Can I Work While Studying On A Student Visa In Australia?

Explains the 48-hour fortnightly work limit for student visa holders under condition 8105 — what counts toward it, the two exceptions, and the risks of exceeding it.

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Quick answer: Yes — up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during official breaks. This is governed by visa condition 8105, and it applies from the day your course officially starts, not the day your visa is granted.

The 48-Hour Rule, Explained Properly

A "fortnight" here isn't a rolling two-week window you can shuffle around — it's a fixed 14-day block starting on a Monday. Your hours are counted within each of those set blocks, not averaged across whatever period feels convenient. And the cap is cumulative: if you're working two jobs, or picking up gig work through a platform like Uber or DoorDash, every hour from every source counts toward the same 48-hour total.

What Counts Toward Your Limit (and What Doesn't)

Counts: casual shifts, part-time work, gig and rideshare work, unpaid internships that aren't a mandatory part of your CRICOS-registered course, and even unpaid trial or training shifts.

Doesn't count: mandatory clinical placements or practicums that are officially built into your registered course — think nursing or teaching placements required for your degree.

The Two Real Exceptions

Course breaks. During official semester, mid-year, or summer breaks as defined by your institution's calendar, the 48-hour cap doesn't apply — you can work unlimited hours.

Postgraduate research students. Once your Master's by Research or PhD has commenced, condition 8105 removes the hourly limit entirely, year-round — recognising that research candidature doesn't follow the same "terms and breaks" structure as coursework degrees.

⏱️ Confused about the 48-hour work cap?

Breaching your work rights can lead to immediate visa cancellation. Don't take chances with your shifts. Let our experts clarify exactly how the 48-hour cap applies to your specific course structure or job situation so you can work legally and stress-free.

Book A Consultation →

Fahad Shamim

Migration & Education Consultant

MARA Registered MARN 2619225

QEAC G12906

As a Migration & Education Consultant, I provide expert guidance on Australian visas and international education, helping clients navigate both with ease.

Phone +61 424 295 050

Email fahad@edvisehub.com

Why Going Over Isn't Worth the Extra Shift

Breaching condition 8105 is treated as a genuine visa condition breach, not a minor paperwork issue — it can lead to visa cancellation, and the consequences follow into future visa applications. The Department has publicly flagged compliance monitoring as an active enforcement priority, and it's worth knowing that your work rights don't disappear if you're underpaid or exploited: reporting workplace issues won't trigger a hours-related visa problem on its own. But going over the cap because a manager asked for extra shifts still counts against you.

Beyond the Hours Cap: Your Rights Still Apply

A visa condition limits your hours — it doesn't reduce your workplace entitlements. As an international student, you're entitled to the same minimum wage, casual loading, and workplace protections as any other employee in Australia, regardless of your visa status.

Getting Your Study and Work Plans to Line Up

At Edvise Hub, we help students understand exactly how condition 8105 applies to their specific course calendar and job type before problems arise, so building work experience alongside study doesn't accidentally put their visa at risk.