Permission to work

Student visas with a “permission to work” entitlement will have the following DIAC visa condition:

8105: Limited Work Rights

This visa condition means that as a student you are allowed to work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week, but that you cannot undertake any work until you have actually commenced your course in Australia.

All student visas issued after 26 April 2008 automatically include permission to work. If your visa was granted before this date and you want to work while you are in studying in Australia you must apply for a work permit from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). 

You can only apply for a work permit only after you have commenced your course.

Note: If you intend to work in Australia you will also need a Tax File Number (TFN).

Applying online

• If you are applying online, you will need a credit card to pay for the application fee.
• Ask an International Student Adviser to notify DIAC electronically to confirm that you have started your course. When you email an ISA, ensure that you include your student ID, date of birth, course and contact details.
• Once you have completed your application, you will be issued with a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) to confirm that your application has been received by DIAC.
• Once you have received confirmation that your application for a work permit has been successful (allow up to 10 working days), visit a DIAC office to have your work-rights visa label printed and attached to your passport. No appointment is necessary for this service.

Applying by post or in person

• If you are applying by post or in person, you will need to have a money order or personal cheque made payable to DIAC to pay for the application fee.
• Complete the work permit application form (Form 157P).
• You must take a letter confirming your enrolment to DIAC. You can request this letter from Deakin Central.
• Post your completed application form and cheque or money order to DIAC at one of the addresses listed below. It is recommended that you use registered mail as there will then be a record of DIAC's receipt of your application.
• Do not send your passport in with your application.
• There is usually a 30-day processing period for applications by post. A letter will be sent to you if your application is successful to have your Permission to Work visa label put in your passport
• If your application is successful, you will be notified to have your work-rights visa label printed and attached to your passport at a DIAC office.

DIAC mailing addresses

• DIAC
  PTW Application
  GPO Box 241
  Melbourne VIC 3000
• DIAC
  PTW Application
  Private Mail Bag 5001
  Dandenong VIC 3175

Copyright notice: This website and its contents are subject to copyright under the laws of Australia and, through international treaties, other countries. The copyright in materials in this website as a whole is owned by Deakin University. Third parties own the copyright in some materials incorporated within this website. You may view this website and its contents using your web browser and save an electronic copy, or print out a copy, of parts of this website solely for your own information, research or study, but only if you: do not modify the copy; and include the copyright notice "© Deakin University 2008" on the copy. You must not otherwise exercise the copyright in the whole or any part of this website for any other purpose except as expressly permitted by statute or with Deakin University's prior consent.