How many hours can a student visa holder work?

During the academic study period, Subclass 500 holders are limited to 48 hours per fortnight under condition 8105. During officially scheduled course breaks (semester holidays), there is no hour restriction.

What happens during semester breaks?

During officially scheduled breaks from the student's course, condition 8105 does not apply and the student can work unlimited hours. The break periods must be formally scheduled by the education institution — they cannot be self-declared.

What are an employer's obligations when hiring a student visa holder?

Employers must verify the candidate has work rights using VEVO before employment begins. They must also ensure working hours do not exceed the condition 8105 limit during study periods. The employer is responsible for monitoring compliance.

How does VEVO verify student visa work rights?

VEVO retrieves live data from the Home Affairs database showing the visa subclass, expiry date, and all attached conditions. Condition 8105 appears directly on the VEVO result, making verification straightforward.

What are the consequences of exceeding the 48-hour limit?

Exceeding the work limit is a breach of the student visa conditions. This can result in visa cancellation for the student. Employers who knowingly allow a breach may face civil penalties under the Migration Act 1958.

Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500) — Work Rights & Employer Obligations

Understanding work hour limitations and employer obligations for Australian student visa (Subclass 500) holders under condition 8105.

48 hrs/fortnightWork Limit

8105Condition

StudentVisa Type

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Overview

Why Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500) — Work Rights & Employer Obligations?

The Australian student visa (Subclass 500) grants permission to live and study in Australia but includes strict work limitations under visa condition 8105. During the course study period, student visa holders are limited to 48 hours of work per fortnight (two-week period). This limit applies to all paid work, including casual and part-time roles.

During scheduled course breaks (e.g., semester holidays officially gazetted by the institution), work hours are unlimited — condition 8105 does not apply during these break periods. Employers must verify the visa subclass and conditions before employing a student visa holder. Failure to comply can result in visa cancellation for the student and civil penalties for the employer.

Refchecks automates VEVO verification for Subclass 500 holders, confirming the visa conditions in real time and flagging condition 8105 in the work rights report.

What's Included

Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500) — Work Rights & Employer Obligations Features

Work Condition Clarity

The VEVO report clearly shows condition 8105 when present, distinguishing between study-period hour limits and break-period unlimited work rights.

Employer Verification Obligations

Employers have a legal obligation to verify work rights before employment. VEVO checks create a documented compliance record for Fair Work and Home Affairs audits.

Automated VEVO Check

Refchecks queries the Home Affairs VEVO system automatically, returning the student's current visa status, work entitlements, and conditions in under 2 minutes.

Breach Prevention

Clear reporting on work hour limits helps employers avoid breaching condition 8105, which can lead to visa cancellation for the student and employer sanctions.

Process

How It Works

Candidate provides visa details

The student provides their visa grant number, passport, and date of birth through the Refchecks secure candidate portal.

VEVO check confirms subclass and conditions

Refchecks queries Home Affairs VEVO, which returns the Subclass 500 visa status, expiry, and attached conditions including 8105.

Work rights report shows entitlements and limitations

You receive a plain-English report: visa valid, Subclass 500, condition 8105 applies — 48 hrs/fortnight maximum during study periods.

Turnaround & Pricing

What to Expect

Turnaround Time

Under 2 minutes via VEVO

Work Rights Verification

Included

Part of right-to-work check

FAQ

Student Visa Australia (Subclass 500) — Work Rights & Employer Obligations FAQ

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