How many hours can I work part-time as a student in Australia compared with the USA and UK?
Australia lets international students work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. In the USA, students can usually work up to 20 hours per week on campus during term, and the UK also usually allows up to 20 hours per week during term, subject to visa rules.
Australia allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during study periods, while the USA and UK both usually cap term-time work at around 20 hours per week. Off-campus rules differ, so check your visa conditions in each country.
Work rules for international students compared
| Feature | Australia | USA | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time work | Up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods | Usually up to 20 hours per week on campus during term | Usually up to 20 hours per week during term |
| Off-campus work | Allowed for eligible students under visa conditions | Needs specific authorisation such as CPT or OPT | Allowed for eligible students, subject to visa rules |
| Minimum wage | AUD 26.44 (approx INR 1,783) per hour national minimum | USD 7.25 (approx INR 697) per hour federal minimum; states may be higher | Varies by age and worker category |
Post-study work and regional options
| Feature | Australia | USA | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-study work | 2 to 4 years for eligible Indian graduates, depending on qualification | 1 year OPT, plus up to 2 years STEM extension for eligible graduates | 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027; 3 years for PhD graduates |
| Regional benefits | Eligible regional graduates may get 1 to 2 extra years through a second Temporary Graduate visa | No general regional post-study extension | No general regional Graduate visa extension |
My Advice
Do not choose a country on work hours alone. Look at your course load, the visa rules that apply to you and the post-study work route together, and confirm the current limits with the official immigration site before you plan your budget around part-time income.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Australia?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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