Working in Australia

If you are granted a student visa on or after 26 April 2008, you will receive permission to work with your visa grant. This will apply to both yourself as the primary student and any family members travelling with you on your student visa.

As a new student you must have commenced studies at JCU before you can commence working. You can work up to 20 hours a week whilst your course is in session and you can work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Family members are not allowed to work until you begin your course. Family members are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week at all times. If you are studying a Masters or Doctorate course, your family members may work unlimited hours.

Further information is available from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website by clicking on ‘Visas and Immigration’ and then ‘Students’.

All students applying for a work visa must also register for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). TFN applications are free of charge. Your TFN will take about 28 days to be processed after you submit the application form.