Working While You Study: A Guide for International Students at LIHE
Earn, learn and build your career in Australia, all while completing your degree.
Moving to Australia to study is about more than earning a qualification. For many international students, a part-time job is where the Australian experience really comes to life: it's where you sharpen your English, make new friends, learn how local workplaces operate and earn money to support your life here.
The good news? If you're studying at Lead Institute of Higher Education (LIHE), you can generally work while you study. Here's what you need to know to make the most of it.
Your work rights at a glance
If you hold a Student Visa (subclass 500), your work entitlements typically look like this:
- During study periods: up to 48 hours per fortnight
- During scheduled course breaks: unlimited hours
- After completing your course: unlimited hours while your visa remains valid, subject to its conditions
A fortnight is a 14-day period that starts on a Monday, and your hours are counted across all of your jobs combined, not per employer. You also can't start working until your course has begun, unless you already hold another visa that allows you to work.
Every visa is different, so always confirm your own conditions through the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
What kind of work can you do?
Australia's job market offers plenty of flexible roles that fit around a study timetable. Popular options for international students include:
Retail and customer service. Supermarkets, shops and service centres regularly hire casual staff, making this a great way to build confidence and communication skills.
Hospitality and tourism. Cafés, restaurants, hotels and events teams often need people for evenings and weekends, and barista skills can be useful almost anywhere in Australia.
Business and administration. Reception, data entry, office support and marketing assistant roles are a natural fit if you're studying the Bachelor of Business Administration, giving you hands-on experience that connects directly to your coursework.
Early childhood education. If you're completing the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, support roles, centre administration and assistant positions in early learning settings can give you a head start in your field. Many of these roles require specific qualifications, background checks (such as a Working with Children Check) or regulatory approvals, so check the requirements before you apply.
Why a part-time job is worth more than a pay cheque
The income certainly helps with rent, groceries and weekends exploring Australia. But the real value of working while you study often shows up later, in your career.
You'll gain Australian workplace experience, learning how local teams communicate, collaborate and solve problems. That understanding makes you more confident and more employable after graduation.
You'll also develop practical skills in teamwork, communication and customer service by working alongside people from many different backgrounds, along with the kind of problem-solving that can't be fully taught in a classroom.
Over time, you'll build a professional network. Colleagues, managers and customers can become references, mentors or connections to future opportunities.
And you'll stand out to future employers. Graduates who can show both academic knowledge and real-world experience have a clear advantage when applying for their first professional role.
How LIHE prepares you for the workforce
At LIHE, we know you're investing in more than a qualification; you're investing in your future. Our programs are designed to build the capabilities employers are looking for today, including business communication and professional presentation, critical thinking and problem-solving, teamwork and leadership, digital literacy and the practical use of artificial intelligence, and an understanding of business operations and contemporary workplace challenges.
When you combine what you learn in class with what you experience on the job, each one strengthens the other. You'll find yourself applying theory at work and bringing real-world insight back into your studies.
Five tips for balancing work and study
Your studies come first. Maintaining good course progress and attendance is a condition of your Student Visa, so finding the right balance is essential.
- Plan your week in advance. Map out your classes, assessment deadlines, study time and shifts so nothing catches you by surprise, especially during busy assessment periods.
- Track your hours carefully. Keep a simple record of every shift across all your employers so you never go over 48 hours in a fortnight during study periods.
- Protect your study time. If a job starts affecting your attendance or grades, it's time to reduce your hours. No shift is worth putting your visa or your results at risk.
- Look for flexible roles. Casual and part-time positions are usually easier to fit around a changing timetable. Be upfront with employers about your availability from the start.
- Choose work that builds your career. Where you can, look for roles connected to your field of study. Even a few months of relevant experience can make a big difference to your résumé.
Know your rights at work
As an international student, you have the same workplace rights as every other employee in Australia. That means you're entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage that applies to your role, to receive payslips, to work in a safe environment, to be treated fairly and without discrimination, and to receive all entitlements under Australian workplace laws.
You should never feel pressured to accept unpaid "trial" work, cash-in-hand arrangements below the legal rate, or any job that doesn't follow Australian law. If something doesn't feel right, the Fair Work Ombudsman offers free, confidential advice and support. Visit fairwork.gov.au to learn more.
Start building your future at LIHE
Studying in Australia is a chance to earn an internationally recognised qualification while gaining real experience in one of the world's most diverse and dynamic economies. At LIHE, we're here to support you every step of the way, in the classroom and beyond.
Study. Work. Gain experience. Build your future.
Explore our courses at www.lihe.edu.au and take the next step today.
Learn. Grow. Lead.
Important information
Work rights depend on the conditions attached to your individual visa and may change over time. This article provides general information only and is not immigration advice. Always check your visa grant notice and current conditions through the Department of Home Affairs' VEVO service, or speak with a registered migration agent.
Important regulatory sources
The work-hour information in this article reflects current Australian Government guidance:
