Tips for finding part-time work
Working while studying is a great way to make money, meet the locals and learn new skills. If you are a full-time international student and are studying in Australia for more than three months, you automatically receive a work visa when you apply for your Australian student visa. This means you can work up to 20 hours a week during your study semester and unlimited hours during term break.
Check out the following links for specific information or scroll down to browse.
Step 1: Finding a job
Step 2: Preparing for an interview
Step 3: Getting ready for work
Step 1: Finding a job
Job hunting
You might be surprised to find that in Australia most part-time and casual jobs are not advertised. Instead employers rely on their networks to find their employees.
The best way to find work is to approach potential employers directly. Search for them in the Yellow Pages and send them your job application or knock on doors and ask whether there are jobs available.
Where to work: top 5 areas
These jobs were popular in 2011 and will give you a head-start on building your future career. Most don’t require experience, but some will require formal training before you start.
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Higher Education – 32% of the positions in SA are part-time. See your university or college’s international office to ask whether there are any part-time jobs available. You might also think about working in the library, which takes lots of students each year to work behind the desk and repack shelves
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Hospitality – 58% is part-time. This area is really popular with students so there is a lot of competition. You might consider applying for work at an ethnically themed restaurant as they might like to hire waiters and waitresses from the same ethnic group. Just make sure that the job helps you to improve your English skills. There are also a number of casual kitchen hand jobs that will get you into the industry.
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Health and community services – 45% of positions are part-time. Nursing homes, hostels for the elderly and hospitals need staff 24/7 so there are lots of opportunities to work, even in hours outside of class time. It’s also a great way to improve your skills in speaking and working with others.
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Business and financial services – 35% of positions are part-time. If you have a degree in this area or work experience overseas you can apply. One of the best places to apply for part-time work is with tax agents like H&R Block, which employs students to help small businesses complete their tax forms. You will need to complete a short course on Australian Taxation Law before you can be accepted for this job.
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Retail – 50% of positions are part-time. Supermarkets, food stores, the Central Market and the cheaper chain stores such as Big W, Kmart and Bunnings are constantly looking for more people to join their team. Many of these stores will give you training before you start work.
Other options to consider
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Apprentice/Trainee: this is a great way to get paid to learn new skills or to bridge the gap between school and work. Just remember that the wage may be lower than most workers or you may not be paid at all. Before you start you will need to sign a formal training agreement that will set out your rights and responsibilities. Signing the agreement is not required for part-time and casual work.
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Contractor/Self-employed: this is a good option for people who enjoy working for themselves and want to be paid per job rather than per hour. If you decide to become a contractor or self-employed, you must give up your rights to sick leave and holiday leave and provide for your tax and sometimes workplace safety insurance. If you are thinking of taking this option, you should first get expert legal advice.
Step 2: Preparing for an interview
Applying for a job
What you need:
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Resume – this should highlight your workplace skills and list your achievements. If you haven’t worked before your resume should focus on your educational experience and personal interests. It should be no longer than three pages long and contain one Australian workplace referee. For more information about resumes, please click here.
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Letter of application – this should be no longer than a page long and should highlight the experience and skills in your resume and show how these are important to the job you’re applying for.
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Interview skills – It is always a good idea to practice your interview skills beforehand and to prepare answers for questions you think will be asked during the interview.
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Key skills – get as much experience as you can in these top skills and promote them during the interview:
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Teamwork – most jobs need you to work with other people, so it’s important that you present yourself as someone who can work in a group with people from a range of different backgrounds, with different skills and personalities.
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Communication – you need to be able to speak English well enough for others to understand. If you want to improve your English skills, check out the free courses at university and in public libraries near you.
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Confidence – you should be given training and equipment when you start, but if there are any problems you need to have the confidence to let your boss or supervisor know.
Meet and greet
In Australia we treat everyone politely and with respect. Upon meeting someone new, we shake their hand by following these three steps:
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Make and hold eye contact
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Smile
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Offer your right hand and give a firm handshake
Step 3: Getting ready for work
Checking the facts
Before you start work, you should be aware of the following:
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Salary: the minimum wage is $15.51 for most workers, though junior rates apply for workers under 21. Remember that it is illegal for your employer offers to pay you in cash without taking tax out.
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Penalty Rates: if you work outside usual working hours (such as on weekends, public holidays or late at night), you may receive a higher rate of pay than usual. It could be double the amount you earn per hour or more.
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Tax File Number (TFN): you should have a tax file number – if you don’t, you may end up paying more taxes than you need to – and that means less money in the bank! Applying for a TFN is free and easy – you just have to fill out a form.
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Superannuation: This is money put aside for your retirement. Most employers have to pay the equivalent of 9% of your salary into your super account. You can choose the fund your super is paid into. If you have more than one job it’s important to have all your superannuation in one account so you’re not paying too many fees. If you choose not to find a permanent place to stay in Australia you can apply for your superannuation to be refunded when you leave the country.
Australian workplace culture
The workplace is informal in Australia. This means you can usually:
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Address co-workers and even bosses by their first name
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Chat with those around you to form and strengthen relationships (remember to balance this against the amount of work you’re getting done!)
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Share jokes, even with supervisors
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Treat all other workers (including those who are in inferior positions) as equals and with respect
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Politely interrupt your boss when their door is open
However, you are also expected to:
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Be punctual by arriving at work and meetings on time
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Look for ways to improve the company you are working for, even just by a small amount
Your rights and responsibilities
It’s important to remember your rights at work and to recognise if your employer is doing the wrong thing.
Some businesses, particularly small businesses, may try to underpay you or not keep your conditions up to workplace standards.
Most workplaces are covered by an Industrial Award, which sets out the minimal conditions you can be expected to work under as well as the minimum wage. You should ask to see a copy of the award before you accept a position. For more information please click here.
If you feel you are being treated unfairly in relation to your workplace conditions you can talk to the Workplace Ombudsman. Call their information line on 13 13 94 to discuss your situation further or visit www.fairwork.gov.au for more information.
Need help?
StudyAdelaide runs half-day workshops for international students throughout the year that help students to practice their job-seeking skills and get one-on-one help with writing a resume and letter of application. The workshops are advertised on our website, www.studyadelaide.com. All international students are welcome to attend.