Covid-19 pandemic has affected the lives of almost everybody around the planet, including, no doubt, the international students in Australia who are, for the most part, away from their families while these unprecedented events are going on. But true to the Australian tradition of helping each other out in difficult and challenging times, the Australian Commonwealth and state governments, Australian education providers, and other civic non-government organisations have rolled out a variety of programs aimed at helping and supporting our international students.
The government of Australia has announced a series of assistance to international students in the form of:
- flexible approach to student visa processing
- flexible approach to circumstances that ordinarily would be a breach of student visa conditions, such as removing the maximum hours of work for those international students working in health-related workplaces, etc.
- flexible approach on deferred courses due to the inability to travel to Australia
- allowing online courses to count towards Australian study requirement
- and some other concessions that basically provide international student with support and flexibility regarding their student visa as Covid-19 affects their studies.
- International students who have been in Australia longer than 12 months, who find themselves in financial hardship, are able to access their Australian superannuation.
State governments have initiated various support programs for international students who are experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic.
- New South Wales (NSW)
The government of NSW have the following programs for internationals students enrolled at education providers located in the State:
– Short-term emergency accommodation for international students
– Six month moratorium on residential tenancy evictions during COVID-19
– Mental wellness support during COVID-19
– Emergency Relief Packages
– Access to Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme
– COVID-19 related costs waived - Victoria (VIC)
The Victorian Government is supporting their international student community during this difficult time through the following schemes:
– Rent Relief Grant
– Utility relief grant scheme
– International Students Emergency Relief Fund - Queensland (QLD)
The Queensland government, education providers and local communities have rolled out a range relief programs to support international students during this difficult time.
– Queensland International Student Crisis Assistance Grant – one-off financial grants of $500 to eligible international students studying at VET, ELICOS and private colleges in Queensland
– Online Queensland Student Hub – connect with professional support counsellors through a homegrown counselling service. A digital platform will link case workers with students to guide them through mental health, visa, crisis accommodation and other essential needs. Along with the portal announced today, the government is also offering isolation care-packs, pre-prepared meals and other living expense payments to students. - Western Australia (WA)
StudyPerth Crisis Relief (SPCR), a program to address the acute needs of international students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. The SPCR will be accessible, via application, to provide support services to international students in acute need with regard to:
– Food
– Shelter
– Rights and Support
– Health and Wellbeing - South Australia (SA)
The South Australian government’s has announced a new $13.8 million International Student Support Package to support its international student community . The package has three (3) components:
– In partnership with the state’s three public universities, the South Australian Government will match funding to alleviate student hardship as a result of COVID-19. The funding will be distributed between the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia to distribute to their pathway and international students.
– A $500 emergency cash grant will be available to other international students in the ELICOS, VET and Higher Education sectors not studying or packaged with one of the public universities, currently enrolled in a course, living in Adelaide and who meet the criteria.
– For school students living with South Australian families, a one-off $200 COVID-19 assistance payment per student will be provided to homestay families, to help support accommodation for school students. - Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania’s Government Education & Training International (GETI) has the following assistance programs to support their international student:
– Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants – available for those who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
– Emergency relief and assistance will be provided through partnered non-government organisations where required.
– Support to return to their country of origin. - Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
The ACT Government has been working with the tertiary education sector to help support students and our institutions at this time:
– Emergency food relief – food and essential groceries assistance through the Canberra Relief Network.
– Jobs for Canberrans Fund – Jobs will be available for people who are not eligible for the Australian Government’s wage subsidy scheme or other support
– Other support programs for international students in ACT are ebing coursed through the education providers. - Northern Territory (NT)
The Northern Territory government extends support to its international student community through:
– Worker and Wellbeing Fund – a range of support services for those affected by the pandemic but are unable to access government welfare benefits
– Kindness Shake – Free weekly feed initiative providing international students and community members in need with a free weekly feed.
