The first time international student Amy (not her real name) was sacked from a job was when she was too busy with her studies to work more than 20 hours per week as required by her boss late last year.

After going back to work for the same employer earlier this year, she was sacked a second time for asking to be paid penalty rates for working on a public holiday.

Amy (not her real name), an overseas student who has been seriously underpaid. Credit:Anna Kucera

As a student on a temporary migrant visa, Amy, from South America, is legally only allowed to work 20 hours per week.

She said her boss required her to work between 40 to 50 hours per week in breach of her visa conditions.