Working and studying in Australia in 2026: hours, wages and jobs

One of Australia's great advantages over other destinations is that you can study and work legally at the same time. With high hourly wages, many students cover a good part of their accommodation and food without giving up their studies. Here we explain how it really works in 2026: the rules, the wages and how to take your first steps.

1. How many hours you can work on the student visa

• Up to 48 hours every two weeks while your course is in session (it is the current limit of the subclass 500).
• No hour limit during the official course holidays.
• The limit is counted in two-week blocks (a fortnight), not per individual week.

2. Wages and minimum wage in Australia

Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world, and many part-time jobs pay an hourly rate well above what is common in Latin America or Spain. That means that, even working part-time, the income helps enormously. In addition:

• The first ~AUD $18,200 per year are tax-free.
• On weekends and public holidays many sectors pay surcharges ("penalty rates").
• The minimum wage is set by the Government and updated each year (usually in July).

We don't publish exact wage figures because they change every year; on the video call we give you the real, up-to-date ranges for your case.

3. Typical student jobs

• Hospitality: cafés, restaurants, bars (waiter, barista, kitchen hand).
• Retail: shops, supermarkets.
• Cleaning: offices, houses, hotels (in high demand).
• Delivery and logistics.
• Care work and services (depending on experience and level of English).

These are ideal jobs for improving your English while earning money, and many require no previous experience.

4. Taxes: TFN, bank and superannuation

To work legally you need a couple of simple steps that we do with you on arrival:

• TFN (Tax File Number): your tax number, free of charge. Without it, tax is withheld at the highest rate.
• Australian bank account to receive your wages.
• Superannuation: a "retirement" account where the employer pays an extra percentage; you can recover part of it when you leave the country.

5. How to find your first job

1. Prepare an Australian-style CV (short, clear, with references).
2. Hand out your CV in person: in hospitality and retail, delivering it by hand works really well.
3. Use job boards like Seek, Indeed or local groups.
4. Improve your English: the higher your level, the better the jobs and wages.
5. Lean on the community: word of mouth lands many first jobs.

We guide you with your CV, the sectors with the most demand in your city and the first steps so you don't arrive feeling lost.

6. Can my partner work if they come with me?

In many cases yes: the partner who accompanies you as a dependent can have a work permit, with conditions depending on the type of course you study (for example, master's programs usually have more flexibility). It is a point we review in detail in your case, because it makes a big difference to the family budget.

7. Can you cover expenses by working?

Honestly: working helps a lot to cover accommodation and food, but you should not rely on it to pay for the course or the visa. In fact, the Government requires you to show funds (~AUD $29,710 for 12 months) precisely because you cannot depend on work alone. The realistic combination is: savings + course paid + work for your day-to-day. We help you do that calculation properly before you travel.

8. How we help you (and why with us)

• 🏢 Our own office in Melbourne and our own staff who support you on arrival.
• 🛡️ Migration assistance provided by a registered migration agent (MARN 2318321).
• 🎯 We choose a course with a schedule that lets you work within the law.
• 🤝 We support you with the TFN, bank account, CV and job search.
• 💬 Personal support by video call and WhatsApp. +800 students over the last 8 years.

9. Frequently asked questions