International students and diversity hiring
Globalise your workforce and enrich the cultural diversity of your organisation.
Why hire international students?
At the University of Sydney approximately half of our employable student body are international students. Tap into this large pool of highly skilled and unique talent. From harnessing global perspectives to creative problem solving, there are a number of ways this cohort can contribute to your organisation:
- Many international students have previous work experience in Australia and in their own country and can offer valuable workplace skills and knowledge.
- Their international education and global mindset make them resilient, multicultural and innovative candidates.
- They enrich the cultural diversity of your organisation while being able to provide cross-cultural perspectives and solutions.
- Cultural diversity and multilingualism, in turn, allow your organisation to meaningfully connect with a global and diverse customer base.
- They may be the perfect fit for your global offices.
Common misconceptions & frequent questions
International students can take up internship generally work part-time during their studies and full-time during semester breaks or upon graduation. International students on other visas may have more flexible allowances for work.
No, international students have the right to work in Australia either part-time or full-time, depending on their visa subclass. You can simply ask them to provide evidence of their visa and work rights. You can also check work entitlements through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
Yes, upon graduation, most international students qualify for a 485 Graduate Visa, which provides them with full-working rights for the duration of their visa and up to 5 years. From an employers’ perspective, these visa holders have the same working rights as domestic students and do not generate any additional cost or administration load to employers.
International students are highly resilient candidates who thrive in multicultural settings. At the University of Sydney, they engage with students and staff members with diverse backgrounds and ideas. Through the Careers Centre, international students get the chance to network with Australian employers at careers fairs and events. They also acquire an understanding of Australian workplace culture and expectations through course-embedded Work Integrated Learning and placements, and through tailored careers workshops, including the career development program for international students.