Working Hours for International Students in Australia in 2026: Complete Guide to the 48-Hour Visa Rule

Understanding the working hours for students in Australia is one of the first things you need to sort out before or after arriving on a Student Visa. The rules are straightforward, but the consequences of getting them wrong — including visa cancellation — are serious.

This guide covers everything Nepali students need to know about Australia's student work hour rules in 2026: the 48-hour fortnight cap, who is exempt, how much you can earn, what counts as "work," and the latest on the proposed 60-hour increase.

The 48-hour per fortnight rule is the foundation of all student visa work rights in Australia. It applies to every international student holding a Subclass 500 Student Visa and is enforced under Condition 8105 by the Department of Home Affairs.

A "fortnight" means a fixed 14-day period starting on a Monday — you cannot shift or average it to suit your roster. Here is how the rule applies across different periods:

• During academic sessions (classes, exams, study periods): Maximum 48 hours per fortnight across all jobs combined. This cap replaced the previous 40-hour limit in July 2023.
• During official course breaks (semester holidays, summer/winter breaks): Unlimited hours. These must be officially scheduled breaks recognized by your education provider.
• Before your course starts: You cannot work at all, even if you have arrived in Australia early.
• After your course ends: Once final results are released, you can work unlimited hours until your visa expires — even while waiting for graduation.

Not all international students face the same restrictions. Several categories enjoy unlimited work rights from the day their course begins:

• Masters by Research students — can work unlimited hours. This applies only to degrees formally classified as "by research," not coursework masters programs that include a research component.
• PhD and Doctoral students — no work hour restrictions. This recognizes that research degrees often involve work-integrated activities like teaching, lab supervision, and industry collaboration.
• Commonwealth-sponsored students — those receiving Australian government funding (Australia Awards, Defence scholarships) are exempt from work limits.

Australia has one of the highest minimum wages in the world, making part-time work genuinely worthwhile for students. As of July 2025 (current through mid-2026):

• National minimum wage: AU $24.95 per hour (before tax)
• Casual loading (25%): AU $31.19 per hour — most student jobs are casual
• Penalty rates: Weekends and public holidays pay significantly more — up to AU $45–$50+ per hour in hospitality and retail
• Superannuation: Employers must pay 12% on top of your earnings into a retirement fund

Here is a realistic earnings breakdown for students working the maximum 48 hours per fortnight:

You will need a Tax File Number (TFN) to work legally. Without one, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate of 47%. Apply through the Australian Taxation Office website after arriving.

This is where many students make costly mistakes. The Department of Home Affairs counts all forms of paid work toward your 48-hour limit:

• Part-time and casual employment — both on-campus and off-campus jobs
• Gig economy work — UberEats, DoorDash, Menulog, rideshare platforms
• Freelance and contract work — even remote or online work
• Paid internships — unless the internship is a mandatory, CRICOS-registered part of your course

Genuine voluntary work for a non-profit organization generally does not count. However, "volunteering" at a family member's business or a commercial establishment will be treated as a visa breach.

Breaching Condition 8105 is taken seriously by the Australian government. Potential consequences include:

• Formal warning — for minor or first-time breaches (e.g., 49 hours instead of 48)
• Visa cancellation — for repeated or deliberate violations
• Future visa complications — a cancellation on your record can affect visa applications to Australia and other countries

However, there is an important protection. If your employer pressured or coerced you into exceeding the limit, the Assurance Protocol between the Fair Work Ombudsman and Home Affairs can protect you. Under this agreement, your visa will generally not be cancelled if you report the exploitation and commit to following visa conditions going forward.

In early 2026, Australia's Parliamentary Budget Office released a report outlining a Coalition proposal to increase student visa work hours from 48 to 60 hours per fortnight. Here is what you need to know:

• The proposed increase of 12 additional hours per fortnight would take effect from 1 July 2026 if approved
• It would apply during academic sessions only — no change to unlimited hours during breaks
• The PBO estimates it would generate AU $334 million in additional tax revenue
• The proposal is part of wider discussions about international student numbers and migration reform

• Keep a personal log. Do not rely on employers to track your total hours, especially if you have multiple jobs. A simple spreadsheet or phone app works.
• Understand the fortnight calculation. The 14-day period starts on a Monday. A common mistake is stacking hours across overlapping fortnights — you could work 25 hours in Week 1 and 25 in Week 2, but if those weeks span two different fortnights, you may breach the cap in one of them.
• Communicate with employers. Let each employer know you are on a student visa with a 48-hour fortnightly cap. Reputable Australian employers understand this and will accommodate your schedule.
• Budget realistically. Working 24 hours per week at the casual minimum wage earns roughly AU $2,990 per month before tax. Plan your expenses around this rather than assuming unlimited work availability.
• Use semester breaks strategically. Unlimited work hours during official breaks are your chance to earn more and build savings for the next academic term.

International students in Australia have the same workplace protections as any other employee under the Fair Work Act. This includes:

• Being paid at least the national minimum wage
• Receiving a payslip within one day of being paid
• Having superannuation (12%) paid on top of your earnings
• Working in a safe environment free from discrimination
• Not being threatened or exploited by employers

If you believe your employer is underpaying you, not providing payslips, or pressuring you to exceed your visa work limit, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94. They offer free advice in multiple languages, and your complaint will not affect your visa status.

As Nepal's oldest AIRC-certified education consultancy, Edwise Foundation has been guiding students to Australia since 2005. Our Australia advisors — many of whom personally studied there — help you with university selection, visa preparation, financial planning, and understanding your work rights before you arrive.

With a 96% acceptance rate and partnerships with over 150 universities, we ensure you find a right-match program that aligns your academic goals with your earning and career aspirations. If you are a Nepali student considering Australia, visit our study in Australia from Nepal page for everything you need to know about eligibility, costs, and timelines.