Foreign nationals, who are on a study visa in Australia, will now be allowed to work for 48 hours per fortnight. The Australian government recently announced changes in the work restrictions for student visa holders, which will be implemented from July 1.
The student visa work restriction was relaxed throughout the pandemic and was completely removed in January 2022. This was done to allow student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight as Australia was facing workforce shortages. However, that rule will end on June 30.
From July 1, work restrictions for student visa holders will be re-introduced and capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight. This decision has been taken to ensure that while students gain quality education in their enrolled programme, they are also able to support themselves financially, gain valuable work experience, and contribute to Australia’s workforce needs.
The Indian students, as advised by the Australian government, should remember that when they enrol for some job, they must still maintain their course enrolment, ensure satisfactory course attendance, and ensure satisfactory course progress. Student visa holders who cancel their enrolment and stop attending classes, or fail to meet satisfactory course progress, may be in breach of their visa conditions.