As an international student, you may plan to work while studying. Holding a part-time job in Perth is a great way to support yourself financially, make friends and gain experience in your chosen field.
At the time of publication, international students are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight (14 days) and full-time during semester breaks. You will likely have questions about working in Perth as an international student – in this article we answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
What do I need to get a job?
Before you dive into the job market, you’ll need to create a professional resume that showcases your skills and knowledge. Your resume is often the first impression employers have of you – so it’s important to make it a good one. Curtin’s careers service staff can review your current resume or help you write a brand new one.
To work in Australia, you’ll also need to apply for an Australian Tax File Number (TFN), which we explain further in the following section.
What is a Tax File Number (TFN)?
A Tax File Number – also known as a TFN – is your own personal reference number in Australia’s taxation and superannuation systems. Having a TFN helps to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax.
You can apply for a TFN on the Australian Tax Office (ATO) website. It is free to apply.
Where can I find part-time jobs in Perth?
At Curtin, you’ll have various services and resources available to help you secure employment, including career advice and the UniHub platform. These are designed to help you find part-time jobs in Perth that align with your skills and interests. For more information, take a look at our article on how we can help you find a job.
Here are some other platforms and resources you may want to explore to get started on your job search:
- Indeed: a popular job search engine, which gathers together job listings from various sources.
- Jobs WA allows you to search for job opportunities, graduate programs and internships within the Western Australian Government. Jobs listed on this website may be full-time, part-time or temporary, and you can apply directly through the portal.
- LinkedIn: not just a job search engine but a valuable resource for researching companies and connecting with professionals in your field.
- SEEK: one of Australia’s most popular job search platforms, with new jobs uploaded every day. SEEK and StudyPerth have partnered to create the JobFinder WA program, which connects international students with specific employers dedicated to helping them in their careers. To explore the opportunities available, type #StudyPerth in the SEEK search bar. The platform will then generate active job listings under the program.
- Student Edge: an online resource specifically for students, offering job listings, student discounts and news.
How much can an international student earn in Perth?
International students are entitled to the same minimum wage as Australian citizens. As of 1 July 2023, the minimum wage is $23.23 per hour. Depending on your industry and level of experience, it’s possible to earn more than this hourly rate.
Casual employees are also entitled to something known as ‘casual loading’ which is a higher pay rate for being a casual worker. Certain employees may be eligible for penalty rates, which are higher hourly wages paid during specific days or hours, such as evenings, weekends or public holidays.
What are the best industries for international students in Perth?
Popular industries for students looking for part-time work include hospitality, retail and customer service. These industries often provide flexible part-time positions that can be managed alongside your academic schedule.
Examples of roles within these industries include:
- Barista
- Bartender
- Cashier
- Customer Service Assistant
- Receptionist
- Sales Associate.
For customer-facing roles, prior experience interacting with people, maintaining relationships, and providing customer service are often valued by employers. Skills such as interpersonal communication, adaptability and patience are also highly desirable skills across these jobs. Even if you have never held one of these roles previously, you may want to highlight how other experiences – such as volunteering or extracurricular activities – have allowed you to develop transferable skills that you can apply in the workplace.
Where can I learn more about working in Perth as an international student?
If you’re eager to learn more about the job opportunities in Perth for international students, head over to the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs website.
Where can I direct queries about tax?
The ATO is Australia’s principal revenue collection agency that manages tax, excise and superannuation systems. The ATO can help you better understand your taxation obligations and ensure you are complying with the law.
Where can I direct queries about my working rights?
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) oversees workplace laws and workplace relation systems, helping to educate and protect the fair work practices, rights and obligations of all people working in Australia. If you have questions about minimum pay, leave entitlements, or if you have been unfairly treated in the workplace, contact the FWO.
Where can I learn more about job opportunities and internships in Perth?
StudyPerth is an excellent resource through which you can explore job and internship vacancies. On the StudyPerth website, you can also find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) international students have around working in the region.
How can Curtin support me?
We provide a number of resources designed to help you learn more about working in Perth as an international student. For instance, the Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program allows students to work part-time on campus at Curtin while they study. Current students can also benefit from Careers Conversations, which are brief chats in which experienced advisors provide tailored career guidance.
