Student Visa Work Hours May Increase in Australia? 60-Hour Proposal (2026 Update)

Updated : 19 February 2026

Important: This is a proposal only. No changes have been approved. The current 48-hour per fortnight limit still applies.

Australia’s Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has released a 2025 Election Commitments Report outlining a proposal by the Coalition to increase student visa work hours during study periods.

If implemented, international students holding a Student Visa (subclass 500) could work up to 60 hours per fortnight, instead of the current 48-hour cap.

Here is what the proposal says, what remains unchanged, and what students need to know.

What Is the Proposed Change to Student Visa Work Hours?

According to the 2025 Election Commitments Report (ECR-2025-2848), the proposal would:

• Increase the work limit during study terms

• Raise the cap from 48 hours to 60 hours per fortnight

• Apply on an ongoing basis

• Commence from 1 July 2026 

The increase represents an additional 12 hours per fortnight during active study periods.

There is no proposed change to work rights during official course breaks. Students can already work unlimited hours during non-study periods.

Is the 60-Hour Student Work Limit Confirmed?

No.

This is a policy proposal, not legislation.

The PBO document provides financial costing of the proposal. It does not change visa conditions. There has been no amendment to migration law, and no update to student visa work rights.

Until official changes are legislated:

Student visa holders must continue complying with the 48-hour per fortnight limit during study periods.

Why Was the Increase Proposed?

The financial modelling indicates the proposal would increase tax revenue.

The report states the measure would increase fiscal and underlying cash balances by approximately $334 million over the forward estimates period to 2028–29, mainly due to additional income tax revenue

.

The costing assumptions include:

• Around 63% of international students currently work at the maximum permitted hours

• 90% of those at the limit would increase to 60 hours per fortnight

• Students would be employed at the National Minimum Wage 

The report also notes that the financial impact is highly sensitive to:

• Total international student numbers

• Migration policy settings

• Labour market conditions

• Student participation in employment

Proposed Start Date: 1 July 2026

If adopted, the change would begin from:

1 July 2026

There are no proposed changes before this date.

Current Student Visa Work Rules (Still in Effect)

As of now, student visa holders must:

• Work no more than 48 hours per fortnight during study periods

• Maintain enrolment and course attendance

• Comply with all visa conditions

Breaching work restrictions may lead to visa cancellation.

Broader Context: Student Numbers and Migration Policy

The report also references related proposals involving a reduction in new overseas student commencements, including a cap of 240,000 new student visas annually under associated costings

.

This indicates the work-hour proposal sits within wider discussions about international education levels and migration planning.

The projected number of student visas is sensitive to:

• Legislative changes

• Policy direction

• Economic conditions

• Global mobility trends 

What Should International Students Do Now?

Until formal legislative changes occur:

• Continue following the 48-hour per fortnight limit

• Do not assume 60 hours is allowed

• Monitor official government announcements

• Avoid relying on social media claims

Only amendments to migration legislation change visa conditions.

FAQs

Will student visa work hours increase to 60 per fortnight?

Possibly, but not yet. The proposal suggests increasing the cap to 60 hours per fortnight from 1 July 2026. It is not approved or legislated.

When could the new work limit start?

The proposed start date is 1 July 2026, if implemented

Can students work 60 hours per fortnight now?

No. The current legal limit during study periods is 48 hours per fortnight.

Does this change affect work during holidays?

No. There is currently no work-hour restriction during official course breaks, and the proposal does not suggest changing that.

Final Summary

There is a proposal to increase student visa work hours in Australia from 48 to 60 hours per fortnight during study periods.

However:

• It is not law.

• It has not been legislated.

• Current visa conditions remain unchanged.

International students must continue complying with existing work limits unless official changes are enacted.

Unsure About Your Work Rights?

If you are unsure whether you are complying with your student visa conditions, seek professional advice before increasing your working hours.

Review your visa conditions