Part Time Jobs Melbourne: Best Student Jobs & How to Find Them (2026)

What Are the Benefits of a Part-Time Job?

Here are some of the main benefits:

Helps With Your Expenses

Rent and everyday costs can take up a large part of your student budget. Earning some money through part-time work can help you cover things like groceries, transport and personal expenses.

Helps You Manage Your Time

Trying to fit work around lectures, assignments and your social life means you’ll need to plan your week properly. It can be a good way to get better at managing your time.

Gives You Work Experience

Even an entry-level job can give you something useful to add to your CV. If you find a role related to your course, you may also get experience that connects to the career you want to pursue later.

Helps You Meet People

It can take time to make friends after moving to a new city. Working with other people gives you another way to meet people and get to know Melbourne outside your university.

How Many Hours Can International Students Work in Melbourne?

If you’re on an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), you can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. You can usually work unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks, subject to your visa conditions.

If you’re doing a master’s by research or a doctoral degree, different work-hour rules apply once your course has started.

Always check your individual visa conditions before taking up a job so you know exactly how many hours you’re allowed to work.

Best Part-Time Jobs in Melbourne for Students

There’s no single job that works for every student. You may want something related to your course, while someone else may simply want flexible shifts that fit around classes.

Here are some common options you can consider.

1. Tutor

If you’re good at a particular subject, tutoring can be a good way to use what you already know. You could tutor school students, help other university students or teach online.

The main advantage is flexibility. Depending on the role, you may be able to choose tutoring hours that work around your classes.

2. Assistant Office

If you’re organised and happy with basic office work, an administrative assistant position could be worth considering.

Your role may involve answering phone calls, replying to emails, updating records, booking appointments or helping with everyday office duties. You can also get some experience of working in a professional environment.

3. Retail Salesperson

People are often hired by retail stores to work in customer service, at the checkout, and with stock.

If you don’t have much work experience, this can be a good starting point. Earn an income and learn more about communication and customer service while interacting with customers.

4. Barista

If you enjoy working in a busy environment, you might want to look for a job in one of Melbourne’s many cafés.

Barista jobs involve making coffee and other drinks, serving customers, taking payments and keeping the café clean and tidy. Some cafés expect previous experience, some offer training.

5. Waiter or Restaurant Employee

Restaurants and cafés often have part-time and casual staff, especially at busy times.

Your work could include taking orders, serving food, clearing tables and assisting with other duties in the restaurant. If you like to be around people and don’t mind a fast paced work place this could be for you.

6. Dog or Pet Walk or Sit

If you love animals, another option might be pet sitting or dog walking.

Depending on the job, you could walk a dog, look after a pet when the owner is away, or visit a pet at the owner’s home. Some of those roles can be flexible, which is helpful when you’re studying.

7. Customer Service Assistant

Customer service jobs are found in shops, offices, call centers and other businesses.

You could spend your day answering questions, dealing with enquiries, processing orders or assisting customers with simple problems. These roles can also help you improve your communication skills.

8. Work at a University or Campus

Don’t forget to check vacancies at University of Melbourne. Universities often have casual jobs for students in fields like administration, libraries, events and student services.

A good place to start looking is your university careers team or student portal.

Where to Find Part-Time Jobs in Melbourne

You don’t have to rely on one website or one way of looking for work. Using a few different methods can give you more options.

Job Search Engines

Websites such as SEEK, Indeed, LinkedIn, Jora and Adzuna allow you to search for part-time and casual jobs.

Use filters for things like location, type of employment and experience level. You can also create job alerts so you don’t have to keep checking the same sites daily.

Your University

Keep an eye on your university’s careers portal and job boards. You can find jobs that are specifically targeted at students, as well as internships and other opportunities.

Local Shops & Cafes

Some companies advertize jobs directly on their websites, social media pages or in-store notices. If you are already living in a shopping area, keep an eye out for these opportunities.

Ask Around

Let your friends and classmates know that you’re looking for work. Someone you know may hear about a vacancy through their own workplace or social circle.

How to Get a Part-Time Job in Melbourne

Finding your first job can take a few applications, so don’t worry if you don’t hear back straight away.

Keep Your CV Simple

Your CV doesn’t need to be packed with information. Focus on your relevant experience, skills, education and availability.

Talk About Your Skills

You may not have much work experience yet, but you probably have skills that can still help. Volunteering, university projects, previous jobs and group activities can all give you examples of teamwork, communication or organisation.

Interview Preparation

Be prepared to talk about your experience, interest in the job and availability. Employers may also ask if you can work evenings or weekends for retail and hospitality jobs.

Use Frequently

Don’t wait around for one application to work out. Regularly search for suitable vacancies and keep track of jobs you’ve applied for.

Things International Students Should Know Before Starting Work

Before you begin working, understand what your student visa allows.

Most students on a Student visa are allowed to work 48 hours per fortnight while studying. You also need to check the conditions of your individual visa before starting work.

Your employer must also pay you at least the applicable rate of pay for your work. Visa holders have workplace rights in Australia, just like other workers.

Keep a record of hours you work and payslips. If something doesn’t seem right about your pay or working conditions, you can check your rights with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How to Balance a Part-Time Job With University

Before taking a job, look at your class timetable and think about how much time you have left for assignments, revision, travel and rest. A job close to your accommodation or university can also save you a lot of travelling time.

Try to avoid taking on more shifts than you can comfortably manage. Your available hours may also change during exams or busy parts of the semester, so look for an employer who understands your student schedule.