48 hours per fortnight during term
Cap set in condition 8105. Applies during weeks when classes are scheduled. Fortnight is a rolling 14-day period.
48 Hours per Fortnight · Condition 8105 · Break Exceptions
Student visa holders can work in Australia. With limits.
The cap is 48 hours per fortnight during term under condition 8105. Unlimited hours during official breaks. Research and Masters exceptions apply. Breaching the cap can trigger visa cancellation.
Core work rules
The four main rules.
Student work rights are defined by condition 8105 and course-specific exceptions.
Unlimited during breaks
Term breaks (summer, winter, mid-semester). No cap during official institution breaks. Start dates confirmed by the institution.
Research and Masters exception
Masters by research and PhD students are not subject to the 48-hour cap. They can work unlimited hours.
Pre-course arrival restriction
Work cannot begin before the course starts. Check-in dates and course start dates matter.
Fortnight rule specifics
Rolling 14-day calculation.
The 48-hour calculation is more nuanced than it first appears. Miscalculations cause breaches.
Rolling 14-day periodAny 14 consecutive days. Not calendar fortnight. Keep weekly hours below 24 to stay safely under the cap.
Multiple jobs combinedHours across all jobs count together. Two 30-hour-per-week jobs at 60 hours combined breach the cap.
Paid vs unpaid workPaid work counts toward the cap. Some unpaid work (course-mandated placements) does not. Boundary cases exist.
Work-from-home and gig economyRemote work, gig work, and freelance all count. Not employment type dependent.
What happens if you breach
Cancellation risk is real.
Condition 8105 breaches can lead to visa cancellation and future visa refusals.
Visa cancellation
Department can cancel the student visa under Section 116 for condition breach. Cancellation triggers unlawful status.
Future visa consequences
Breach becomes part of the applicant immigration record. Affects future 485 and other visa applications.
NOICC process
Cancellation typically preceded by Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation. Response window usually 14-28 days.
Condition 8105 breach can block the Subclass 485 pathway.
A condition 8105 breach during student visa period can cause Temporary Graduate 485 refusal later. 485 applicants are assessed against compliance with student visa conditions. Breaches discovered at 485 stage cause problems years after they happen.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For student work rights interpretation, book with Vishal Sharma or Sourabh Aggarwal.
Are term breaks defined by the institution or the visa?
By the institution usually. Check academic calendar for official break dates. Sometimes the institution and Department definitions can differ; when in doubt, stay under the cap.
Can my family members work on my student visa?
Partners of Masters/PhD students have unlimited work rights. Partners of Bachelor-level students generally have the 48-hour cap.
Does volunteering count toward the 48 hours?
Generally unpaid volunteering at community organisations does not count. Unpaid work at for-profit businesses can count.
What if my employer wants me to work over 48 hours?
Do not exceed the cap. Employers are not always aware of visa conditions. Keep your own records. Refuse excess hours.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.