Work while you study

Working while studying can be a good way to gain New Zealand work experience and help support you while you’re studying abroad. Gaining experience of a New Zealand workplace also helps you develop skills such as communication, teamwork, timekeeping, interpersonal skills and workplace-relevant English language skills.

Student visa holders may be able to work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on their programme of study. Masters by research or PhD students may work full-time throughout their studies.

You should be careful, however, to balance your work hours with your study obligations, so your academic performance isn’t compromised, and remember that some scholarships set limits on the number of hours you can work.

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Work opportunities

New Zealand has a wide range of industries that offer part-time and casual work.

Some educational institutions also offer students part-time work teaching, tutoring or carrying out administration duties.

Paid internships are a way of gaining industry experience and networking with people in your field of study. Carrying out voluntary work in New Zealand can also be a great addition to your CV, giving you useful experience of the New Zealand workplace.

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Working after you have completed your studies

New Zealand’s immigration policies include a post-study work pathway for international students who have completed a New Zealand qualification. This lets you find a job and get work experience in a field directly related to your studies.

There are two types of work visa specifically for students who have completed their tertiary study in New Zealand:

• The Post-study work visa (open). This gives you up to 12 months to find a job that is relevant to your studies

• The Post-study work visa (employer assisted). This option lets you work in a specific job, which must be relevant to your studies, for two more years.

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