Working in New Zealand
Part time work
Work permits for partners of international students
Finding work in Wellington
Paying Income Tax
Many international students are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time over the summer break.
Part-time Work
International students may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week if they are:
enrolled in a full-time course lasting at least two academic years;
studying towards a New Zealand qualification that would gain points under New Zealand residence policy; or
studying a full-time course to develop English language skills – to qualify, you must have an IELTS (General or Academic Module) overall band score of at least 5.0.
Contact the New Zealand Immigration service or visit their website www.immigration.govt.nz for more information.
You must not undertake employment in New Zealand until you have permission from the New Zealand Immigration Service. Often this permission stating your right to work is automatically printed on your student visa label. However, if you believe you are entitled to work and it is not shown on your student visa label, you should approach the New Zealand Immigration Service and request a ‘variation of conditions’.
Work Permits for Partners of International Students
The partners of postgraduate students may apply for a work permit valid for the same period of time as their partner’s student permit. If your partner is interested in working they should approach the New Zealand Immigration Service and make an application.
Partners of some undergraduate students may also be eligible to apply for a work permit, if their partner has been granted a student visa or permit to study towards a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage, as specified in the ‘Long Term Skill Shortage List’ available on the New Zealand Immigration website
www.immigration.govt.nz .
Finding Work in Wellington
Wellington’s employment levels are among the best in the country, and a large number of Vic students work downtown in part-time jobs during term and holiday breaks. Jobs are advertised in The Dominion Post newspaper, particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Student Job Search can help you find part-time work during term, and holiday employment:
Ground Floor,
Student Union Building,
Phone 0-4-471 1967,
Email: jobs.wellington@sjs.co.nz
Victoria Careerhub is a popular web-based service providing students with access to job vacancies, be it part-time, contract, summer/vacation or full-time work.
Paying Income Tax
Before you start work, you need an IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number. A Guide, and an IRD number application form for this is available, or you can freephone
0800 227 774 . It normally takes 8-10 days to process your application. However if it is urgent, fax it to 0-4-527 6444 , noting that it is urgent and providing a contact phone number. You should receive a reply within a couple of days. You can also check with the IRD call centre – they may give you your IRD number over the phone.
When you begin work, your employer will give you a Tax Code Declaration Form to complete. It is important to complete this form, as without a tax code declaration, tax is deducted at the high, non-declaration rate of 45 cents in the dollar. The tax deducted from your income may vary from 15 cents to 39 cents in the dollar, depending on how much money you earn.
As soon as you receive income from your part-time job or from other New Zealand income sources, you are legally obliged to pay tax to the government. This is usually automatically deducted from your wages when you are paid, so you don’t need to do anything.
If you have worked for part of the year only (the tax year goes from
1 April to 31 March) then you are probably entitled to a tax refund. Contact the IRD for a personal tax summary, which will show you if you are eligible for a refund.
For further information visit www.ird.govt.nz