University Student Casual Work Rights: Know Your Entitlements
A guide for university students working casual jobs in Australia. Covers student visa work limits (48 hrs/fortnight), minimum wage, common underpayment in hospitality and retail, tax-free threshold, and super entitlements.
Student visa work limits: 48 hours per fortnight
International students on a Student visa (subclass 500) are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. The 48-hour limit was increased from 40 hours per fortnight effective from 1 July 2023. The fortnight is calculated as any rolling 14-day period, not a fixed pay cycle. This means you need to be careful that any combination of consecutive 14 days does not exceed 48 hours of work across all employers. Working in excess of these hours is a visa condition breach that can result in visa cancellation. Some exceptions apply: work that is part of your registered course (such as a mandatory placement), voluntary work for a registered charity, and work undertaken while your visa application is being processed. If you hold a different visa type — such as a Graduate visa (subclass 485) or Working Holiday visa (subclass 417/462) — different work conditions apply. Domestic students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents have no restrictions on work hours, though balancing study and work remains important for academic success.
Minimum wage applies to all students — no exceptions
Every worker in Australia is entitled to at least the national minimum wage, regardless of their student status, visa type, or age (with limited exceptions for junior rates under some awards). As of 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week for a full-time employee. However, most students will be covered by a modern award that sets a higher minimum rate for their industry. Under the General Retail Industry Award, the minimum casual rate for an adult (21+) at Level 1 is approximately $31.44 per hour including the 25% loading. Under the Hospitality Industry Award, it is approximately $31.64 per hour for a casual Food and Beverage Attendant Grade 1. Junior rates (under 21) are lower but must still meet the award minimums. Being a student does not entitle your employer to pay you less than the applicable award rate. Any arrangement where you are paid 'cash in hand' below the minimum wage is illegal, even if you agree to it. The Fair Work Ombudsman actively investigates underpayment in industries that employ large numbers of students.
Common underpayment in hospitality, retail, and food delivery
International students and young Australian students are disproportionately affected by wage theft in Australia. The Fair Work Ombudsman has identified hospitality, retail, food services, and agriculture as industries with the highest rates of non-compliance. Common underpayment practices include: paying a flat 'cash rate' below the award minimum; not paying the casual loading; not paying penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, or late-night work; requiring unpaid 'trial shifts' that extend beyond a reasonable assessment period (a single trial shift of a few hours may be lawful, but unpaid shifts are generally not); requiring workers to pay back part of their wages in cash; and deducting amounts from pay for breakages, till shortages, or uniforms without authorisation. If you suspect you are being underpaid, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at fairwork.gov.au to check your correct rate, or use our Take Home Pay Calculator. You can report underpayment anonymously to the FWO. The FWO also provides services in languages other than English and will not share your immigration status with the Department of Home Affairs in most circumstances.
Tax-free threshold and your tax return
When you start a new casual job, your employer will ask you to complete a Tax File Number (TFN) declaration. One of the key questions is whether you want to claim the tax-free threshold from this employer. The tax-free threshold for 2025-26 is $18,200 — meaning you do not pay income tax on the first $18,200 you earn in the financial year. If you have only one job, you should claim the tax-free threshold from that employer, which will reduce the amount of tax withheld from each pay. If you have two or more jobs, you should only claim the tax-free threshold from the employer that pays you the most — claiming it from multiple employers will result in an underpayment of tax during the year and a debt at tax time. Many students earn less than $18,200 per year and therefore pay no income tax at all. If your employer withheld tax during the year but your total annual income was below $18,200, you will receive a full refund when you lodge your tax return. International students are generally taxed as non-residents for tax purposes in their first year and do not receive the tax-free threshold — all income is taxed from the first dollar at 30.0 cents per dollar up to $135,000.
Superannuation entitlements for student workers
Since 1 July 2022, all employees — regardless of how much they earn — are entitled to superannuation guarantee contributions from their employer. Previously, you had to earn at least $450 per month to qualify, but that threshold was abolished. This means that even if you work a single 3-hour casual shift in a month earning $100, your employer must pay 12% super on that amount. For students who work small, irregular hours, this adds up over time. A student working 10 hours per week at $31.00 per hour earns approximately $16,120 per year, generating $1,934 in super contributions. Over a 3-4 year degree, that is $5,800-$7,700 in super — which, compounding over 40+ years until retirement, could grow to $50,000-$80,000. International students face additional complexity: if you leave Australia permanently, you can claim your super back as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP). The ATO will withhold tax on the payment (65% for working holiday maker visa holders, 35% for most other visa types, and higher rates for untaxed components). Claim through the ATO's DASP online application after your visa has expired or been cancelled and you have left Australia. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator to check that your employer is paying the correct amount of super on each pay cycle.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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