From 1 July 2023, the national minimum wage was lifted to $23.23 per hour. In 2023, the Australian minimum wage for a standard 38 hours work week equates to $882.80 per week.
Students in Australia often engage in various part-time jobs to support themselves financially while studying. Some common part-time jobs for students in Australia include:
- Retail Jobs: Working in retail stores such as supermarkets, clothing stores, electronics shops, etc.
- Hospitality Jobs: Waitstaff, baristas, bartenders, kitchen hands, and other positions in cafes, restaurants, and bars.
- Tutoring: Providing tutoring services to younger students or peers in subjects they excel in.
- Call Center or Customer Service Representative: Handling customer inquiries over the phone or online for various companies.
- Administrative Assistant: Working in offices or administrative roles, such as receptionists, data entry clerks, or administrative assistants.
- Delivery Driver: Delivering food or parcels for companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, or local businesses.
- Childcare: Babysitting or working in childcare centers.
- Hospital or Aged Care Assistant: Assisting in hospitals or aged care facilities with tasks like cleaning, meal preparation, or providing companionship.
- Freelancing: Working as a freelancer in areas such as graphic design, writing, programming, or digital marketing.
- Event Staff: Working at events or conferences as ushers, ticket sellers, or event setup/cleanup crew.
These are just a few examples, and the availability of part-time jobs can vary depending on the city, time of year, and individual preferences and skills.
Part-time jobs can be immensely beneficial for international students in several ways:
- Financial Support: Many international students rely on part-time jobs to supplement their income and cover living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other necessities. This financial support can alleviate financial stress and help students afford their education and living costs.
- Skill Development: Part-time jobs provide opportunities for international students to develop essential skills such as communication, time management, teamwork, customer service, and problem-solving. These skills are valuable both academically and professionally and can enhance their future career prospects.
- Cultural Integration: Working part-time allows international students to immerse themselves in the local culture, interact with locals, and improve their English language skills. It provides them with a chance to experience the Australian workplace culture firsthand, understand workplace norms and expectations, and build a professional network.
- Gain Work Experience: Part-time jobs offer international students practical work experience that can complement their academic studies. This experience not only enhances their resumes but also helps them gain insights into their chosen field, identify their strengths and interests, and make informed career decisions.
Overall, part-time jobs play a crucial role in the holistic development and well-being of international students, offering them financial stability, skill enhancement, cultural immersion, and personal growth opportunities.
There are several websites and sources where international students in Australia can search for part-time jobs:
- Seek: Seek is one of the largest job search platforms in Australia, offering a wide range of job listings across various industries and locations.
- Indeed: Indeed aggregates job listings from various sources, including company websites and job boards, making it a comprehensive platform for job seekers.
- Gumtree: Gumtree is a popular classifieds website where you can find listings for part-time jobs, including casual work, tutoring, hospitality, retail, and more.
- Jora: Jora is another job search engine that collects job listings from various websites and presents them in one place, making it easy to browse through multiple opportunities.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is not only a professional networking platform but also a resource for job seekers. Many companies in Australia post job openings on LinkedIn, and students can use it to network with professionals and recruiters.
- Student Job Search (SJS): SJS is a dedicated job search platform for students in Australia and New Zealand. It offers part-time, casual, and temporary job listings specifically targeted at students.
- UniSA CareerHub: Many universities in Australia have their own job portals or career centers where students can find job listings, career resources, and information about internships and work placements. UniSA CareerHub is an example of such a platform.
- Hospitality and Retail Websites: Websites specific to the hospitality and retail industries, such as SpotJobs, Hospitality Jobs Australia, and Retail Jobs, often list part-time job opportunities in these sectors.
- Company Websites: Directly visiting the websites of companies you're interested in working for can sometimes yield job listings that are not posted elsewhere. Many companies have a "Careers" or "Jobs" section on their websites where they advertise job openings.
- Networking: Networking with classmates, professors, alumni, and professionals in your field can also lead to job opportunities that may not be advertised publicly.
It's essential for students to regularly check these websites, tailor their resumes and cover letters to each job application, and follow up with employers to increase their chances of securing part-time employment.
Under TFN (Tax File Number) number
TFN stands for Tax File Number in Australia. It is a unique identifier issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to individuals who need to interact with the Australian taxation system, including paying taxes and accessing government services and benefits.
International students studying in Australia may also need a TFN if they are earning income in the country. Having a TFN allows them to work legally and ensures that the correct amount of tax is withheld from their pay. It's important for international students to apply for a TFN if they intend to work while studying.
To apply for a TFN, international students can do so online through the Australian Taxation Office website or by filling out a paper application form. They typically need to provide proof of identity and residency status in Australia. Once the application is processed, the student will receive their TFN via mail.
It's important to keep the TFN confidential and only provide it to employers, banks, or other entities as required for tax and financial purposes.
