International student studying, or planning to study in Australia amidst the COVID crisis?

International student studying, or planning to study in Australia amidst the COVID crisis? Here’s our advice.

Disclaimer: the COVID 19 situation is continually evolving, new cases, slackening of restrictions, global events can change everything within the blink of an eye. Please be cautious about making large decisions and taking drastic actions.

 Image credit: ABC

So you’re an international student, you’re either planning to study, or currently studying in Australia. Without doubt, just like the rest of us, you’ve been hit hard by the global pandemic. The first thing to remember, is that just like any other setback, this will pass. It might take weeks, months or up to a year for things to return to normalcy, but rest assured they’ll get there.

Take a deep breath, tell yourself “it’s going to be ok,” and then plan out your course of action with a clear head and a calm demeanour.

As of mid-June, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel, Australia has all but brought the virus under control. Community transmission is almost non-existent, and the number of active cases has dropped recently. Australia is gradually easing restrictions to match. As of March 19^th, Australia has been closed to all international travel, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was not optimistic; with his words on the matter being:

“I can't see international travel occurring anytime soon, the risks there are obvious.”

As bleak as the initial outlook, hope is not lost for the return of international travel this year. Prime Minister Morrison announced his intention to allow the return of international students in July, “in a very controlled setting.” The Regional Universities Network, along with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian are spearheading an initiative to return international students to regional universities that have been financially impacted by COVID restrictions.

If you would consider transferring to a regional university, away from a major city, there may be an opportunity for you to resume your study sooner.

Prime Minister Morrison’s description of a  “controlled setting”  most likely implies that the number of students allowed to return to major city universities in July will be limited.

Living in regional Australia is not for everyone, but for those with a keen sense of adventure, and a tough spirit, it may be one of the best decisions you could ever make.  Institutions such as Charles Darwin, Southern Cross and James Cook University have campuses in Australia’s less popular, more wild locales.

 

Image credit: Universities Australia 

  

More news will emerge about regional universities accepting new international students in the coming weeks, we strongly advise you to keep an eye on this and consider regional Australia as your next study destination!

One important piece of advice for students that have left the country and are seeking to return, or those who have not yet commenced, is that when restrictions ease, anything could happen. A second wave could break out, restrictions might come back. If you immediately return as soon as the ease of restrictions allow for it, you might be stranded here in a new outbreak. It might be wise not to return as soon as possible, but instead wait for a month and gauge the situation before you make your call.

Despite the emerging hope, the situation is rather dire for international students in Australia. There is no federal relief initiative for international students who are experiencing financial woes. State Governments and charities are being forced to take matters into their own hands, regarding the relief of international students. The following is our state by state guide on how you can receive help, if you’re an international student currently in Australia.

Nationwide

One positive is that you need not fear losing your accommodation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a nationwide eviction ban for six months; this should undoubtably clear a lot of stress for a lot of people.

The only real nationwide financial assistance available to temporary visas is the newly announced Red Cross fund.

The Red Cross is set to receive funding from the Federal Government, enabling them to provide one-time emergency relief payments to temporary visa holders, with the intent of assisting in the acquisition of necessities, like food and healthcare. The Red Cross has not yet received these funds, the organisation estimates that “It may be one or two weeks before [they] do.”

If you’re eligible for this relief fund (criteria available HERE) you can send an email inquiry regarding funding assistance to  The Red Cross  at: Nat_MSP_COVID@redcross.org.au

It’s important to know that this email simply registers your interest in receiving help and puts you on the list to be notified ASAP; it doesn’t directly apply for the funding. You will need to do that once it’s available.

If you need emergency funding immediately, we STRONGLY urge you to go directly to your university. Most unis are making provisions for exactly this reason. International students bring in a huge chunk of revenue for Aussie education providers. Simply put, universities can’t risk losing international students permanently. As your uni what they’re willing to do to help you out.

AskIZZY, and the Department of Social Services Grants Service Delivery are also decent alternatives.

The PM also announced that any temporary visa holder who has been working in Australia for a period of twelve months or greater, is currently entitled to access and withdraw up to $10,000 from their superannuation.

Tasmania

Tasmania is currently providing relief payments of $250 to temporary visa holders, as part of a $3 million package. Premier Peter Gutwein has demonstrated sympathy toward the plight of international students in his state, taking issue with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approach to the situation.

PM Morrison’s message to international students was “go home.” The PM elaborated that international students were “not here compulsorily,” arguing that international students should have made their way to their home country prior to border restrictions.

In sharp contrast to Morrison’s approach, Premier Gutwein has communicated his understanding that many international students “cannot return home, due to border closures.”

International students contribute approximately $376 million to Tasmania’s economy each year.

Without doubt drawing on his understanding of this statistic, Gutwein stated that “it's only fair and reasonable, that for those who contributed to our society, we provide some support in their hour of need.”

Gutwein further elaborated that state Governments had access to relatively limited funding; and that the federal Government is best suited to tackle this issue, criticising the Australian Federal Governments’ decision to leave international student support to the discretion of individual states.

Victoria-

The Victorian Government has set aside a 45-million-dollar fund, to be distributed among international students experiencing financial troubles due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and associated lack of jobs, or opportunities to return home. These funds will be payments of $1100 per student, however, these are one-off payments. If you receive the $1100, we urge you to please be as sustainable with it as possible, as it is unlikely that you will be getting another payout.

Most universities, such as The University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, have systems in place, where financial and emotional support may be provided to students. International students are strongly encouraged to contact their education provider directly for assistance.

Australian Capital Territory-

The ACT Government has drawn together a $450,000 Government support package for temporary visa holders, including international students and asylum seekers. $150,000 from this funding pool will go to International students.

The intended size of each individual emergency support payment is unknown, however, since almost 12,000 international students are currently studying in Canberra, a generous payment is unlikely. If you’re studying in the ACT, our advice is not to rely on the Government, go straight to your education provider for assistance and then use whatever you get from the ACT Government as additional assistance on top of that.

New South Wales-

No official state Government relief fund exists yet, however, the NSW Government encourages you to seek support from your Institution, Embassy, or local Consular Office.

If you have any accommodation concerns, the state Government suggests that you use the International Student Legal Service NSW, a Study NSW funded legal service which provides free legal advice. Remember, you cannot legally be evicted right now, if your landlord tries this, seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Study NSW’s full guide can be accessed HERE

Queensland

Study Queensland is delivering a $2 million dollar relief campaign to assist international students stranded in the state. We don’t know if these funds will be distributed directly into the pockets of affected international students, or if they will be distributed through education, healthcare or other welfare providers.

We strongly encourage you to contact your education provider directly for assistance. In addition, the aforementioned Red Cross initiative will be available Nationwide, should emergency funds be required.

Northern Territory

StudyNT implemented a support initiative for international students in February. Care packages were distributed among international students in self-isolation. Students still requiring assistance are strongly encouraged to contact their education provider or call the NT COVID 19 hotline on 1800 020 080.

South Australia -

According to StudyAdelaide; the South Australian Government intends to match funding and distribute it between the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. These funds, of a yet undisclosed amount, will be handed out to international students in need.

If you aren’t part of a Government university, don’t fear. One-off $500 emergency cash grants will be available to international students who aren’t enrolled in one of the state’s three Government universities.

For International secondary and primary school homestay students, a one-off assistance payment of $200 per student will be provided to each family hosting one, or more international students.

Western Australia

StudyPerth has implemented a crisis relief initiative. StudyPerth Crisis Relief is available to any international student in need of emergency food or shelter. Crisis Relief is not a welfare payout, nor will it be distributed among all international students, it is solely an emergency fund, and should be your last resort after attempting to solve your predicament by requesting assistance from your education institute directly. Crisis relief can be applied for HERE .

Regarding mental wellbeing, the Australian Government provides support through many organisations, as conveyed in their statement:

“International students in Australia can access support through Lifeline Australia (13 11 14), Youth Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), eheadspace (1800 650 890) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), for those under 25 years of age.”

Please look after yourself physically, mentally as well as financially. These are trying times for all of us; we wish you the best of luck and hope to see you back in our beautiful country some time soon!

About the author of this post

Aidan White is a new, up and coming freelance writer. During high school, he completed his Cert III in Screen and Media with the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Melbourne. Aidan has always enjoyed writing; English was his favourite subject throughout his twelve years of schooling. Aidan has performed transcription, analysis, and content writing tasks for a variety of clients and continues to seek opportunities throughout the industry.

Aidan comes from a multicultural background. Raised in an Anglo-Indian household, he spent the first eight years of his life in New Delhi, before moving to Melbourne, Australia. Coming from a mixed-race background, Aidan can offer unique insights into student life in Australia, from the perspective of an immigrant, as well as a local.

Aidan is currently studying to become a commercial pilot, with a local flight school in Melbourne. In his spare time, Aidan is a martial arts fanatic, a keen hiker, and a movie enthusiast.