Universities have stepped up support for international students forced into financial hardship amid the coronavirus pandemic through emergency funds.
But despite more than $110 million being committed across higher education institutions there are concerns many are still at risk of missing out.
It’s a warning that’s been backed by Olena Nguyen, a director of the Australian Federation of International Students.
“We as international students are not prepared for this pandemic,” she said.
“We need to really take care of those international students who really need help during this time.”
Universities have , who are usually expected to fend for themselves.
The emergency relief funds have included some $25 million from Deakin University, an estimated $21 million from the Australian National University, $15 million from Monash University and $10 million from RMIT University.
Ms Nguyen said many international students find it difficult to prove their financial hardship because of the prevalence of cash-in-hand jobs.
"If they want international students to come here in the future to study then they need to support us right now," he said.
International student Varun Kale. Source: SBS News
Indian national Varun Khale is among those facing an uncertain future.
The international student's job has been put on hold because of coronavirus restrictions.
“It’s a really bad situation right now - in a few weeks my rent is due,” he told SBS News.
Despite his situation, he’s missed out on a financial hardship payment from Swinburn University.
“I’m literally contacting people away who can send me money - that’s how I’m coping with the situation of how to pay my bills and rent."
Calls for national support to bolster emergency relief funds
There are more than 570,000 foreign students in Australia who contribute about $39 billion to the nation’s economy each year.
These students are ineligible for almost all welfare support with many now relying on savings or family to survive.
International Education Association of Australia chief executive Phil Honeywood argues a national hardship fund is needed to prevent students from falling through the cracks.
He cautioned some 100,000 international students could be at risk of becoming “destitute”.
“Clearly more needs to be done,” he told SBS News.
“A national hardship fund receiving funding from the federal government would go a long way to proving to the rest of the world that Australia does care about these young people.”
The federal government has already expanded access to superannuation for students who have been in Australia for more than 12 months.
Mr Honeywood said Australia has a humanitarian responsibility to care for students with its reputation as an international education provider on the line.
“In this unprecedented crisis if we are not willing to put anything back to support them we will be judged appropriately,” he said.
He said support mechanisms in Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand were doing more to help international students in competitive markets.
Universities lobby the federal government for support
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson told SBS News the group is lobbying the federal government for further assistance.
“We’ll continue talking to government about hardship funds,” she said.
“Universities all around the country are setting up those sorts of fund and they are massively oversubscribed.”
The federal government has told temporary visa holders who can no longer support themselves to consider returning to their home country.
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson. Source: SBS News
But Education Minster Dan Tehan confirmed on Sunday the government was working with the education sector on possible support measures.
“We’ve asked officials to go away and look at what type of mechanisms might be in place to help support international students,” he said.
He thanked universities that have already taken action.
Some international students in industries like nursing, aged care and at supermarkets can work extended hours because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan. Source: AAP
Meanwhile, temporary visa holders facing significant financial hardship may also be eligible for welfare assistance under the Special Benefit Payment.
Council of International Students Australia welfare officer Kasun Kalhara said more support on a “national level” would help ensure foreign students are protected.
“There is a massive demand - a lot of international students have lost their job,” he told SBS News.
“We have identified that there is a need for national level financial support for international students.”
The university sector is expecting a $3 billion hit to its revenue amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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