Nursing students
Nursing students

International Students

The Gold Coast welcomes students from all over the world who come to experience world-class education and an unbeatable lifestyle. Whether you're looking to improve your English, gain a vocational qualification, or study at a top university, you’ll find a wide range of education providers and support services. 

Below you’ll find up-to-date information on the student visa (subclass 500), the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), and your general rights and responsibilities as an international student in Australia. This includes details on English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and links to recommended institutions. 

 

STUDENT VISAS   |   EDUCATION AGENTS   |   ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES   |   WORKING & VOLUNTEERING IN AUSTRALIA

Student Visas

Student Visa (subclass 500)

 

The Student visa (subclass 500) allows you to live, study and work in Australia for the duration of your course, up to 5 years, in line with your enrolment at a CRICOS-registered institution. 

To be eligible, you must: 

  • Be enrolled in a full-time course registered with CRICOS 
  • Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) (unless you’re in an exempt category) 
  • Be 6 years or older 
  • If under 18, have adequate welfare arrangements 
  • Meet English language, financial, and Genuine Student (GS) requirements

 

Work Conditions (as of 2024):


  • You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your study period
  • You can work unlimited hours during your official course breaks
LEARN MORE

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

 

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible international students to live, study and work in Australia after completing their studies. It includes multiple streams, most commonly the Post-Study Work stream and Graduate Work stream. 

To be eligible, you must: 

 

  • Be 35 years or younger at the time of application (some exceptions apply) 
  • Hold or have held a student visa within the last 6 months 
  • Have recently completed a CRICOS-registered course 
  • Apply for the appropriate visa stream (stream cannot be changed after lodgement) 
  • Provide evidence of English proficiency, OSHC, and health insurance 
  • Meet Australian study and qualification requirements 

Graduate Work Stream (2024 Update): No longer requires a skills assessment for a two-year visa if your qualification is from a specified VET course. 

EXPLORE VISA OPTIONS

Study Options & Visa Types

 

Your student visa type will depend on the course level and duration. Options include:  

 

  • Primary and Secondary School
  • English (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
  • Higher Education (Universities, Colleges)
  • Non-award courses (e.g. study abroad, exchange)
EXPLORE VISA OPTIONS

Work Rights & Conditions

 

International student visa holders can: 

 

  • Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods 
  • Work unlimited hours during official course breaks 
  • Scholarship holders should check specific work conditions with their sponsor 

Ensure your work does not interfere with your study obligations, as maintaining academic progress is a visa condition. 

How to Apply for a Visa

 

All visa applications must be lodged through the Department of Home Affairs, and you do not need to use a registered migration agent to do so. The majority of visa applications can be submitted online through ImmiAccount, the official visa application portal. 

If you feel confident and your situation is straightforward, you can lodge your own application. However, if your case is complex or you are uncertain about the process, a registered Migration Agent may be helpful. 

Important: Migration agents cannot influence the outcome, expedite processing, or guarantee visa approval. 

LEARN MORE

Education Agents

Many students also choose to work with education agents, who provide guidance on course selection, institution applications, and visa submissions. These agents often have close partnerships with schools and can support you in meeting admission and visa requirements.

Always ensure your education agent is authorised by your chosen institution. You can usually find a list of approved agents on the school or university’s official website. Education agents are not permitted to guarantee a visa outcome and should provide transparent and accurate advice throughout the process.

LEARN MORE

Hiring a Mirgation Agent

 

If you choose to work with a migration agent: 

 

  • Ensure they are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) 
  • It remains your responsibility to provide true and complete information 
  • Providing false or misleading information can lead to visa refusal or cancellation 
FIND OUT MORE

English Language Courses

University-Based English Language Programs

 

Gold Coast universities offer academic English preparation programs that support students in meeting entry requirements for university courses and improving general English proficiency. 

 

ELICOS – English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students

 

ELICOS programs are intensive English language courses designed to improve your skills for travel, work, or further study. These programs require at least 20 hours per week of face-to-face instruction. 

 

Gold Coast ELICOS Providers: 

 

 

All providers must be CRICOS-registered to enrol international students. 

Working & Volunteering in Australia

Work Restrictions for Student Visa Holders


As of 1 July 2023, international students on a Student Visa (subclass 500) can: 

 

  • Work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session
  • Work unlimited hours during official course breaks or holidays 

These limits are intended to support academic success while allowing students to earn income and gain work experience. 

Aged Care Exception (Valid until 31 December 2025): 
Students who were employed in the aged care sector as of 9 May 2023 may continue to work unrestricted hours in that sector, provided the employer is an approved aged care provider. 

Students cannot start working until their course has commenced in Australia. 

FIND OUT MORE

Australian Workplace Resources

 

Understanding your rights at work is vital. These resources are available for all workers, including visa holders:

 

Fair Work Ombudsman

Provides free, multilingual, and anonymous services including:

 

  • Pay and entitlements
  • Work conditions for visa holders
  • Workplace rights videos in various languages
  • Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT)
  • Record My Hours mobile app
LEARN MORE

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

 

You must apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) to work in Australia. This is free and easy to do online. 

 

Employment as a Full-Time International Student

 

If you are a full-time international student enrolled for more than 3 months, your visa automatically includes permission to work. 

 

  • Wait until your course has commenced before beginning work 
  • During study periods, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight 
  • During holidays or official course breaks, you may work unlimited hours 

Finding a Job in Australia

 

Here are trusted job search platforms to help you find casual, part-time, or entry-level work: 

 

 

Sectors with High Job Demand

 

The following industries regularly hire international students and may require little to no retraining:

 

  • Hospitality and food service
  • Cleaning and sanitation
  • IT and technical support
  • Health care and community support
  • Warehousing and logistics
  • Agriculture and seasonal harvesting
  • Customer service and call centres
  • Disability and aged care services
  • Outdoor/regional labour (e.g., rebuilding infrastructure)

Resume Tips


Keep your resume 1–2 pages, clearly formatted, and tailored for each job. Include: 

 

  • Name and contact information 
  • Summary of skills 
  • Work experience (with dates) 
  • Education and training 
  • Volunteering (optional) 
  • Interests (optional) 
SEE EXAMPLES

Internships


Internships offer valuable work experience related to your field of study and can help improve employability after graduation. 

 

  • Most internships are unpaid and voluntary 
  • Some may be credit-bearing as part of your course 
  • Internships must not breach visa work conditions 

Visit your education provider’s career office or book a free career support appointment with the Gold Coast Student Hub. 

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Volunteering 

 

Volunteering is a legal and valuable way for international students to gain experience, give back to the community, and build networks. 

According to Fair Work legislation and Volunteering Australia, to be considered genuine volunteering, the following conditions must apply: 

You can volunteer if: 

 

  • The role is unpaid and not replacing a paid position 
  • The position is with a not-for-profit organisation or charity 
  • You are under no obligation to perform the work (i.e., not contractually bound) 
  • There is no expectation of payment or compensation
  • The experience is not connected to a commercial business 

 

You cannot volunteer if: 


  • The role would normally be paid in a for-profit company 
  • You are being given payment “under the table” or incentives in lieu of wages
  • It is a trial or training for a paid position (this may constitute unpaid work and be illegal) 

 

Tip: You do not need to include volunteer hours in your 48-hour fortnightly work limit if it meets the legal volunteering definition. 

FIND OUT MORE

Scholarships


There are a range of scholarships for international students on the Gold Coast, offered by education institutions, government initiatives, and industry partners. These may be merit-based, equity-based, or focused on specific areas of study. 

Contact institutions directly or visit their websites for the most current eligibility requirements and deadlines. 

Gold Coast Institutions offering scholarships:

 

VIEW SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Up to Four Years of Post-Study Work Rights

 

Graduates from eligible Gold Coast institutions may now access up to 4 years of post-study work rights under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). 

Key Benefits: 

 

  • Up to 4 years of work rights for eligible degrees 
  • Regional pathway benefits and priority processing 
  • Extra migration points for skilled visa pathways 
  • Pathway to permanent residency (via employer or state nomination) 
FIND OUT MORE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. 
 
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland. 

Learn more about the Kombumerri families