6 Great Part-Time Jobs for International Students Studying in Australia

An illustration of two students at a desk with Australia's flag, grad hat, and books graphic behind them.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad in Australia but still stumped on what type of part-time job to choose, look no further. In prior posts, we’ve explored great part-time jobs for international students studying in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Today, we’re outlining six exciting and engaging part-time jobs for international students studying Down Under.  

*The information in this blog post is sourced from Payscale, is provided for informational purposes only, and is in Australian dollars.

A photo of a babysitter with two kids.

Courtesy of the Australian Nanny Association.

1. Babysitter (AUS$19.85/hour)

If you’re great with children, a part-time gig as a babysitter allows you to pick up shifts that suit your schedule and usually doesn’t involve a long-term commitment. In this role, you would be responsible for:

  • Providing care to children outside and inside the home
  • Maintaining their daily schedule
  • Leading fun activities
  • Preparing healthy meals
  • Keeping children’s play and living areas tidy
  • Caring for infants which can include dressing, feeding, and diapering 

Another perk of this job is that most parents of the children you’ll be babysitting will allow you to catch up on your schoolwork or favourite Netflix shows once you’ve put the kids to bed.

Photo of a person working on their laptop.

Courtesy of the Australian Government.

2. Freelancer (AUS$22.35/hour)

If you have creative skills in graphic design, writing, social media management, or web design, then you may want to consider a part-time job as a freelancer. You can freelance in many industries, so don’t feel like you’re limited to these options. Regardless of which industry you pursue a freelance job in, you should be able to:

  • Communicate effectively
  • Practice excellent time management skills
  • Execute your craft at a high level
  • Negotiate with clients

A freelance role would also allow you to build your organizational, interpersonal, and business management skills. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose your own hours, which is always a plus when you’re a student. 

A photo the Australian Post mailboxes.

Courtesy of Australian National University.

3. On Foot Mail Carrier (AUS$23.46/hour)

If enjoying Australia’s beautiful weather while on the job sounds appealing, then a part-time gig as a mail carrier could be the perfect choice for you. In this role, you would be in charge of:

  • Sorting and delivering mail
  • Obtaining signatures for certain items 
  • Recording delivery of registered mail

In addition to getting plenty of fresh air, another benefit of working as a mail carrier is that you can cross your daily cardio workout and work shift off your to-do list simultaneously.

A photo of a female agricultural worker.

Courtesy of the Queensland Government.

4. Agricultural Worker (AUS$22.99/hour)

There’s plenty of opportunities for students to become part-time agricultural workers in Australia. As an agricultural worker, you would be responsible for the following duties:

  • Planting, inspecting, and harvesting crops
  • Operating and servicing farm tools and machinery
  • Irrigating farm soil 
  • Applying fertilizer or pesticide solutions to control fungi, weeds, and insects

If you have a strong work ethic and a love for the land, check out hostel notice boards, the websites Gumtree, Harvest Trail, and Fruit Picking Jobs, as well as local information centres for open agricultural positions in your new Australian city.

A photo of two servers serving a table.

Courtesy of the Australian Government.

5. Server (AUS$17.13/hour + Optional Tips)

Are you a people person who thrives in fast-paced environments? Serving in a restaurant is one of the most popular part-time jobs for students. Although being employed as a server usually requires students to work during the evenings and weekends, there’s still plenty of opportunities to meet new people and have fun. As a server, you would be responsible for:

  • Taking orders
  • Knowing your food and drink menu
  • Preparing and cleaning the dining area
  • Taking payments
  • Providing outstanding customer service
  • Coordinating with the kitchen staff

Unlike Canada and the United States, tipping isn’t required in Australia as servers are paid a livable wage. However, most will still tip their server anywhere between 10% and 20%, making this a great job for anyone looking to bring home some extra cash at the end of the day.

A photo of a person walking a dog in Victoria, Australia.

Courtesy of Parks Victoria.

6. Dog Walker (AUS$24.57/hour)

If getting paid to hang out with dogs sounds like an enjoyable time to you, then becoming a dog walker should be at the top of your list. In this role, you would be in charge of:

  • Following clients’ agreed-upon schedules and routes
  • Providing water and food
  • Properly disposing of waste products
  • Taking the dog to the vet in the case of an emergency

This is the perfect job for all of you dog and nature lovers looking to stay active while making some money. Be sure to check out Pawshake, a platform that connects dog walkers with people looking to utilize their services.

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