International students
The Careers Service offers free support to all students and graduates of the University of Newcastle. From gaining part time work while you study, clarifying your longer-term goals, or connecting with industry, we have a service or resource to fit your current needs and help you achieve your career goals. Through the Careers Service, you can access:
- The Finding Work in Australia program which is designed to help international students navigate and understand the Australian workplace
- One-on-one appointments with staff to get advice and help with career planning, job search strategies, job applications, and interviews
- Drop-in spaces at our Callaghan, Ourimbah, and Newcastle City campuses where students can have their job application documents reviewed by our friendly Career Peers
- CareerHub, an online platform where you can search current job vacancies including on-campus roles, book in to events, and access resources and support for careers-related topics
- Extra-curricular activities such as Career Connect, student volunteering, leadership development programs, mentoring programs, and more
Employment Expo
Speed Networking
Careers Stall
Uni Crew Student Volunteering
Finding Work in Australia
The Finding Work in Australia program is aimed at supporting international students to develop self-awareness, identify opportunities and improve their employability in the Australian market.
The program is delivered through a series of three workshops and accompanying online resources. If you join, you will also be invited to book an individual follow up career consultation to discuss career goals and strategies.
The program will next run in September 2024. Keep an eye on this page for updates.
Resources
Want to learn more about working and living in Australia as an International student? Check out these additional resources.
Department of Home Affairs
Visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs, who are responsible for immigration and customs border policy in Australia. If you are on a visa, you may be limited in the number of hours you can legally work in Australia per week or fortnight. You can check your visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.
Australian Taxation Office
To work in Australia, not only do you need a visa that allows you to work here - you also need a tax file number (TFN).
Your TFN is your personal reference number in the Australian tax system. You can apply for a TFN online once you have your work visa and have arrived in Australia. You should apply for your TFN before you start work or soon after.
You can apply for a TFN through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO can also provide you with information about your superannuation entitlements, how much tax your employer should be deducting from your pay, and more.
Fair Work Ombudsman
All people working in Australia have basic rights and protections in the workplace, including minimum pay and conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman makes sure that these rights are protected and enforced fairly under Australia’s workplace laws. Visit Fair Work Ombudsman for details on your rights as an international student.
There are many ways to find jobs both in Australia and overseas. Here are some examples:
CareerHub: The University advertises job vacancies to current students and graduates through CareerHub. This includes part-time and casual opportunities, graduate programs, Jobs on Campus, vacation work, and other positions for graduates with some experience.
NSW Jobs Connect for International Students: If you’re an international student or graduate and keen to gain valuable work experience while completing your studies, NSW Jobs Connect will walk you through rules and regulations of employment and connect you with opportunities. Through NSW Jobs Connect you can search for jobs across 30 industries.
Job Search Websites: There are also a number of other job websites you can use to search for opportunities, such as Seek or LinkedIn. You can find a more extensive list of industry job search websites, as well as resources on job search strategies in CareerHub.
GoinGlobal: If you are returning home after your studies or looking to work globally, GoinGlobal allows you to search for job and internship opportunities in countries around the world. Browse over 80,000 pages of country-specific career and employment resources for more than 80 locations across the globe.
Many large companies offer graduate programs to ensure the best talent join their ranks. Programs can run from one to three years, during which time you get on-the-job mentoring and training, while still being expected to take on important tasks and projects.
These programs are reserved for recent graduates, although you usually need to submit your application at the start of your final year of study.
Graduate programs are regularly advertised through CareerHub, GradAustralia, and GradConnection.
You can also connect with graduate employers through Employment Expos and Industry Days organised by the Careers Service, or through annual external events such as The Big Meet.
When applying for graduate programs, you will need to ensure that you hold the correct visa. Visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs, who are responsible for immigration and customs border policy in Australia. You can check your visa conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.
An important part of your University of Newcastle experience is the opportunity to apply your curriculum knowledge and theory in an industry or ‘real-life’ setting. This is what career-ready placements allow you to do. Career-ready placements can take the form of clinicals, professional work placements, practicums, internships, or industry-led projects. Check out what opportunities are available in your degree.
There are a number of resources and organisations which aim to support international students studying in Australia. Some further examples include:
- Insider Guides: Best-practice guides to ensure international students are prepared, welcomed, connected, and supported in Australia.
- International Education Association of Australia (IEAA): The IEAA works to promote the benefits of international education to the broader community. They provide online resources to international students, such as their employability guide, as well as advocacy and member services to professional staff, academics, and teachers across all sectors.
- StudyNSW and Service NSW: StudyNSW and Service NSW are committed to helping students have a safe and rewarding experience. Their websites contain detailed information about support services and resources available to international students.
Want to learn more about working and living in Australia as an International student? Check out these articles:
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.