Part-Time Jobs in Australia for Students 2026: 48 Hours/Fortnight, Wages & Best Jobs

Part time jobs in Australia for students are one of the most powerful financial tools available to international learners — enabling Indian students to earn AUD $2,400–$4,000+ per month while pursuing their CRICOS-registered programmes. In 2026, Subclass 500 visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. With Australia's national minimum wage at AUD $24.95/hour — and the casual loading rate at AUD $31.19/hour (25% loading) — Indian students working the maximum 48 hours per fortnight earn significantly more than their counterparts in Canada, the UK, or the USA. This comprehensive 2026 guide from EEC — 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ Indian students placed — covers every aspect of part time jobs in Australia for students: the 48-hour fortnightly work rule, minimum wage calculations, the 15 best-paying part-time roles, realistic monthly earnings, TFN application and tax obligations, casual vs permanent part-time employment, and work-integrated learning opportunities. Whether you are pursuing an MBA in Australia, a master's degree, or a budget-friendly diploma at a regional university, understanding your work rights in 2026 is essential for financial planning.

48 Hours/Fortnight Rule Explained — Off-Campus Work Rights in 2026

The single most important rule governing part time jobs in Australia for students in 2026 is the fortnightly work hour cap. Under Subclass 500 visa conditions, international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (equivalent to an average of 24 hours per week) during regular academic sessions. During scheduled breaks — summer, winter, and inter-semester periods — Indian students can work unlimited hours, including full-time shifts. This rule applies to all Subclass 500 visa holders enrolled at a CRICOS-registered institution. The 48-hour fortnightly system replaced the old 40-hour limit from July 1, 2023. Here is the complete breakdown:

The 48-hour fortnightly structure offers greater flexibility than a weekly cap. Indian students can choose to work 30 hours in one week and 18 hours the next, or split evenly at 24 hours per week — as long as the fortnightly total does not exceed 48 hours. This is particularly useful during exam weeks, when students can reduce hours to 10–15 and then work 33–38 hours the following week. Many Indian students at universities like the University of Melbourne, UNSW, Deakin, and Monash use this flexibility to maximise earnings while maintaining academic performance. The unlimited hours during scheduled breaks are especially valuable — Indian students working full-time during the 12–14 week summer break can earn AUD $8,000–$12,000, which significantly offsets the AUD $29,710/year living cost requirement.

Minimum Wage — AUD $24.95/Hour — The Highest Student Earning Floor Globally

Australia's national minimum wage of AUD $24.95 per hour (approximately ₹1,370) is the highest minimum wage accessible to international students among all major study destinations. This is a national minimum — it applies in every state and territory, from Sydney to Perth, Melbourne to Darwin. For casual employees — which most Indian students are — the 25% casual loading pushes the effective hourly rate to AUD $31.19/hour. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and sick days. Here is how Australian wages compare to other study destinations in 2026:

The casual loading rate of AUD $31.19/hour deserves special attention from Indian students. Most part-time roles available to students — hospitality, retail, food delivery, warehouse work — hire on a casual basis. This means you receive the base rate plus 25% loading instead of accruing paid leave. For students who plan to work only during their degree (1–2 years), the casual arrangement is financially superior — you earn more per hour with no intention of taking extended paid leave. Industry-specific award rates can push casual rates even higher: hospitality casuals earn AUD $31.19–$39.00/hr, retail casuals earn AUD $31.19–$35.00/hr, and weekend/public holiday rates can reach AUD $50–$62/hr. For the complete cost of studying in Australia, these earnings dramatically offset living expenses.

Best Part-Time Jobs for Indian Students in Australia (2026)

Choosing the right part-time job in Australia for students can mean the difference between earning the minimum AUD $24.95 and earning AUD $35–$50/hour with penalty rates. Here are the 15 most popular and best-paying part-time roles for Indian students in Australia, ranked by hourly pay and career value:

For Indian students seeking immediate employment upon arrival, the fastest path is applying to Woolworths, Coles, McDonald's, KFC, and Amazon fulfilment centres — these employers actively recruit international students, offer flexible schedules, and pay at or above the casual minimum of AUD $31.19/hour. Use Seek.com.au, Indeed.com.au, Gumtree, and your university's job board to find openings. Most Indian students find their first part-time job within 2–4 weeks of arriving in Australia. Networking with senior Indian students through your university's Indian Student Association is one of the most effective strategies — many casual positions are filled through word-of-mouth referrals, especially in the Indian restaurant and hospitality sector.

Monthly Earnings Calculator — Realistic Numbers for Indian Students

How much can Indian students actually earn from part time jobs in Australia in 2026? The 48-hour fortnightly cap during academic sessions and unlimited hours during breaks create two distinct earning profiles. Let's calculate realistic monthly and annual earnings:

During Academic Sessions (48 hrs/fortnight cap)

During Scheduled Breaks (Unlimited Hours)

“I work 48 hours per fortnight at Woolworths during semester ($31.19/hr casual) and full-time during summer and winter breaks. My total annual earnings exceed AUD $40,000 — enough to cover my entire living cost of AUD $29,710 and most of my tuition. My parents funded only the first semester deposit and visa fees. EEC's pre-departure session taught me to start job hunting online before I even landed in Australia.”

— Rohit M., Master of IT, Deakin University — Earning AUD $40K+/year through part-time and break work

Total annual earnings for Indian students: AUD $35,000–$55,000+. An Indian student working 48 hours per fortnight during the 8-month academic year at AUD $31.19/hour (casual) earns AUD $25,942, plus full-time summer and winter work at the same rate adds approximately AUD $19,046 = AUD $44,988 per year. This exceeds the AUD $29,710 annual living cost requirement and can contribute significantly toward tuition fees. Students pursuing a scholarship can combine award funding with part-time earnings to make studying in Australia remarkably affordable. When planning your education loan amount, factor in these realistic earnings to minimise your borrowing.

TFN Application & Tax Guide — What Every Indian Student Must Know

Before you can start any part-time job in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN). The TFN is a unique 9-digit number issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) — it is your tax identity in Australia. Without a TFN, employers must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate (45%), which means you lose nearly half your earnings to tax. Applying for a TFN is free, simple, and should be done in your first week in Australia. Here is the complete process for Indian students in 2026:

How to Apply for a TFN

Tax Obligations for International Students in Australia

Every Indian student earning income in Australia must file a tax return with the ATO. International students on Subclass 500 visas are classified as Australian residents for tax purposes if they reside in Australia for more than 6 months — which means they benefit from the tax-free threshold of AUD $18,200 per year. If your annual earnings are below AUD $18,200, you owe zero income tax. Here is the complete tax structure for Indian students in 2026:

Casual vs Permanent Part-Time — Which Is Better for Indian Students?

Indian students in Australia encounter two main types of part-time employment: casual employment and permanent part-time employment. Each has distinct advantages, and understanding the difference is crucial for maximising your earnings and protecting your rights under Australian employment law in 2026:

The vast majority of Indian students in Australia — approximately 80% — work as casual employees, and this is typically the better option. The 25% casual loading means you earn AUD $31.19/hour instead of $24.95/hour — an extra AUD $6.24 per hour. Over 48 hours per fortnight across 8 months, that loading generates an additional AUD $5,192 per year compared to a permanent part-time role at the same base rate. Since most Indian students are in Australia for 1–3 years and do not need paid annual leave, the casual arrangement is financially superior. However, permanent part-time roles at universities (library, admin, lab assistant) offer the stability and professional references that strengthen your PR pathway. The ideal strategy is to combine both: a casual hospitality or retail job for maximum earnings, and a permanent part-time university role for career development.

Internships & Work-Integrated Learning — Full-Time Work During Studies

Many Australian university programmes include mandatory internships, practicums, or work-integrated learning (WIL) — and these offer Indian students the opportunity to work full-time in their field of study as part of their academic programme. Unlike regular part-time work, WIL placements are embedded in your curriculum and may or may not be paid. Here is what Indian students need to know about work-integrated learning in Australia in 2026:

Types of Work-Integrated Learning in Australia

Work-integrated learning is particularly valuable for Indian students because Australian work experience gained during WIL placements directly strengthens your profile for the Subclass 485 post-study work visa and permanent residency applications. Employers who host you as a WIL student often extend full-time job offers after graduation — giving you a guaranteed position for your 485 visa period. For Indian students targeting PR-aligned courses, programmes with mandatory WIL at universities like UTS, RMIT, Deakin, and Swinburne offer both academic credit and career acceleration. The Genuine Student (GS) requirement also views WIL-embedded programmes favourably — they demonstrate clear educational and career intent. The 485 visa duration — 2 years for bachelor's, 2–3 years for master's, 3–4 years for PhD — provides ample time to convert WIL connections into permanent employment and ultimately PR through the points system.

“My Master of IT at UTS included a mandatory 6-month industry placement at Atlassian. They paid me AUD $38/hr full-time — I earned AUD $30,000 in one placement. After graduating, Atlassian offered me a full-time role, and I'm now on my 485 visa building PR points. Without EEC recommending UTS specifically for its industry placement programme, I would have gone to a university without WIL and missed this opportunity entirely.”

— Arjun K., Master of IT, UTS → Industry Placement at Atlassian → 485 Visa → PR Pathway

Part time jobs in Australia for students in 2026 offer Indian students a genuine path to financial independence during their studies. With the 48-hour fortnightly work cap, a national minimum wage of AUD $24.95/hour (AUD $31.19 casual), and unlimited work during breaks, Indian students can realistically earn AUD $35,000–$55,000+ per year — covering the AUD $29,710 living cost requirement and contributing significantly toward tuition at CRICOS-registered institutions. The key is to apply for your TFN from the ATO in your first week, start job hunting through Seek, Indeed, and university job boards, target casual roles for maximum hourly earnings, and always stay within the 48-hour fortnightly limit during academic sessions. File your annual tax return to claim refunds, and explore work-integrated learning for career-relevant Australian experience. With the Subclass 500 visa fee at AUD $2,000, OSHC mandatory, and the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replacing GTE since March 23, 2024, financial readiness is central to your visa success. EEC has guided 50,000+ Indian students through their Australian journey — from Subclass 500 visa applications to PR success. Book your free consultation today, or visit an EEC centre near you. For further planning, explore studying without IELTS, studying after 12th, or opportunities for those with academic backlogs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Part-Time Jobs in Australia for Students