Anyone working in Australia has basic employee rights, entitlements and obligations.
Whether you're a domestic or international student, if you’re looking to work in Australia, you must be aware of your employee rights and obligations, and follow all government employment requirements.
Before you apply for work
To work in Australia, you must:
- Have a tax file number (TFN). If you don’t have one, you can apply for a TFN via the Australian Taxation Office
- Work out your tax residency
Working as an international student
International students are typically only allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight during the semester. During university holidays international students can typically work full-time.
However, different visa types have different work requirements. So you should check you are working in accordance with your individual visa requirements on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website:
Payment and rights
In Australia, we have strict rules to ensure employees are being paid and treated fairly.
The Fair Work Ombudsman website provides free information and advice on pay, conditions and workplace rights in Australia.
- Fair Work Ombudsman website
- Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94
- Pay guides
- Multi-language guides (including English, Hindi, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesian, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese)
International students can also consult the International Education Association of Australia’s Employable You: An online guide for international students.
Superannuation
Superannuation (or 'super') is money deducted from your salary and invested into a fund by your employer for when you retire.
For information on superannuation, see:
Finding work
If you’re looking for work, check out:
- Career Hub – find part-time and full-time job listings
- RMIT On Demand – hourly, daily, project-based and temporary paid work for current RMIT students and recent graduates
- Job Shop – get tips on looking and applying for jobs, plus personalised résumé and job application advice
- Online career support – for résumé and job application resources and guides
- Careers events and workshops
Starting your own business
Thinking of starting your own business and being your own boss? Check out:
- RMIT Activator – RMIT’s hub for entrepreneurship and innovation
- Business Victoria – Start a business
