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How many hours can I work per fortnight on a Subclass 500 visa while studying at the University of Queensland?

04 Oct 2026 · Answered by Muskan Vashishtha · 1 min read
Quick Answer verified

You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight on a Subclass 500 visa once your program at the University of Queensland has started and classes are in session. During university vacations, this cap lifts and you are permitted to work full time instead.

Muskan Vashishtha
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Once your course at the University of Queensland begins, your Subclass 500 student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours in any two-week period. This cap only applies during active semesters, so your work options open up considerably during breaks.

Your Work Rights by Visa Subclass

PeriodPermitted Work Hours
During university semestersUp to 48 hours per fortnight
During university vacationsFull time

Why This Matters for Your Budget

Working part time alongside your studies at UQ can help you offset some of your living expenses, which range from around AUD 1,209 (approx INR 81,511) to AUD 2,686 (approx INR 1.81 L) monthly for rent alone in Brisbane. Combining fortnightly work income with careful budgeting makes your overall cost of study more manageable.

My Advice

Treat your 48-hour fortnightly cap as a ceiling, not a target, especially during exam periods when your coursework needs more attention. Use your full-time vacation window to take on intensive short-term work instead, so your semester workload does not affect your grades.

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