Getting Part time work

[Esthee]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about going to Melbourne on a student visa which would allow me to work for 20 hours a week. I would like to know how difficult or easy it is to get a part time job in Melbourne at the moment? According to the information that the University sent me, it would be quite easy to get casual work in a store for $20 an hour. Is that a true reflection of the current market or not really? I will need to work part time to pay my $500 a week living costs. Will I be able to do this or is this unrealistic?

I'm going to study towards a masters degree and am qualified, so I'm thinking of looking for contract work, but will have to rely on casual work until I can get a contract. This will probably be the deciding factor when deciding if I should go now or wait for our 175 to come through.

[SandgroperWA]

I think that you need to bank on the worst case senario...ie perhaps $20.00 per hour. As you can see the job market in Australia has taken a turn for the worse. Basically, any Australian employer is going to farm their contract out to a) An Aussie and some one with Aussie experience

Those contracts are going to be very competative.

You would be here on a student visa....so 20 hours max a week is what you can work. If your contract requieres more work to bad....most Aussie work to the rule book.

good luck

[polly]

Lots of stores around where we live are advertising for staff. Should be able to get part time work.

[Esthee]

SandgroperWA, thanks for the good wishes. I will make sure that I will be able to survive on casual work. I do have a bit of a safety blanket, but can't really use it.

Thanks Polly, that eases my mind a bit.