Student Visa Restrictions 8104 and 8105 Explained for International Students

Many international students in Australia assume their visa lets them work freely once they find a job. The risk is that a small misunderstanding around student visa work restrictions can lead to a visa breach. Conditions 8104 and 8105 look similar, but they apply to different people on a Student visa.

Australia’s Student visa condition checker includes both 8104 – Work limitation and 8105 – Work limitation as conditions that may attach to a Student visa. Students and family members should check the visa grant letter and VEVO before starting work, changing jobs, accepting extra shifts, or taking on gig work. 

Student visa work restrictions set limits on how much international students and eligible family members can work in Australia. Condition 8105 usually applies to the main Student visa holder, while condition 8104 usually applies to family members. In most cases, Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session and can work unlimited hours only during officially scheduled course breaks. Family member rules can differ for master’s by research and doctoral students.

 

What Are Student Visa Work Restrictions in Australia?

Student visa work restrictions are visa conditions that control when and how much Student visa holders can work in Australia. These rules exist because study must remain the main purpose of the visa.

For most Student visa holders, work is limited to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session. Unlimited work is generally allowed only during officially scheduled course breaks, such as recognised semester breaks or holiday periods set by the education provider. Student visa holders can work more than one job, but the combined total must stay within the 48-hour fortnight cap during study periods. 

Work situation	How to treat it
Paid casual or part-time work	Count the hours
Rideshare, food delivery, ABN, or contractor work	Count the hours
Work across two or more employers	Add all hours together
Official course placement	Check if it is a formal course requirement
Unpaid trial	Treat with care; it may still create workplace and visa risk
Volunteering	Check carefully if it looks like ordinary work

The safest approach is simple: if you are doing tasks for a business, employer, customer, platform, or client, treat those hours as work until you receive proper advice.

 

What Is Student Visa Restriction 8105?

Student visa restriction 8105 usually applies to the main Student visa holder. It controls work rights before the course starts, during study periods, and during official course breaks.

8105 rule area	What it means
Applies to	Main Student visa holder
Before course starts	Work is usually not allowed
During course session	Usually capped at 48 hours per fortnight
During officially scheduled course breaks	Usually unlimited work hours
More than one job	Allowed only if total hours stay within the cap during study periods
Master’s by research or doctoral degree	Broader work rights may apply after course commencement

The key point is that “unlimited hours” does not mean unlimited all year. For most students, it applies only when the course is not in session, such as an official semester or holiday break shown by the education provider.

 

What Is Student Visa Restriction 8104?

Student visa restriction 8104 usually applies to family members attached to a Student visa, such as a partner.

In most cases, family members can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. They should not start work until the main student has started their course. Home Affairs guidance also makes an important distinction for higher research students: if the main student is studying a master’s degree by research or doctoral degree, the student and family members can work more than 48 hours per fortnight. 

Family member situation	Likely work position
Main student has not started the course	Family member usually should not work
Main student is studying a standard course	Family member usually capped at 48 hours per fortnight
Main student is studying a master’s by research	Family member may work more than 48 hours per fortnight
Main student is studying a doctoral degree	Family member may work more than 48 hours per fortnight
Family member wants extra shifts	Check VEVO first

This is where many families make mistakes. A partner’s work rights are not always identical to the main student’s work rights. Each person should check their own VEVO record before accepting work.

 

Student Visa Restriction 8104 or 8105 Difference

The student visa restriction 8104 or 8105 difference is mainly about who the condition applies to.

Area	Condition 8105	Condition 8104
Applies to	Main Student visa holder	Family member attached to Student visa
Main rule	Controls the student’s work hours	Controls family member work hours
Usual cap	48 hours per fortnight while course is in session	48 hours per fortnight in most cases
Unlimited work	Usually during officially scheduled course breaks	May apply if the main student is studying a master’s by research or doctoral degree
Extra care needed for	Course start date, study periods, course breaks, research degree rules	Main student’s course level, start date, VEVO record

So, what is student visa restriction 8104 or 8105? Both are work limitation conditions. 8105 usually applies to the main student. 8104 usually applies to family members.

 

How Many Hours Can International Students Work in Australia?

Most international students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. A fortnight means a 14-day period, so students need to track total hours carefully.

Unlimited work hours usually apply only during officially scheduled course breaks. Do not assume you can work unlimited hours because classes are lighter, exams are close, or your timetable has fewer contact hours.

Work pattern during course session	Total fortnight hours	Risk level
20 hours one week + 20 hours next week	40	Usually within cap
24 hours one week + 24 hours next week	48	Usually within cap
30 hours one week + 18 hours next week	48	Usually within cap
30 hours one week + 25 hours next week	55	Risk of breach
20 café hours + 30 delivery hours	50	Risk of breach

Scenario: two jobs, one visa limit

A student works 20 hours at a café and 30 hours doing delivery work in the same fortnight. They may think each job is separate. The risk is that international student visa work restrictions usually apply to total hours across all jobs, including gig work.

That means delivery platforms, rideshare driving, ABN work, casual shifts, paid internships, and contractor work should be tracked together.

 

Is a Student Visa a Restricted Visa?

Yes. A Student visa can be considered a restricted visa because visa holders must follow conditions attached to their visa grant, including study, work, address, insurance, and enrolment obligations.

VEVO shows current visa details, including visa type, expiry date, period of stay, and conditions covering what the visa holder can and cannot do. 

Compliance area	What students should check
Work	8105 or 8104 conditions
Study	Enrolment and course progress
Course breaks	Must be officially scheduled
OSHC	Health cover must stay valid
Address details	Keep details current
Family members	Check each person’s VEVO record
Course change	Seek advice before making changes

 

Your Work Rights Are Still Protected

Student visa work restrictions do not remove workplace rights. International students have basic workplace protections, including minimum pay and conditions. Fair Work states that employees keep their workplace entitlements and protections regardless of migration status, and students cannot get into trouble or have their visa cancelled for contacting Fair Work about pay or workplace rights. 

Fair Work also confirms that an employer cannot cancel your visa; only the Department of Home Affairs can grant, refuse, or cancel visas. 

Workplace issue	What to know
Underpayment	You can ask for help
No payslip	This can be a workplace law issue
Cash-in-hand work	Cash is allowed only if tax and other rules are followed
Threats about visa cancellation	Employers cannot cancel visas
Unpaid trial pressure	Many trial arrangements must be paid
Work above visa cap	Get advice before accepting shifts

 

How to Check Your Student Visa Work Restrictions

Use this process before starting work or increasing hours.

Step	What to do
1	Read your visa grant letter
2	Check VEVO
3	Confirm if you have 8104 or 8105
4	Check if your course has officially started
5	Confirm if the course is in session or on an officially scheduled break
6	Add hours from all jobs, platforms, and ABN work
7	Keep payslips, rosters, invoices, contracts, and platform records
8	Speak with a registered migration agent if anything is unclear

VEVO allows visa holders, employers, education providers, and other organisations to check visa conditions. Visa holders can also use VEVO to send proof of visa conditions to others. 

 

When Should You Speak to a Migration Agent?

Speak with a registered migration agent if:

Situation	Why advice helps
You are unsure if 8104 or 8105 applies	The rule depends on your visa record
You work more than one job	Hours can pass the cap quickly
You do gig or ABN work	It may still count toward total hours
Your family member wants extra shifts	8104 rules need careful checking
You study a master’s by research or PhD	Broader work rights may apply
You already exceeded the limit	Early advice can reduce further risk
Your employer is pressuring you	You need visa and workplace guidance
You are changing courses or providers	Work rights and study duties may be affected

Before a small work-hours issue becomes a visa risk, book a consultation with Stepping Stones Career Solutions. Our Melbourne-based immigration team can review your Student visa conditions and help you plan your next step with confidence.

 

FAQs About Student Visa Work Restrictions