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Work component hours

Information on work integrated learning (WIL) hours and student visa work limitations during your course.

Work conditions for student visa holders

Under your student visa conditions, once you have commenced studying you are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours when your course is out of session.

If work experience is a requirement of your course and compulsory so that you gain your degree, the hours will not count towards your maximum work hours per fortnight.

Elective units with work requirements

If an elective unit is not a compulsory requirement to complete the course, it cannot be registered on CRICOS.  The work component (WIL) hours were not specified when the course was registered with CRICOS. You can still complete these electives but they would be counted towards the 48 hours per fortnight work limitation. This may be the case even if you are not being paid for undertaking the work. However, volunteer work that would not normally attract remuneration may be exempt. You would need to seek advice from the Department of Home Affairs on your specific type of volunteer work.

If you are a postgraduate research student and have commenced your masters by research or doctoral degree in Australia, there is no limit on the number of hours you can work.

Therefore to check if you can do WIL hours beyond 48 hours per fortnight limitation, you are required to check if the WIL unit is a requirement to complete your course and the WIL hours are registered on CRICOS.

Need help?

Our student advisers are here to help you with course advice, enrolment and general enquiries.