Studying, working and living in Australia: what the student visa actually allows in 2026
How many hours per week can an international student work in Australia without risking a visa breach? This question comes up early in the planning process, and the answer has changed in recent years in ways that make a real difference to the financial picture of the exchange programme.
The Australian student visa, the Subclass 500, is the gateway to a model that combines study, income and, for those who plan well, a path to permanent residency. Understanding what it actually permits in 2026 is the first step to making the most of everything Australia has to offer.
What does the Subclass 500 actually allow?
The Subclass 500 visa is issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for students enrolled in courses registered on CRICOS, Australia's accreditation system for courses offered to international students.
Those holding this visa can:
- Study in face-to-face or hybrid courses approved by CRICOS
- Work while the course is underway, with an hour limit during the semester
- Bring dependants (spouse and children), with the spouse having their own work entitlements
- Accumulate experience and points towards skilled migration visas after graduation
Condition 8105 governs work: during term time, a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight (every 14 days). During official course holidays, the limit disappears entirely. Students enrolled in research master's programmes and doctoral degrees have no hour limit at all.
How does the 48-hour limit work in practice?
Forty-eight hours per fortnight equals 24 hours per week on average. The calculation seems straightforward, but the count runs on a 14-day window, not on a calendar week.
A direct example: if you worked 30 hours in the first week of a fortnight, you can only work 18 in the second. The window resets every 14 days from the official start of the term.
- Before the official start of the course, work is not permitted. The entitlement begins only from the first day of class as registered in CRICOS.
- The VEVO system (Visa Entitlement Verification Online), run by Home Affairs, allows any employer to confirm visa status. Exceeding the limit breaches condition 8105 and may result in visa cancellation.
The financial planning of the exchange programme in Australia becomes more accurate when the student arrives with this calculation already done: how much of the monthly costs are covered by 24h of weekly work, and what gap needs to be covered by initial savings.
Holidays: the period that changes the financial picture
During official course holidays, the 48-hour fortnightly limit does not apply. The student may work as many hours as they wish, in as many jobs as they like.
This detail is strategic. A 40-week English course typically has breaks between modules. During these intervals, many students work full hours in the most in-demand areas:
- Hospitality and tourism (restaurants, hotels, events)
- Agriculture and harvesting in rural regions
- Logistics and delivery in urban centres
O job market in Australia in 2026 is a good starting point for understanding which of these areas maintain consistent demand and which offer better hourly rates for students. Watch a video about what studying English in Melbourne looks like from the inside:
How much money do you need in your account to get the visa?
The Department of Home Affairs requires applicants to demonstrate financial capacity. For 2026, the minimum amounts set by the department are:
- Student: AUD 29,710 per year of study
- Spouse or partner: an additional AUD 10,394
- Minor dependant: AUD 4,449 per child
These amounts must be demonstrated with a bank statement showing a 3 to 6-month history. Large deposits without a history raise red flags in the assessment. The funds must be genuine, traceable and available at the time of application.
With the work entitlement included in the visa, a significant portion of the cost of living ends up being covered by income throughout the course. The accommodation guide for exchange students in Australia covers the analysis of rent, transport and food by city. The study and work programme in Australia is the starting point for those who want to go beyond the course and build a solid pathway in the country.
Regional Australia: same hour limit, extra residency points
Those studying in regions recognised as regional by the Australian government keep the same 48-hour fortnightly limit during the semester. The difference lies in the points system: two years of study in a regional area generate extra points towards skilled migration.
Some of the regional cities most popular with international students:
- Geelong (Victoria): university campuses and VET courses with good infrastructure
- Hobart (Tasmania): lower cost of living and growth in the technology sector
- Townsville (Queensland): focus on health and tourism, with stable labour demand
As Australian regional areas recognised by the government include states such as Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, with cities that have university infrastructure and active CRICOS accreditation. The points system for migrating to Australia makes clear how much that regional experience is worth in the final score.
From the Subclass 500 to a residency visa: the pathway in stages
The Australian student visa is, for many, the starting point of a permanent residency plan. The most common journey passes through three stages:
Stage 1, Subclass 500 (student): complete an English, vocational (VET) or higher education course at a CRICOS institution, building English proficiency and local work experience.
Stage 2, Visa 485 (Graduate Visa): for those who completed a higher education course in Australia, this allows 2 to 5 years after graduation to work without hour restrictions. Courses in regional areas or high-demand fields extend this period.
Stage 3, Skilled migration visas (SkillSelect): programmes such as the Skilled Independent Visa (189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (190) use the SkillSelect points system. English, age, experience and Australian qualifications all count towards the score.
O Visa 485 in Australia has IELTS requirements that changed recently. Understanding that change before choosing a course is what separates a well-structured plan from a nasty surprise at the end of the journey.
A full curated programme for studying and working in Australia brings together programmes organised by profile and objective, from the student who wants English plus income to those building a step-by-step residency plan.
Does the choice of course affect the visa?
Yes, and more than many people realise. The duration, level and location of the course directly affect the length of the student visa and the post-study options available.
What tends to come up in our work with students planning a longer exchange programme:
- Stand-alone English courses (ELICOS) do not generate eligibility for the Graduate Visa 485. To activate the 485, the student needs at least one higher education qualification (Bachelor, Master, Graduate Diploma) completed in Australia.
- VET courses (diploma and advanced diploma) generate 485 eligibility in some circumstances, especially in specific regional areas.
- The minimum study period in Australia that counts towards the 485 is two years, with a documented presence of 16 months inside the country during that period.
Understanding this chain of requirements before enrolling defines how much time and investment the project will demand. The best cities in Australia to study in 2026 cross-reference course level, cost of living and the labour market by region.
Frequently asked questions about the student visa in Australia
Can I work before starting my course in Australia?
No. The work entitlement begins only from the official start date of the course as registered in CRICOS. Working before that date breaches the conditions of the Subclass 500 visa and may result in cancellation.
Holidays from which course count as an unlimited work period?
Only official breaks recognised by CRICOS and the enrolled institution count as holidays for visa purposes. Weeks outside the teaching calendar that are not registered as official holidays still count as term time for the 48-hour fortnightly calculation.
Can the student's spouse work in Australia?
Spouses of students in higher education courses (Bachelor, Master, Doctoral) generally have unrestricted work permission. Spouses of students in English courses (ELICOS) may face restrictions, according to the conditions of the secondary visa issued by Home Affairs.
How do I track the hour limit without making mistakes?
The student is responsible for tracking. Employers check the visa via VEVO before hiring, but they do not monitor the cumulative total. Keeping a personal log of hours worked in each 14-day window is the responsibility of the visa holder.
Does the Australian minimum wage apply to international students?
Yes. International students are entitled to the same national minimum wage as any worker in Australia, as set by the Fair Work Commission. Paying below the minimum is illegal for the employer, regardless of the type of visa held by the employee.
Be Easy: boutique exchange consultancy
Be Easy supports international students who want to build a real pathway in Australia, from visa planning to support on the ground. If the goal is to study with guaranteed income, live with legal security and open the door to permanent residency, we have the right curated programme for each stage of that project. Speak with a dedicated senior consultant and get in touch with us.
