International students coming to Australia are required to declare that they have sufficient funds to meet their course, living and travel expenses for the duration of their stay as part of their visa application. In addition, international student visa holders are granted permission to work up to 20 hours per week while their course is in session (excluding any work undertaken as a registered component of their course of study or training) and unrestricted hours during holiday periods. For more information on visa requirements, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship can be contacted on 131 881.
All temporary visa holders in Australia with a work right (including international students) must be engaged in accordance with Australian standards (including pay, industrial instruments, superannuation, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, taxation and workplace relations laws) and meet any licensing requirements prescribed by State and Territory law.
Work experience and volunteer work may be unpaid. However, when there is an intention to form an employment relationship, unpaid work trials will generally be considered unlawful. International students with questions about work experience for the purposes of migration to Australia should contact Trades Recognition Australia on 1300 360 992. In certain circumstances, it is a criminal offence for international students to be forced into working arrangements. Human trafficking offences include slavery, sexual servitude, deceptive recruitment, international and interstate trafficking and debt bondage. Complaints regarding these serious crimes can be made to the Australian Federal Police on 02 6121 7777.
All young people working in Australia within the federal workplace relations system, including international students, can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for help. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides advice and assistance on workplace rights and can be contacted on 13 13 94 or visit their website – www.fwo.gov.au.
