Finally, you packed your life in your suitcase and flew to Melbourne to study at your dream university. Now that you’ve settled in your accommodation in Melbourne, do you find yourself googling how to fight loneliness? Because making new friends is not easy. Or did you google how to handle student finances because paying the rent and tuition fees makes your bank account cry? You don’t need Bob the Builder to fix your finances. That’s right! You can do it yourself.
Getting a part-time job in Melbourne can easily solve your problems. This blog will guide you to everything you need to know about part-time jobs for students in Melbourne. Also, if you are a student living in Melbourne, you should surely go through this article which will help you to find some really amazing tourist attractions in Melbourne.
What are the benefits of a part-time job?
You may be wondering what possible benefits there could be of adding stress to your plate when academic life in a new city is tiring enough. However, no matter how hectic the idea might seem, working a part-time job has its own benefits.
1: Manage your Finances: Working a job can help you fix those burnt holes in your pocket. An income source can always help feed the party animal inside you. You will also be able to save money, meaning you won't have to sacrifice your fun outings.
2: Time- Management: Time is Money, and it is precious. Another life skill you’ll pick up from getting a part-time job in Melbourne is time management. Managing and efficiently handling your time is vital in all directions of life.
3: Career-Related Skills: If you choose to work in a company linked to your career goals, getting a part-time job in Melbourne will let you dip your toes into the ocean of knowledge. You will be imbibed with several skills that will help you throughout your career. Time management, organisational skills, teamwork, etc., are some of the skills you can learn while working.
4: Improve your Social skills: Meeting new people and connecting with them is one of the fun perks while working a job.
5: Improve your Resume: A resume is an important tool to show any employer about your work experience and your skills. Gaining practical experience can add stars to your resume and make it shine.
Is it easy to get a part-time job in Melbourne?
Melbourne, being the second-largest city in the world, is a significant hub for corporate, administrative, and cultural activities, and it offers a plethora of opportunities for part-time jobs in Melbourne for international students. Melbourne offers international students a range of part-time job options, particularly during sporting and cultural festivals held throughout the year. These seasonal casual employment opportunities can provide a vast pool of job openings. Nonetheless, several factors, such as past work experience, proficiency in English, and job requirements, can impact the likelihood of international students securing part-time work in Melbourne.
How many hours can you work as an international student in Melbourne?
Coursework students who have just started their degree can work 40 hours per fortnight when their course is in session. There are no restrictions on working hours when the course is not in session.
Graduate researchers who have started with their degrees have no restrictions on working hours, even when the course is in session. Student visa holders who are in a Master's or Doctorate have no working hours restriction.
Your working hours on a student visa will not be affected by hours put in for internship subjects that are a requirement of your degree.
What is the minimum wage in Australia?
In Australia, the minimum wage for part-time workers has been set at AU$ 18.93 by the Fair Work Commission. This is a significant increase from the previous year's minimum wage of AU$ 18.29, and it is intended to help part-time workers keep up with the rising cost of living.
Workers doing part-time jobs in Melbourne make up a significant portion of Australia's workforce, and this increase in minimum wage will positively impact their financial well-being. With the cost of living constantly on the rise, it can be difficult for part-time workers to make ends meet. This increase in minimum wage will go a long way towards addressing this issue.
Moreover, the increase in the minimum wage for a worker doing a part-time job in Melbourne is a positive step towards reducing income inequality in Australia. By ensuring that all the workers doing part-time jobs in Melbourne are paid a fair wage, we can begin to close the gap between those who have and those who do not have enough. This is crucial for creating a more just and equitable society.
Best Part-time jobs in Melbourne
Here are some top opportunities for students and job seekers looking for flexible and rewarding work in Australia's second-largest city.
1. Tutor
For all knowledge seekers, this can be a perfect job. You can tutor online at any education service provider, work as a freelancer tutor or give private one-on-one tuition. Your knowledge will come to your rescue here. You can also tutor at call centres if you are proficient in English. You can earn AU$33.80 per hour, more or less.
2. Administrative Assistant
If you like being organised, this is where you shine and show off your skills. Even if you aren’t that equipped with organising, don’t worry, you can still work here and improve your soft skills. This job profile requires you to perform administrative and operational activities that will help you learn while working if you work smartly. You can earn AU$ 25.83 per hour, more or less.
3. Pet sitter
If you’re a dog lover or a cat whisperer, you will love this job. You get to play with these fluffballs and earn! Pets are just like babies, but with fur, you have to handle them with care. You may have to visit the pets’ parents' house, or the fur balls may visit your place. This job screams FUN all over! You can earn AU$ 22 per hour, more or less.
4. Cab Driver
Now we know this won’t be as thrilling as the movie baby driver, but this can be one of the highest paying part time jobs in Australia for international students. You can work during the hours you can spare at your own will and convenience. You can work as a rideshare driver for companies such as Uber or other private transport companies.
Some of the perks of this job are flexibility and independence. You can earn AU$35- AU$40 per hour, more or less.
5. Barista
Although you won't be drinking the coffee yourself, you'll have the opportunity to craft artisanal brews surrounded by its invigorating aroma. As a barista, you'll engage with diverse customers daily, making for a fun and fulfilling experience that keeps you energized and involved. Expect to earn around AU$28 per hour when working in a café in Melbourne.
6. Retail Sales Assistant
If you like interacting with new people, this job might be perfect. You can strike up wonderful conversations with customers while helping and assisting them. The local retail stores hire many students for part-time jobs, so this job shouldn’t be hard to find. Working as a sales associate will also help you polish your customer service skills and people skills. You can earn AU$ 21 per hour, more or less.
7. Waiter/ Waitress
Ensuring that the customers have a good dining experience falls on the shoulders of waiters and waitresses. You can work at a cafe or a restaurant nearby your accommodation which will not require you to travel a lot. Even this job will require you to interact with new people. Also, generous tips can be one of the biggest perks of waiting at a restaurant. This will help you manage your student finances easily. You can earn AU$ 28 per hour, more or less.
Where to find part-time jobs in Melbourne?
Part-time jobs in Melbourne for international students are found in abundance. There are a number of offline and online jobs you can look for. Even many university campuses provide part-time jobs in Melbourne for international students. You can use different platforms to widen your searches, such as Gumtree, Quest, or Adzuna. While your visit the local supermarkets, you can always ask there.
Make sure to pay attention to the town boards and shop windows for the posters of job seekers. You can also contact your university’s office for any vacancies. Networking is a great way can help you find jobs by letting people know you’re looking for something. You might always know someone who knows someone who is hiring. Another way is to knock on the employers' door and submit your proposal respectfully; maybe you’ll get lucky!
How else can you cover your expenses?
Make sure to take care of your tax obligations before exploring other ways to cover your study abroad expenses. Neglecting this responsibility can result in working overtime and earning less than what you deserve. Once you have sorted out your taxes, there are several other options you can consider to manage your expenses:
- Apply for scholarships in Australia that are available for international students.
- Explore affordable accommodation options such as PBSAs or shared rentals.
- Look for assistantship positions in your university that offer a stipend in exchange for work.
- Implement effective money management strategies to make the most of your resources while living abroad.
It is great that now you have decided to take charge of your finances. We hope this blog helps you choose your part-time job in Melbourne. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, experience new cultures, and gain valuable education and life skills. However, it can be challenging to manage finances as an international student. It's crucial to have a solid financial plan in place before you start your journey.