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Meld

Lockdown extended but now int’l students can get support

Jason Hendriks

Fri Jun 04 2021

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Hey international students, we might be eligible to receive up to $500 from the government to support ourselves for the continuing lockdown.

Yesterday afternoon, prime minister Scott Morrison announced a “Temporary COVID-19 Disaster Payment” in response to extending the lockdown another seven days.

This payment will be made on week-by-week basis to areas that have been in lockdown longer than seven days (including Melbourne)

“Remember, we’re talking about someone going through next week… where every day counts,” Prime minister said.

The criteria to be eligible to apply for the payment is:

  • Australian resident over 17 and have working rights.
  • Who usually works more than 20 hours (eligible to get $500) less than 20 hours (eligible to get $325)
  • Who are in the listed hotspots
  • Proof that they would have worked if there’s no lockdown.
  • Who have less than $10k in liquid assets?
  • Have shown proof that they used all their paid leave or sick days if it was offered by their employer.
  • People who are not receiving support from Jobseeker or other Commonwealth support.

So yes, international students who’ve been working casually and have lost work in the upcoming weeks are eligible to get the payment!

You will be able to apply from next Tuesday, 8th of June from the Service Australia. There is no application link that you can click yet so the best thing to do is to prepare your documents and patiently wait for further announcement.

This is one of the only few supports given to international students and temporary migrants by the federal government. What do you think? are you glad to finally receive support or more should have been done?

If you need some support Study Melbourne and Foodbank has made an international student pop-up store where you can get free groceries every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm.

Meld strongly advises international students to practice social distancing, abide by their city’s lockdown rules, and to wear a mask as advised by the health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are feeling down know someone who is, you can seek help through hotlines such as:

Lifeline at 13 11 14,

BeyondBlue at 1300 22 4636,

Headspace at 1800 650 980.

QLife at 1800 184 527, If you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community,

Students may also seek help from in-house university counsellors or helplines.

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