Between the amazing beaches, top-ranked universities, friendly population and diverse job market, Perth is a popular destination for international students. But if you’re thinking about studying in Perth, you may be wondering how to find a job to support you during your studies.
When it comes to employment, Perth is jam-packed full of student jobs that offer flexibility and consistency. However, if you’re a newly arrived international student or about to become one, knowing where to search for jobs in Perth can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, we’re here to give you some answers.
Here is everything you need to know about finding international student jobs in Perth.
Understanding your work rights
Before we dive into the types of jobs for international students in Perth and where to find them, it’s essential to understand your working rights on a Student (subclass 500) visa.
International student working hours
Since 1 July 2023, the Australian Government has set a work limit for international students in Australia. When studying, your working hours are capped at 48 hours per fortnight. These restrictions do not apply when study is not in session (i.e. during study breaks and holiday breaks).
Popular student jobs in Perth
Perth offers unique employment opportunities due to an abundance of mining and construction work. While some of these roles may require additional certifications (e.g. a construction white card) or previous experience, it is possible to find part-time jobs for students in Perth in these industries. Some examples of such roles could include concreter, general labourer, painter or traffic controller.
A booming tourism sector means that jobs in hospitality and tourism are also in demand. Because many of the roles in this sector are casual and/or part-time, they’re ideal for students. Common roles within this sector include barista, bartender, cook, server, hotel receptionist and tour guide.
Other industries in Perth that are popular among students are:
- retail
- administration
- customer service
- freelancing.
Overall, our diverse employment market means there are plenty of interesting student jobs in Perth to explore.
How much can you earn as a student in Perth?
As an international student working in Australia on a student visa, you must be paid at least the minimum wage. This is the lowest legal rate you can be paid for doing a certain job. In Australia, the minimum wage currently sits at A$23.23 per hour. It is also a requirement that international students pay tax on their income and receive a payslip. You can learn more about applying for a Tax File Number and your working rights – including wages – via the Australian Government.
As previously mentioned, the current cap on working hours for student visa holders is 48 per fortnight. So, if you were to work 48 hours per fortnight at the minimum wage of A$23.23 per hour, you could expect to earn roughly A$1,115.04 per fortnight (or $557.52 per week).
Where to find student jobs in Perth
At a national level, there are numerous websites where you can search and apply for jobs. Some examples are:
There are also government websites, such as Jobs WA or Workforce Australia.
If you’re seeking work in a particular sector, you can search industry-specific platforms. For instance, you’ll see many roles being advertised on the Tourism & Hospitality WA website. A major event hub, Optus Stadium holds major sporting and cultural events throughout the year; as a result, the venue is often seeking additional casual, part-time or seasonal staff. These roles can be found on their Optus Careers page.
Curtin business graduate Andy Wu Chi Hsuan transferred from our Curtin Singapore campus to Curtin Perth to complete his degree. He describes his part-time role at shoe shop Skechers as a highlight of his time in Australia.
“When I first reached Perth, I was throwing resumes everywhere I went. I got my first job at a restaurant near my accommodation [at Curtin Perth] during my second week here. I know it wasn’t what I wanted so I continued searching… and just two weeks later, I was employed at Skechers in [shopping centre] Carousel as a retail salesperson.
I love doing sales because I get to meet different people and it was even more interesting (and challenging) because I was in an entirely different country selling to people from an entirely different culture. I was also working with a team of people from different countries – China, Australia and Samoa. And I loved it! My main customers were Australians, of course, but there were customers from many different countries including Italy, India, France, Nigeria and Bhutan…
… these experiences wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t make the choice to move to Perth to study. And I am grateful that I did so because these experiences are once in a lifetime!”
Learn more about Andy’s time at Curtin Perth:
Curtin employment support
If you need support finding part-time work, our Curtin Careers team can guide you through the process. We offer a wide range of services including career counselling, an online jobs board (UniHub), an industry mentoring program, workshops and presentations.
We can help you:
- plan your career
- write your resume
- develop a job search strategy
- apply for a job
- practise for job interviews
- understand your rights and responsibilities as an employee.
Networking is one of the most important things you can do to boost employability. It’s a great way to meet people in your industry, form meaningful connections and build relevant skills. As they say: it’s not just what you do – it’s who you know. Our Careers team have a range of resources to help you build your networks.
Book your Careers Conversation.
On-campus opportunities
Leadership is often listed as one of the most sought-after skills by graduate employers. Undertaking a leadership development opportunity can help you learn valuable skills and make you more employable.
Find out more about Curtin’s leadership development opportunities.
If you’re looking for paid work on campus, our Earn While You Learn program offers a diverse range of employment opportunities at Curtin, allowing you to secure work that fits around your classes and study load. Types of jobs include:
- customer service and administration
- graphic / digital design and website administration
- videography and photography
- HR administration
- marketing and communications
- information technology
- events administration and logistics.
International student scholarships
As an international student, you could be eligible for a wide range of merit-based and needs-based scholarships to support you during your studies. These include our Alumni and Family Scholarship for students with strong personal and family ties to Curtin, our Australian Year 12 Scholarship if you’ve successfully completed an Australian high school qualification in Australia or overseas, and our Merit Scholarship for high achievers.
Find out more about our international student scholarships.
“The Alumni and Family Scholarship scholarship helped me manage my finances when I first arrived in Perth. It also meant I could be more relaxed about other living costs, and it gave me the motivation to do well in my studies.”
Dharsini Premramesh
Master of International Business and Entrepreneurship
Ask us a question
If you want to have a chat with someone about scholarships or finding employment, we’re here to help! You can give us a call on 1300 222 888 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Tuesday from 9:30 am), Monday to Friday, AWST. If you’re calling from China, please call +86 400 120 8943. If you’re calling from any other country outside of Australia, please call +61 8 9266 5888.
On campus? Feel free to pop in to Curtin Connect, located in Building 102 at Curtin Perth. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Tuesdays from 9:30 am).
