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Part Time Jobs for Students Directory

Part Time Jobs for Students Directory

Updated 31 August 2023

Introduction to Our Directory:

  • Are you a student searching for a job during the school holidays or seeking part-time work alongside your studies? Our directory is designed to be the go-to resource for young Australians looking for part-time work, and we continuously update it to ensure its accuracy.
  • If you’re based in a state capital or regional city, we believe you’ll easily find between 2-5 job opportunities that perfectly fit your student status. While we’re not necessarily fans of fast food as a choice, positions at chains like KFC, Hungry Jack’s and McDonald’s provide some of the top hands on training for students your age.
  • We’re also enthusiastic about jobs in supermarkets and retail due to the rich learning experiences they offer.
  • Important: Some of the external links might lead to pages that aren’t currently active, mostly due to seasonal recruitment patterns. Although this is beyond our control, we advise you to jot down the hiring dates and express your interest directly on the company’s website.

How to Use Our Directory:

  • Start by selecting your prospective employers from the list below to view available job positions.
  • We suggest consider shortlisting 2-5 companies you’re keen on joining and that are located somewhere that’s convenient for you to get to and from.
  • Prior to submitting any applications, we will soon publish comprehensive guides for Student CV Templates, Student Job Cover Letters and Preparing for Student Job Interviews (Questions and Answers).

To help you find the right job, our guide covers:

  1. Where to Look for Part Time Student Jobs
  2. Contacting Companies for Employment Opportunities (Email & Social Media)
  3. What is the Legal Age for Children to Work?
  4. Student Employment Frequently Asked Questions

Our Commitment to Transparency

  • Navigating the job market as a student can be daunting, especially with many general job sites like Seek and Indeed, among numerous niche seasonal work and student job sites. 
  • Instead of getting lost on platforms typically used by experienced job seekers, we’ve made your search easier by publishing our directory to share our extensive list of 70+ companies that consistently offer roles to students.
  • Additionally, we’ve highlighted directories that focus on student and seasonal work.

Our Student Job Guide Includes:

  • Trusted websites for student job hunting (including student job websites, companies that recruit students directly, and how to use Google to find unlisted opportunities).
  • Tips and templates for approaching businesses through social media and face-to-face.
  • Frequently Asked Questions covering student employment, ensuring you’re informed about your workplace rights.

Top Tip: We know that, as a student, you’re juggling multiple commitments. That’s why we’ve made this guide user-friendly and straightforward. We suggest bookmarking 2-5 jobs; this approach offers a manageable entry into the job market without overwhelming you. If you’re ever in doubt about any step in your job-hunting journey, we recommend consulting with your school’s Careers Adviser.Student Jobs Australia - Where to Look for Part Time Student Jobs

Where to Look for Part Time Student Jobs

Supermarket Student Jobs

Why they’re important: Supermarket jobs offer students a dynamic learning ground for real-world skills, flexible schedules, and a gateway to understanding customer service and teamwork first hand. Millions of Australians start their working life in a supermarket, and we think they provide a great foundation.

  • Aldi – Search using the terms ‘Retail Assistant’ and ‘Part-time’
  • Coles – Information specific for first jobs
  • Costco – Search using the term ‘Part-time’
  • IGA – Individual stores handle their own recruiting, so it’s recommended to contact the store directly and speak with the manager about employment opportunities.
  • Woolworths – Search using the terms ‘Casual’ or ‘Part-time’

Food & Beverage Student Jobs

Individual stores handle their own recruiting at the following chains:

Merchandise and Chain Store Student Jobs

Retail Fashion Jobs

Entertainment Jobs

Know This: The list above is designed to be comprehensive, but we suggest to thoroughly read over the website’s of the companies you’re interested in to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information on their respective recruitment processes.Contacting Companies - Part Time Jobs for Students in Australia

Contacting Companies for Employment Opportunities (Email & Social Media)

If you’ve got your eyes set on working for a specific business but are unsure if they’re hiring students, you can find out in seconds – here’s how you can approach it:

  1. Visit the Company’s Website: Head to their website and check out the ‘Jobs’ or ‘Careers’ section.
  2. Google Their Name + Jobs: For instance, searching ‘Garden Centre Sydney Jobs’ might take you to their hidden hiring page. From there, it should be obvious if there are part-time positions available, and if there are, you can follow the application process. 
  3. Email Directly: If you’re unsure if students are hired, craft a courteous email and ask. Here’s a sample script you can adapt:

Company: Sydney Garden Centre

To: [Email of company]

Subject: Student Job Inquiry

Hi there,

I’m Christopher, a Year 12 Melbourne Central School student seeking part-time employment. Being a regular visitor to your garden centre, I’m eager to know if any openings are suitable for students, especially over the holidays.

I’m available on weekends, which I believe might be your peak time, and can commence work immediately. I am dependable, quick to pick up new skills, bring a positive attitude, and am diligent. As a 17-year-old, I’m eager to gain valuable work experience.

If you’re open to an interview where I will share more about my skills and reliability, you can contact me at 0424 001 001 or on WhatsApp. 

I eagerly await your reply.

Kind regards,

Christopher Walsh

Searching Social Media for Part-Time Jobs:

Many local businesses, including cafes and retail stores, have a strong presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. A direct message can be a great way to inquire about job opportunities. To help give you some ideas, we include a sample below:

Message for Facebook Inquiry:

Hi [Business Name] Team,

I’m Christopher, a Year 12 Melbourne Central School student seeking part-time employment in a cafe, and as a frequent visitor of yours, I would be interested to know if you’re hiring.

I’m available on weekends, which I believe might be your peak time, and can commence work immediately. I am dependable, quick to pick up new skills, bring a positive attitude, and am diligent. As a 17-year-old, I’m eager to gain valuable work experience and learn in your fast-paced environment. 

If you’re open to a job interview, you can contact me at 0424 001 001 or on WhatsApp. 

Note: Before hitting ‘send’, ensure your public social media profiles are professional. Update your profile pictures, and tighten your privacy settings. No one needs to see pet-filter selfies or similar when considering you for a job.Student Jobs - Understanding the Legal Age for Children to Work

What is the Legal Age for Children to Work?

The answer varies by state, as outlined here:

NSW:

  • There’s no stipulated age restriction to commence work.
  • However, individuals below 15 can’t work during school hours.
  • Those under 17 intending to work full time to leave school must consult their Careers Advisor and submit a formal school-leaving application.

VIC:

  • Employment can start from the age of 15 and above.
  • Those under 16 are restricted from working during school hours and can work a maximum of three hours on school days, concluding by 9 pm.

ACT:

  • Individuals below 15 require written parental consent for employment.
  • They are restricted from working during school hours.
  • They can work up to 10 hours weekly with a daily cap of six hours.
  • There are no specific work hour limitations for those aged 15 to 17.

TAS:

  • There’s no age restriction for starting work.
  • However, individuals under 16 are prohibited from working during school hours.

QLD:

  • Individuals aged 13 and above can work with written parental consent.
  • Those under 16 cannot work during school hours and are limited to four hours daily and 12 hours weekly during school periods.

NT:

  • Individuals younger than 17 are restricted from working during school hours and between 10 pm to 6 am.

WA:

  • Individuals aged 13 and above can commence work with parental consent in writing.
  • Children under 17 must not work during school hours, begin before 6 am, or end after 10 pm.

SA:

  • There’s no age threshold to begin work.
  • Individuals below 16 years cannot work during school hours.

Part Time Jobs for Students - Frequently Asked Questions

Student Employment Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the minimum wage in Australia?

For employees under 21, there’s a special national minimum wage. Rates can be checked on the Fair Work website.

What are the work-hour restrictions for young employees?

In Australia, there are specific work-hour regulations for school-aged children, which vary by state, which we list in the section above. Typically, there are restrictions on school days and late-night shifts.

How many hours qualify as part-time?

Australian law doesn’t strictly define part-time hours, but it’s generally less than 38 hours per week.

How is tax handled for young employees?

Most students fall under the lowest tax bracket and can take advantage of the tax-free allowance. For specifics on tax deductions from wages, consult the ATO website.

What are my rights as a young worker?

Australia’s Fair Work Act ensures several rights for young workers. It’s crucial to be familiar with these to ensure fair treatment. Fair Work Australia has comprehensive resources for young workers.