How International Students Can Find Jobs in Perth? Everything You Need to Know is Here!

From July 1, 2023, the Australian government has set new working hours for international students in Australia.

During the study period, the working hours must not exceed 48 hours per fortnight.There are no restrictions on working hours during non-study periods (such as holidays and study breaks).

If you are studying for a research-based higher degree on a student visa, there will be no restrictions on working hours.

Perth has unique employment opportunities due to its rich mining and construction jobs.Although some of these positions may require additional certifications (such as a White Card for construction) or relevant experience, students still have the opportunity to find part-time jobs in these industries. Such as: general laborers, traffic controllers, etc.

Perth's tourism and hospitality industry is well-developed, and there is a strong demand for hotel and tourism-related positions.Many positions in this industry are part-time or temporary, making them very suitable for students. Common positions include: baristas, bartenders, chefs, waiters, hotel front desk staff, and tour guides.

Other industry opportunities include retail, administration, customer service, etc.Overall, the diverse job market offers a wide variety of job choices.

Currently, the legal minimum hourly wage in Australia is 23.23 AUD. International studentsneed to pay taxes on their income and receive payslips.

You can learn more about applying for a Tax File Number (TFN) and work rights (including wages) through the Australian government website.

As mentioned earlier, the working hours for student visa holders are currently 48 hours per fortnight.Therefore, if you work 48 hours at the minimum wage of 23.23 AUD per hour, your income per fortnight is approximately 1,115.04 AUD (or 557.52 AUD per week).

There are many job search websites in Australia, and you can search and apply for jobs through some comprehensive platforms, such as: Seek, Indeed, Ethical Jobs, Jora, LinkedIn, etc.

For government-related jobs, you can pay more attention to Jobs WA, Workforce Australia, etc.Jobs in specific industries can be searched on some industry-specific platforms, such as:Many positions in the tourism and hospitality industry are posted on Tourism & Hospitality WA.

Perth's large event center, the Optus Stadium, also hosts various major sports and cultural events throughout the year, and often recruitspart-time, temporary, or seasonal positions, which can be found on Optus Careers.

Curtin Business School graduate Andy transferred from Curtin Singapore to the main campus in Perth to complete his degree. He described his part-time job experience at Skechers as a highlight of his life in Australia.

When I came to Perth, I submitted resumes everywhere. In the second week, I found my first job at a restaurant near my accommodation. I knew that was not what I wanted, so I kept looking... Two weeks later, I found a retail sales position at Skechers in Carousel Shopping Center.

I enjoy doing sales because I can meet different people, and I also work with colleagues from different countries—China, Australia, and Samoa. I really enjoy this experience! My main customers are Australians, but there are also customers from many different countries, including Italy, India, France, Nigeria, and Bhutan...

If I had not chosen to move to Perth to study, these experiences would not have happened. I am grateful for this decision, these experiences are once in a lifetime!

Andy, Curtin Business School

Employment support

If you need support in finding a part-time job, the Curtin Career team can provide you with guidance. We offer services including career counseling, an online recruitment information platform (UniHub), industry mentoring programs, workshops, and lectures to help you better with career planning, resume revision, job applications, and interviews.

👉How does Curtin help students prepare for employment?

In addition, networking is one of the most important things to enhance employability. As the saying goes: What you do is important, but more important is who you associate with and who you know. Our career team provides a variety of resources to help you expand your network.

You can have a clearer career plan and goals through one-on-one career development (Careers Conversation), and receive corresponding advice and help.

Campus opportunities

Leadership is often listed as one of the most sought-after skills by employers. Participating in leadership development related programs (Leadership Development) can help you learn valuable skills and enhance your employability.

Leadership development programs offer from basic leadership programs to real workplace experiences.No matter what stage you are at, you can find opportunities that suit you.

In addition, Curtin also offers the Earn While You Learn (EWYL) program, allowing you to work on campus for pay during your spare time. Job types include:

• Customer service and administrative support
• Graphic design and website support
• Photography and videography
• Human resources support
• Marketing and communication
• Information technology
• Event support and logistics

International student scholarships

Curtin also offers a series of scholarships for international students, reducing tuition expenses while allowing everyone to pursue their dreams at Curtin and become a better version of themselves.

International scholarships include: Merit Scholarships, Australian Year 12 Scholarships, Alumni Family Scholarships, etc. For international students who complete the Curtin English Bridging Program and continue to study undergraduate or postgraduate courses at Curtin, there is also the opportunity to receive the Curtin English Scholarship of up to 7008 AUD*.

Curtin University has also launched a scholarship program with the China Scholarship Council to support outstanding Chinese students to come to Curtin University to pursue a PhD, providing up to 4 years of tuition fee reduction, and an additional annual scholarship support of 5000 AUD..

👉Curtin International Student Scholarships, help you realize your dreams at Curtin!

*Terms and conditions apply

Recommended for you