Highlights
- Australian government asks temporary visa holders unable to support themselves to go home
- The government allows temporary visa holders with work rights to access superannuation
- Visitors with visas lasting three months or less have also been asked to go home
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought life to a standstill for much of Australia including for international students, with many now left with little choice but to return to their home countries.
Responding to the growing call for providing support for overseas students, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge today asked them to fall back on their superannuation contribution if they have been in the country for over 12 months.
Acting Immigration Minister, Alan Tudge Source: SBS
“The Government will undertake further engagement with the international education sector who already provide some financial support for international students facing hardship,” Mr Tudge said in a statement to the media.
To all others, the government said they must fend for themselves and encouraged them to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings.
Reiterating its stand, authorities also reminded the students of the declaration they make at the beginning of their study of having sufficient resources to be able to support them. The authorities are now asking them to utilise those resources.
Anant Singh Bhatia, a civil engineering student at the University of South Australia says while he understands the government’s stance towards its citizens and residents, students, who have been here for more than a year, however, are getting a "raw deal."
Anant Singh Bhatia Source: Supplied
“We have been left to fend for ourselves with no support. Accessing super may help me sustain for a while, but what about the students who are not entitled to a super?
“You are asking them to go home. So this clearly means you are here for us when we are generating revenue, but clearly not in times of adversity,” says the 22-year-old student.
'Mixed news'
Amit Jadau, coordinator from Victoria for the Federation of Indian Associations Australia. Source: Supplied
Amit Jadaun is the coordinator from Victoria for the Federation of Indian Associations Australia, who has been spearheading the initiative of collating information of Indian students facing substantial hardships across the country.
Responding to the latest development, Mr Jaduan says this is “mixed news”
“While it helps to protect the interests of students who have enough superannuation funds to fall back on, there are many others who either don’t have super or haven’t accumulated enough funds they can access.
“On top, the economic conditions also have to be factored in. Many have lost thousands of dollars in their super owing to the tumbling markets in recent times,” says Mr Jadaun.
He adds that asking international students to go back to their home countries in current circumstances in “not an appropriate solution to the problem.”
“It will disrupt their studies, their lives and have an impact on their future. This action will also have a detrimental effect on the country’s education sector,” adds Mr Jadaun.
Visa changes for temporary skilled visa holders:
In a major reprieve for skilled visa holders, the government announced that those who may be stood down but continue to be in employment will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements.
In addition, these visa holders will also be allowed to access up to $10,000 from their superannuation in the current financial year.
Explaining the change, migration agent Jujhar Bajwa says this simply means that temporary skilled visa holders will not be considered to be in breach of their visa conditions if they lose job hours due to coronavirus restrictions.
“Employers will be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition. It’s a major breather for temporary work visa holders such as those on 457 and 482,” says Mr Bajwa.
Adelaide-based work visa holder, Anmol Singh, who works in the food processing industry says the government’s announcement has come as a respite as he is currently experiencing loss of job hours.
Anmol Singh Source: Supplied
“I am grateful for the fact that I still have a sustainable job, but I am experiencing a loss of income because I am not getting enough hours to work.
“The fact that I can access super if the need arises would make me sleep better, but would certainly hamper my plans for the future,” says the 24-year-old.
For others, who have been laid off owing to the coronavirus outbreak, they will have no choice but to “leave the country” in line with existing visa conditions, if they are unable to secure a sponsor, as per the new measures.
“This spells doom for many, particularly subclass 482, or 457 which permits the holder to live in Australia while working full-time for the sponsoring employer in the nominated position.
“Now given the circumstances, there are very thin chances that these applicants will be able to find a sponsor, and will be left with no choice, but to leave the country,” says Mr Bajwa.
The new measures will also affect working holiday makers working in critical sectors.
“Working holidaymakers who are working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six-month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months,” Mr Tudge said in the statement.
Visa changes for visitor visa holders:
For those on a visitor visa lasting three months or less, the government has asked them to return to their home country “as quickly as possible.”
“Thousands are already doing this, and others should follow their lead,” said Mr Tudge.
Svaideep Singh, an Indian tourist stranded at a hotel in Sydney says he is “desperate” to return but the commercial flights that are available are beyond his affordability.
“The Indian government must arrange for repatriation flights for all Indian tourists stuck in Australia because the flights that are available are charging two to three thousand dollars, which I certainly can’t afford,” says Mr Singh.
Coronavirus symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia, according to the Federal Government's website. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days of returning from overseas, you should call to seek medical attention.
If you don’t have symptoms but you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should also call to seek medical attention.
If you believe you may need to get tested, call your doctor, don’t visit. Or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
