Work component hours
Information on Work Integrated Learning (WIL) hours and student visa work limitations during your course.
Work conditions for student visa holders
Under your student visa conditions, once you have commenced studying you are permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session and unlimited hours when your course is out of session.
A course of study is ‘in-session’ for the duration of the trimester/semester (including when exams are being held) and/ or if you take another course that will count towards your main course during a term break.
Work hours are included in a student’s work restriction of 48 hours a fortnight whether it is paid or unpaid.
A course is not in session:
- during scheduled course breaks
- if you have been approved for an intermission or suspension, in line with Standard 9 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students
- if you hold a valid visa and have completed your course as listed on your confirmation of enrolment (CoE)
Please note you can only work over 48 hours a fortnight if:
- you hold a student visa granted in relation to a masters degree by research or doctorate degree and your masters degree by research or doctorate degree has started
- the work is a registered part of your course that is mandatory, that was specified as a requirement of the course when the course particulars were entered into the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS Register)
Please refer to the Check visa details and conditions (homeaffairs.gov.au) for more information.
Core unit with compulsory work requirements
If a work experience unit forms a mandatory component of your course and is included in the CRICOS registration of that course, then the work experience will not be included in the work restriction of 48 hours a fortnight.
To check if you can do WIL hours beyond 48 hours per fortnight limitation, you are required to check if the WIL unit is a requirement to complete your course and the WIL hours are registered on CRICOS.
Elective units with work requirements
If an elective unit is not a compulsory requirement to complete the course, it cannot be registered on CRICOS. The work component (WIL) hours were not specified when the course was registered with CRICOS. You can still complete these electives but they would be counted towards the 48 hours per fortnight work limitation. Work experience is included in a student’s work restriction of 48 hours a fortnight whether it is paid or unpaid.
To make an informed decision if you will be able to complete the WIL hours within the 48 hours per night limitation, it is recommended that you check the total number of WIL hours in an elective unit, please contact the Faculty WIL team and view the hours listed on the unit structure via the Deakin Handbook.
Under the legislation, the University is not permitted to provide further advice about migration or visas. However, the Department of Home Affairs, a Registered Migration Agent, or a Migration Lawyer are permitted to do so. You can search for a Registered Migration Agent on the MARA website.
Unpaid work
For information about unpaid work, refer students to the Fair Work Ombudsman Unpaid work fact sheet.