Your work rights while on a student visa

If you’re on a student visa (subclass 500), knowing your rights around working while studying can be confusing.

Reading the information below will help you ensure you are complying with the conditions of your visa. You can also find out more by reading our article on Student visas.

Before your course starts

Whether you are a coursework or research student, you (and any accompanying family members) cannot work until you have started your course.

During your course

Coursework students

Coursework students can only work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. ‘In session’ means during the official dates of any teaching period in which you are enrolled (e.g., a semester, a summer intensive course, etc), or any other time during which you are undertaking requirements which will count towards your degree. A fortnight is calculated as a 14-day period starting on a Monday, not any other fortnightly period (such as a pay period).

If your course has a mandatory work component and this is listed on CRICOS under your degree (e.g., a placement), these hours do not count towards the 48 hours per fortnight. If your course has a work component which is not listed on CRICOS, then those hours must be counted within the permitted 48 hours per fortnight.

You can work unlimited hours when your course is out of session.

Research students

If you are a master’s degree by research or doctoral student, you can work unlimited hours without restriction.

Family members

If you are a master’s degree (either coursework or research) or a doctoral student, your family members can work unlimited hours without restriction.

If you enrolled in a postgraduate course other than a master’s or doctoral degree, your family members can only work up to 48 hours per fortnight. This restriction applies all the time. This means that even though you can work unlimited hours while not in session, your family members will still have the limited work rights.

If you need advice about how your visa conditions apply to you or your accompanying family members, you can contact our Legal Service for help.

Disclaimer

This information is current as at July 2025 and is intended as a guide to the law as it applies to people who live in or are affected by the law as it applies in NSW. It does not constitute legal advice.