Working in Australia

Working as an International Student in Australia

As an International student you are allowed to work up to 20 a week and no more.  This is just a package deal that comes with your student visa and being considered an international student.

However just because you are an international student doesn’t mean the Australian rules and responsibilities do not apply to you, so here is what you should know:
 

Working in Australia

Beginning April 26, 2008 your student visa now allows you to work up to 20 hours a week. This qualifies as all the paid, volunteer or unpaid work you do will be added up to the 20 hours you can work. But if you’re visa is from before this date you can still get this benefit but you need to apply and get more information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) at www.immi.gov.au.

While waiting to receive your permission here are some rules that cannot be broken:  

• You cannot begin working till you have begun your classes and school has started.
• You can only work up to 20 hours a week while your are also in school, if school is out, visit the website for more information. Again it includes the work you get paid for, volunteer or unpaid word.  
• During the holidays and when courses are in session, you can work unlimited hours.   
• And remember your visa needs to be active and working correctly, not surpassing the expiration date.  

Types of work you can get as an international students

Usually as an International student’s you can find work in retail, hospitality and administration work. Your total payment for the week depends on the job and what are the tasks you are performing. Students have also used this opportunity to tutor, where you can earn up to $40 dollars an hour, according to the Australian government guide for students, teach a language that you know or tutor on classes that people are interested in taking.

But remember school and your education should always come first. This is the extra time you have that you can take a job and earn some extra money on the side, but always try to find the balance between work and your education. You did after all come to Australia for the education.  
 

Tax returns

How can this affect you?  You should obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Taxation office (ATO) if you are going to work in Australia first.  And You may need to open up a TFN bank account.  If you visit their website you can apply and fill out the forms on the ATO website or any Australian post office can help you with further details. You need to give your full name, current address and date of birth.  Your date of arrival in Australia, current overseas passport with permit, proof of enrolment, like a student card or the Confirmation of Enrolment issued by your institution.  You will need to place an income tax return, through a registered tax agent or by completing it yourself, check the website for more information, like e-tax online and with in 14 days you can have all the paperwork in order and you just wait now for it to be completed. The official website where you can find more information is www.ato.gov.au or the phone them at 13 2861.  


Superannuation

Here is how this work, lets say you are working in Australia as an international student, and you get paid $450 or more in a month you may be entitled to superannuation. In Australia it is required by law to pay money into your superannuation or retirement saving account due to the fact that you make more than the $450 a month. Like a saving plan, that will set away money.

Your employer will most likely talk this over with you or you with your employer to come to a deal that when the money will be pulled out to be place where and how can you get  it there afterwards,  you can visit www.ato.gov.au for more information.  

Some people may be entitled to receive entailment when you permanently leave Australia, you can apply for the Superannuation payment on the ATO website.  
 

Finding work as an international student

You can find job opportunities on the web like www.seek.com.au, through world wide known websites and search with key words and the regional or local newspapers also have job adds.  Your institution can be of great help to help you find work too, counselors, friends, just passing along the word and leaving your resumes at business that later on might be interested in hiring you as their employee.


Applying for a job

Once you find an advertisement for a job that you want to apply for you will probably need to submit a resume, also known as a Curriculum Vitae or CV, any of which all mean resume.  Your resume is to sell your skills and your knowledge, your past experience as in working and with education in details.

While it might take you a few hours’ even days if you want it perfect, to the detail with no mistake, it usually just passes through the employers hand in seconds and if nothing stands out it might just be placed down again, you want to make sure:    

• You organize your resume in a logical order.  Place your personal details and contact information first, then your work history (most recent to first job), education and skills.  You also might like to include a section on your hobbies or interest if you feel it’s appropriate.  You can add additional languages that you know, skills that you have picked up, certificates that’s worth knowing about, clubs or honors you have received if for the application is important to point it out.
• Use heading for each section so that the employer can quickly locate the information they are trying to look for like your name, address, telephone number etc.
• Make sure you provide enough details to assure that the employer has a list of the skills that you believe is important.  You can go into more detail in the interview.  Make sure you submit your resume by the advertised deadline, shows that you are punctual. Submit everything you were asked for and provide a cover letter, selling yourself and what you are looking for as well as a list of references of people that can provide what a well employee you will be.
• Listing references can be quite not so easy if you do not know anyone well enough in Australia but you can always explain your situation and list people that you have worked for before and various ways that person can get in touch with them, email, telephone number etc. be creative.   
• If you are proving the original application, not a copy, make sure it looks clean, is not folded and is presentable.  Go simple with the letter Arial, verdana, times new roman, classic is always better.  

What not to include in a resume

Just review your resume and make sure that you don’t have some information that you don’t think is appropriate or that just shouldn’t be on the resume, like:

• Do not include information that really has no relevance, unless you’re going out to be a model.  That would include information like your height, weight.  Nor include your marital status, religion, political views, how many children you have, this should hold no importance to your employer.
• You do not have to include your age or birthday, it is not necessary.
• You do not need to place a picture of yourself; there is no need for your employer to see you before hand that is why interviews are set up.
• Do not discuss how much you like to be paid, any benefits you would like to receive on your resume, that will get discuss later on in the process.
• Don’t ever place information that is false, that is reason to not hire you.  Always place information that is true and that you can back it up with proof if needed.

The interviewIf your employer calls you to set up and interview, this is a very important step, you are at the middle point already, now you just need to make sure that the interview goes with flying colors.  

Prepare yourself.  You look at yourself in the mirror as you practice questions that your employer might ask, such as where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? What assets do you believe you bring into this company? What makes you the ideal candidate for this position?  Its also important that again you read the qualifications the job is desiring, make sure you can do what the position is asking for as you can back it up by demonstrating it with your employer, if they are looking for a computer programmer, is ok to say, that you have worked on computers in the past and with such computer you executed the damages in a certain way, its ok to give examples of your past work in the area you are interviewing for.  Remember to stay calm, you can always expect a few nerves; but remain relax and you will perform at your best.  When the interview is in process make sure you listen to the question take a minute to gather your thoughts and respond, if you do not understand the question politely ask them if they can rephrase it.

Keep in mind that the interview is your time to promote yourself and discuss your skills more in details, let them know why they should handle you, what makes you so perfect for the position, be polite and friendly to the staff, the employer to everyone you may come across.

Consider your appearance to the interview, there is no need to buy new clothing, but make sure you dress neatly and you look presentable, this is the first time they will meet you and see you, first impressions count for a lot, go for basic colors too, black and white maybe a dash of color but also no need to dress orange and yellow with purple too.

Hopefully, your interview will be a success and you will be offered the job.  But if you are not, you can ask the employer for some feedback and the reasons why and next time you have improved them and you have a better chance.  Not getting the job is not the end of the world, there are many more opportunities where that one came from, and maybe this one just was not the one for you.  

Your rights and responsibilities in the workplace as an international employee

As a student visa holder, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week, that is how the rules work, while studying in Australia.  Many international students find that part-time job is ideal, means you have time to study, keep on top of everything, projects, home work and gain some work experience too.   But don’t think that just working 20 hours a week will be enough to rely on financially, is true Australia is not as expensive as in other locations but you always want to make sure you have more than what you need that is why to come to Australia with a good amount of money and use this money for some more basic everyday needs.  That you know you can afford, like food.

You have the same legal rights as any other employee, besides the fact you can only work 20 hours a week. Make sure you know your rights, you can get more information from the workplace Ombudsman at www.workplace.gov.au on you can call 1300 363 264.


Pay

You are entitled to receive at least the basic rate of pay that applies to your job; this is how they should get divided:

• You get paid for the hours you worked.
• They must pay you on a regular basis – casual and part – time workers are often paid either weekly or every two weeks.   
• The employer cannot assign you more work and tell you not to count it as worked hours.   
• Your pay slip must include your employer’s information (including their Australian Business Number or ABN )the number of hours you are being paid for, the amount you have paid in income tax, your superannuation payment and how much you have been paid for this week.
• You shouldn’t have money taken out to your pay to cover anything that is the stores responsibility.
• You should be paid for ‘trial work’ and any days or time that you enter and are working for the employer.
• If you work on a public holiday, you may be entitled to be paid for the day; also you might get a higher rate of pay if you work on the weekends.
• Keep tabs on your checks and pay stubs to make sure everything is in order.
• The Australian government can provide more information.

Shifts at work

The time you spend at work, is what we call shift.  

• In your shift after working more than 5 hours straight you are entitled to your break.  
• You should start and finish your shift at the time that it was set out.   If you work extra hours, you should first have this approved by your manager or it was because he or she asked you if you could work these extra hours and if you cannot you just let them know, or if you must leave early also make sure its approve and you do not just leave with out say.  

Starting a new job

Before you start working for a new employer, it is very important that you understand exactly what your duties are, what is expected of you and how much will you be getting paid in return, no question is not important and you should have all your questions and doubts cleared up in advance.  You should ask information on things like meal breaks, completing time sheets (the record where your hours are written down), what you can do if you cannot make it tow work etc.  As the Australian government points out these are very important factors, you need to know what exactly your tasks are.  Also the Ombudsman at www.wo.gov.au can help or by calling 1 300 363 264.  For other language the translation number is 131 450.  


Ending your employment and saying goodbye

If you choose to end your employment you must give the appropriate notice (that varies; depending your job) and formally inform them of your intentions to leave.  You were given the opportunity to work at that place and is only fair to let them know that you are leaving. However, if your employer terminates your employment, they must do so for lawful reason. Not because of absence from work, due to illness or injury when you have a valid doctors note or any other excuse given to you that you feel is unfair, if that does occur and you need help contact the workplace ombudsman and if you were terminated is probably not best to ask for that persons reference and if you feel it was unfair and you have questions you can always ask for feedback and the reasons why.