International students are an integral part of the Australian community and they are considered to be very important and valued members of Australian communities where they study, live and work. Around 75000 international students call Australia their home, therefore making an incredible contribution to the country. 

International students enrich Australia’s melting pot of cultures as well as backgrounds and also they inspire curiosity as they bring novel and diverse perspectives from around the globe to Australian communities. Simultaneously all international students are provided with a unique opportunity to learn and explore Australian culture and diversity along with developing friendships, rapport, and connections that remain with the students for life. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has created unprecedented Times for all around the globe. Now for the international students, the current experience of studying in Australia may not be the same as what they thought It would when they chose to call Australia their home. Besides to all the international students who want to study in Australia or who are considering to stay in Australia post their studies, the Australian government assured that despite all the recent crisis challenges everyone is facing all around the world, Australia remains safe as well as welcoming and a multicultural country.

Whether an international student is in Australia or currently in the home country, students are very concerned about their future like what lies ahead. Therefore the Australian government will ensure that the students will feel safe and also will be supported throughout every perspective when they choose to study in Australia.

Recent updates in Australia post covid-19 pandemic- 

Date- June 13/2020

The National Cabinet of Australia, that includes the Prime Minister as well as all state and territory premiers along with all chief ministers collectively has agreed to work efficiently, closely, and very carefully so as to help international students from different countries to return to Australia, via a series of small and scaled pilot initiatives. Thus the pilot will be subject to expert health advice, whereas all states and all territories will consider their local situations, so that every International student in Australia is able to keep living, working as well as studying in a COVID 19 crisis in a safe way.

Various types of Australian government agencies will continue to collaboratively work closely to support and make aware or inform students and education providers about exploring every possible option and conditions, for the safe return of international students to Australia. Besides all kinds of information for international students is available on a website made by the Australian government during pandemics. All facts and information are available @StudyAUOfficial. It has all up to date information.

Gather correct information with the help of the following links- 

• International students should Visit http://australia.gov.au for all latest Australian government COVID-19 announcements, precautions, news, updates along with advice from the Australian government agencies.

• International students should Download the Australian Government’s “Coronavirus Australia” app so as to get all the latest official advice and real-time updates directly to their mobile phones.   this app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, or through the WhatsApp channel on all iOS or Android mobile phones.

• All the international students, Whether they are in Australia or abroad should follow @StudyAUOfficial for the most recent as well as up to date information. 

Many international students are concerned about their enrollment, their fees, and also various other issues related to their studies so they should contact the Australian government dedicated email at  [email protected] and also hotline number for international students that is 1300 981 621 from 8 am to 8 pm (AEDST) from Monday to Friday. 

Though The Australian Government has announced on March 19/ 2020, a travel ban for all non-residents as well as non-citizens of Australia effective as of 9 pm (AEDT) March 20/ 2020.

• This requirement was applicable to all international travelers until further notice.

• Then, On May 7/ 2020, the Australian Government has announced- a three-step plan so as to relax restrictions and move further with a Covid 19 safe Australia in July/2020.

• The Australian government will also see a transition to various COVID-19 safe ways of living and working along with safe travel of international students to be considered in this crisis.

• Therefore such steps will allow education institutions as well as universities to increase face-to-face interactions and also prioritize hands-on and skills-based learning.

• All steps are further subjected to expert health advice, along with states and territories to decide timings and rules and implement changes, based on their local situations and conditions.

• The Australian government encourages international students to stay well informed while keeping an eye out for further and recent updates at http://australia.gov.au.

More and more Australian organizations and firms have made significantly prominent commitments to support students through multiple hardship funds and welfare support systems. If international students are struggling to meet their living expenses, they can access welfare support.

Support provided to International students by Institutions and Universities-

• All international students are encouraged to stay connected with their education providers about the possibilities and range of support that is available to them at this time of crisis.

• Also, various universities, as well as other education providers, are offering an excellent range of support to international students which includes fee deferrals and deferred studies or payments along with food and accommodation support and also mental health and other additional medical support.

• Besides Searching for the Australian education provider COVID-19 response information is available, to find out what kind of support is being offered by different institutions.

Financial support by the Australia government-

• It includes Access to superannuation: International students who have been in Australia for a longer time than 12 months and are in financial hardships, are eligible to access their Australian superannuation.

• All applications for early release of superannuation will be accepted via the Australian government from 20 April onwards. International students should register their interest by logging in at  https://my.gov.au and thus following the Intention to access Covid-19 support instructions.

Institution and universities start date-

International students who are enrolled in Semester 1/ 2020 and are unable to start their classes due to the travel bans and self-quarantine- 14-day self-isolation, whereas all need to get in touch with their Universities and institutions as soon as possible so as to discuss their enrolment. Unfortunately, multiple Australian institutions and universities have delayed their semester start dates and also have put in place changes so as to assist all international students who have been impacted by the current crisis and recent travel bans.

Thus, International students should be updated and aware by every possible means as the Australian government is helping the best of their abilities to help students in every possible way.