Australian student visa holders (Subclass 500) have a work limit of 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods. During course breaks, you can work unlimited hours. This guide explains the rule, how it is monitored, exceptions, and consequences of breach.
The 48-hour per fortnight rule
What it means
During the teaching periods of your course, you can work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight (14 days). This is enforced by condition 8105 on your student visa.
A fortnight is defined as a 14-day period. The 48-hour limit is cumulative across a single fortnight:
- If you work 40 hours in week 1 and 8 hours in week 2, that is within the limit (total: 48 hours).
- If you work 30 hours in week 1 and 20 hours in week 2, that is within the limit (total: 50 hours… wait, this exceeds 48 hours, so this is a breach).
The limit applies to each 14-day period separately; hours do not carry over to the next fortnight.
Teaching period vs course break
Teaching period: The period during which your course is actively running (lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, exams). This is usually:
- University: approximately 13 weeks per semester (typically 24–26 weeks per year).
- VET / diploma: varies by course and provider; check your course outline.
- Secondary school: approximately 40 weeks per year (minus school holidays).
Course break: Scheduled periods when no teaching is occurring:
- University semester break (usually 4 weeks between semesters; longer breaks at end of year).
- VET course break (between modules or quarters).
- School holidays (varies by state; typically 2 weeks per term, plus longer breaks at end of year).
Important: You must verify the exact teaching and break periods with your education provider. Do not assume standard calendar dates.
Unlimited hours during course breaks
During scheduled course breaks, you can work unlimited hours. This is a major opportunity for students to earn money:
- Work 50, 60, 80+ hours per week if available.
- Take on full-time work or multiple jobs.
- Work all night if needed.
There is no limit on hours worked during course breaks, provided you return to studying when teaching resumes.
Why the 48-hour limit exists
Home Affairs imposes the work limit to:
- Ensure students prioritise their studies over work.
- Prevent exploitation of student visa holders by employers.
- Protect Australian workers’ labour market (limiting competition).
- Maintain the integrity of the student visa program.
The rule applies regardless of whether your work is related to your course, your field of study, or your future career.
How the work limit is monitored
The 48-hour limit is not actively monitored on a daily or weekly basis. However, breaches are detected and enforced through:
1. Employer reporting (tax records)
Your employer reports your hours and income to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO shares data with Home Affairs. If your reported hours significantly exceed 48/fortnight during teaching periods, Home Affairs may investigate.
2. Border records
If you leave Australia and re-enter, border officials may ask about your work arrangements. If you disclose that you have been working excess hours, this can trigger a breach investigation.
3. Education provider reports
If your education provider believes you are working excessive hours and it is affecting your course progress or attendance, they may report this to Home Affairs.
4. Complaints
If a person (e.g., a fellow student, employer) reports you to Home Affairs for working excess hours, an investigation may be initiated.
5. Visa compliance checks
Home Affairs periodically conducts compliance checks on student visa holders, including review of employment records.
What counts as “work”?
The 48-hour limit applies to:
- Paid employment (part-time job, full-time job, casual work).
- Self-employment (freelancing, running a business, online work, tutoring for profit).
- Internships (paid or unpaid; depends on whether assessed as work experience or course requirement).
- Volunteer work (unpaid volunteering may or may not count; check with Home Affairs or your provider).
- Family business work (if paid or if you are benefiting from the work).
The 48-hour limit does not apply to:
- Unpaid volunteering (in most cases; check with your provider).
- Work-integrated learning (if it is part of your course structure and formally recognised; e.g., placement course, internship embedded in curriculum).
- Coursework (e.g., assigned projects, assignments).
- Casual, irregular work (e.g., helping a family member move, one-time assistance; though regular unpaid work may be counted).
If uncertain, ask your education provider whether your particular work arrangement counts toward the 48-hour limit.
How to track your hours
To avoid breaching condition 8105, maintain a detailed record of your working hours:
Work diary
Keep a simple log of hours worked each day:
Week 1 (Mon 2 Dec – Sun 8 Dec):
- Monday: 9 hours (9am–6pm with 1-hour lunch)
- Tuesday: 9 hours
- Wednesday: 0 hours (study day)
- Thursday: 9 hours
- Friday: 8 hours
- Saturday: 0 hours
- Sunday: 0 hours
Total Week 1: 35 hours
Week 2 (Mon 9 Dec – Sun 15 Dec):
- Monday: 10 hours
- Tuesday: 3 hours (very light day)
- Wednesday: 0 hours (study)
- Thursday: 0 hours (no shift)
- Friday: 0 hours (no shift)
- Saturday: 0 hours
- Sunday: 0 hours
Total Week 2: 13 hours
Fortnight total (2 Dec – 15 Dec): 35 + 13 = 48 hours ✓ (within limit)Payslips
Keep copies of your payslips, which detail hours worked and pay rates.
Communication with employer
Discuss the 48-hour limit with your employer. Ask them to schedule shifts in a way that keeps you under 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods. Most employers are aware of the limit and will cooperate.
Exceptions to the 48-hour rule
1. Work-integrated learning (embedded in course)
If your course includes a formal placement, internship, or practicum that is part of the curriculum, these hours may be exempt from the 48-hour limit.
Requirements:
- The work must be formally recognised as part of the course.
- It must be listed in your course outline or degree.
- Your education provider must confirm the exemption.
Example: A nursing course requires a 12-week clinical placement as part of the curriculum. These hours may be counted separately and not subject to the 48-hour limit.
Check with your education provider whether your course includes work-integrated learning and whether it is exempt.
2. Research and thesis work
If you are in a postgraduate research program (honours, master’s by research, PhD), your thesis work or research may be treated differently. Clarify with your provider how thesis work is assessed under the 48-hour limit.
3. Volunteering
Unpaid volunteering may not count toward the 48-hour limit, though this is ambiguous.
- If the volunteering is truly unpaid and unrelated to your course, Home Affairs may not count the hours.
- If the volunteering is structured, ongoing, and organised like employment, it may count toward the limit.
When in doubt, ask your education provider or Home Affairs whether your specific volunteering arrangement counts toward the 48-hour limit.
4. Minimum engagement rule (postgraduate coursework)
Some postgraduate coursework programs have a “minimum engagement” requirement rather than full-time enrolment. If you are on a reduced study load (e.g., part-time master’s), the 48-hour work rule may not apply or may apply differently. Check with your education provider.
What to do if you breach condition 8105
Scenario 1: You are about to breach
If you realise you are approaching or will exceed 48 hours in an upcoming fortnight:
- Notify your employer immediately that you need to reduce hours.
- Take unpaid leave or request fewer shifts.
- Avoid the breach by staying under 48 hours for that fortnight.
Scenario 2: You have already breached
If you have already worked excess hours:
- Do not panic: A single breach does not automatically result in visa cancellation. Home Affairs investigates and assesses the severity.
- Gather evidence: Collect your payslips, work diary, and a letter from your employer explaining the circumstances.
- Prepare an explanation: Write a brief statement explaining why the breach occurred (e.g., miscalculation of hours, temporary increase in workload, emergency situation).
- Notify Home Affairs (optional but recommended): You can voluntarily notify Home Affairs via ImmiAccount, admitting the breach and explaining the circumstances. Self-disclosure is viewed more favourably than Home Affairs discovering the breach independently.
- Correct the situation: Ensure future fortnights are within the limit.
Scenario 3: Home Affairs investigates
If Home Affairs investigates your working hours:
- Respond to requests: Home Affairs will request information about your work arrangements. Respond promptly and honestly.
- Provide supporting documents: Submit payslips, work diary, employment contract, and employer letter.
- Explain circumstances: Provide a clear explanation of why the breach occurred and what steps you have taken to prevent future breaches.
- Seek representation: Consider hiring a migration agent or lawyer if Home Affairs is threatening visa cancellation.
Consequences of breaching condition 8105
Minor/isolated breach
If you have a single, minor breach (e.g., worked 50 hours in one fortnight by 2 hours due to miscalculation):
- Home Affairs may issue a warning.
- They may require you to sign an undertaking to comply in future.
- Your visa may not be cancelled if circumstances are explained.
Serious or repeated breach
If you have worked significantly excess hours or breached repeatedly:
- Home Affairs may cancel your visa.
- You will be required to depart Australia within a specified timeframe.
- You may face deportation action if you do not depart voluntarily.
- Future Australian visa applications may be refused (you may be deemed of unsatisfactory character).
Career impact
A breach of condition 8105 and subsequent visa cancellation can:
- Prevent you from accessing post-graduation visas (e.g., Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa).
- Affect future Australian visa applications (skilled migration, partner visas, etc.).
- Result in you being excluded from Australia for a period.
Work and course progress
Impact on studies
Working 48 hours per fortnight (approximately 8 hours per week during teaching period) is intended to allow part-time work while prioritising studies:
- Part-time job: 15–20 hours/week is a typical part-time workload. To fit within 48 hours/fortnight (~24 hours/week average), you would need to work 2–3 days/week.
- Time management: Balancing part-time work with full-time study requires careful scheduling. Many students find 48 hours per fortnight manageable, though demanding.
Course progress condition
Breaching condition 8105 does not directly trigger condition 8202 (course progress), but excessive work hours often contribute to poor course progress (failures, non-attendance).
Home Affairs monitors both conditions:
- Condition 8105: Limits work hours.
- Condition 8202: Requires maintaining enrolment and satisfactory course progress (usually 50%+ pass rate).
If your work causes you to fail courses or fall below 50% pass rate, you breach condition 8202, which can result in visa cancellation.
FAQ
Q: Can I work 48 hours in one day if there is a 14-day period? A: Technically yes, but practically the rule is designed to prevent excessive work in any period. Working 48 hours in one day would be unusual and may trigger investigation (e.g., violation of occupational health and safety law).
Q: Does holiday work (full-time during breaks) affect my standing? A: No. Full-time work during scheduled course breaks is permitted. You can work 80+ hours per week during breaks without limit.
Q: If I defer my course, can I work unlimited hours? A: If your course is formally deferred (you are not enrolled), you are no longer a student and may not hold a student visa. You would need to depart Australia or apply for another visa. The work limit only applies to active student visa holders.
Q: Can I work as a casual if the hours are irregular? A: Yes, casual work counts toward the 48-hour limit. Even if your shifts are irregular, you must ensure the total does not exceed 48 hours per fortnight during teaching periods.
Q: Does my partner’s work count toward my 48-hour limit? A: No. Each person has their own work limit. Your partner (if on a dependent visa) can work full-time. Your dependent children cannot work (except in limited circumstances).
Q: What if my employer schedules me for 50 hours but I call in sick one day? A: If you actually work only 40 hours (due to the sick day), then you have not breached. Only actual hours worked count, not scheduled hours.
Q: Can I ask for a work exemption from Home Affairs? A: Home Affairs does not grant exemptions to the 48-hour rule for individual students. The rule applies universally to all student visa holders. Only formal work-integrated learning (embedded in course) is exempt.
Q: What if I work “under the table” (undeclared)? A: Undeclared work is illegal in Australia (tax evasion) and violates your student visa. If discovered, you will face both visa cancellation and potential legal prosecution for tax evasion.
Q: If I switch courses, does my work limit reset? A: No. The 48-hour limit applies across any course you are enrolled in. If you are in two courses simultaneously, the limit still applies.
Sources
- Condition 8105 (work limit): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa-conditions
- Student visa work rights: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/working-conditions-student-visa
- Student visa (Subclass 500): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-visa-500
Last reviewed: April 2026. Visa rules and charges change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.