New Zealand continues to welcome students from all nationalities to pursue degree programs with valuable academic and career opportunities. Thanks to the country’s advanced student visa regulations and vivid job market, international students in New Zealand can experience their student life at its best by balancing their studies and finances through working as students.
From part-time jobs to short-term work options, New Zealand offers a number of work opportunities for international students looking to support their budgets during their study program. If you’re ready to explore your opportunities and expand your student experience, read our guide to find ways to work while studying in New Zealand as an international student.
Ways to Work While Studying in New Zealand
There are numerous ways to find employment as an international student in New Zealand, all helping you maximize your student experience while focusing on your studies. Below, we explain the best ways to balance your student and work life in New Zealand.
1. Part-time Employment with a Student Pass
The most common way to earn an income while studying is to find a part-time job as an international student. When it comes to part-time jobs, there are a great number of options available for international students. Since English is the official language of New Zealand, students can find employment without language obstacles.
Popular part-time jobs among international students are usually in the hospitality and entertainment sectors, such as waiters or waitresses, bartenders, baristas, cooks, receptionists, or sales assistants. An average hourly salary for a waiter or bartender is NZD 25 ($15), and for a sales assistant, the hourly salary is around NZD 20-30 ($12-18). You can browse available part-time jobs on several platforms, such as Student Job Search or Career NZ.
2. Freelance Jobs
Another popular and profitable way to work part-time as an international student in New Zealand is to work as a freelancer. One advantage of freelance jobs is that you can find a variety of remote jobs and take control of your schedule to maintain your work and study. This way, you can secure time for your studies in your degree program without spending extra time to go to work.
There are all kinds of freelance jobs you can do depending on your skills and experience, from tutoring to translation, blog writing, data analysis, or graphic design. The salary rate depends hugely on the type of projects you’re working on or the employer; if you use global freelance platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr, you can expect an hourly rate of $20-30. You can also look for platforms or job adverts in New Zealand by checking the bulletin boards or visiting student centers at your university.
When working as a freelancer, you need to remember that the type of work you’re doing as a freelancer must be recognized and allowed by your student visa.
3. On-campus Job Options
Occasionally, there are several opportunities for international students to work on campus in various tasks. These job vacancies are offered by the university office to its students, many of whom are international students. Some on-campus job titles include library assistants, teaching assistants, research assistants, and as such. The average hourly salary for on-campus jobs ranges between NZD 20-25 ($12-15), yet the rate can change with the type of work and responsibilities. An example position is the University of Auckland’s Hub Assistant, which offers NZD 4,200 ($2,500) per month.
You can use university job offer pages (e.g., the University of Otago) or advise the International Office for available on-campus job options. Lastly, when applying for on-campus jobs in New Zealand, you must make sure you will work under the regulations of your student visa.
FAQs: Working While Studying in New Zealand
Is There a Work-Study Program in New Zealand?
The answer is, yes. There are some programs available for domestic and international students to enroll in a part-time work and study program to gain practical experience while enhancing their knowledge in their subject areas. An example program is offered at the Victoria University of Wellington for students enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s in commerce, with a schedule of two days of study and three days of work in a week.
Can You Work in New Zealand While on A Student Visa?
The New Zealand Government allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week, yet there are certain limitations and regulations. International students can have a part-time work permit depending on their program schedule or duration. The 20-hour per week limit doesn’t include any work experience of students who are obliged to complete it as a part of their program.
The part-time work permit often includes a full-time work permit during national holidays or semester breaks. Lastly, there are certain types of work international students are not allowed to do; these include self-employed jobs or businesses or working as an independent contractor.
What are the Benefits of Working While Studying in New Zealand?
The biggest advantage of working while being an international student is the financial support from your income. Having a part-time job as a student in New Zealand will contribute to your student life by funding your traveling and socializing activities as well as covering your basic expenses such as accommodation or food.
Another important advantage is that working in New Zealand as a student will help you integrate with the New Zealand community apart from students on the campus, so you can discover what daily life in New Zealand looks like by interacting with the local people.
Working is one of the best experiences international students can have when studying abroad, and thanks to New Zealand’s considerable support for international students to find employment during their study course, you can enhance your student experience both financially and socially. Take a step on your journey and uncover your potential when working while studying in New Zealand.
We hope this article will serve as a good source when looking for a work opportunity in New Zealand while completing your studies. For more study options, visit our Available Programs for International Students!
