As of June 2025, international students in Australia on a Student Visa (subclass 500) are permitted to work under specific conditions. These regulations are designed to help students gain valuable work experience while ensuring their primary focus remains on their studies.
If you are a Subclass 500 Student Visa holder, you may be eligible to work with Sidekicker. A student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours during any fortnight across multiple employers combined.
As a Sidekick, it is your responsibility to ensure you are monitoring your hours, and that you do not exceed your working restrictions. If you are hired on a shift that may push you over your 48-hour limit for the fortnight, you will need to withdraw via the Sidekicker app. You will also need to withdraw any applications you still have pending on jobs that could push you over this limit.
How do I calculate my hours?
A fortnight is a period of 14 days starting every Monday, and ending on a Sunday. Each week overlaps between two fortnights, so it's crucial to calculate your hours carefully to avoid breaching visa conditions.
What if I have an exemption?
Some Sidekicks that hold a student visa may be exempt from the 48 hour restriction during semester depending on their specific visa conditions. This includes:
Current Masters by Research students
Current Doctorate students
A dependent on the student visa of someone studying a Masters or Doctorate
If this applies to you, you can let us know by completing this form.
Note: Do not use this form to tell us if you are on holiday or an industry placement. If you’ve changed your visa then please submit a new VEVO check.
What if I work in healthcare?
Previously, student visa holders working in the aged care sector before 9 May 2023 were allowed to work unrestricted hours until 31 December 2023. As of 2024 and into 2025, all student visa holders working in healthcare (including aged care) are now subject to the 48-hour fortnightly restriction unless otherwise stated by the Australian Government.
Please note that although you may be on a student visa, you may have different conditions attached to your visa than another student visa holder. If you are unsure of your conditions or have any concerns regarding your restrictions, you can complete a VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) check.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are monitoring your hours and that you do not exceed your working restrictions as per the conditions of your visa. This includes your work with other employers.
Still have questions? While we are unable to provide assistance on specific visa matters, please do not hesitate to reach out via the Support chat or your Sidekicker app by clicking 'Get help'.