Here at AUSA Student Employment, we offer personalised support to help you:

  • Understanding the Australian employment sector and employer expectations
  • Preparing a resume and cover letter for casual work
  • Interview tips and advice
  • Advice on where to look for opportunities

Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for resume and cover letter assistance, and/or general employment advice.  We can assist you via in-person appointments, email, phone or Zoom.  Contact the AUSA Student Employment Coordinator by emailing ausa.employment@adelaide.edu.au to book your appointment.

Understanding how employment works in Australia is important for protecting your rights and making informed decisions.

This page outlines key information about employment types, pay, tax, superannuation and workplace protections.

Casual/Part-time work – what’s the difference?

Casual employees have irregular hours, and part-time staff will often have set hours and work patterns that apply each week. For most students, casual work is preferred because it offers greater flexibility.

Casual employment refers to a system of hiring employees on a work-as-needed basis, with no advance commitment from an employer regarding the number of hours or work patterns they will receive, and their services can be terminated without notice.

Part-time employees work less than 38 hours per week and are normally hired on a permanent basis. Sometimes, part-time workers are employed on a fixed-term contract. Part-time employees agree to a set number of hours when signing their employment agreement, meaning employers can only reduce or increase these hours by mutual agreement.

Different ways of being paid

Employee's Pay; Waged or Salary?

While both describe an employee's pay, the way employers calculate and schedule that payment is different. Salary employees earn a specific amount over an entire year, and have access to paid leave such as sick leave and annual leave. Wage employees earn by the hour or for a piece of work, and leave is not included.

Sole Trader/Freelance/Independent Contractor

A sole trader/freelancer means you are working for yourself and not as an employee and you will need an Australian Business Number (ABN). To apply go to Applying for an ABN | ABR. International students can also apply.

Operating under an ABN means you’re responsible for managing your own taxes, so consulting an accountant to ensure you effectively manage your tax obligations is important. As a sole trader, your tax rate is the individual income rates:
https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-rates-and-codes/tax-rates-australian-residents

You will need to provide your TFN when lodging your tax return. You can use an ABN to work for multiple clients, but you must keep accurate records of your income and expenses so that you can correctly calculate your tax liability.

It is free, but it may take up to 20 workdays if you are an international student. Also, international students working under an ABN will still need to abide by the 48-hour-per-fortnight working hours cap, unless on official university holidays. Keep in mind that if you work under both your TFN and ABN, your combined hours must not exceed 48 hours per fortnight.

Also, depending on the work you are doing as a sole contractor/freelancer, the company may need to pay Superannuation on top of what you are being paid at an hourly rate, if the type of work you are doing is mainly labour. Also, check your liability, will their insurance cover you for injury, etc?

For more information, go to:
https://studydestination.com.au/blogs/work-in-australia/be-your-own-boss-while-studying-in-australia-with-an-abn?srsltid=AfmBOoqpZKg4-0t3tM2ia7D27ZuYSQp3A7pcsX8KsuLMl9PJEzKbb8Bk

Pay & Conditions

All people working in Australia (including international students) have basic rights and protections in the workplace, including minimum pay and conditions. Information relating to your pay and conditions can be found at:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/

If you are an international student who needs further advice, go to Fair Work International Students.

For all women in the work force (including international students) you can also contact Working Women's Centre SA.

Depending on which industry you work in, the appropriate union can also assist you if you have a work/pay-related issue:
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/the-role-of-unions/union-membership

Australian Taxation Information

As an employee, find out about your specific rights and obligations regarding taxes, as well as general information about starting a job. HERE

Tax File Number

Before you start working, you do need to obtain a tax file number (TFN). It is your personal reference number in the tax and superannuation systems, and everyone (including those on student visas) requires one in Australia.

It is free to apply for a TFN.

Your TFN is:

  • a unique number (usually 9 digits)

  • an important part of your identity

  • yours for life – you keep your TFN even if you change jobs or name, move interstate or go overseas

Tax Declaration

When you start a new position, you will be required to fill in a Tax File Number Declaration, as this will help your employer work out how much tax they need to withhold from your payments.

Tax Rates

In Australia we have a range of Tax Rates. For the latest information on these levels go to the ATO HERE.

Tax-Free Threshold

Here in Australia, the tax threshold is $18,200 for Australian residents for tax purposes. Students on an international study visa, and studying for 6 months or more, are deemed as Australian Residents for tax purposes. This means you only pay tax when you have earned over $18,200. You can choose to claim or not claim the tax-free threshold on the tax file number (TFN) declaration you give to your payer. If you work multiple jobs you can only claim this Tax-Free threshold once.

Tax Return

Your Tax Return is a form you can complete online or by paper, get help from a tax agent or our Tax Help program.

In Australia, the Financial Year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you receive a salary or wage, you lodge your Tax Return after 30 June. Each year, Student Care has a person who assists students with lodging their tax returns free of charge.

Sole Trader/Independent Contractor

What is the difference, and how does it apply to you? There is a lot of information about this on the internet, such as on Indeed.

Sole Trader - Important information to know before you start.

Regarding tax structure, ATO Business and ATO Independent Contractor.

Superannuation

Australia's superannuation system is the main way most people save for their retirement.

Superannuation (super for short) is a long-term investment that grows over time. The more you contribute during your working life, the more you'll have for your retirement.

Who is eligible – Generally, if you’re over 18 years, you’re entitled to receive super, regardless of whether you’re full-time, part-time or casual, or if you’re a temporary resident of Australia. For those under 18, only if you work full-time 30 hours plus are you eligible.

For eligible employees, super begins when you start work and your employer starts paying a percentage of your salary or wages into your super fund. Your employer pays your super on top of your wages.

It is compulsory for employers to pay eligible employees super guarantee (SG) at least 4 times a year. The minimum SG rate you must pay for each eligible employee is 12% of their ordinary time earnings (OTE).

Where do you find casual, part-time and short-term work

There are many ways to look for casual and part-time work.

Online

In person

A great way to find casual work, especially in the hospitality and retail industry, is to go in person. This can be confronting to start with, however after some practice it will become easier.

By going in person, make sure you have your resume handy (and in good condition), and it is easy to read. Focus on the skills the job requires. If you are unsure what to write in the resume, research similar jobs online and use them as a guide on what to include. Remember it is important for people to read easily and quickly.

Only go to places when they are not busy and always ask to speak with the manager/supervisor or owner. If they are not there, ask when they will be.

Introduce yourself and be to the point, as managers/owners are busy and are not interested in your full story. If you live locally, tell them. If you have prior experience, say so. If not, highlight a couple of your key skills.

Example:

"Hello, my name is … and I am looking for casual work. I have previous experience and live locally, and I am looking for work while studying."

OR

"Hello, my name is ……, and I am looking for casual work while I study. I’m a hard worker, quick learner and can enjoy working in fast-paced environments."

As mentioned, going in person is difficult. You don’t know who you will be meeting. The person you are speaking to might not be having a good day.

When asking in person:

  • Always be polite

  • Present yourself well

  • Don’t over-talk or interrupt

  • Listen to their questions and answer clearly and to the point

  • Be positive and don’t take it personally

Book an appointment with the AUSA Student Employment Coordinator to help with your resume and job search.
ausa.employment@adelaide.edu.au

Resume Writing

Where to start?

Writing a resume for the first time, or even if you have written many, is a daunting and challenging process for everyone. Where to start, what should I include, what should it look like, how much should I write, are just some of the questions you will need to tackle in resume writing.

Below is a guide to help you navigate the process and achieve your goal of writing a resume that will help you find casual work.

You can also book a personal appointment with our Student Employment Coordinator to assist you with resume writing, job search, and getting job-ready.

Book an appointment:
ausa.employment@adelaide.edu.au

What is a Resume?

Here in Australia, a resume can also be called a Curriculum Vitae (CV). However, in general, a CV is longer with a comprehensive outline of your professional career and education. A resume is a brief document that outlines the relevant skills and information for the job you are applying to.

There are many styles of resumes, and the one you use will be dependent on the type of job. In this guide, we will be focusing on applying for casual work/part-time/short-term work. If you require a resume/cv for graduate or internship positions, please contact Career Services:
https://adelaideuni.edu.au/students/careers-and-employability/

A well-written resume is an essential tool when you are looking for work. For casual work, it is often the essential document for job applications as it showcases your skills, experience and achievements to potential employers.

It’s best to think of your resume as a written summary of you, showing why you are a good match for the role, rather than your whole career history. It needs to quickly capture a potential employer’s interest. A great resume does this by highlighting your achievements and offering a clear snapshot of your key skills and experience.

Different resume styles for different situations

Most people apply for casual jobs online, by email or in person, and depending on how you apply, it will often determine how your resume looks. The type of job will also play a part in determining how it looks.

Online or email

Beware of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software and AI

Did you know that when you apply online and upload your resume, many companies rely on automated computer software and AI to pre-filter resumes?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software and AI scans through job applications first and is only viewed by a person if the system matches the resume to the job ad.

How to get your resume past the software

It is important to understand that the software is programmed to scan for keywords as well as other information such as former employers, experience, universities, and qualifications. They automatically categorise candidates by potential interest for the recruiter.

DO:

  • Sprinkle keywords from the advertisement throughout your resume. Each organisation has its own terminology, which you should repeat back in your resume to ensure it passes the litmus test. To do that, familiarise yourself with the language the company uses in all its publications and communications with the outside world.

  • Use text. It can be tempting to jazz up your resume with graphics, but the software won’t see these and often can misread it.

  • Put in straightforward headings such as Education, Work Experience, and Referees. It’s best to use recognised sections such as these rather than making up clever new ones. “Play” instead of “Interests” isn’t going to impress an ATS.

  • Spell out acronyms. AFA may be the acronym you use in your industry. But the ATS may be programmed to look for “Authorised Financial Adviser”. Likewise, include both Bachelor of Commerce and BCom, so that the machine understands.

  • Include an elevator pitch. Your resume should start with a Personal Statement/Profile/Summary. Write it as an elevator pitch that includes the major key criteria for the role ie enthusiastic, team player, learning new skills, working in fast pace environments, as well as your skills/experiences ie customer service, hospitality, IT. However, as this is a resume, keep this statement to approximately 25 words.

DON’T:

  • Go overboard and stuff your resume with keywords.

  • Use images, pictures, symbols, and shading and try to stick to well-known fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, and Courier. Also don’t include a photo of yourself.

  • Answer mechanically when completing online screening questions.

  • Leave out relevant industry terminology.

  • Include spelling mistakes or typos.

Format

Do not use columns when applying online, as software can find it difficult to read, and make sure the formatting is consistent.

Referees

In Australia, you need to include at least two referees listed at the end of your resume.

Referees need to be objective, not friends or family members. They should be able to vouch for your character, work ethic, skills and knowledge. They should also be in Australia, as most employers will not contact someone from overseas for casual work.

If you do not have a previous employer, other options include teachers/tutors, sports coaches, volunteer managers and community leaders.

Important to remember

Looking for work is difficult and very frustrating, especially if you are new to the Australian workplace. There are a lot of people looking, and many employers can receive hundreds of applications, so making sure you write your resume for the job you are applying for online is crucial.

It is also important to avoid becoming despondent and negative. Perseverance and not taking it personally is very important in ensuring resilience. Often you may need to work many jobs before you reach your job goal.

Book an appointment for resume support:
ausa.employment@adelaide.edu.au