Top 12 Part-Time Jobs for Students in Melbourne After High School
If you’ve just graduated from high school in Melbourne, or if you’re about to graduate, you know that this is an exciting — and also highly stressful — time.
What should you do now that you’re done with school? Should you look for a full-time job? Would you be better off working part-time while you prepare for university or another type of higher education?
Working part-time gives you a chance to smoothly transition into the workforce while earning extra money, developing more responsibility, and gaining useful skills. If you’re not sure what kind of part-time job you want to do or where to find it, though, this guide is for you.
Discussed below is everything you need to know about the benefits of part-time jobs for students in Melbourne, the best jobs to consider, and where you can find them. You’ll learn about options for international students, too.
8 Benefits of Working Part-Time After High School
The number of job vacancies in Melbourne has increased dramatically over the last several months. In fact, the number of total job vacancies reached 396,100 in the fourth quarter of 2021, which was an increase of 18.5 percent.
Clearly, there are lots of jobs available in Melbourne, including part-time jobs for students and recent graduates. If you’ve been on the fence about picking up one of these jobs, consider the following benefits they can provide you:
1. Better Schedule Management
Yes, when you were in high school, you had to keep track of your schedule and stay organized. When you graduate and enter the real world, though, you need to be even better at managing your schedule.
Working part-time will help you to get used to staying on schedule, managing your time, and making sure you don’t show up late for shifts and appointments. All of these skills will help you to perform well in school and in full-time jobs later on.
2. Better Social Skills
Working part-time can help you to improve your social skills and interpersonal skills, too. When schools shut down in Melbourne because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students missed out on key socialization opportunities.
Getting a part-time job will help you to get used to working with people (both co-workers and customers). This, in turn, will help you handle group projects when you enter university or be more prepared to collaborate when you eventually start a full-time job.
3. Start Saving Early
It’s never too early to start saving money. Whether you want to save up to pay for university, move out of your family home and into an apartment, or buy a new car, a part-time job will help you reach your goals.
Could you earn more money if you worked full time? Yes. However, part-time jobs, from administrative jobs to warehouse jobs, will allow you to still earn extra money while also leaving time for other hobbies and interests.
4. Gain Valuable Skills
In addition to helping you save money, a part-time job also gives you a chance to gain valuable skills.
Many part-time jobs, including entry-level jobs geared toward recent high school graduates, teach important skills that will transfer to university courses and full-time jobs. This list includes time management, interpersonal skills, customer service skills, and more.
5. Improve Your Resume
Working part-time provides excellent job experience and will look great on your resume. The better your resume is, the greater your chances are of getting hired for other, higher-paying jobs in the future. The universities to which you apply may also appreciate the fact that you have work experience on your resume, too.
6. Start Focusing on the Future
Now that you’ve graduated from high school (or are about to graduate from high school), you’ve got your whole life in front of you! It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do with your future yet, but working part-time can help you to start making plans.
A part-time job might introduce you to a career or industry that you wouldn’t have known about previously. It also provides more insight into what you can do to qualify for a specific job in the future.
7. Meet New People
In addition to introducing you to new jobs and industries, a part-time job also creates an opportunity for you to be introduced to new people.
Not only do you have a chance to make new friends and learn from others, but you also have a chance to expand your professional network. This, in turn, will help you to learn about new job openings, get referred for promotions, and more.
8. Become More Independent
Picking up a part-time job is one of the first steps you can take as a recent high school graduate to become more independent.
You might not be ready right now to move out and live on your own. However, after you’ve spent some time working part-time, preparing for university, or learning about a full-time career that you might want to have one day, you’ll be a bit closer to taking that leap.
Top 12 Part-Time Jobs for Students in Melbourne After High School
Do any of the benefits listed in the previous section sound appealing to you? If so, it’s time to start your search for part-time jobs for students in Melbourne.
Here are 12 of the best types of jobs to keep in mind (including some of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students in Melbourne) :
Perhaps you want to work part-time but don’t necessarily want to work a traditional job sitting in an office or standing behind a cash register. If this is the case for you, a part-time job as a tutor might be a good alternative.
Are you an expert in a particular subject? If so, start advertising your services and looking for opportunities to work with students who are currently struggling. – $33.80 per hour
As an administrative assistant, you can earn an above-average wage while working in an office and assisting customers and clients.
Administrative assistants carry out a variety of responsibilities each day, including answering phone calls, responding to emails, scheduling appointments, and directing customers and clients. This is a busy job, but it also teaches you a lot of valuable skills that will transfer to other jobs in the future. – $25.83 per hour
A customer service representative may work in a call centre or work remotely. In either case, they are responsible for responding to customer questions and complaints, often by phone, email, or chat.
This job teaches lots of important skills, and it’s great for those who don’t mind sitting for hours at a time. However, it can be a bit tedious at times. – $19.31 per hour
Waiters and waitresses are essential staff members at restaurants of all kinds. They take orders, deliver food and drinks to people’s tables, and make sure that customers have a good dining experience.
A job as a waiter or waitress is often quite busy and requires you to be on your feet for hours at a time. However, it’s great for those who prefer a fast-paced environment. – $29.03 per hour
Cleaners and custodians may work at individual people’s houses, or they may work for businesses, schools, or hospitals to keep them clean and sanitized. In either case, this is an active job that’s great for recent graduates who don’t mind being on their feet for hours at a time. It pays more than a lot of other part-time jobs for students in Melbourne, too! – $28.42 per hour
Are you, like a lot of students, more comfortable hanging out with animals than people? If so, a part-time job as a pet sitter might be the perfect fit for you.
Pet sitters stay at people’s homes (or sometimes bring pets to their homes) while pet parents travel or work during the day. This job comes with a lot of responsibility (after all, you have people’s fur kids in your hands), but it’s also very fun and rewarding. – $22.54 per hour
Easily, one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students in Melbourne is a job as a rideshare driver. Rideshare drivers work for companies like Uber and use their own vehicles to transport people from one place to the next.
With this type of job, you get to enjoy a lot of flexibility and independence. However, you also have to be a self-starter and someone who is okay with working without a lot of supervision. – $46.58 per hour
Cashiers work in restaurants, retail shops, grocery stores, and a variety of other businesses. They ring up people’s purchases, answer questions, and help customers have a good experience.
A cashier spends a lot of time on their feet, so you need to have enough endurance to be able to handle this. You must have good customer service skills, too. – $24.55 per hour
If you’re interested in a part-time job that allows you to drive and spend plenty of time alone, another option to consider is a job as a delivery driver.
Delivery drivers often work for restaurants and are responsible for bringing food orders to customers in a timely manner. Some businesses provide a vehicle for you to use, but others require you to have your own reliable vehicle. – $27.43 per hour
If you work as a part-time telemarketing sales associate, you will call people, offer explanations of a business’s products or services, and encourage them to invest.
This kind of job requires a thick skin, as you will hear the word “no” quite often. However, it can also be quite rewarding and lucrative, especially when you start earning commissions on your sales. – $22.28 per hour
As a retail sales assistant, you will work in a retail store (such as a clothing store) and help customers find items, make recommendations, and create a pleasant shopping environment. You will likely help with tasks like dressing mannequins or setting up sales displays, too.
This is a very active job, so it’s great for people who want to stay on their feet. It provides a lot of opportunities for you to work on your customer service skills as well. – $21.13 per hour
Baristas are often employed by coffee shops and cafes. They take customers’ orders, prepare drinks, and deliver them to customers as quickly and accurately as possible.
Like many other food service jobs, a job as a barista is active and requires you to be on your feet for hours at a time. It requires a great deal of stamina, but it can also be fun and rewarding for those who are looking for an engaging part-time job. – $30.11 per hour
How to Find Part-Time Jobs as a Student in Melbourne
If you’re a recent graduate or university student, there are lots of ways you can go about finding and applying for part-time jobs for students in Melbourne. If you want to start earning a part-time job salary in Melbourne, here are some of the best job search options to keep in mind:
Online Job Search Platforms
Most job seekers start their search on an online job platform like GrabJobs.
GrabJobs is used by millions of people worldwide and features jobs from thousands of companies, including many based in and around Melbourne. It is easy to use and lets you filter your search based on all kinds of factors, including job type, salary, location, and more.
Facebook and LinkedIn Groups
Facebook and LinkedIn both offer lots of groups for job seekers, including those searching for casual jobs for high school students. Look into local Melbourne-based groups so you can learn about part-time jobs that are available in your area. These groups also give you a chance to network with employers and other job seekers, too.
Reddit Communities
Check out Reddit to learn about job opportunities, too. Look for local Reddit communities geared toward Melbourne residents, then start asking and searching in the group’s archives for part-time job openings.
Recruitment Agencies
Consider connecting with a Melbourne-based recruitment agency. The professionals at these businesses can alert you to job openings that might not have been on your radar previously. They can also help you to fine-tune your resume and improve your interview skills.
Classified Ads
The classified ads posted online or in your local newspaper will also show you lots of job openings in and around the Melbourne area. These ads are regularly updated (sometimes multiple times per day) and are highly varied, so you’ll surely find something that works for you and your needs.
University Job Boards
Even if you aren’t a university student, you can still learn about a lot of opportunities in Melbourne to work part-time by checking out university job boards. These boards feature all kinds of jobs that are perfect for students, many of which offer flexible schedules and opportunities for you to fine-tune your skills.
Information About Part-Time in Melbourne Jobs for International Students
The process of earning a part-time job salary in Melbourne for international students is a bit different than it is for Melbourne residents.
For people in Melbourne to work part-time with a student visa, it’s important to understand the rules and requirements before you begin applying for part-time jobs in Melbourne for international students. Listed below are some key things to remember:
Review Student Visa Requirements
In general, those who hold part-time jobs in Melbourne for international students are not allowed to work more than 40 hours in a two-week period. There are a few exceptions, though, including the following:
- Those who work for an aged care approved provider or a Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider
- Those who work for a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider
- Those who are enrolled in a healthcare-related course and are working to support the country’s health efforts against COVID-19
- Those who work in the agriculture sector
- Those who work in the tourism sector or hospitality sector
Consult Your University Advisor
If you want to earn a part-time job salary in Melbourne for international students, remember to always consult your university advisor, too. They will answer all of your questions, can let you know exactly what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to trying to work while studying in Melbourne, and will ensure you don’t break any rules.
Key Takeaways
Now that you know more about the benefits of part-time jobs for students in Melbourne, as well as the top casual jobs for high school students and where to find them, it’s time to begin your search.
If you’re ready to work while studying in Melbourne, looking for openings on the GrabJobs site is a great place to start. This free site helps you track down jobs based on wages, job type, experience requirements, and more. Check it out today.