Permission to Work
If you received your student visa on or after the 26th of April 2008, you should have received permission to work automatically with your student visa. This will apply to both you as the student and any family members who are travelling with you on your student visa. For more information, please see: New permission to work arrangements for student visa holders
If you received your student visa BEFORE the 26th of April 2008, you can still apply separately for permission to work. Please see below for more details:
To be eligible to make an application for a visa with permission to work, you must:
- be in Australia
- hold a valid student visa class 570-576 with visa condition 8101 (no work),
- have commenced your program at UQ, and
- have complied with the conditions of your existing visa.
Application process
Please note: You can only apply for a Permission to Work visa AFTER your first day of classes.
BEFORE you can apply for permission to work: All students seeking permisison to work must first inform the Student Centre staff on your campus that you plan to apply for permission to work. The Student Centre staff will then notify DIAC that you have commenced your studies. You must then wait ONE HOUR before making your application to DIAC.
Student using the paper application process: You may submit your application and payment to the Student Centre on your campus. The Student Centre will then forward the application to DIAC on your behalf.
How to apply for permission to work: Read detailed information here about how to apply for permission to work either electronically, using the paper application process or in person at the DIAC office in Brisbane.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start working?
Where can I start looking for jobs?
How long will my permission to work visa last?
How many hours am I allowed to work?
What if I extend my visa?
Do I need a Permission to Work visa for voluntary / unpaid work?
Can I work unlimited hours during Summer Semester?
When can I start working?
You can start working as soon as you receive email confirmation from DIAC that you have been granted your Student Visa with Permission to Work. Print DIAC's confirmation email and keep it with your passport until you go into the DIAC office to have your new visa label inserted into your passport. You will also need to apply for a tax file number (see below).
Where can I start looking for jobs?
Below are some tips on finding work:
- Check the daily newspapers advertisements for job vacancies, especially in The Courier Mail's Careers Section on Saturdays
- Search local employment website, such as Seek and Careerone (national and international job vacancies listed)
- Contact the UQ Union Student Employment Service
- UQ Career Hub (includes internship listings)
- Ask friends and fellow students
- For information on volunteer work, see: Volunteering (With volunteer work, you still need to apply for a Permission to Work Visa).
Please note: If you are planning to work with children under 18, you will need to apply for a Blue Card.
How long will my permission to work visa last?
Your Student Visa with Permission to Work will be issued for the same duration as your original Student Visa.
How many hours a week will I be allowed to to work?
Students who have been granted a Student Visa with Permission to Work, can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during semester and unlimited hours when your course is not in session. Work restrictions may vary for family members of international students. Please refer to the Conditions for work while studying.
Please note: IPRS and UQ research Scholarship holders may have further work restrictions. Please check and abide by the conditions of your scholarship.
For more information, please read the the employment restrictions and work patterns on the UQ Graduate School website.
What if I extend my visa?
If you apply for a visa extension in order to complete your program, you will automatically be given permission to work (provided you already had permission to work. However, if you get a new visa for a new program, then you will need to re-apply for a new Student Visa with Permission to Work .
Do I need a Permission to Work visa for voluntary/unpaid work?
Yes, a work visa is required for any voluntary or unpaid work, unless it is work undertaken as part of a compulsory professional placement that is part of your study program.
Can I work unlimited hours during Summer Semester?
If you choose to do summer courses, you can work full time. However, if your course includes a compulsory summer/winter semester, you can only work 20 hours per week .
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Taxation information
All students who wish to work while studying will require a Tax File Numbers. The table below sets out key information in regard to Tax in Australia. For more comprehensive information, please refer to the Australian Taxation Office website.
| Tax file number (TFN): |
| What is a tax file number? |
A Tax File Number (TFN) is a unique number issued by the Tax Office to individuals and organisations for identification and record keeping purposes. Only one TFN will ever be issued to you. Once you have a TFN, you don't need to re-apply for one if your circumstances change, for example, if you change your name or claim government benefits. For more information read Tax File Number information
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| Do I need one? |
You need a Tax File Number if one of the following applies:
- You plan to work while in Australia
- You are a resident of Australia for tax purposes and have money in an interest earning bank account
- For more information, read Why do I need a tax file number?
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| How do I apply? |
For more information, visit the Australian Taxation Office (Address: 280 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City; Telephone: 13 28 61)
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Resident for tax purposes
To understand your tax situation, the first thing you need to do is to work out whether you are an Australian resident for tax purposes. It is important to note the following:
- As an International Student, if you are studying in Australia for 6 months or more, you are classified as residents for tax purposes only.
- If you are not sure whether or not you are a resident of Australia for tax file purposes, check you residency status on the Australian Taxation Office website. Also see: Residency – overview
- The amount of tax you have to pay depends on your taxable income and whether or not you are a resident of Australia for tax purposes
Tax Return
The financial year in Australia is from 1st of July to 30th June of the following year. If you pay tax on income or bank interests, you must lodge an income tax return with the Taxation Office at the end of the financial year (30th June).
Do I need to lodge an Tax Return?
As an International Student, you have to lodge an income tax return if any of the following applies to you:
- You had tax deducted from income you received or earned in your casual employment
- You had an earned income exceeding the tax-free threshold amount of AUD$6000
- You had amounts deducted from interest, share dividends or unit trust earnings because you did not quote your Tax File Number to the banking or investment body. Also see: Do I need to lodge a tax return?
The ATO will accept your tax return prior to the end of the financial year (30th June), as long as:
- You are leaving Australia permanently;
- You are a non-resident of Australia for tax purposes or will cease to be a resident of Australia for tax purposes; and
- Will no longer derive Australian sourced income.
For more information on how to lodge an early tax return, visit the ATO website on Leaving Australia - lodge your return.
Useful links:
Superannuation
If you and/or your spouse are working in Australia and your monthly wage is more than AUS $450, your employer will generally contribute an amount equal to 9% of your wage into a superannuation account for you. If you entered Australia on a Student Visa, you can claim any superannuation benefit you accumulated during your stay, as long as you have permanently departed Australia. For more information, click here.
As an eligible temporary resident, you can apply for your departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP). You can apply online at no cost, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Useful link: Frequently asked questions
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