Latest advice

This page is regularly updated.

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus affecting humans. Australian Government agencies are working with states and territories to implement measures to manage the risk of COVID-19.

This page will help students, parents, and education providers, as well as job seekers and employers find the information they need to make informed decisions about managing risk associated with COVID-19.

  • Everyone should stay home unless you are: shopping for what you need, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education. Read more.
  • No more than two people should be out in public together, with the exception of family and household groups. Check State and Territory websites for further enforcement information.
  • The Government has passed legislation for the $130 billion JobKeeper Payment to keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the Coronavirus. Read more.
  • A new Higher Education Relief Package will support workers who have been displaced as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and who are looking to upskill or retrain. It will also provide funding certainty to higher education providers. Read more.
  • The Australian Government has now received 58 million protective face masks that will help protect frontline health workers at risk of COVID-19. Read more.
  • There has been an increase in COVID-19 themed cyber activity towards websites designed to either install software or steal personal information and banking details. Learn more about protecting yourself against cybercrime, or report a cybercrime.
  • The Australian Government guarantees domestic aviation network to capital cities and regional centres. Read more.
  • Stay informed. Download the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join our WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

 I have a Student visa

I work in a critical sector for COVID-19 (Agriculture, Health, Aged Care or Supermarkets)

Latest updates/media releases

The Government is taking a flexible approach in relation to student visa conditions where COVID-19 restrictions have prevented conditions being met, such as attendance at class or use of online learning.

If your study in Australia is ending, and you are unable to depart Australia, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600). You need to do this before your Student visa expires.

If your course is ‘out of session’

You can work unlimited hours if your course is considered ‘out of session’. Courses are considered ‘out of session’ during scheduled course breaks or if a student has finished their course as scheduled.

If you are studying a masters by research or a doctorate course

If you have commenced studying a masters by research or a doctorate course, you may work unlimited hours.

If your course has been deferred

You can work over 40 hours per fortnight if your course has been deferred.

Exemptions for some international students

Certain student visa holders can work for more than 40 hours per fortnight to support the supply of essential goods and services for Australians if they are:

  • Employed in the nursing sector
  • Employed by registered supermarkets (from 1 May 2020, this changes and students will only be able to work 40 hours per fortnight)
  • Employed in the aged care sector

See Employers with access to these essential service arrangements.

Australian study requirements

The Department of Home Affairs does not regulate mode of study requirements.
You should contact your education provider.

Please refer to the Joint TEQSA and ASQA statement relating to flexible delivery.

For the exceptions as a result of the travel restrictions, see the National Code requirements for affected tertiary students to undertake online study.

Notifying the Department

You do not need to notify the Department if you return home, or your study situation changes.

Your visa remains valid until you lodge another visa application, or your visa expires. The status of your visa will remain unchanged if you return home or defer your studies.

Students experiencing financial difficulties

You are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and your own savings to sustain yourself in Australia.

If you are unable to support yourself, you should make arrangements to return to your usual country of residence, noting that it is a condition of all Student visas that holders have access to funds to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Australia.

Students who have been in Australia longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.

The Government will continue to engage with the international education sector which is providing some financial support for international students facing hardship.

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT- COVID19 UPDATES

Self-quarantine

Overseas arrivals

If you arrived in the Northern Territory (NT) from overseas prior to 28 March:

  • You must serve out the 14 day period as explained to you on arrival.
  • Public health officers, police and other authorised officers will be checking that you are respecting the community by doing the right thing.
  • Fines will apply if you are not.

Interstate arrivals

If you arrived in the NT from interstate prior to 11:59pm on 1 April:

  • You must serve out the 14 day period as explained to you on arrival.
  • Public health officers, police and other authorised officers will be checking that you are respecting the community by doing the right thing.
  • Fines will apply if you are not.

People carrying out compliance checks will be displaying appropriate identification. They don’t need access to premises.

Anyone asking to access your premises should be refused. If you have concerns you should contact the police on 131 444 or 000 in an emergency.

Forced quarantine

Overseas arrivals

Arrivals in the NT from overseas after 28 March will be escorted to hotels and monitored for 14 days of quarantine.

If you arrive after 3 April, you will need to pay for quarantine costs.

Interstate arrivals

Arrivals in the NT from interstate from 11:59pm 1 April will be escorted to hotels and monitored for 14 days of quarantine.

If you arrive after 3 April, you will need to pay for quarantine costs.

Exemptions apply for individuals engaged in specific work with specific skills. Read about border controls to see if you qualify for an exemption.

Read the whole guidelines here: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/quarantine

UPDATE FROM OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS

 

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION

ICAE COVID-19 MESSAGE FROM SEAN MAHONEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ICAE

As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt, ICAE is making sure our students continue to safely receive high-quality education and industry preparation. At this time, ICAE is operating its usual suite of face-to-face classes, observing social distancing as per government health requirements. If schools become required by the government to close campuses to students, we are very well prepared to continue delivering our courses online, utilizing our existing online learning platform and the Chromebooks issued to every student as part of their existing learning materials. Our April and July intakes are still going ahead as planned, any changes to intake arrangements will be announced on this page, via our social media channels, and directly with applicants and agents.

To assist students financially we have implemented new financial measures including options for monthly payment plans, and discounted fees for up-front fee payment.

For more information about these measures or other information relating to studying with ICAE,  please contact ICAE using the contact form below.

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation In the NT, follow SecureNT on Facebook  or visit www.securent.nt.gov.au 

ALANA KAYE COLLEGE

MESSAGE FROM KIRSTY NEAYLON, MANAGER, NORTHERN TERRITORY AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, ALANA KAYE COLLEGE

Dear Students,

Together we all face unprecedented times globally and from the bottom of our hearts, we hope that everybody is keeping themselves safe during these times.

Considering the current international travel restrictions and the mandatory 14-day self-isolation requirements upon arrival in Australia, we understand that you may have cause for concern in relation to the commencement of your studies at Alana Kaye College.

As such, we are offering the following options for international students:

  1. Defer your studies until a later intake: 13 July 2020, 5 October 2020 or January 2021 (recommended option if you have not yet been granted a student visa or are unlikely to obtain one prior to your commencement date).
  2. Commence your studies in April using the flexibility of online methods with the dedicated support of Alana Kaye College’s qualified trainer and assessors and administration staff (this is only an option If you have been granted a student Visa or receive one prior to the commencement date).

Please notify us of your preferred option at your earliest convenience.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated on further developments.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE

UPDATED: MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL HOUSE: BRISBANE, BONDI, DARWIN, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY

Dear Agents and Industry Partners,

During this difficult time, International House is committed to assisting our students, agents and all of our staff in any way possible.

Immediately, we are offering the following promotions and services:

  1. Payment difficulties and assistance? We are here to work with every student and agent with financial difficulties. Please email: assistance@ihsydney.com.au. We have assembled a dedicated team to work with each individual student or agent, and we can tailor a payment plan for each student’s needs.
  2. For all markets, all courses: For all enrolments between now and 31/5/20, we are waiving all Enrolment Fees and Materials Fees.
  3. ihBC continuing and enrolled students: For the May 2020 intake, ALL continuing and new ihBC students will receive a $300.00 discount on their tuition. This applies to all programs on all campuses. For any students who have already paid us in full for the May intake, they will receive a $300.00 credit on their July fees.
  4. New ihBC Enrolments: For any new enrolments beginning in May or July 2020, students receive a $300.00 discount off the first term. Standard pricing remains for all additional terms.
  5. Current and continuing ELICOS students:
    • All students studying online ELICOS will receive 1 free week of ELICOS at the end of their course for every week we are teaching online.
    • Unhappy with online learning? We can put students on holidays. Please email:holidays@ihsydney.com.au
    • Special prices have been announced in all markets. Please contact your Marketing Manager about these special promotions available.
  6. ihBC and ELICOS Deposits: No changes. We leave all deposit for COEs “as is”.
  7. We are booking Accommodation placements again, and our Accommodation Provider partners are offering great savings on many types of accommodation. Please contact us at accommodation@ihsydney.com.au

—

As you are aware, both NSW and VIC are shutting down all non-essential services, officially, beginning Tuesday, 24 March.

In light of this announcement, tomorrow Monday, 23 March will be the last day that students, teachers and any administrative staff will have access to the campuses at IH Sydney City, IH Bondi and IH Melbourne. As of Tuesday, 24 March, all classes – ELICOS, Teacher Training and ihBC – will be taught online. All staff will be working from home.

In spite of the shutdown, IH Sydney, IH Bondi and IH Melbourne will continue to operate. We will provide all of our classes online, as well as send and receive electronic communication to and from all of our staff, agents and students. We will continue to process Letters of Offer and issue COEs. Students can continue to enroll in our courses and study with us online and offshore.

IH Darwin: At this time, IH Darwin is exempt from closing the campus. However, should the NT government announce a shutdown of non-essential services, the campus will close and the same procedures will take effect.

Please contact your Marketing Managers with any questions.

ACADEMIA INTERNATIONAL

UPDATED: Academia International in Melbourne and Brisbane – Our response to COVID-19!

Academia Institute has successfully transitioned to 100% online training with classes now running online as of the 23rd of March.

Please have a look our FAQ page in the link below to see how our online training is delivered. Very important information is included in the FAQ regarding not only current students but also new enrolments. See:

https://www.academia21.com/our-response-to-COVID-19

Our live lecture streaming is also recorded for later playback by our students and any practical classes will be rescheduled to be completed during upcoming terms at no extra cost.

Our current term ends on this Saturday 4th of April 2020 and next term starts on Monday 27th of April 2020 where we will continue to deliver online training for the foreseeable future.

If you have any students who were supposed to commence their course in April but had to defer to commence in July because of Australia’s boarder lock-down, please contact them to offer this great opportunity to study online. In doing so these students DO NOT need to extend their visa later.

As I said in my previous email, we are currently offering MORE flexible payment plans without extra costs for our students. If any of your students need to arrange any payment plans, please ask them to contact our Accounts Department – accounts@academia21.com

If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact me at any time.

—

Academia has transitioned classes to online study utilising its proven Academia LMS in place now since 2015. We have enhanced the Academia LMS to enable live lecture streaming that is also recorded for later playback.

This is a temporary measure and we look forward to welcoming back our students to campus upon Australian Government advice once the COVID-19 situation is under control. Until further notice, there will be no classes offered on campus for your safety. Students are still welcome to come in to campus to seek support as we will maintain staff in both Melbourne and Brisbane campus.

CURRENT TERM – ends on Saturday 4th of April 2020 (NO PHYSICAL CLASSES in college for the remainder of the term)

PRACTICAL units will be rescheduled to be completed during upcoming terms at no extra tuition fee costs.

Theory units are now delivered online by utilising Academia LMS with live lecture streaming recorded for later playback. You need to login to your LMS if you haven’t attended your class online as yet so that you can complete the term.

NEXT TERM starts April the 27th   (NO PHYSICAL CLASSES in college until further notice)

We will continue our ONLINE tuition delivery utilising Academia LMS together with live lecture streaming that is also recorded for later playback. PRACTICAL Classes will be rescheduled to be completed during upcoming terms at no extra tuition fee costs. Where students are nearing completion of their qualification and cannot reschedule practical classes for later terms we will offer practical classes on-campus with reduced class numbers ensuring we maintain social distancing.

WORK PLACEMENT – We are rearranging training schedule so that your work placement can take place at a later date.

 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT – We are offering MORE flexible payment plans without extra costs. If you need to arrange any payment plans, please contact our Accounts Department – accounts@academia21.com

DEFEREMENT

Please contact – studentservices@academia21.com

For International students, if you are returning to your home country, please contact us. We will organise your deferment so that you can travel back to Australia in the future by maintaining your student visa  wherever possible.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA

We are in discussion with Government, our Industry association ITECA and Australian Regulatory bodies to enable students returning to their home country to continue to study from your home country by studying online whilst maintaining your student visa. In this situation students who are thinking of deferring or withdrawing will not need to. We will provide further information in the near future so please ensure you continue to login to Academia’s LMS.

If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact me at any time.

AUSTRALIAN CAREERS COLLEGE

UPDATE FROM AUSTRALIAN CAREERS COLLEGE

Dear Partners

We hope you and your family are all doing well during these unprecedented circumstances.

Due to the impact the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic  we have decided to  extend the current term break  and change the  commencement date  from April 2020( all April intake dates) to Tuesday  5th May  2020.

The Academic Calendar  will be adjusted by  reducing 1 week break each in July and Oct term breaks. New Intake dates and Term breaks are as below

ACC New Time Table 2020 (effective from Term 2)
Start Date   End Date     Term break
Term 1 28/01/2020     3/04/2020     6 April to 4 May 2020 (4 weeks)
Term 2 5/05/2020    10/07/2020     13 July to 19 July 2020 (1 week)
Term 3 20/07/2020     25/09/2020     28 September to 4 October 2020 (1 week)
Term 4 5/10/2020     11/12/2020     14 December 2020 – 22 Jan 2021 (6 weeks)
Intake Dates: 5th May 2020,8th June 2020 and 13 July 2020.

All the students have been notified of the changes by email.

We are continuing to receive and process student applications for the above mentioned  intake dates.Please send your application to  admissions@accollege.edu.au or your account managers.

If your students have been  affected by the quarantine requirements or travel restrictions, please contact us . Students can defer to later intake  or apply for refund .

As we look ahead towards the remainder of the year . We anticipate the opening of both international and interstate border and business as usual in coming months.

Thank-you for your ongoing support, stay safe.

CAIRNS COLLEGE OF ENGLISH AND BUSINESS

COVID 19 UPDATES from Cairns College of English and Business


Dear Partners,

In light of the COVID 19 situation and the latest advice given by the Queensland Government and Queensland Health for the safety of our students and staff, following arrangements are going to take place for our English language department and for our VET operation: 1. Our English Language operation remains open, but is moving to a 100 % online delivery from Wednesday, 1st April. Monday, 30th March and Tuesday, 31st March will be student-free days in order to have our teachers thoroughly prepared for our online services. Students were informed about the changes yesterday and again will again be briefed in class today. The school building will be closed by the public from Monday, 30th of March. A selected number of staff will continue to work at CCEB until forced to work from home. Email will be answered throughout, but please be patient as we have a limited number of staff rostered during this school closure.

2. No changes from our previous update last week. Our VET operation remains open, but has moved to a 100 % online delivery from Monday, 23rd March. All students have been informed with clear instructions. Staff will still continue to work throughout from home. This is an unprecedented situation for everyone, please be reassured that we are doing our best to deal with the challenges presented to us. Our absolute priority is and will remain the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and the whole community.

TASMANIAN COLLEGE OF ENGLISH

Update from the Tasmanian College of English

Due to the current  (COVID-19), we would like to inform you that our college in Hobart campus will be closed for the next 3 weeks , College will reopen on 15/04/2020,  As always, we’ll keep you updated for any changes.

We are still going to be online and work remotely if any enquires please contact us via our mobile number: 0466898393, Wechat ID:OZexporting , LINE ID: 0466898393 and WhatsAPP ID: 0466898393, over the phone or social media any time during working hours.

Online course will start soon, we will keep you update, we will send you promotion by next Monday , please keep support us.

AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL SKILLS INSTITUTE

Update from Jenny Tsao, Australian Professional Skills Institute Student Services

Unfortunately we don’t have any promotion, students will be offered payment plan or extend their fees due dates for Term 2 if they have any financial issue .

They just need to email to accounts@apsi.edu.au

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

BARRINGTON COLLEGE

Update from Barrington College-Australia

We do not have any special price due the Coronavirus.
Our price is still the same as we had released in January 2020

You may view the courses and course fees here: https://www.barringtoncollege.edu.au/international/