Unrestricted Working Rights for Students in Australia

Breaking news and certainly the relaxing one for all the student visa holders in Australia.

Studies are the most crucial part of anybody’s life, but so are self-exploring and learning. As of now, international students in Australia were allowed to work by upto 40 hours in a fortnight.

The recent changes include unrestricted working rights in Australia.

It simply means that, restricted rights to work have been temporarily relaxed. You can work as much as you want until 30 June 2023. The Australian government took this step smartly to address workforce shortages. With these unrestricted rights to work, there are multiple gates of opportunities opened for all.

Until 30 June 2023, all ongoing visa students, new student arrivals and secondary applicants can work for more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector of their choice. Be it economy and work before their​ course of study begins.

As per the statement of work rights,​ after 30 June 2023, the total number of hours to work as a student visa holder will be restricted again. The number of hours a Student visa holder works also ensures that Students must focus on obtaining a quality Australian education and qualification. Along with that students are supposed to be sure that they are aware of any changes to visa conditions, including their workers’ rights too.

As these new changes have arrived so is their responsibility for them, there is a certain condition for all student visa holders concerning unrestricted working rights in Australia.

Proclamation for students:

Students must follow these conditions as per the unrestricted rights to work in Australia.

Students will have to balance their studies and work commitments regardless of whether there is flexibility in the number of hours they can work.

Students must still:

• keep a hold on their course enrolment
• ensure adequate course attendance
• along with that students must assure with acceptable course progress.

NOTE: Student visa holders who cancel their enrolment and stop attending classes, or even fail to meet the adequate course progress, may face a breach in their visa conditions. ​

​Announcement for employers

Employers will have to follow Australian workplace law. Overseas workers, including international students, have the equivalent rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees.

While these measures are set to be put in place, the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border Force will:

• by exerting their discretion under s116(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958. This is not to cancel the visas of students who work more than 40 hours each fortnight to support your organization.
• not be referring student visa holders for investigation of any potential offence under s235 of the Migration Act 1958. This will eventually relate to the hours worked by a student visa holder in breach of their visa conditions
• not referring you or any relevant third-party labour hires companies, as an employer, for investigation of any potential offence under s245AC of the Migration Act 1958.

Conclusion

Since the world has faced terrible crises ever since covid period. Therefore, Assignment.world believes unrestricted working rights in Australia is an excellent initiative to balance back to normal. Along with that, after the execution of the unrestricted rights to work students, visa holders will be able to avail numerous opportunities to polish and explore their talents apart from studies. They will be able to learn how to get balance in real life, with employment and studies together. As per the rights students are also advised to keep a good hold on their curriculum as well as, enrolment and progress. If they fail to satisfy any of them their visa conditions might get breached.