If you are a Nepali student planning Australia, the “work hours” question comes up almost immediately.
Because it is not just about extra pocket money. It is rent. Groceries. Transport. Phone bill. Sometimes, helping family back home too. And also, you do not want to mess up your visa conditions by accident, which happens more often than people admit.
So let’s keep this simple, accurate, and actually useful.
Most international students in Australia can work 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
A fortnight is two weeks, so think of it as an average of 24 hours per week, but the rule is not “per week”. It is measured across the full two week block.
And during approved study breaks, many students can work unlimited hours.
That is the basic rule. Now the details matter. A lot.
A lot of students misunderstand this and accidentally break conditions. Here’s how it works.
A fortnight is any rolling 14 day period. Not necessarily Monday to Sunday times two. Your employer’s roster might run weekly, but Home Affairs looks at the total hours over the two week window.
So you could do something like:
But if you do:
And yes, overtime counts. Paid or unpaid. If you are “working”, it counts.
If the role is genuinely volunteer and normally unpaid, it may not count. But the line gets blurry fast.
If you are “volunteering” in a role that is basically a paid job (same duties, same roster style, same expectations), it can be treated as work. If you are unsure, treat it as work and stay within limits. Not worth the risk.
You can usually work unlimited hours when your course is not in session, during scheduled course breaks.
Examples:
What does not count?
Australia cares about what your education provider classifies as a break, not what you personally feel like doing.
You can work only after your course has started, not from the day you land.
This catches students by surprise. You might arrive early for orientation, settle in, and think you can jump into a job. But your permission to work as a student is tied to course commencement.
Your course start date is usually on your CoE or confirmed by the institution.
Still the same limit.
It does not matter if you work:
Total is total. The 48 hour cap is across all work combined.
This is why tracking your hours matters. Keep your own notes, don’t rely on an employer to do it for you.
Yes, they count.
Even if it is:
Working beyond the limit can lead to serious issues, including visa cancellation in some cases. And cash payments can add another layer of risk because you may not have proper records if questions come up.
Also, please hear this plainly. Cash jobs often come with underpayment, unfair treatment, and zero protection. Many students fall into it because they feel stuck. It is not always avoidable, I get it. But if you have a choice, aim for proper payslips and legal pay.
Some research students may have different work rights depending on their visa conditions. In many cases, research students can work more flexibly.
But don’t assume. Always check your visa grant notice conditions.
If your course has a mandatory placement (like nursing, social work, teaching, etc), those placement hours may not count toward the 48 hours if they are a required part of the course.
But again, it depends on the type of placement and how the provider structures it. This is something you should confirm with your education provider, and keep documents.
Dependent work rights can differ, especially if the primary student is in a higher level qualification. Many dependents get broader work rights, but it depends on the exact visa stream and current rules.
Do not guess based on what a friend said in Sydney. Check the grant letter.
Australia’s student visa is meant for studying first. Work is allowed, but the system expects that you:
The limit is basically Australia saying, “You can work part time, but your main job is study.”
And honestly, if you have tried to study full time and work heavy hours at the same time, you already know why this matters. It wrecks sleep. It ruins assignments. People start skipping classes. Then it becomes a spiral.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on city, rent, lifestyle, and whether you share accommodation.
Big picture:
Most Nepali students reduce costs by:
Also, not every job gives consistent hours. Some weeks you get nothing, other weeks you get offered too many shifts. You need to manage the balance.
A few practical moves that help.
Use a notes app, spreadsheet, anything. Record:
If something ever becomes a question, you have your own log.
Some employers either don’t know the rule or don’t care. If you break conditions, the consequences fall on you, not them.
Look for employers that provide:
Underpayment is common in hospitality and cleaning. Not always, but common enough.
This sounds obvious. But in week 6 or 7 when assignments pile up, you will wish you had planned better.
If extra shifts lead to poor grades, course extension, or failing subjects, you can end up spending more money overall. Tuition is not cheap.
A lot of the stress around student work rules happens because students don’t get clear guidance early.
Global Select Education and Visa works with Nepali students who want to study and build a stable life pathway in Australia, and that includes the practical side. Not just getting an offer letter and flying out.
They help with the full process:
And because they are known for an ethical approach and strong visa success record, the advice tends to be grounded in what actually works, not what sounds nice in a Facebook group.
If you are still at the decision stage, the best time to ask work limit questions is before you lodge your visa, not after.
For most student visas, the rule is:
And your visa grant letter is the final authority. Always.
It’s not measured per week. For most students it is 48 hours per fortnight, which averages to 24 hours per week, but the total is calculated over two weeks.
You can usually work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. While your course is running, you are generally limited to 48 hours per fortnight.
No. You can work only after your course has officially started.
No. The 48 hours per fortnight is your total across all jobs.
If it is genuinely volunteer work, it may not count. But if it looks like a normal job arrangement, it can be treated as work. When unsure, stay within the limit and ask for proper advice.
If the placement is a mandatory part of your course, it may not count toward the 48 hours. This depends on your course structure, so confirm with your provider.
It can be a breach of visa conditions and may lead to serious consequences, including visa cancellation in severe cases. It is not something to play with.
Check your visa grant notice and the conditions listed there. If you used a consultancy like Global Select Education and Visa, confirm directly with them too, especially if your situation is specific (research, dependent, placement, etc).
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| Course | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Requirements or Considerations | English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) | Tuition Fees (per year for international students) | Top Universities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nursing | 3 years | 1-2 years | Clinical placements required; may need specific health immunizations. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University |
Information Technology | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | May require programming skills or prior coursework in IT. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $50,000 | Australian National University, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne |
Accounting | 3 years | 1-2 years | Need to meet accreditation standards by professional bodies. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $30,000 - $40,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland |
Engineering (various fields) | 4 years | 1-2 years | Strong background in mathematics and physics required. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $35,000 - $45,000 | University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, Monash University |
Social Work | 4 years | 1-2 years | Practical experience or placements required. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $28,000 - $40,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland |
Education (various fields) | 4 years | 1-2 years | A police clearance and working with children check required. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $28,000 - $35,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Monash University |
Psychology | 3 years | 1-2 years | Requires strong research and psychological theory understanding. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland |
Occupational Therapy | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | May require pre-registration or relevant clinical experience. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $30,000 - $45,000 | University of Queensland, University of Sydney, Curtin University |
Architecture | 3-4 years | 2 years | Includes technical and creative coursework, portfolio may be required. | Minimum IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79-93. | AUD $35,000 - $50,000 | University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Monash University |
Medicine and Health Sciences | 5-6 years | 2-4 years | Highly competitive entry, includes clinical placements and internships. | Minimum IELTS 7.0; TOEFL 94-101. | AUD $45,000 - $70,000 | University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Australian National University |
| State/Territory | Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) | Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | Required for some occupations | Required for some occupations and regions |
| Victoria (VIC) | Required | Required |
| Queensland (QLD) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Required for some occupations and regions |
| South Australia (SA) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Required for some occupations and regions |
| Western Australia (WA) | Not typically required | Not typically required |
| Tasmania (TAS) | Not typically required, conditions apply | Not typically required, conditions apply |
| Northern Territory (NT) | Not typically required | Not typically required |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Required, uses Matrix system | Required, uses Matrix system |
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