Working Part-time in Australia: How Much Can You Earn?

Want to make some extra cash to fund your travels when summer comes? It’s time to start budgeting or finding a part-time job!

Australia has a minimum wage of $15.86, and as an international student, you are entitled to work up to 20 hours every fortnight during the term, and unlimited hours during term breaks.

If you are looking for high-paying part time jobs, Australia has no shortage of them. This could be the time to try something new. You could be a barista in a chic hipster cafe or even deliver for Menulog, Deliveroo, or UberEats.

How To Get Started

Here’s the good news, it’s possible to get your work permit together with your study visa. Here are some requirements you’ll have to meet:

• Students should be enrolled in a consistent study program that has been approved by the Australian government.

• Students should fulfil all of the requirements of the study program.

• Students must maintain satisfactory attendance in their course and course progress for each study period as required by their school.

• Students must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Even as a student, you’ll be required to file your tax returns. Your employee would already have deducted the Pay-as-You-Go tax. If you earn less than $18,200 a year, you’ll get a complete tax rebate!

The Top 5 Part-Time Jobs in Australia

#1: Aged Care Worker

If you are outgoing and are keen to expand your perspective by interacting with the elderly, a job as an aged care worker could be for you!

The job scope is rather varied. From supporting the elderly with their daily activities, to providing social support during outings, to coordinating with their family members, there won’t be a dull moment in this role.

Keen to pursue a role in healthcare in the future? You could get started with a part-time job that pays an average of $35/h.

Interested? Get started by getting a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015), completing a traineeship, and obtaining a first-aid certificate.

#2: Delivery Driver

School can get hectic during the aptly coined ‘hell week’ or doing exam seasons. Being a delivery driver offers you flexibility and a rate of $20 per hour!

Obviously, if you don’t have a driving license, driving might not be up your alley.

#3: Personal Tutor

Have a good understanding and excellent results for some of your pre-university subjects? You should try your hand at being a personal tutor.

List your strengths, preferred location and rate on websites such as Superprof to connect with potential students. As a university student, you can charge upwards from $20/h, depending on your experience.

#4: Sales Representative

From selling flowers to bathroom design, there is a multitude of sales representative jobs on websites such as Seek. The typical rate is anything from $25 to $30 an hour.

Looking out for ‘We are Hiring!’ posters in your local shops is a great way to find such roles too.

Being a part-time sales representative way is a great way to build confidence. After all, you’ll have to decipher your customer’s slang (if you haven’t figured them out yet), and convince them to show interest in a product you might not know that well yourself.

#5: Customer Service

One of the main points of attraction for this role is the high pay of $26 per hour.

The idea is to keep a perpetual smile on your face as you respond to customer queries (and complaints) and ensure customer satisfaction.

It’s a great part-time role to enhance your communication skills.

Make Your Study Abroad Journey A Meaningful One

While having a part-time job can help alleviate one’s finances while studying abroad, it is still necessary to have adequate planning and preparation before you start your adventure.

Here’s where we come in. With over 50 years’ of experience helping students like yourself, our counsellors know just what to do to maximise your resources and help you get the best possible experience.

Simply make a free appointment to find out more.