Working while studying in Australia is allowed on a student visa (subclass 500) but the rules on hours depend on your situation.

For most of your degree, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters. This replaced the old 40-hour rule. During official university vacation periods, there is no limit on hours. University vacation periods are the summer break (November to February for most institutions), mid-year break, and any other breaks listed in your institution's official academic calendar.

Your spouse or partner who comes on a dependent visa may also have work rights depending on your study level. If you are studying for a masters by research or doctorate, your partner can work full-time. For other programmes, work rights for partners may be limited.

Check the conditions on your actual visa in your ImmiAccount. The work condition is listed there. If it says no work authorised, you cannot work until you address this with the Department of Home Affairs.

The 48-hour fortnightly limit applies to all employers combined. It is not 48 hours per job. If you have two part-time jobs, their hours are added together and must not exceed 48 hours in any two-week period.

Breaching work conditions is taken seriously. Students have had their visas cancelled for working beyond permitted hours. If you are unsure whether a particular period counts as a vacation or not, check your institution's official academic calendar on their website. Do not rely on what your employer or housemate says.