Working while you study is not only a great way to earn some extra money, but it also gives you the chance to make connections, experience Perth’s way of life and practise your English if you are not a native speaker.
For your convenience, StudyPerth has its very own Jobs Board which consolidates some of Australia's most popular jobs boards. Access it via ProsPER, our online employability portal, to start applying today.
Other helpful job search tools include:
If you are on a Student Visa (a full-time international student), you will have the opportunity to work casually or part-time for up to 40 hours per fortnight (two-week period), and unlimited hours during the semester break.
There are many casual and part-time jobs available throughout Perth in the areas of administration, hospitality, retail, aged-care and housekeeping or cleaning.
As a casual employee, you have no guaranteed hours of work and do not get paid leave entitlements. To compensate this, casual work will be paid at a higher hourly rate. An adult (aged 18 years or over) can expect to earn a minimum of AUD $20.33 per hour.
As a part-time employee, you will work fewer than 38 hours per week and will have the same leave benefits as a full-time employee, at a rate in proportion to the amount of time you work.
Before graduating, you may also want to consider applying for a Temporary Graduate visa, which will allow you to work in Australia for two to four years post-study.
As an international student who is working while studying, you have the same work rights as any Australian citizen to a safe and fair workplace.
The Fair Work Ombudsman website will tell you everything you need to know about your pay, holidays and time off, as well as other entitlements and what to expect when your job ends.
You can also use the Pay Calculator to work out what you can expect to be paid while working in Perth.
Your Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal reference number in Australia's tax system. You can apply for a TFN online once you have your visa and have arrived in Australia. You should apply for your TFN before you start work or soon after.
While it is not a requirement, if you choose to work in Australia you should get a TFN to avoid paying more tax than you have to. It is free too!
Many degrees at Perth’s universities require you to enrol in an internship, practical placement or vocational training as part of your course. You should firstly find out whether the course you are studying requires you to do an internship. Universities have teams to help you find relevant internships and practical placements, so approach your institution for more information about what’s available.
If your course does not require you to do an internship or work experience, that should not stop you from finding one that works for you.
Many online job search sites advertise internship programs, or you can visit Grad Australia to search for internship programs in Perth.
If you are in a creative industry, you might like to attend an event with Guerrilla Establishment, a not-for-profit organisation providing ongoing education, support and personal development to Perth students, graduates and industry members.
Internships and work experience are often unpaid working arrangements, meaning you are expected to experience the work involved as your primary benefit.
Before you commence this sort of work, make sure you have a clear understanding of what the role involves, and your rights as an intern or as a volunteer on work experience. If you find yourself doing work that contributes to the ordinary operation of the business, then it may actually be a job – which means you should receive the same benefits as an employee, such as pay and other leave entitlements. You can find out more about your work rights as an unpaid worker here.
iPREP Biodesign is a unique collaboration between the five WA universities and has been established for PhD candidates who would like industry experience. The 7 week paid industry placement sees multidisciplinary teams of PhD students work together to solve problems and discover innovative new practices for industry partners. Participants receive weekly mentorship and professional development in the Biodesign methodology.
iPREP Biodesign is helping PhD graduates to recognise that skills they developed in the PhD, such as problem-solving and critical thinking skills, are applicable across a range of disciplines, providing them with the confidence and experience to apply for jobs outside of academia. PhD students are invited to express their interest via the website.
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