Important: Please familiarize yourself with the conditions of your work permit. Failure to adhere to the conditions may result in severe consequences including cancellation of your student visa. More information can be found here. Students are also advised that part-time employment may distract them from their studies and they should not rely on part-time employment to pay tuition fees or other living expenses. If you need any assistance, please contact an International Student Adviser.
All initial student visas are granted with no permission to work. If you wish to work part-time (paid or unpaid) in Australia, you must apply for a student visa with permission to work. Application for this visa can only be made through DIAC in Perth once the semester commences.
The permit has strict conditions on the number of hours you are allowed to work per week. This can vary according to what visa subclass you are on. It is important that you are aware of the relevant conditions. Please check the DIAC website for the latest information.
You and members of your family can only apply for permission to work after:
- you have arrived in Australia;
- you have commenced your course at ECU; and
- fulfilled any other conditions set by DIAC.
Applying for permission to work
Send an email to iss@ecu.edu.au with your student number and name, informing us of your intention to apply for permission to work. We will respond to your email providing you with further instructions.
Tax file number
A tax file number (TFN) is a unique number issued to individuals and organisations to help the Tax Office administer tax and other Australian Government systems. It’s one of your most important forms of identification in Australia. It’s yours for life and keeping it secure is a good defence against identity theft.
While it is not compulsory to quote a TFN without one you may:
- pay more tax than necessary, or
- not be able to get government benefits you are entitled to receive.
A TFN will also help you:
- lodge a tax return
- ask the Tax Office about your tax affairs
- start or change jobs
- limit the amount of tax you pay on interest or dividends earned if you have savings accounts or investments that earn income.
Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.
Applying for a TFN
If you are a permanent migrant or temporary visitor to Australia you can apply for a TFN online after you arrive in Australia if you have a:
- visa that allows work rights
- visa that allows permanent migration
- valid overseas student visa, or
- valid visa to stay in Australia indefinitely.
To apply complete the Online individual tax file number (TFN) registration. When applying online, you do not have to physically provide proof of your identity.
Applying for a TFN using false or other peoples’ identity details, or misusing your TFN, can mean heavy fines or jail.
If you need more information about TFNs, you can:
- visit the Tax Office website at www.ato.gov.au or
- phone 13 28 61 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
