International students cash in illegally

by N. Rahimi Azmi

April 30, 2008

INTERNATIONAL students in Perth are breaching their visa job restrictions to earn more money to live.

A student visa restricts students to working 20 working hours per week during school terms, and an unlimited number of hours during non-school terms.

“It’s nearly impossible to pay rent from working a mere 20 hours a week,” said Brandon (surname withheld), an international student from a local university. “With the increase in rental prices, students are willing to work longer hours to make ends meet.”

Some restaurants and grocers have been found to be accomplices in this case as they are hiring students without work permits. Brandon, who does not possess legal working papers, has been working as a part-time cook at a Karawara restaurant for the past four months.

“It’s a win-win situation for both parties,” he said. “The employer evades tax and the student gets to clock in more than 20 hours per week to sustain them.”

The visa restriction has put some students off applying for a work permit altogether.

“I didn’t apply for the work permit because I know I’m sure to break the 20-hours weekly restriction,” said uni graduate Firdaus (surname withheld).

He said he chose to work illegally, because he wanted to save on the $60 working visa application fee, and evade the minimum tax contribution of 30 per cent.

“The employer pays you straight-up with cash and it is more fulfilling to see money in your hands than to wait for it to be credited into your account,” he said.

A media officer with the federal department of immigration, who wished to remain unnamed, points out that it is an offence to work without proper legal documentation.

“We are aware of these cases taking all necessary measures to contain it,” he said. “Anyone caught engaging in activities contrary to visa conditions would be deemed to have committed a serious offence.”