Thinking about studying after your working holiday? See what tuition, a room and food add up to each week — and whether term-time shifts plus holiday work could cover it.
1. Choose your study option
31 course options with international fees. Search by subject, provider or location.
Certificate III in Carpentry
TAFE Queensland · Queensland — campuses on course page 2 years · $28,800 tuition International course · CRICOS 104863K
$277 / week in course fees before living costs.
Related occupation on the Core Skills list: Carpenter · 331212. Study alone does not qualify you for sponsorship.
Practical trade training. Allow for tools, protective clothing and the experience and skills assessment required for your eventual work pathway.
A student visa has no special tax rate. Tax residency is separate from visa status. Students on courses lasting six months or more may be Australian tax residents; your circumstances determine this, not the visa label.
In 2026–27, full-year residents have an $18,200 tax-free threshold, then 15% up to $45,000 (14% in 2027–28). Foreign residents have no tax-free threshold and pay 30% on the first $135,000. Higher bands apply above these amounts.
The reserve is 2% of taxable income after the modelled deduction, not an exact levy calculation: low-income reductions, family circumstances and exemptions can change it. Some international students can claim an exemption with a Medicare Entitlement Statement; OSHC alone does not establish exemption. Foreign residents do not pay the Medicare levy.
Uses one full-year scenario, not your actual tax return across multiple years. Part-year residency, earlier working-holiday earnings, other income, additional deductions, Medicare surcharge and study-loan repayments are not modelled. Assumes all earnings entered are employee wages. Resident estimates include the standard work deduction of up to $1,000 and eligible low-income tax offset; 2027–28 also includes the Working Australians tax offset of up to $250. Tax withheld on each payday can differ from final tax after offsets.
We combine your term-time and holiday earnings to estimate annual income, then calculate your average take-home hourly rate.
Tip: prioritise weekend shifts offering 1.5× or 2× pay. Higher-paid shifts can help cover your budget with fewer work hours. These rates depend on the job and employment terms. If you mix standard and higher-paid shifts, enter your average before-tax hourly rate above.
Your expected work hours
Outside term time
Use your course’s scheduled holidays. Weekends and exam periods do not count as course breaks. Your holiday hours and weeks are included in the earnings estimate.
Allow for weeks without work (optional)
Changing course loads its published break weeks where available; otherwise breaks start at zero. Add your official course calendar before relying on holiday income.
Could a different place to stay close the gap?
Try a temporary stay against your current budget. Your normal rent stays in the calculation for every uncovered week.
Hostel work with accommodation
A hostel role with a bed included or discounted could lower your costs. Compare the duties and any lost paid shifts as well as the rent saving.
A bed is not automatically payment for lawful employment. Regular hostel shifts may be employment requiring wages. “Unpaid” does not automatically mean “not work” for visa purposes: activities normally paid in Australia can count. House sitting is not automatically exempt either; duties and the arrangement matter. Fair Work · Visa work conditions
Can these courses lead to sponsorship?
Carpenter, Chef, Enrolled Nurse, Hairdresser, Cabinet Maker and Boat Builder and Repairer are on the Core Skills Occupation List. These courses teach skills relevant to those jobs. Sponsorship still needs an employer willing to nominate you, an eligible role and salary, relevant experience and any required registration or skills assessment.
The 482 Core Skills stream requires at least one year of relevant work experience, alongside its other criteria. A qualification alone does not secure sponsorship or permanent residence.
Weekly cost is not a weekly payment plan
We divide your course fees by your calendar weeks of study. Providers can require a deposit and tuition payments before you earn that money. Keep separate cash for upfront fees and a rental bond; this calculator does not assess student-visa financial evidence.
This calculator covers course fees and weekly living costs. Flights, visa fees, rental bonds and other upfront expenses are outside this budget. OSHC means Overseas Student Health Cover: international-student health insurance. Keep that upfront cost separate too. Allow savings for weeks without work and placement blocks.
Studying needs to be the reason for your student visa
You must meet the Genuine Student requirement. A course is not simply an extension of your working holiday. Choose study you want to complete and a career you want to pursue.
Course fees: TAFE Queensland international price list, 2027 intakes. Provider fees and occupation-list links checked 19 October 2026. Sydney and Perth examples link to their own provider fee pages above. Durations are converted to 52 calendar weeks per year for budgeting. All amounts are Australian dollars.
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