There's a stack of casual and part-time jobs out there. If you're reliable, there are plenty of employers who'll want you. Most unis and TAFEs have an employment office advertising jobs in retail, hospitality, building, customer service, administration, telemarketing, delivery, bar work, labouring and any number of other jobs that come and go.
You might even be able to land part-time work in your area of study. For example, working in an architect's office, accountancy firm, a radio station or law firm, where you might be able to acquire useful professional skills. Apart from anything else, it looks great on your resume and it might give you some great references.
While studying can be demanding, and most course advisers would not recommend working more than 15 hours per week, the reality is that students have flexible hours. If you're motivated, you can choose to work hard in quiet times and holidays to help you save for the things you relish, like travelling or a car. Or, you can pay your fees upfront and get a 20% HECS-HELP discount!
Casual and part-time jobs are considered part of the package for most people who are studying, whether it's to gain invaluable experience or to simply get more money into your pocket.
Part-time work is basically less hours than a full-time job, with a regular weekly schedule of work. It also includes basic entitlements like superannuation and holiday entitlements, which are outlined in individual employment contracts.
Casual work means you work irregular hours without entitlements. Casual work is generally regarded as offering attractive hourly rates of pay to compensate for the lack of entitlements.
Links for work
You'll have to complete a tax return if you earn more than $6,000 (based on the 2005/06 and 2006/07 financial years). For example, if you're an Australian resident and you earn $10,000 in the financial year, you'll have to pay $600 in tax. The first $6,000 is tax-free, but the remaining $4,000 is taxed at the rate of 15c for every dollar.
Check out Tax and Super for more detailed information about working, taxes and super.
You may also have to pay a 1.5% Medicare levy unless you're under the threshold, although a low income tax rebate is also available. The maximum rebate of $235 is allowed for a taxable income of $21,600 or less. It is reduced by 4c for every dollar that your income is above $21,600 and phases out entirely at incomes of $27,475 and above.
Find out more detailed information by clicking here.