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Establishing an Income - Work

Whether you're trying to finance your studies, preparing for your career after university, or just looking for some extra cash, Monash Careers and Employment can help you. Their web site contains useful information and direct links to employment opportunities.

You will find information on:

  • Employment options - casual, tutoring, part-time or permanent
  • Hints and tips on improving your employability
  • Employer information sessions
  • Campus recruitment for final year students
  • Careers information
  • Careers counselling

The Cash Economy

Students may be offered jobs where they are paid in cash and the employer does not deduct tax. These arrangements are illegal but may seem like a "win/win" opportunity, however consider these facts about legitimate employment arrangements:

  • There are minimum legal rates of pay in different types of work. See Wagenet - Victoria for details of what you are entitled to. Details of the Casual general staff salary structure at Monash.
  • The employer pays into your superannuation fund
  • You are likely to be able to claim a refund of some of the tax you've paid after the end of the financial year
  • You will be covered by Workers' Compensation if you are injured at work. You are legally covered in a cash payment job too, but it will be more difficult to be awarded compensation

Superannuation

Superannuation is a way of saving for retirement. The amount is paid by your employers each time you are paid and goes into superannuation fund or retirement savings account (RSA).

Eligible temporary residents (some International students) may access this money when they permanently depart Australia. This payment is known as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).

If you are an Australian resident or citizen you cannot claim your superannuation until you have reached retirement age, unless you have a serious illness and have to retire.

If you have more than one job you may want to roll all your superannuation into one fund so that you don't lose track of it. Check whether this will incur a fee or not first.

Contact your superannuation fund for more information or visit the Australian Tax Office.