If you've spent more than five minutes scrolling through Facebook groups for international students in Australia, you've seen this question come up time and again. Work rights, visa conditions, hour caps — it's a topic that causes real anxiety, and understandably so. Getting it wrong can affect your visa. Getting it right means more money in your pocket and peace of mind while you study.
Here's everything you need to know, written plainly, for 2026.
A Quick Bit of History — The Old 40-Hour Rule
For years, international student visa holders in Australia were limited to 40 hours of paid work per fortnight while their course was running. This was a fixed cap that applied regardless of the type of work, the number of employers, or the circumstances. Overstep it, and you were technically in breach of your visa conditions.
That changed in late 2023 when the Australian Government revised the rules — and those updated conditions are still in place as we enter 2026.
What Is the Current Work Hour Limit in 2026?
As of 2026, international students holding a subclass 500 student visa are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. This replaced the older 40-hour fortnightly cap that had been in place for many years prior.
The current cap is 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. One fortnight = any rolling two-week period. Hours are counted across ALL employers combined.
This applies to the primary visa holder. If your spouse or partner is in Australia as a secondary applicant on your visa, their work conditions may differ — always check the specific visa grant notice issued to you both.
When Can You Work Unlimited Hours?
During your official university course breaks, the fortnightly cap does not apply. You can work as many hours as you like during those periods. This typically includes:
- Mid-year semester break (usually June to July)
- End-of-year summer break (usually late November to late February)
- Any other official break formally listed in your course schedule
The keyword here is official. The break must be a scheduled non-teaching period for your enrolled course as declared by your university — not a personal leave arrangement or medical absence. Always check your official academic calendar at the start of each year.
What Types of Work Count Towards Your Hours?
Every form of paid work counts toward your fortnightly total. This includes:
- Shifts at cafes, restaurants, retail stores, warehouses, or any other employer
- Gig economy work — food delivery, rideshare driving, task-based platforms
- Freelance or contractor work — graphic design, tutoring, coding gigs
- Any self-employment income
Unpaid volunteering for a properly registered charity or not-for-profit does not count toward your hours. But if you're receiving any compensation at all — including gift cards, non-cash benefits, or commission — it counts.
What Happens If You Work More Than 48 Hours?
⚠️Exceeding your work hour cap is a breach of your visa conditions. This is your responsibility — not your employer's. Even if your employer rostered you on for the extra hours, the legal obligation sits with you.
Possible consequences of a breach include:
- A formal notice from the Department of Home Affairs
- Visa cancellation in serious or repeated cases
- Complications when applying to renew or extend your student visa
- Potential impact on future applications for permanent residency
Your employer will generally not face penalties for your breach — which is exactly why some employers, unfortunately, don't always think about your visa conditions when setting rosters. You need to stay on top of this yourself.
Working Multiple Jobs? Here's the Maths
Many students work at two or more casual jobs simultaneously. There is nothing stopping you from doing this, but your hours across all jobs are added together for the purpose of the fortnightly cap.
Example: If you work 26 hours at a supermarket and 24 hours at a cleaning company in the same fortnight, you have worked 50 hours total. That is over the 48-hour limit, even though neither job individually put you over.
Keep a simple running total each week across all your employers. A basic phone note or spreadsheet is all you need.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Cap?
There are a small number of situations where different rules may apply:
- Registered research higher degree students (PhD and Masters by Research): These students may be exempt from the fortnightly work cap in certain circumstances. Confirm directly with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Students in registered aged care or healthcare roles: Temporary exemptions were granted during the COVID-19 pandemic years. As of 2026, those emergency provisions have concluded, and standard conditions apply.
- Secondary visa applicants: Check the individual visa grant notice — conditions vary.
Practical Tips to Stay Compliant in 2026
- Track your hours every single week — don't leave it to memory. Use your phone calendar or a simple spreadsheet.
- Download your official academic calendar at the start of each semester and note your course break dates.
- Tell your employer about your visa work conditions when you start — a good employer will work with you on rostering.
- If you have two jobs, speak to both employers so they understand you have a combined cap to manage.
- If anything is unclear about your specific visa conditions, contact your university's international student support office or the Department of Home Affairs directly.
The Bottom Line
In 2026, international students on a subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods — an increase from the old 40-hour rule. During official course breaks, there is no cap at all. The rules exist to protect both students and the integrity of the student visa program, so staying compliant is worth the small effort it takes to track your hours.
For the most current and official information, always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website at homeaffairs.gov.au.
💡More tips on working in Australia as a student — visit www.internationalstudenttips.com.au