New Zealand offers international students opportunities to pursue degree programs and gain academic and career experience. International students who plan to work must hold a student visa with work rights and follow the conditions stated on their eVisa or visa letter.
From part-time jobs to on-campus roles, eligible international students may be able to work while studying in New Zealand. However, work rights are not automatic for every student; they depend on the student’s visa conditions and course of study. Read our guide to explore the available options and learn how to balance work with your studies.
Ways to Work While Studying in New Zealand
There are several ways for eligible international students to find employment in New Zealand. Students should prioritize their studies and make sure that every job complies with the conditions of their student visa.
1. Part-time Employment with a Student Pass
In New Zealand, the relevant immigration document is called a student visa rather than a student pass. Eligible tertiary students may work part-time for up to 25 hours per week while studying if their visa conditions permit them to work. Students whose current visa still states a 20-hour limit must obtain a variation of conditions or a new student visa before working the additional five hours.
English is the most widely spoken language in New Zealand, although communication requirements vary by employer and position. Students commonly look for work in shops, cafés, restaurants, customer service, and other casual or part-time settings. The adult minimum wage is NZD 23.95 per hour before tax. The starting-out and training minimum wages are NZD 19.16 per hour where those categories legally apply. Actual pay may be higher depending on the role, experience, and employer.
2. On-campus Job Options
Some universities advertise casual and part-time positions for current students. The roles and pay rates vary by institution and availability, and there is no standard salary for all on-campus jobs. At institutions such as the University of Auckland, some paid student roles are advertised through Student Job Search.
Students can also check their university’s career service, campus noticeboards, or international office for employment information. Before accepting an on-campus position, confirm that the role, schedule, and number of working hours comply with your student visa.
FAQs: Working While Studying in New Zealand
Is There a Work-Study Program in New Zealand?
Some universities offer structured study-while-working arrangements, but these arrangements are not a general employment entitlement under a student visa. For example, Victoria University of Wellington provides an arrangement for students completing a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours or Master of Commerce part-time while working part-time for a Wellington-based public- or private-sector organization. Students usually study two days per week and work three days per week.
This arrangement does not mean that every international student can study part-time while holding a student visa. New Zealand student visas are normally issued for full-time study, so international students must confirm that both their study load and employment arrangement comply with their immigration status.
Can You Work in New Zealand While on A Student Visa?
Yes, provided that the student’s visa conditions permit employment. Eligible student visa holders may work up to 25 hours per week while studying. Students with an older visa that still states a 20-hour limit remain subject to that limit unless they obtain a variation of conditions or a new visa. If practical experience is an approved requirement of a course, Immigration New Zealand may include separate conditions allowing the student to complete it.
Eligible tertiary students may also be allowed to work full-time during scheduled study breaks or the Christmas and New Year holiday period when their course and visa meet the applicable requirements. This permission does not automatically apply to every public holiday. Students enrolled in a doctoral degree or research master’s program at a New Zealand tertiary institution have no immigration limit on their working hours, although they must continue studying full-time.
International students cannot be self-employed, operate a business, or work as independent contractors. They also cannot provide commercial sexual services. Students should review the current student visa work restrictions and the conditions shown on their own visa before accepting employment.
What are the Benefits of Working While Studying in New Zealand?
A key benefit of working while studying is the additional income. A part-time job may help international students with living costs, including food, transportation, and social activities. However, employment and working hours are not guaranteed, so students should not rely on part-time income as their only source of financial support.
Working can also help students meet people outside their university, experience New Zealand workplace culture, develop professional skills, and build local networks. Students should maintain a manageable schedule so that employment does not interfere with attendance or academic progress.
Working while studying can be a valuable part of the international student experience when it is balanced with academic responsibilities and completed in accordance with visa and employment rules. By checking your visa conditions, understanding your employment rights, and choosing an appropriate role, you can gain both financial and professional benefits from your time in New Zealand.
We hope this article serves as a useful resource when looking for work opportunities in New Zealand while completing your studies. If you are interested, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
