Understand the differences between each model, the hours allowed and the rights of exchange students
Did you know that one of Australia's great differentials is the possibility of working during your exchange program? Being an exchange student in Australia is an enriching experience and many Brazilians choose to work during their studies to help finance their costs and gain international experience. But when it comes to looking for work, many are unsure about the different formats available.
To help you understand better, Good Day has prepared an article on the main job formats that Australia offers, which are very different from what we are used to here in Brazil. Check it out:
Full-time
Full-time work, for example, is known as full-time work in Brazil. In Australia, full-time workers have a permanent position or a fixed-term contract.
In this job, the working week is 38 hours, which can vary according to the concession or agreement covering the workplace or the terms of the contract. In full-time work, the employee has all the rights guaranteed by the National Employment Standards (NES), as well as the rights included in the prize.
To do this, you need to have a Sponsor Visa, a visa in which the employer needs to justify the hiring of the student to the Australian government, even before they embark on their journey to Brazil.
Part-time
Part-time work is part-time work. It usually lasts less than 38 hours. In this type of employment, employees have the same rights as full-time employees, but in proportion to the number of hours worked.
For foreign students, the Student Visa allows working hours of up to 20 hours a week during term time and full time during the vacations. However, it is important to remember that the course must be at least 14 weeks long and have a minimum workload of 20 hours a week. For students whose course lasts more than 20 weeks, the rights are the same. The difference is the inclusion of one more requirement: the presentation of the medical examinations to prove their state of health.
In addition, recent graduates still have the right to stay in Australia to work, with the Skilled Independent Visa or the Temporary Graduate Visa.
Casual
In the Casual model, the employer is not committed to providing regular hours or employing the worker for a specific period of time. The casual employee is also not obliged to work a certain amount of hours per week.
Casual workers are entitled to the minimum conditions laid down in the National Employment Standards, or in the prize or agreement company that covers their place of work. However, this type of worker is not entitled to paid vacation, even on holidays. As a sporadic worker, you don't have to give a prior notice in the event of dismissal, and the boss does not need to give notice if he wants to dismiss, unless the award or contract states otherwise.
In addition to what you would earn if you were permanently employed to do the same job, casual workers are entitled to an additional 25%. After more than 12 months with the same employer, it is possible to request flexible working arrangements and access unpaid parental leave.
Fixed-term contracts
A person can be hired for a fixed term, for a specific project or to replace an employee who is on leave. During this period of employment, working hours can be full time or part time. Workers hired in this way, in theory, have the same salaries, penalties and vacation rights as permanent employees, but on a pro-rata basis, depending on the length of their employment.
Hiring labor
In a labour hire agreement, an organization hires through an agency, which employs the worker. An example is a nurse who works for a nursing agency. In this case, a fee is paid to the agency and the worker does the work for the company, without any contractual relationship or receipt from the organization.
Daily and weekly work
Industries such as construction and plumbing can sometimes hire workers on a daily or weekly basis. They can work full or part-time and are entitled to annual sick leave. In addition, there is a "job shadowing" fee as part of the hourly pay to compensate for the time between jobs.
Apprentices and trainees
Generally, apprentices and trainees do their learning in the workplace. For example, chefs or hairdressers undertake apprenticeships of around 3 to 4 years to gain a professional qualification. Employers provide the apprentice or trainee with a formal contract, training and pay. One advantage is that apprentices can get pay rises over time or as they become more qualified.
Are you surprised by the variety of work models? Before you pack your bags, it's important to understand which model best suits your profile and will really contribute to your experience in Australia. We can help you with this! Contact Good Day!

