Working in Australia

Working in Australia


Learn everything you need to know about finding work in Australia as a local or international student.

international students sitting in front of table and talking

What kind work can I get as a student?

RMIT is located in the heart of the vibrant Melbourne city, surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants and cafes - making it convenient for students to find work close to campus.

Whether you are looking for a part-time job to support your study, or want to gain more industry experience within a professional role, RMIT is here to help.

Prepare for work in Australia


Devices

Apply for a TFN

To work in Australia, you must:

Family

Know your rights at work

All workers in Australia, including students, are protected by workers' rights to ensure they are being paid and treated fairly. 

The Fair Work Ombudsman website provides free information and advice on pay, conditions and workplace rights in Australia.

International students can also consult the International Education Association of Australia’s Employable You: An online guide for international students.

Understand superannuation

Superannuation (or 'super') is money deducted from your salary and invested into a fund by your employer for when you retire.

To learn more about superannuation and how it affects you, see:

Where to find jobs for students in Melbourne

Online job search

You don’t have to wait until you arrive in Melbourne to begin checking out the job market around the city. There are plenty of resources to begin looking now that can also be useful tools once you arrive.

These websites are commonly used for job searching, including casual or part time jobs, internships or graduate jobs:

RMIT career services

As an RMIT student, you will have access to an array of services and resources to help you find a job, plan your career and build the in-demand skills that top employers are looking for.

Timelapse of exterior of City campus Job Shop.

Career Connect

Your one-stop service for help finding and applying for jobs, career consultations, resume advice and more.

A student works at a desktop.

Online career resources

Plan your career, improve your skills and perfect your applications anytime, anywhere.

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Career Centre

Search job and internship listings, see upcoming events and more. Login required.

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Career and job resources

Our career, job and employability resources will help you plan your career and stand out to employers.

Volunteering and internships

Volunteering and internships help you build your professional network. These not only give you valuable hands-on experience, they also have the potential to lead you into paid work while you study.

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Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, develop your practical job-ready skills and get more out of your university experience.

A window display at Country Road created by RMIT Visual Merchandising students.

Internships, work experience and WIL

Gain valuable professional experience, develop your skills in a workplace setting and make industry connections.

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Work on campus

Looking for part-time or casual work at RMIT? Working with us on campus gives you the opportunity to gain paid employment, build skills and gain exposure to industry specific employment and contacts.

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Start your own business

Thinking of starting a business and being your own boss? Check out:

Finding jobs for international students

Important! Changes to work restrictions for student visa holders: From 1 July 2023, work restrictions for all other student visa holders were re-introduced and capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight. You can find out more about the changes here.

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As an international student, your visa will come with certain details and conditions. International students are typically only allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight during the semester. During university holidays, international students can typically work full-time.

However, different visa types have varying work requirements. Make sure to check you are working in accordance with your individual visa requirements on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website:

Finding a job can feel like a challenging task for international students, but at RMIT you will have access to a range of tools, resources, events and personal consultations offered by our dedicated team.
Vinisha Internship

Meet international student Vinisha: From internship to employment at RMIT

Master of Marketing graduate Vinisha shares why she chose to study at RMIT in Australia and how her internship at RMIT led to a permanent position within the marketing team at Medibank in Melbourne. 

Got questions about moving to Melbourne?

Get in touch with the friendly staff at Study@RMIT if you have any questions about the process of applying to study in Melbourne. Our staff are ready to answer any questions you have about courses, applications, pathways and important dates for local and international prospective students.

Explore more

Moving to Melbourne

Discover everything you need to study in Melbourne, the third most liveable city in the world.

Student accommodation

Looking for comfortable and convenient student accommodation in Melbourne? We’ve got you covered with all the options you could want.

Cost of living

Discover what the cost of living is like in Melbourne so you can be prepared for everyday life as a student in the city.

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torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information