International Student Union Australia | Education

International Student Union Australia

Phone: +61 415 646 007

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21.01.2022 No international student in Australia should be left hungry or homeless by this crisis. I've written to the Government asking that they give international stude...nts the same income support and coronavirus supplement as their local peers. The minister could do this with the stroke of a pen they should do so urgently. International students pay high fees, they work and contribute billions to our economy and society. We cant just use them as cash cows when it benefits us and then leave them high and dry in this hour of desperate need. Ive been hearing incredibly concerning stories from students, their unions and concerned university staff about students who are extremely anxious about not being able to pay rent or bills. Some are vulnerable because they are living in overcrowded accommodation which is the only housing they can afford. Despite facing the same hardships as other students on top of being far from home, international students are not eligible for income support payments and havent been included in the Governments coronavirus package. The Governments decision to include local students in the coronavirus supplement after pressure from the Greens and students is very welcome, but leaves tens of thousands of international students who are still here at extreme risk. With existing restrictions on their working hours, international students rely on casual work to pay rent, put food on the table and survive. That work is disappearing and, without income support, many international students face eviction and poverty. We know international students are already particularly vulnerable to exploitation by rotten landlords and bosses. Surveys have found that around a quarter of students are paid just half the minimum hourly wage and half are paid in cash. I am very concerned that they are at huge risk of further exploitation at a time they will be most vulnerable. We have a responsibility to make sure no one is left behind in this crisis and that means supporting the students who have come to Australia.

15.01.2022 Why International Students are being ignored, unchecked and facing discriminatory behaviour of Government in any assistance? This is what Australian Government talk about humanity and multiculturalism? Are they only using us as Holy Cow?... Are we Money Machine? Everyone support this page so we raise our voice that we are also Human Being consider us also for fee reductions/Well fair/Waiving Rents... Raise your voice for your own well-being before it's too late.

14.01.2022 I actually agree with the Prime Minister when he says that temporary visa holders in Australia should go home during this health crisis... but the reality is th...ey can't go home right now. Borders are shut and international airlines are shutdown. We risk prolonging the Covid-19 crisis if we ignore the 1.1 million people in Australia on temporary visas... because a virus does not check someone's visa status before it infects them.