Student welfare has been a significant concern for English Australia members, and English Australia is proud of its advocacy efforts in this area. It has been great to see our State and Territory Governments supporting our international students through a variety of packages.
ACT
The Jobs for Canberrans Fund will provide work opportunities for people in the casual or semi-skilled workforce who have lost their jobs or have been significantly impacted due to COVID-19. Jobs will be available for people who have relied on casual work and are not eligible for the Australian Government’s wage subsidy scheme or other support. Roles will be made available to people most in need. Highest priority will be given to people ineligible for any Australian Government support.
For ACT Renters, the ACT Government will encourage landlords to reduce rents by at least 25 per cent for tenants under rental stress by sharing the cost reduction of the rental on a 50/50 basis, capped at $1300 per quarter (around $100 week). International students are not excluded from applying.
Temporary visa holders and international students affected by COVID-19 who are ineligible for Commonwealth assistance programs, will be able to access support through a $450,000 ACT Government support package.
NSW
The NSW Government has funded temporary crisis accommodation for stranded international students as part of a $20 million package. The package includes a temporary housing scheme, targeted at students in genuine need and delivered through approved student accommodation or homestay providers.
The crisis accommodation will be limited to international student visa holders in genuine need, who meet all the following criteria:
- have been evicted or are facing imminent eviction
- have evidence of being laid off employment
- have less than $1500 in savings and no other avenues of support.
COVID-19 related costs at NSW Health facilities will be waived where international students do not have adequate insurance coverage.
International Student Legal Service NSW (funded by Study NSW) supports international students with free advice about enrolment, accommodation and health and wellbeing. This includes 50,000 free subscriptions to the multilingual My Legal Mate student app.
A new 24/7 international student support service, through the NSW Government COVID-19 hotline (13 77 88), will offer free advice and information about other measures, including the moratorium on rental evictions and medical, mental health, legal and emergency support.
NT
The $5 million Worker and Wellbeing Fund provides emergency relief for international students and other Territorians who have lost their job or their income has been reduced because of coronavirus (COVID-19), and are not receiving support from elsewhere.
The Territory Jobs Hub connects Territorians who have lost their jobs with employers, including for casual and contract work.
Stage 2 of the Small Business Survival Fund will support keeping people in work who may not be eligible for the Federal Government’s JobKeeper payment, such as temporary visa holders.
Queensland
To support international students experiencing severe financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, the Queensland government introduced the Queensland International Student Crisis Assistance Package, which includes:
- Additional funding to Queensland-based universities and TAFE Queensland to top-up their bursaries and student support services. The Queensland Government is distributing funding to large education and training providers, to top up their financial hardship funds.
- One-off payments to private VET and ELICOS students. International students studying at a private education and training provider based in Queensland, may be eligible for financial support. Eligible students will receive a $500 payment to their Australian bank account.
The Study Queensland Luhrmann Appeal complements a range of state-wide relief programs already introduced by the Queensland Government, universities, education and training providers and community support providers.
The Study Queensland Luhrmann Appeal will be run in partnership with Study Queensland, charity “warehouse” GIVIT and the Queensland Government Care Army.
The funding will be used to support international students in areas of most need including essential items like groceries but will also deliver programs that support students and ensure mental wellbeing and ongoing support.
The Queensland Student Hub is an online platform providing free support services to students. The online platform connects students with support officers who can provide advice and guidance on mental health, visas, crisis accommodation and other essential needs. The digital platform allows students to access resources, chat functions and book free counselling sessions.
The government is also offering tuition support, laptops, isolation care-packs, pre-prepared meals, and other living expense payments to students.
Jobs Finder Queensland is an online portal connecting those who have lost their job due to COVID-19 with new job opportunities and access to free online training. If you have lived in Queensland for 6 months and hold a valid visa which allows you to work.
South Australia
The South Australian government has announced a $13.8 million to support international students who have been impacted by COVID-19.
The International Student Support Package (ISSP) includes:
- $10 million fund for university students significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions at the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of South Australia to distribute to their pathway and international students.
- A $500 emergency cash grant will be available to other international students not studying at one of the public universities, currently enrolled in a course, living in Adelaide and who meet the criteria.
- And a one-off $200 assistance payment per student living with South Australian families provided to homestay families.
The International Student Advisory Service, serviced by the Office of the Training Advocate, provides case management and triage for international students to access support services.
StudyAdelaide provides an online program of support and connection.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government has announced support for temporary visa holders who are experiencing difficulties.
Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants will be made available for those who can demonstrate genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Victoria
The International Student Emergency Relief Fund (ISERF) will provide a payment of up to A$1,100 for vulnerable international students who have lost their job or had a significant reduction to their employment and are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
In addition to ISERF:
- one-off rent relief grants for people in rental hardship due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, designed to help keep renters in safe and stable accommodation
- help to find new work opportunities through Working for Victoria
- a dedicated international student coronavirus (COVID-19) support hub on the Study Melbourne website, including a directory of community support and food relief
- access to free accommodation and employment legal advice
- free and confidential support and practical help through the Study Melbourne Student Centre including access to mental health services and referral to other services.
Western Australia
The WA Government announced $402m to freeze household fees and charges including; electricity, water and motor vehicle charges. International students are not explicitly excluded from the proposal.
The State Emergency Welfare Program provides welfare services for persons affected by COVID-19, including emergency accommodation, food, clothing, personal support services, and financial assistance. The Crisis Care Helpline (1800 199 008) is the first point of contacts.
The Jobs and Skills Centres provides help with finding jobs and access to free job training information and advice, through Western Australia’s Jobs and Skills Centres.
TAFE International WA, through the Australian Homestay Network, provides low cost short-term lodging to international students identified as needing support and assistance with accommodation. Access to this service is open to students of all education providers.
Waiver of out-of-pocket healthcare costs related to COVID-19
StudyPerth
StudyPerth Crisis Relief (SPCR) is a program developed to address the acute needs of international students (rent support and food support), accessible via application, by individual students.
Reach Out is an online form for students to reach out for support
COVID-19 information for students webpage
