The NSW Government supports international students in NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic with free food hampers through the Study NSW and Foodbank partnership. Free legal support through the International Student Legal Service NSW and My Legal Mate digital platform mental health and welfare support.
List of support services you can access in your country:
Medical support:
If you’re sick and need to see a doctor, contact the Macquarie University Clinic at +61 (2) 9812 3944 to book an appointment. Outside clinic hours, the closest doctor is at the Macquarie Medical Centre. OSHC covers international students, but remember to bring your membership card when you visit the doctor. You can request your OSHC membership card from your provider’s website when you arrive in Australia. If you don’t have your OSHC card, you’ll need to pay when you see a doctor. You can request a receipt when you pay and then lodge a claim with your provider later.
Online legal support:
To get legal information for free, download My Legal Mate, a multilingual app. The app provides information on employment, housing, disputes, and sexual assault. It offers practical solutions in English, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, and Vietnamese.
Personal support:
Living apart from your family can be challenging, so finding someone to talk to is important:
For self-guided wellbeing resources, download the Wellbeing App.
Contact Student Wellbeing on +61 (2) 9850 7497 or connect through online chat
to speak to a Wellbeing Advisor.
Connect with Macquarie’s religious and spiritual services if you would like to speak to someone from your religious denomination.
Your safety:
On-campus:
To keep you safe, Macquarie has many security services, including a general services line (+61 (2) 9850 7112) and an emergency line (+61 (2) 9850 9999), 22 emergency help points on campus, and an after-hours security escort service available.
Off-Campus:
If you encounter an emergency off-campus, contact Emergency Services at 000.
Protect yourself against scammers:
Scammers may pretend to be from your bank, services providers, and taxation office or investment opportunities.
Never send money or give card details to anyone you do not know.
Ask for legal advice before making any investment or expensive purchasing decisions.
Research the service provider before paying or buying a product.
Protect your personal information.
For more information, visit the Police website. If you believe you have been a victim of a scammer, report it immediately on the Acorn website.
Find paid employment:
Macquarie’s Career and Employment service help students become job-ready and facilitate paid employment opportunities on- and off-campus. For further information, please contact the team at cs@livewebtutors.com.
Service provided by the New South Wales (NSW) Government
As an international student, you’ll have access to a range of services and support mechanisms provided to you by the NSW Government. It is essential to:
Subscribe to the Study NSW mailing list to receive updates on help that is offered to International Students.
Access the International Students Welfare Hub regularly for initiatives and services provided to international students in NSW or call 13 77 88 to find out more.
Be familiar with your Consulates Generals when in Australia.
“According to the message from Study of NSW and assessment help”
“This is a challenging time for everyone. We know that some international students are struggling to meet their living expenses. Given the global impact of COVID-19 many families and funding sources from students’ home countries have also been impacted.”
We also know that some students may wish to return home, but at the moment, this may not be possible due to restricted flight access or borders closing in other countries.
Study NSW and the Australian international education sector are working hard to support international students’ health, well-being, and academic success.
A key priority is to ensure that international students have information about the support services available to them in Australia locally and nationally.
Our message to students is that they are not alone, and the Australian community is here to support them.
The safety of all students and the public is the Government’s number one priority.
Conclusion
Students’ first point of call should be their institution, but other service providers can also help. These include local and national non-government organizations and community services. Students should also contact their Embassy or local Consular Office to see if help is available there.
In these past few weeks, we have also heard many inspiring stories about international students and their contribution to the communities in which they live, study, and work. During these unprecedented times, we must never forget that we are in this together.
The Department for Education has produced guidance on self-isolation and social distancing for students living in university or college residence halls. It also has an email address to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. There are risks for students to get affected, says henry teacher at NSW University and gives Assignment Help Sydney to students online through Best Essay Help services.