements	In Australia, the minimum wage is reviewed every year on the basis of work done. Students must keep track of the minimum wage in their industry. If they are being paid less than the minimum wage, they must inform the Fair Work Ombudsmen.
Safe Work Environment	With the Work Health and Safety Act in place, Australian workforce strives to protect the safety and welfare of all employees at work. International students have the right to a safe work environment that is void of any risk hazards to their health. The workplace must have proper safety training and procedures in place, along with the basic facilities such as bathrooms and dining areas.
Respectful Workplace	International students, by virtue of being part of the Australian workforce, have the right not to be discriminated against based on protected attributes such as their race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy, political opinions, and social origin.
Healthy Work Culture	As a part of the Australian workforce, international students have the right to not be bullied or sexually harassed at work. It is considered bullying when a person or group repeats mean or unreasonable behavior towards another worker or group of workers.
Unfair Dismissal	If an employee is let go from their job in a harsh, unjust or unreasonable way, it is termed as unfair dismissal. An unfairly dismissed employee must apply to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of their dismissal. It is important to note here that employees who have been employed for at least 6 months can apply for unfair dismissal.

International students who are looking to work while studying in Australia must be aware of their employer’s legal responsibilities. This will help them identify if they are being harassed at their workplace and take necessary action.

Legal Responsibilities of Employers in Australian Workforce

The main responsibility of an Australian employer is to maintain health and safety measures in the workplace to cater all employees, including visitors. Some of the legal duties of employers are as follows:

Payslips	The employer is required to give all its employees including international students, a payslip within one working day of paying them. Generally, Australian workforce is paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The payslip is an important document for international students to keep track of their earnings and tax deductions.
Superannuation	Also known as ‘super’, it is one of the entitlements provided to international students as part of the Australian workforce. This can serve as savings that are available to the student after they retire or permanently leave Australia. This is known as Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).
Workers Compensation	All employers in Australia are required to have insurance (also known as workers compensation). This protects them in case they are hurt or get sick while at work. The insurance can be useful in case of a mishap to pay for medical treatment until the employee can get back to work again.

Having adequate knowledge about rights as an employee in the Australian workforce helps international students to work efficiently while studying. They can identify potential workplace issues such as being paid with elements different than a steady pay and act upon them swiftly.

We hope this guide is a helpful resource for students looking to work while studying in Australia. Once they are equipped with the necessary knowledge about their rights as members of the Australian workforce, they must polish their resume according to Australian standards. Doing so will help them stand out as a potential candidate and land the perfect job.

While being aware of the work-related rules and regulations in Australia, international students must also know the right way to write a resume. Here’s a guide to writing one.

How to Write a Resume?

International students must be aware of the key difference between a resume and curriculum vitae. Understanding it will help them cast a lasting impression on their potential employers. It is also a wonderful opportunity to showcase their strengths and achievements. Some of the important points to keep in mind while are:

Reap the Benefits of Technology	Today, the internet has a plethora of templates that can help make the resume look professional. These templates can also be used as a guide to the information that must be included in a resume.
Stand Out with a Cover Letter	International students who want to study in Australia after the 12th might not have adequate formal work experience. A well-written cover letter provides an insight into the student’s academic background. Students must take this opportunity to position themselves as the right fit for the job role. The cover letter must include the motivation behind joining a particular company. It should also demonstrate their soft skills with adequate examples to showcase their personality and values. The cover letter should be taken as an opportunity to describe their professional goals clearly. An impressive cover letter is one that grabs attention within seconds. It should explain a student’s willingness to learn and contribute to a business while effectively managing their studies.
Write Cohesively	Students must remember that companies receive a lot of resumes daily. To stand out, their resumes should be easy to read. They must avoid repetition and adding a lot of details. Their sentences should be short and crisp, and each section should be short and relevant.
Proofread	Before sharing the resume with prospective employers and recruitment agencies, students must thoroughly proofread it. They should make sure there are no errors and inconsistencies. One way to do so is to get the resume proofread by a friend or teacher. Incorporating their feedback into the resume will make it more impactful.

How to Create an Impressive Resume?

Below are the ways how one can make their resume impressive while applying for work while studying in Australia:

Compelling Personal Statement	The resume must begin with a crisp overview of a student’s goals and skills. This should not be longer than 3-4 bullet points. Personality traits that help the student become amiable colleague at work. Including soft skills such as being a team player, possessing excellent communication skills and high emotional intelligence can strengthen a resume.
Relevant Work Experience	If the student has prior professional experience, they must include the company’s name, location, dates of working, key tasks and responsibilities, and achievements in the role. In case the student has no prior experience with paid jobs, they must include internships, volunteer work, academic projects or group assignments. Extracurricular activities such as clubs or student unions can also be included in the resume. Students must list their work experience in a chronological order.
Education and Relevant Studies	Academic qualifications are the most important part of a resume. Students must include details such as their course name, majors, and the place of study, the duration of their course. Students must include if they have worked on Capstone Projects as part of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). They should also include details of all relevant short courses.
Visa Status and Work Availability	Students must include their visa status on the resume. Adding details such as the type of visa, its expiry and work restrictions, if any, work as a reassurance to the employer that the international student is legally available to work while studying in Australia.
Technical Skills	Adding a list of technical skills such as being adept at the Microsoft Suite, photo editing apps, such as Adobe or Canva, will help in increasing the likelihood of being selected for a niche-based job.
Interests	By adding a list of their interests provides an overview of the kind of person the student is. Students must include whether they enjoy playing or watching sports, exercising, reading, or have other hobbies.

Adding the discussed sections will help international students create a structured resume that will impress their prospective employers.

Conclusion

Working while studying in Australia helps the international students with a unique opportunity to recover a part of their living expenses and grow personally and professionally. With this comprehensive guide to study and work in Australia, students are expected to have understood how the Australian government safeguards their rights as members of the Australian workforce. Subsequently, they should have a better understanding of their legal obligations to pay taxes and comply with health and safety regulations. Students aspiring to study in Australia can get in touch with expert study-abroad consultants at Canam. The dedicated team will assist them to begin their academic journey which can lead to working while studying in Australia.

FAQ

What different work opportunities can international students engage in Australia?

With a valid student visa, international students can work in Australia for up to 24 hours per week or 48 hours per fortnight when their college or university is in session. During academic breaks, students can work full-time.

What should an international student do to find a part-time job in Australia?

When looking for part-time job in Australia, students must look for job postings on their university noticeboards and alumni groups. They must network with their friends, family, peers, and community groups. They should also register with Australian recruitment agencies and utilize online resources like job portals such as Graduate Australia, Career One, Explore Jobs, and Seek. They must also utilize social media to their benefit.

Enumerate the important things an international student must do before starting work in Australia.

International students must do the following before starting work in Australia:

1. Open a bank account

2. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)

3. Calculate minimum wage in their industry

4. Keep a track of their working hours

5. Understand their work rights and responsibilities

As an employee within the Australian workforce, what rights do international students have?

International students have the right to:

1. Fair pay and entitlements

2. Safe work environment

3. Protection from discrimination and bullying

4. Access to appropriate safety gear and training

What are the legal responsibilities of employers towards international student employees in the Australian workforce?

The Australian employers must

1. Provide payslips with every salary payment.

2. Pay superannuation contributions.

3. Provide each worker with compensation insurance in case of injuries at the workplace.

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Study and Work in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

Types of Work Opportunities in Australia for International Students

How can International Students find Work while Studying in Australia?

Things to do Before Start Working in Australia

Rights & Responsibilities of Working While Studying in Australia

Work Rights as a Part-time Employee in Australia

Legal Responsibilities of Employers in Australian Workforce

How to Write a Resume?

How to Create an Impressive Resume?

Conclusion

FAQ

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