The 48-hour fortnightly work limit for international students is more strictly monitored than ever. With the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Home Affairs sharing real-time data through Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2, manual tracking is no longer enough.

To protect your visa, you need a digital paper trail. Here are the top 5 free apps to ensure you never accidentally breach your work conditions.

1. Record My Hours (By Fair Work Ombudsman)

This is the gold standard for students. Developed by the Australian Government, it is specifically designed to protect workers’ rights and record evidence of hours worked.

• Best Feature: Automatic Geofencing. The app uses GPS to sense when you enter and leave your workplace, automatically logging your shift.
• Why it’s for you: If there is ever a dispute with your employer or Home Affairs, data from this app is considered highly credible evidence.
• 2026 Update: Now includes a “Fortnightly Total” display to help student visa holders track the 48-hour cap.

2. Clockify

Widely considered the most popular free time tracker globally, Clockify is perfect for students juggling multiple casual jobs or freelance projects.

• Best Feature: Unlimited Tracking. Unlike other apps, the free version allows you to track unlimited projects and users.
• Why it’s for you: You can categorize shifts by “Job A” and “Job B,” making it easy to see your combined hours across different employers.

3. Toggl Track

If you want something simple and aesthetic, Toggl is the favorite among freelancers and student designers.

• Best Feature: One-Click Timer. It’s incredibly fast to start and stop, and it syncs across your phone, laptop, and even your smartwatch.
• Why it’s for you: It features “Idle Detection,” which reminds you to stop the timer if you walk away from your desk—preventing you from accidentally over-logging hours on your visa record.

4. Jibble

Jibble is becoming a 2026 favorite for students working in “high-movement” roles like NDIS support or delivery.

• Best Feature: Face Recognition & GPS. It ensures that your logs are verified with location data, which is excellent for proving you were exactly where you said you were.
• Why it’s for you: It generates “clean” timesheets that you can export as PDFs to send to your migration agent or to Home Affairs if they request an audit.

5. My Hours

This app is designed for people who need to manage a budget alongside their time.

• Best Feature: Earnings Calculator. You can input your hourly rate (including penalty rates) to see exactly how much you’ve earned before your payslip arrives.
• Why it’s for you: It helps you balance your 48-hour limit with your income goals, ensuring you work the most profitable shifts (like Sundays) within your allowed hours.

2026 App Comparison at a Glance