With the Federal Government announcing gatherings of more than 500 people are banned, many international students in Australia might be concerned about their visa status. The ban currently does not include education providers but that might change at any time.
When a classmate gets sick with the coronavirus, classmates will usually be asked to self-isolate for fourteen days. The school may even close for a short time to clean everything.
If your provider closes, what options are available to you as a student visa holder?
Schools have closed before. Ten years ago, many vocational schools closed because of illegal practices by their owners. Fortunately, these practices were mostly eliminated. As a result of these closures and the sudden lack of schools, policies were put in place to help students who had lost their school. Students’ student visas were not cancelled because of sudden school closures.
In the past, closures of educational businesses were relatively uncommon. However, this time around the problem may be very different. If the government decides to close all educational providers in an effort to restrict group gatherings, there will have to be a flexible approach to those international students who are left out in the cold. However, do not worry—it is very unlikely that the Department of Home Affairs will tell you all to leave Australia.
Because most providers will not be able to afford the loss of income on mass, the government will also be desperately trying to avoid job losses in the education industry. They will want international students ready to jump back into courses when the green light is given.
Partial Closure
It’s your education provider’s responsibility to meet the laws outlined in the ESOS Act and that includes offering the correct courses to international students they have enrolled.
If the education provider can give you clear instructions on how to maintain enrollment and study, then we are sure that the DOHA will be happy with those arrangements. If the education provider reports you to the DOHA for any breaches, then the DOHA is concerned about you and you should just carry on with your course.
Many smaller educational providers do not have 500 students. Staff shortages due to ill health will probably occur from time to time, but the provider will keep you busy doing something.
If your provider closes due to the inability to attract more international students, this policy will apply to you.
Summary
We hope the DoHA will try to make some “what if plans” so that people can have a better idea of what the future may hold.
Whatever happens, we will not be closing and are here to help. To book a consultation to speak with one of our highly experienced migration specialists, call +61 3 9092 1688 or book online.
