Find out where to start your job search and what the difference is between full-time, part-time and casual work.
Many international students in Australia look for part-time or casual work while they are studying. It is a fantastic way to boost your confidence, gain practical experience, and make new friends within your local community.
Working alongside your studies offers many benefits, but there are two things you must do:
Check your visa status to ensure that you are eligible to work while studying.
Ensure that you have enough time to strike a balance between your studies, your job, and your health.
How to Find Work While Studying
Follow these steps to find the right role for you:
Contact your educational institution’s careers or employability service—or your state or territory’s study destination agency—for help and advice.
Keep an eye on job notice boards and alumni groups at your place of study.
Build and maintain your network through friends, family, and fellow students, as well as through clubs and community groups. Let people know that you are looking for work and the type of work you are seeking.
Contact a recruitment agency by phone or email to request a meeting and have your details added to their database. Register with more than one agency to increase your chances of finding work.
Consider volunteering or undertaking internships to gain experience and help build your professional network. Not only do these activities give you a ‘feel-good’ factor by helping others, but both also have the potential to lead to paid employment while you are studying.
Apply for internships. Internship opportunities may be available through your course curriculum, your institution’s career services, or your local state or territory’s career service. Your educational institution may be able to assist with certain internship arrangements, while for others, you may need to find opportunities yourself. Ask for whatever assistance you need, as support is available to you.
Search for positions online. Helpful Websites
Visit these helpful websites to find vacancies for part-time and casual work. Search based on industry, job type, location, and time availability:
Adzuna
Career One
Explore Jobs
Grad Australia
Seek
Student Job Australia
LinkedIn
Part-time, full-time, or casual—what is the difference? The main difference between part-time, full-time, and casual work lies in the employee’s working hours, rights, entitlements, and benefits (including wages).
Part-time employees work a fixed number of hours each week, though this amounts to fewer than 38 hours per week. Part-time employees agree with their employer on the specific number of hours they will work each week.
Part-time roles are often found in the hospitality and retail sectors, care industries, and supply chain fields. Part-time employees possess the same rights as full-time employees, but they work fewer hours.
Full-time employees work, on average, 38 hours per week; these employees work across a wide range of industries and receive a fixed wage. Additionally, they are entitled to paid leave each year for sick days and holidays.
Part-time and full-time employees are entitled to paid leave, which includes annual leave and sick/carer’s leave. If their employer terminates their contract, they are also entitled to receive written notice.
Casual work is different. A casual employee’s working hours may vary from week to week, and there is no firm guarantee from the employer that they will be provided with continuous work. Casual employees are not entitled to paid leave; however, they may take as much unpaid leave as they wish—there are no restrictions on this. Another benefit of this arrangement is that when they fall ill or take leave, they are required to take unpaid leave; to compensate for this, they are paid a higher hourly wage.
For comprehensive information regarding all types of employment and associated rights, please visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website.
