If you hold a Student visa (subclass 500) in Australia, understanding your work hour restrictions is critical. The 48-hour per fortnight work limit is one of the most common conditions attached to Student visas, and breaching it can put your visa at serious risk. This guide explains exactly how the rule works, what counts as work, how to calculate your hours correctly, and what happens if you go over the limit.

What Is the 48-Hour Work Limit for Student Visa 500 Holders?

Most Student visa (subclass 500) holders in Australia are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. A fortnight is a 14-day period. This means if your course runs from Monday to Friday, you cannot work more than 48 hours across any consecutive 14-day window during that time.

The 48-hour limit applies to all paid work combined. If you work for two employers, a casual job, a family business, or gig-economy work like food delivery or freelance writing, all those hours count toward your 48-hour total. You cannot split the limit across different jobs or employers.

For example, if you work 30 hours at a cafe and 20 hours doing freelance graphic design in the same fortnight, you have used your full 48 hours. If you pick up an extra 5-hour shift at either job, you will breach your visa condition.

How to Check Your Exact Visa Conditions Using VEVO

Your visa grant notice is the legal document that sets your work conditions. Not all Student visas have identical conditions, so you must check your own visa before accepting any work.

The fastest way to check is through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online), the Department of Home Affairs online tool. Here is how to use it:

  1. Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online
  2. Enter your passport number and date of birth
  3. Look for condition 8105, which specifies your work restrictions
  4. Read the exact wording. It will say something like "The holder must not work more than 48 hours per week or per fortnight while the course is in session"
  5. Note any exemptions or special conditions listed

If you cannot access VEVO or your visa details do not appear, contact the Department of Home Affairs on 131 881 (within Australia) or +61 2 6196 0196 (from overseas). Keep a screenshot or printed copy of your VEVO conditions for your records.

Calculating Your 48 Hours Per Fortnight Correctly

Many students misunderstand how to count a fortnight. A fortnight is any 14-day period, not necessarily a calendar week or pay week. Your employer's pay cycle may not match your visa fortnight.

Here is a practical example. Suppose your course runs Monday to Friday, and you work the following hours:

  • Week 1 (Monday to Sunday): 25 hours
  • Week 2 (Monday to Sunday): 20 hours
  • Week 3 (Monday to Sunday): 5 hours

If you calculate by calendar weeks, you might think you are safe. But if your fortnight runs from Tuesday of Week 1 to Monday of Week 3, your total is 25 + 20 = 45 hours (within the limit). However, if your fortnight runs from Wednesday of Week 1 to Tuesday of Week 3, you might include different hours and exceed 48.

The safest approach is to keep a detailed timesheet showing the exact date and hours of every shift. When you reach 48 hours in any 14-day rolling period, stop accepting shifts until the next fortnight begins. Many students use a simple spreadsheet or their phone calendar to track this.

Work During Official Course Breaks: When the 48-Hour Limit Does Not Apply

During official scheduled course breaks, the 48-hour limit often does not apply. This is one of the few times you can work unlimited hours on a Student visa 500.

The key word is "official." The break must be a scheduled break set by your education provider, not a personal absence, a public holiday, or a week when you simply do not have classes. For example:

  • Winter break (June to July) set by your university: unlimited hours allowed
  • Summer break (November to February) set by your university: unlimited hours allowed
  • A week when you have no classes but the university is still in session: the 48-hour limit still applies
  • A public holiday: the 48-hour limit still applies

Before you work extra hours during a break, ask your education provider's international student support team in writing to confirm the break is official and when it starts and ends. Keep that email confirmation. If the Department of Home Affairs ever questions your work hours, you will have proof that the break was official.

What Types of Work Count Toward Your 48-Hour Limit?

The 48-hour limit applies to all paid work, regardless of how informal or how you are paid. This includes:

  • Casual, part-time, or full-time employment with a registered employer
  • Freelance work (writing, design, tutoring, virtual assistance)
  • Gig-economy work (food delivery, ride-sharing, task-based apps)
  • Paid work for family members or friends
  • Cash-in-hand work, even if the employer does not report it to the ATO
  • Paid internships or work placements that are not part of your course
  • Selling items online (if it is a regular business, not a one-off sale)

Work that does not count includes unpaid volunteer work, unpaid internships, and course-required placements (though you should confirm this with your education provider).

Special Cases: PhD Students, Research Students, and Placement Exemptions

Some Student visa holders have different work conditions:

PhD and Research Students

Many PhD and research-based postgraduate students have no work hour restriction at all. If your course is primarily research-based (such as a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Research), your visa condition may say "no restriction" or may not mention work hours. Check VEVO to confirm. If you have no restriction, you can work full-time while your course is in session.

Course-Required Placements and Work-Integrated Learning

Some courses include mandatory placements, internships, or work-integrated learning (WIL) components. These may be treated differently from regular work. For example, a nursing placement or engineering internship that is part of your course curriculum might not count toward your 48-hour limit, or might have a separate condition.

Do not assume. Contact your education provider's international student support team and ask in writing whether your placement counts toward the 48-hour limit. Ask them to confirm in writing. Keep that confirmation.

Multiple Employers

If you work for more than one employer, all your hours combined count toward the 48-hour limit. You cannot work 30 hours at one job and 30 hours at another and claim you are within the limit. The Department of Home Affairs counts total work hours across all employers.

What Happens If You Breach the 48-Hour Work Limit?

Breaching your work condition is a serious matter. The consequences can include:

  • Your visa being cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs
  • Being unable to apply for another Australian visa for a set period
  • Being required to leave Australia immediately
  • Difficulty obtaining future visas to other countries
  • Your education provider reporting you to the Department of Home Affairs, which can trigger an investigation

If you have accidentally worked over your limit, contact your education provider's international student support team immediately. Explain what happened, provide your timesheets and payslips, and ask for their advice. Some minor breaches may be overlooked if you self-report quickly and correct the issue. However, repeated or deliberate breaches are much more serious.

If you are unsure whether you have breached your condition, contact a registered migration agent. The Migration Agents Board of Australia (MABA) maintains a register of qualified agents at maba.gov.au. A consultation typically costs AUD 100 to 300 and could save your visa.

Fair Work Rights and Minimum Wage for Student Workers

Even though you are on a Student visa with work restrictions, you are still entitled to fair pay and conditions under Australian law. Your employer must pay you at least the National Minimum Wage, which is currently AUD 23.23 per hour (as of 2026). If you work in a specific industry, you may be entitled to higher rates under an award.

If your employer pays you less than the minimum wage, does not give you payslips, or treats you unfairly because you are an international student, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 (within Australia) or visit fairwork.gov.au. You can make a complaint confidentially, and the Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate without revealing your identity.

Useful Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as work toward my 48-hour Student visa limit?

All paid work counts, including casual jobs, freelance work, gig-economy work, family business work, and cash-in-hand work. Unpaid volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count. Hours across all employers are combined into one 48-hour total.

Can I work unlimited hours during my course break?

Only during official scheduled course breaks set by your education provider. A personal absence or a week with no classes does not count. Contact your education provider in writing to confirm when official breaks are and keep their confirmation.

How do I check my exact work conditions on my Student visa?

Use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Enter your passport number and date of birth, then look for condition 8105. If you cannot access VEVO, call the Department of Home Affairs on 131 881.

Do PhD and research students have the same 48-hour work limit?

No. Many PhD and research-based postgraduate students have no work hour restriction at all. Check your VEVO to see your specific condition, as it may say 'no restriction' or list different limits.

What happens if I work more than 48 hours in a fortnight?

Breaching your work condition can result in visa cancellation, being required to leave Australia, and difficulty obtaining future visas. If you accidentally go over, contact your education provider's international student support team immediately and consider seeking advice from a registered migration agent.

If I work for two employers, do their hours combine?

Yes. All your work hours across every employer combine into one 48-hour total per fortnight. You cannot work 30 hours at one job and 30 hours at another and stay within the limit.

Does a course-required placement count toward my 48-hour limit?

It may or may not, depending on your visa condition and course. Contact your education provider's international student support team in writing and ask them to confirm whether your placement counts. Keep their written response.

What is the minimum wage I should be paid as a Student visa worker?

The National Minimum Wage is currently AUD 23.23 per hour (as of 2026). If your employer pays you less, does not give payslips, or treats you unfairly, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 or visit fairwork.gov.au.

This is general information only. It is not legal, migration, financial, tax, medical, or professional advice. Always check official sources before acting.