CISA calls for service providers to widen support
Published 06/05/2020
The Council of International Students Australia has asked telecommunication, accommodation and overseas student health cover providers to offer more support to international students.
On May 4, CISA proposed a range of measures aimed at different industries, including asking telecom providers to give international students free data and subsidies to help with studying online and staying in contact with families, and proposed accommodation providers “be considerate, lenient and willing to negotiate with international students that may be unable to pay rent on time”.
In addition, CISA has asked overseas student health cover providers to reduce response time for claims and queries, increase the number of covered mental health sessions and give an option to pause plans for students not currently in the country.
“Students are doing their best to keep their chin up and brave though trying times as much as they can”
“Students are doing their best to keep their chin up and brave though trying times as much as they can, but it is not an easy task,” noted CISA.
A spokesperson said that the recommendations came from issues raised by students and that they are currently consulting with providers to address them.
“We are hopeful providers understand the dire situation that international students and everyone are in currently and show empathy, compassion and support to the international students by adapting our recommendations as best they can,” added the spokesperson.
According to Universities Australia, there are more than 570,000 student visa holders in Australia, of which 335,762 are connected to the higher education sector.
“These students, like Australian students, have lost part-time work through no fault of their own,” noted a Universities Australia spokesperson.
“The university sector has recognised that many have fallen through the cracks in Australia’s Covid-19 response. That’s why every Australian university now offers some form of hardship support for their international students.
“There are grants to cover immediate, essential-living costs, meals and accommodation, and subsidised IT equipment to help with online study, as well as schemes to defer tuition payments.”
In March, CISA urged stakeholders to ensure the livelihoods of international students are equally considered in the various welfare packages being offered due to the impact of coronavirus.
In recent weeks, despite lack of provision from the national government for international students, some state and territory governments have announced packages to support them, including the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.
The post CISA calls for service providers to widen support appeared first on The PIE News.