Tag Archives: full time

 Here are most asked questions by international students in Australia during Covid-19 regarding their work right in Australia. Please find below our answers:

(Source: internet)

1. Can I work more than 40 hrs/ fortnight as I am studying online?

- No. As your course is in session, you can only work up to 40 hrs/ fortnight, unless you are studying Master by research or PHD.

2. I heard that some international students have received relaxation on work right. Who s eligible for this arrangement?

On 7 March 2020, the Government decided to temporarily relax the 40 hour work limit for student visa holders working in supermarkets. This temporary measure ceased on 1 May 2020 for supermarkets.​

From 1 May 2020, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force will exercise normal discretion in relation to student visa holders employed in supermarkets who exceed the work limitations of their visa. The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force officers will not seek to enforce these conditions for, nor initiate prosecutions with respect to, student visa holders who worked in supermarkets in accordance with this temporary measure between 7 March 2020 and 30 April 2020.

​On 18 March 2020, all aged care Approved Providers or Commonwealth-funded aged care service providers with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID were provided access to the temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders. These providers should see the letter provided to them by the Department of Health for further details.

On 23 April 2020, all registered National Disability Insurance Scheme providers were given access to this temporary measure. There is no requirement for NDIS providers to register with the Department of Home Affairs. These providers should see the letter provided to them by the NDIS Commission for further details.​ See a list of NDIS providers​.

Student visa holders already enrolled in nursing can undertake work to help and support the health effort against COVID-19 as directed by health officials. On 23 April 2020, this was expanded to include all student visa holders enrolled in health care related courses supporting the health effort against COVID-19 as directed by health officials. W​e will not take any enforcement action regarding health care students working in these circumstances.​

3. So what about other international students' work rights?

- It will depend on the course you are studying and whether you are the main student visa holder or dependant student visa holder.

4. What if i am approved for deferment/ leave of absence/intermission by my institute?

- During the Covid-19 pandemic, international students are allowed to stay in Australia and have full-time work right during the approved period. However, please be aware that:

• You should only stop your study after your institute approves your deferment/ leave of absence/intermission application. Some international students thought they can stop studying at the time of application, and when their application was rejected, they have missed numbers of classes, assessments, hence affect their academic performance. Your full-time work right only starts after your institute approves your deferment/ leave of absence/intermission application. 
• The reasons you put on your deferment/ leave of absence/intermission application will be recorded. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship can consider visa cancellation where it is found that a student has deferred for non-genuine reasons and remains in Australia on a Student visa for purposes not consistent with their visa.