Casual or part-time work is a great way to earn some money while studying. It’s also a way to gain work experience that looks great on your curriculum vitae (CV). Employers are looking for potential employees with a range of skills that can be demonstrated by balancing both study and work commitments.
Having work experience can improve your chances of finding graduate employment, and can build the soft skills that employers seek, like teamwork, time-management skills, communication skills and problem-solving. You might also choose to volunteer or do an internship, both great ways of getting some experience in the workplace, developing soft skills and boosting your career opportunities. You will also be able to practise and demonstrate your ability to balance your commitments with a willingness to work hard.
It’s important to consider how much time you are able to put into work before making any commitments. College work and study commitments should always be your top priority! Know when your deadlines are and when you might need to cut back your shifts. As a guide, you should avoid working more than 15 hours per week during a trimester if you’re a full-time student.
If you are an international student, you must also be aware of the working hour limits attached to your student visa.
Part-time employees work regular hours each week and receive the same benefits (relative to hours worked) as full-time employees. This includes annual leave and sick leave.
Casual employees are less likely to have regular work and do not receive guaranteed hours, sick or annual leave. Rates of pay are usually higher to make up for this.
Volunteering is unpaid work, usually for a not-for-profit organisation. You can gain many of the skills associated with paid with, in addition to demonstrating exceptional motivation and good-will.
For international students, volunteering or working while studying is a good opportunity to practise your English, and to learn about Australian workplace culture. Keep in mind that you will need to limit the hours that you work to meet your student visa conditions.
For information on visa requirements, contact the Department Home Affairs on 13 18 81.
You also have Government protected rights to ensure that you are not exploited or mistreated at work. All people working in Australia have basic rights and protections in the workplace, including minimum pay and conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman makes sure that these rights are protected and enforced fairly under Australia’s workplace laws.
Casual employees work on an hourly or daily basis and are less likely to have regular or guaranteed hours of work. Casual employees do not get paid sick leave or annual leave, but the rates of pay are usually higher to make up for this. A casual employee is usually not entitled to notice of termination. This means a casual employee can be terminated at any time.
Before you begin working in Australia, you will need to apply for a tax file number (TFN).
This is a unique identifier that allows the Government to assess your total income over the year, regardless of how many jobs you have held. You need to give this TFN to your employer to avoid paying the highest tax rate.
You will also need to complete a yearly tax return as you may be eligible for a partial refund. Tax returns must be lodged by 31 October for the previous financial year, which runs from 1 July to 30 June.
You may choose to work part-time while you study at Griffith College. Working while studying gives you an excellent opportunity to put the theories and concepts that you are learning within your program into practice in the real world. It can also help to supplement your cost of living. Your study commitments should always take priority over work commitments.
Note: If you’re receiving benefits such as Austudy or Abstudy, your earnings could affect these payments. Check the rules for your particular payment with Centrelink.
Whether you’re a local or international student, there are laws outlining what conditions and pay you are entitled to. For more information, visit the Australian Government’s Fair Work website.
If you have queries about the type of work you’ve been offered, you can contact Job Watch (communications are confidential).
Griffith University can help you understand your career options, market yourself to employers, and transition to graduate employment. They can also assist with finding suitable employment while you study!
The CareerHub is your one-stop shop for jobs, careers events and appointments. It’s a free online system where you can:
Are you a Gold Coast student or recent graduate looking for an exciting opportunity?
Perhaps you’re looking to ‘earn while you learn’ or launch your career?
Search and apply for work experience to gain skills in your chosen field.
If you’re looking to enhance your employability skills Gold Coast Student Jobs has you covered with 100’s of opportunities across a range of industries.
