Permission to Work

From 26 April 2008, people granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work.

Students whose visas were granted before April 26 will need to apply seperatly.

When to apply

You can apply for permission to work while studying only after you have or your relative has (if you are a dependant visa holder) commenced study in Australia. The course start date on your initial CoE is the date you commence study.

How to apply

All students should apply online. This is the fastest and simplest way to apply. Use a paper application only if you cannot apply online. You cannot apply online if you do not have a credit card. You will be notified by e-mail if there is another reason you cannot apply online.

Proof of course commencement – applying online

If you apply online for a student visa with permission to work, you must first ask the IEO to notify the department electronically that you have commenced your course. See the bottom of this sheet for instructions.

You will be notified by e-mail when your course commencement has been reported to DIAC. You will need to wait one hour from receiving this e-mail before you lodge your application on the Internet for the data-transfer to occur.

To lodge your application please go to: http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/students.htm
Scroll down the page and click ‘Permission to Work’.

Online payments must be made using a credit card.

Proof of course commencement – paper applications

You will require form 157P signed and stamped by the ESOS Compliance Officer. See: Form 157P, Application for a student visa with permission to work

How many hours can I work after permission to work is granted?

If permission to work is granted the primary applicant has condition 8105 imposed on their visa. This condition permits the visa holder to work 20 hours per week while their course is in session.

This limit does not apply to any work undertaken as a requirement of a CRICOS registered course. When the course is not in session (eg during Semester break) student visa holders can work an unrestricted number of hours.

A course is considered “in session”:

- for the duration of the advertised semesters (including periods when exams are being held)
- if the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) is still in effect
- if the student is undertaking another course, during a break from their main course and the points will be credited to their main course.

Students who have completed their course as scheduled based on the dates on their CoE, may work unrestricted hours for the remaining period of their student visa, or until their next course begins.

Request for IEO to Confirm Course Commencement –

The fast way:
Send an e-mail to compliance.ieo@anu.edu.au asking for confirmation of course commencement for permission to work.

The Slow Way:
Visit the IEO reception and complete a ‘permission to work’ form.

Your rights at Work
Under the workplace relations system, minimum wages for employees  are protected in Australian Pay and Classification Scales, which form part of the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard.
For more information about minimum wages, hours of work, leave entitlements and termination of employment, please visit:

http://www.wo.gov.au