For International Student:

Q. What is the Government doing to support international student visa holders?

• The Government has taken flexible approach relating to their student visa conditions such as attendance at class or use of online learning.
• The Government temporarily allows Student visa holders to work for more the 40 hours per fortnight. Additional important details are as follows:
• The temporary arrangements only apply to student visa holders working in supermarkets and aged care providers, as well as student nurses who are supporting health efforts against COVID-19 as directed by health officials.
• This is only available to existing Student visa holder employees in their existing roles.
• The temporary relaxation of working hours for supermarkets will cease on May 1.
• Student visa holders already enrolled in nursing can undertake work to help and support the COVID-19 response as directed by health officials.

Q. How will student be assured they will not jeoperdise their visa?

• Supermarket operators needs to register with the Department of Home Affairs to request access to the temporary relaxation of working hours for existing workers.
• A written notice will be provided to approved employers setting out the temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders. For the list of registered businesses click here. 
• Aged Care service providers should refer to the correspondence provided to them by the Department of Health for further details.
• Employers are still required to abide by all relevant Australian workplace laws.

Q. How will employers access the temporary measures?

• All aged care Approved Providers or Commonwealth funded aged care service providers that have been issued with a RACS ID or a NAPS ID (including both residential and home care) have been given access to this temporary measure. Providers would have been contacted by the Department of Health and are not required to submit additional applications.
• The form for the access of the temporary relaxation of working hours for student visa holders is available online. Click here. 

Q. What can I do if I am not able to support myself in Australia?

• The student visa holder that cannot support their stay in Australia should make an arrangement to return their country of residence as it is in their student visa condition that they have access to funds to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Australia.
• The Government continues to engage with the international education sector which is providing some financial support for international students facing hardship.

If you are unable to depart Australia due to the Covid-19 pandemic and you wants to extend your stay. Click here for more information. 

Should you require assistance on your visa matter, contact us at 03 99997964.

Source: Department of Home Affairs