Measures against COVID-19: Highlights for International Students in Australia

by Ragini Sharma Study Abroad Consultant

Australia has declared ‘Human Bio security Emergency’ to fight the novel Corona Virus pandemic, and the government issues new instructions and advice to the residents of the country almost every day.

We would like to help and guide all international students studying in Australia during this period. As a part of our efforts, we are compiling all the useful latest updates for students from the government of ‘Student Visa Australia’, measured taken for funding the international students, and the bounce back strategies by the top universities in terms of health security, ongoing studies and safety of the domestic as well as international students..

Updates for temporary visa holders including international students 111

Red Cross is receiving funds from the government of Australia to assist temporary visa holders with basic necessities for the next 6 months. You can visit the official website of Red Cross to know more.

On 4^th April 2020, the Australian Government made a few announcements. The highlights of the same are as follows:

Temporary visa holders will be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in this financial year to assist in supporting themselves through the Corona Virus crisis.
Superannuation can be accessed by the international students who have been in Australia for more than 12 months and are facing financial hardship.
As more Australians are being recruited into the roles in the supermarkets, all the international students working in supermarkets will have their working hours return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight from May 1, 2020.
To support these critical sectors the international students working in aged care and as nurses continue to have their hours extended.
In cases where the visa conditions are not met (such as not being able to attend class) due to the Corona Virus, the Government will be flexible
In the wake of COVID-19, the employers have reduced the working hours of 457/482 visa holders will not be in breach of their visa condition.
Similarly it is expected that the 457/482 visa holders who have lost their job due to COVID 19 impact must find a new employer or a sponsor within 60 days in order to avoid the cancellation of their visa which may lead them to return to their home country or look for further legal avenues.

In one of the major announcement made by the Australian Government it states that for international students, the government is in discussion to come up with plans to aid them in this crisis. Some universities and education providers have come forward with discounted tuition fees and payment plans to assist the students in need.

If you are an international student in Australia and going through financial hardship at this time, our study abroad consultants would be able to guide you with some of the options that will help you navigate through this challenging time. Feel free to contact us for any queries related to the current situation.

Steps Taken By Universities to Help International Students:

Universities in Australia have enabled online learning to support international students, relaxing the first-semester calendar, making additional courses available in the later semesters and establishing student help lines.

They have dedicated pages live on their websites to communicate timely updates. Check them out from time to time for official announcements.

Hope this article was helpful. Stay safe and have hope that this situation will pass soon. You dream to study Masters in Australia or Bachelors or even Diploma will surely come true as this shall pass too.

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