1. The “Combined Total” Rule

The Department of Home Affairs does not care how many employers you have; they only care about the total time you spend working.

• The Math: If you work 25 hours at Job A and 25 hours at Job B, you have worked 50 hours total. This is a visa breach because it exceeds the 48-hour fortnightly limit, even though neither job individually exceeds the limit.
• Tracking is Your Responsibility: Your employers will not track your other jobs for you. If you exceed the limit, the Department of Home Affairs will hold you responsible, which can lead to visa cancellation.

2. Critical Compliance Tips for Juggling Jobs

If you choose to work multiple jobs, you must be extremely diligent to avoid an accidental breach:

• Use a Rolling 14-Day Calendar: A “fortnight” starts on a Monday. Map out your hours for both jobs in a single calendar (like Google Calendar) to ensure you never cross the 48-hour line in any 14-day window.
• Centralize Your Log: Maintain a single spreadsheet where you log the exact hours worked for every employer. If you are audited, you will need to present this data.
• Communicate Availability: Be honest with both employers about your total hour limit. If a manager at Job A asks you to pick up an “extra shift” that pushes you over your limit, you must decline it. Protecting your visa is more important than a single shift.
• Understand “Work”: Remember that all paid work counts toward your 48-hour limit, including:
  • Casual/Part-time retail and hospitality jobs.
  • Gig economy work (UberEats, DoorDash, Airtasker).
  • Freelance/Contract work (ABN).
  • Unpaid trials (these are technically illegal if unpaid, but if you do them, they still count as time spent working).

3. When You Can Work More

You are permitted to work unlimited hours only during:

• Scheduled Course Breaks: These must be officially recognized by your institution (e.g., summer or winter holidays). Exam periods are not considered breaks.
• Research Degrees: If you are enrolled in a Masters by Research or a Doctoral degree, you have no work hour limits once your course has officially started.

4. Employer Responsibility

In 2026, the Australian government has strict data-sharing between the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Home Affairs. Your employer reports your earnings via “Single Touch Payroll.” If you are working two jobs, the system will automatically aggregate your total hours and income. Do not assume the government won’t notice if you exceed your limit.