How Has Covid-19 Affected Your Student Visa?

Wondering how to extend your student visa in Australia, how to renew, or what to do if you’re stuck or if your plans have changed following the Covid-19 pandemic? Then read further.

It’s the age of uncertainty, Covid-19 has come in red hot wreaking havoc and causing disruption. People have lost their livelihoods, are required to social distance at 1.5m and stay in isolation if possible, businesses are struggling and people are losing their lives. Like every other Australian, you are required to self-isolate and abide by these new health and safety measures.

It’s a horrifying, challenging and heart-breaking time for those affected around the world. As a result, Australia has enforced extremely strict measures such as a complete travel ban for all non-residents and non-citizens to help prevent the spread.

So, what does that mean for international students who are in Australia and those who planned to study here?

You may be feeling disappointed that your plans have been pushed back or frustrated that you are stuck here and unable to return home. You may have travelled here by yourself and you may not have friends or family from back home with you right now, but the biggest takeaway the Australian government wants to encourage is that you are not alone. There’s actually more than 570,000 of you across the country in the exact same situation.

But rest assured, every single university is putting in place extra student support services that you can contact if you need assistance. Most universities have become flexible by offering online learning, adapting their subjects to the circumstances and having extra courses available next semester in case restrictions are lifted. That’s who you should be contacting first, but if you want to try other alternatives there are quite a few.

Instagram | @studyinaustralia_

What support is available?

Study in Australia is using the hashtag #InThisTogether which aims to unify international students from across Australia by showing support and allowing them to have a space where they can communicate their experiences through social media. By sharing positive stories, it can inspire others and allow international students to feel more connected – you could even make friends through the initiative by engaging in comments or sending a message to someone about their story. It even has over a million readerships on Weibo!

The aim is to become a bit of a security blanket, to ensure international students that they are safe here and that they will have a supportive learning experience. Mental health helplines are also a wonderful free tool that’s available for all international students, the main ones are as follows:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Headspace: 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Not only that, but there are a range of State and government support packages and initiatives available at the moment, such as the Study NSW Student Support Hub and Study Melbourne Welfare Grants. You can find information on accommodation, foreign embassies and consulates, legal advice and how to apply for grants, amongst others.

Purpose built student accommodation providers are also offering support for students, whilst the government is allowing international students who have been in Australia for more than 12 months to access their superannuation. Your Overseas Health Insurance will cover medical and mental health needs and there are plenty of charities you can go to for extra assistance such as Red Cross, Salvation Army and Foodbank.

So, what does the future look like?

Unfortunately, this really is one of those situations where you’ll have to play it by ear and see what happens. So far, Australia’s looking pretty good at flattening the curve with some reports speculating we could have some restrictions relaxed by May. There’s talks that domestic travel restrictions could be lifted but we’re not there yet and as for international travel, that’s not on the cards for the foreseeable future.

It’s been recommended that students should reconsider applying for a student visa in this current climate. For those who are studying an Australian course online whilst overseas, you don’t need a visa until you can enter the country. So that’s a good thing, it means your study won’t be interrupted. As for international students in the country, the government will show leniency if you can’t meet student visa requirements due to Covid-19 such as not being able to attend classes.

You cannot extend your visa whilst in Australia but there are visa pathways options if you cannot return home or you need more time to finish your course. Currently, international students can extend their 20 hour a fortnight work minimum if they work in supermarkets. Whereas those who work in nursing and aged care can extend their hours to more than 40 hours a fortnight – these are both until May 1^st.

So, what are the positives? Well, the fact of the matter is that no one really knows when this will end. We have hopes for a vaccine within 12 to 18 months and so far, social distancing has been the best preventative measure. We may be in this situation for a while but what matters is that we will come out of this together both stronger and better than before.

You will be able to start your studies in Australia or return to Australia to resume your studies one day. For those of you that are already here, you have the support choices available to make your study experience as secure, inspiring and inclusive as it can be. Remember that you are welcome here and you haven’t been forgotten.

For more information, please check out the following links and send us through your experiences to The Switch.

Covid-19 Student Visa: Helpful Links

· You can find out what your university is doing in this list by Study in Australia.

· Here is a brilliantly concise table that provides all the relevant links to websites regarding issues that concern international students, it’ll give you the complete lowdown on your rights, where to get more information and any key points.

· For updates by the Australian Government related to Covid-19.

· All the updates by the Australian Government Department of Health.

· All the updates by The Department of Home Affairs on immigration and border arrangements.

· For updates on how to protect yourself, check out the World Health Organisation.· There’s also an official Covid-19 mobile app released by the Australian government – you can download it from iTunes, Google Play or Whatsapp.

· You can find out what your university is doing in this list by Study in Australia.

· For updates by the Australian Government related to Covid-19.

· All the updates by the Australian Government Department of Health.

· All the updates by The Department of Home Affairs on immigration and border arrangements.