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March 7, 2023

Student working hours cap at 48 hours from July

The allowable work hours cap for international students was relaxed during the pandemic to help meet workforce shortages.

The Government has announced that the cap will be reinstated on 1 July 2023 and will be raised from its previous level of 40 hours per fortnight to the new level of 48 hours per fortnight.

This revised cap will help international students to support themselves through their studies, while maintaining study as the primary purpose of their visa.

Here are some FAQs from the Government fact sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Does the cap apply to all international students, or just new students who begin their courses after 1 July 2023?

The cap will apply to all international students, no matter when they began studying.

Why is the Government reinstating the cap on working hours?

The relaxation of the working hour cap was a temporary measure during the pandemic to allow students to bolster their income while helping to meet labour shortage. The primary purpose of a student visa is to study in Australia. The working hour cap is intended to balance international students’ need to support themselves and gain work experience in Australia with their main purpose, which is to study in Australia.

What should I do if my employer is threatening me with visa cancellation for working too many hours in a fortnight?

You should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. Your employer cannot cancel your visa, and the Department of Home Affairs will not cancel your visa for reporting workplace exploitation to the Fair Work Ombudsman, even if you have worked more than the allowed number of hours in a fortnight.

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