Hi all,
Asking for a friend here, she is not an Australian but she is living here under a working visa as a baker. She's at risk of losing her job and she is worried about keeping up with her rent so thought i'll ask here.
What options are available if a non resident loses their job due to the current situation? Can Centrelink provide any support at all?
thanks
I sympathize with International students who work hard, but it is unfair to ask for the assistance from the Govt. This is coming from someone who came here as an International student during the 2008 GFC.
Australia didn't go into recession during the GFC so don't make it sound like you had it tough.
Imagine being in NYC or London during the GFC. That is where the crap hit the fan real bad and cost of living was still high.
In Australia people were still loading up on houses. Doesn't sound like there was any financial crisis to me.
Each to their own mate. I can only relate to my experience. I was lucky enough to find/hold a job when I was student back then. For someone who worked in IT before coming here, I worked night shifts as a cleaner. I had a lot of classmates/friends who struggled back then to even find any kind of work!
I never said this was the same as 2008 and I lost my job, bla bla bla. It is definitely worse and on a larger scale. The point is, as International students, we have to show financial ability to support ourselves via bank statements (aka supported by parents) even before we come here. Roughly $1500 per month for 24 months. You do the math. That is what the Govt expects them to have as a backup if they can't find work! If you are/were an International student, you know the drill!
The same goes to me right now as my wife is on a Partnership visa and has lost her job. In the visa application, I have to take responbility for providing her support.
Not specific to International students, but for anyone…here are my thoughts about saving for a rainy day!
And please do not tell me that it is not possible to save money as an International student, working and studying at the same time!
People on Ozbargain who decide to take one point and make it into a wider point.
The point still is: Australia didn't have a recession during the GFC. Don't claim Australia did.
@netjock: Unless you came here as an international student between 2007 & 2009 or has a partner on a Partnership visa currently without a job, don't bother to comment mate!
I know what my responsibilities are when I sign up for a visa. I can only sympathize with any International students that are here now.
Unless you came here as an international student between 2007 & 2009 or has a partner on a Partnership visa currently without a job, don't bother to comment mate!
Can do you one better. I went to London without a job in Jan 2009 to look for a job with no access to social security. Found one in 3 weeks because I hit the streets like my life depended on it.
Australia is child's play compared to the streets of London. MATE!
@netjock: Cry me a river mate! Growing up with the priveleges of a 1st world country and moving to a 1st world country and I bet you didn't have a $50,000 student loan hanging over your head when you decided to move to London!
I know a lot of International students(myself included) from Asian countries who came here to study, pay their student loans and found a job/still hold a job/never claimed benefits.
So lets not start making comparisons of your decisions elsewhere, but rather in this country ey!
@aspirepranesh: LOL your river is the same as my river mate, you just think you're more special and you want to paddle hard to get full credit for it.
Even if you grew up in Australia most of us would have HECS / HELP debts.
It isn't cheap now, $9k per year to do anything in Engineering / Business. $27k in 3 years, 4 years is $36k. It isn't hard to accumulate $50k if you manage to fail a few subjects.
@fantoo: LOL But then if you are any good in IT $200k a year.
I see SAP consultants billing $3k a day. You work that out how much it is a year assuming 220 working days.
If you've invested the money, only people to blame is the person who invested and didn't make the most of it.
@netjock: You dont and cant make $200k a year overnight.
at my level who is recent graduate and trying to get into industry is around $60k a year.
During this time, its very hard to find jobs as well.
During this time, its very hard to find jobs as well.
That is because Australia doesn't value tech.
A cousin in the US got a grad job US$40k straight out of uni. If you want to try there is visas available and able to be indefinitely extended long as you have a job for Australian citizens.
In London you're talking about GBP40k as a grad.
If you want to hang out in Australia the only jobs that have plenty of vacancies is fruit picking because you have to get beaten by the sun and rain and nobody wants to do it.
Have to warm you, once you leave and on big money you might not want to come back.
I don't know does international students deserve some benefits or not but Australians should have some respect.
34B / 100.000$ = 340000 Jobs with annual income of 100000$. this is a lot of jobs… it would dwarf coles, woolis, quantas, or whatever industry.
There are heaps of people on Hospitality and retail sector
Does "heaps" qualify as more or less than $34 billion worth?
I wouldn't put logic at the forefront.
Australians will kick their grandmother's out in times of crisis if they found out she has a foreign passport and non citizen.
Spot on.
Will there own home country provide them support?
Why is it up to Australia to provide support?
Generally interested in opinions, I also think we can't let people starve etc.
Marry someone, quick.
What options are available if a non resident loses their job due to the current situation?
Can Centrelink provide any support at all?
Centrelink is already flat out trying to help Aussies
Only flat out because the government cut their staffing levels to the bone.
Also because every Aussie tried to go in or jump online to see if they can get a hand out.
So many nasty hurtful comments on this thread. Some Aussies are really showing the world what sort of inclusive society they have.
Examples of "so many nasty hurtful comments"? All I see is a discussion which the OP sought.
inclusive society they have.
We crowd around Centrelink offices and mygov website soon as hand outs are announced. Group hug and celebrate as a crowd at the beaches. Inclusive as it gets bro!
Im so sorry reality hurts you.
I think there's a difference between having an "inclusive society" and not paying non-residents welfare. I mean maybe if thousands of citizens and presumably permanent residents weren't losing their jobs some non-residents could get a buck or two thrown at them (even then I'd say they shouldn't and if granted must have exceptional circumstances, i.e. maybe someone cut their legs off), but I think that citizens and permanent residents should get first dibs considering the current climate.
Would an Aussie in her home country be supported by their government?
In a lot of countries, yes. E.g. Portugal.
Hi friends, can we all be nice to each other in a trying time?
-I am international
-I pay taxes the same as a local resident would
-It a visa requirement that those of us who enter do not "tax the system" (see immi visa requirements on health and insurance)
-I assure you we do not enter the country intending to burden anyone
-Intended to leave the country, but all the carriers which fly to my country cancelled all flights last minute
-This happened shortly after the PM announced the entry ban of all non-citizens, residents overnight
-We had zero prior notice the ban was going to happen so suddenly, which meant all flights were cancelled just as sudden
-Now stuck here without a job, thankfully for my savings I still have a roof
-Some are not as lucky, they live paycheck to paycheck (like OP's friend)
-Not asking for your system to help, just asking you to be human and understanding
EDIT: Just to give some perspective, the next available flight out to my country is on the 1st of June. No other flights before then. :(
We're not stranded here by choice.
Ask support from your embassy or consulate.
Yep, thanks for the suggestion.
I already did a few days ago, and only just heard back - I managed to score a flight out next week with their help.
Thank you for being helpful. :)
FWIW I'm Australian, and you have my understanding.
I'm really sorry that under the present circumstances the options are so limited.
While I completely understand why our government's visa rules are like this, if I step back and look at this on a global scale, it doesn't solve our underlying problems; it actually makes them worse. Well, here's hoping you find some employment and wellbeing back in your other country, and hope you can call Australia home again one day.
So then all flights were not canceled like you said.
@Bryanalves: They are chartering flights. Guess what? Because international students are being left high and dry, they want the flights as well as the tourists who have become marooned here. Remember, our government refused to cancel the F1 so there is a glut of tourists here, and some are stuck.
International governments will need to charter 100s of flights to get people out of Australia. Keep in mind that if they have any symptoms of COVID19 at all, they won't be able to leave Australia on chartered flights. So what are they meant to do? Go and beg on the street?
Hope Aussies are ready to do the cleaning jobs because we'll have a shortage of workers shortly.
Your friend's working holiday is sadly up. Best option is home to family. She should not delay anymore. She needs to contact her consulate - think it is here but only have google translate: https://www.taiwanembassy.org/au/ Or the two of you need to get married already
How you know its taiwan?
According to Scotty Moron, nobody can get evicted now, so let her enjoy the free stay for the next 6 months in her current renting place and let her overstay her visa.
What is the government gonna do? Deport her back to her country?
Sounds like a win-win scenario!
deportation is only win win if she NEVER wants to travel again. will destroy any chance she has at a visa in many countries in the future.
Student visa holders declare they have enough funds for the length of their visa. So I'm not in favour of the gov helping them.
Working visa's I can see a case for them getting assistance.
The females aren't going to have to much of an issue as there will also be some white knight willing to save their day, whether it is paying for their rent or buying food and gifts… It will be the guys that will have the most difficulty.
Sugar mummies.
Recently announce is that renters cannot be evicted for six months during this time so they will be safe for this period. So for many struggling, in theory they could possibly sit in rentals for six month and be evicted after that but I don't know how the payments work out or if it's just bad luck for landlords. Personally, I'm a landlord but I won't care to evict nor care for income at this stage as I understand everyone's struggling but I know everyone has a different opinion with this. At this stage I'd take care of my tenants and bite the bullet if I need to and cut my losses.
Can we all be nice and compassionate to each other in this time of crisis. I can read so much of negativity around migrants here.
I am an international(not student). My wife is nurse and i work at childcare. We continue to work thinking that we are part of system and think that we can play vital role to keep it functioning smoothly and there are thousands of people like us here. It is not easy to go back to our countries for various reasons. In my opinion, it is not fair to ask same welfare payment and benefits as aust citizen/PR gets but many of immigrants on visa are vulnerable. It would be really nice if Australian govt can do something to assist them. For example extending their visa, some relief on visa requirements for time being etc.
For those who are saying us to go back home please try to understand that there are many of us here working that helps australia keep running. There are thousands of migrant Nurses working in hospital and aged care, child care, and wollies, coles etc. Thousands of businesses also rely on our spending.
Now you know. Australia is only nice when they try to get into your pocket (to take your money) or two into your pants / trousers (for a good time).
Its time like these where humanities true nature shows itself. In a nutshell, no one, including the government gives a shit about you.
live off her savings like i have for last year and a half .. regrettably
Did you get COVID 18? You must be the only one.
you made my night
I've done the same, but I think if anything it's an honourable thing to do. I can't say that many Australians would do that sort of thing, if anything most people would call you an idiot for spending your own money when you can spend the governments instead.
The amount of ignorant people in this thread is blowing my mind
I feel for the people who have worked here, paid tax and now have nowhere to go for support
Clearly you're not seeing the bigger picture. Just because you're all set with the $2200 a month from welfare doesn't give you the right to tell people to go home or think you're above them.
If the government is locking people from leaving they should be giving them support for a temp amount of time.
Clearly you're not seeing the bigger picture. Just because you're all set with the $2200 a month from welfare doesn't give you the right to tell people to go home or think you're above them.
Some people have no idea where their welfare checks come from. If they are net takers then someone is paying big time and it might just be that international student.
I get nothing from centrelink and these people are speaking on my behalf, did welfare recipients not consult me before blasting their mouths? Guess not.
Please tell me which countries are refusing there own citizens at the border??
SkMed has identified Ecuador as one. Are you sympathetic to allowing their citizens trapped in Australia to receive Government support now?
This should be the first point of contact. NOT Australia!
Absolutely if it's confirmed they have no other recourse. What I don't want is Australian welfare system being the easiest path for those who are legally allowed to go back home!
Nepal
@PissLUR: If their embassy is unable to assist them - which is possible considering they closed the border on their own citizens - would you be sympathetic to them receiving support from the Australian Government?
I understand you are against them just seeking handouts from the Australian tax payer to start with, I don't like freeloaders either, but there would be an honest group who are out of options.
@RangeTolkoma: Without other options, would you be sympathetic to them receiving support from the Australian Government?
@S2: I would like the Australian Government to extend the same support the Taiwanese government extends Australian citizens.
@MementoMori: Ah, the good old "I'll do it if someone else does". What did Taiwan do?
According to this article provided by someone else here, they kept sanitised, isolated and are running like normal. That's a good lesson for everyone.
This is in the minority.
Most countries will allow their own citizens back home.
And if they don't, then you need to take that problem up with that country - not Australia.
Sorry mate, that you are sour about immigrants. I was just mentioning the country that is completely locked out even for their own citizens and not trying to say immigrants needs all the benefit you have. Just wanted to express that australia can do better to help millions of immigrants here.
This was also not needed by another country to rescue foreigners including australian as they were not their citizens(as per you)
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/nepal-rescues-900-fore…
@RangeTolkoma: I think that's fantastic that Nepal helped evacuate 900+ foreigners and helped them return to their home countries.
I would support Australia doing the same.
@RangeTolkoma: FYI I get none of the benefits. Many Australians don't. Only about 25% of Australians do (6 mil).
I'm part of the 75% who PAY for others to get these benefits.
I agree in general Australia should help non-citizen visitors/workers/students in this country however how much this help should be is another question.
I don't fully understand what they get now. They should have clear passage back to their home countries of course, but I don't think they should get welfare payments just like I wouldn't expect any other country to pay Australians citizens welfare.
"Love thy neighbour" isn't popular anymore. Certainly not during a pandemic.
You mean because Taiwan doesn't pay Australians living in Taiwan welfare?
Excuse me - you don't have the right to demand where my tax money goes.
If you want to help them so much, why not start a GoFundMe page while you wait to see what other support comes through?
you have no idea where your tax money is going. IF you actually knew you would be a lot more furious.
Why would I start a gofundme page? The government locks people out, its their problem.
How would you like it if your bank locked you out of your house? Get a grip
I have an excellent understanding of our tax system and how most of our tax dollars are wasted away.
I asked you to start a GoFundMe page because I hear all the time people demanding where MY (my son, my grandson, etc) tax money should go but when it needs to come out of YOUR pocket then it's crickets…
Nothing stopping you from getting in your car and driving a stranded international worker/visitor to the airport, helping them out financially or in some other way. I've offered my spare room to a couple of stuck backpackers. This is far more helpful and efficient.
You know where tax dollars come from and I'm sure you know how well our money is spent.
I feel for the people who have worked here, paid tax and now have nowhere to go for support
They aren't citizens or permanent residents though. Yes it sucks for them, but if they aren't an actual citizen or have PR they are not entitled to support, that's the law/policy.
I do agree that it doesn't give people the right to tell others to go home, but if they can get help by going home (for however long), wouldn't that be the prudent thing to do? Can people not leave Australia? If they can't get into their actual country even when they are a citizen then yes some help should be provided here possibly.
yes its tough time for all. i think all foreign workers should be allowed to access their super. ref rent if govt says landlords cant kick them out for 6 months then i believe govt should be helping landlords pay their mortgage as if they were to defer payments for 6 months it will affect their credit history with entry recorded and the interest deferred will be capitalised and still payable and added to loan in 6 months time. working hours should be relaxed for them and visas extended for 6 months. there is a shortage of labour on farms to pick crops now and they should be allowed to take up those roles to fill in those roles. also Australian passports should be extended for 6 months for free as we are banned from travelling overseas so we getting ripped off on passport renewal costs.
Sorry about your friend. But lets look at the bigger picture here we're are in a global crisis. The best thing for her to do is to fly home.
I've got two relatives staying with me. If I give you their details can you sort out a charter flight? Because there are no flights to most parts of the world right now.
She probably should have went home as soon as shit started hitting the fan - which was late feb, early march.
Their option is to go back home and either get a job there or go on welfare there.
'risk of losing her job and she is worried about keeping up with her rent'
probably a million people in this situation in Australia now - viz. Centrelink queues
yesterday I met with a subtenant who told me he doesn't have money to pay the rent due in 2 days
as a casual, he already lost his job as a cook in a big central Sydney restaurant
so he was looking at a) farm labouring work, or b) going back to Korea for 2x normal fare
I told him if he can stay with his parents for free, vs. having to pay rent for 6 months without work here … he quickly saw the logic there
we also suggested he call a friend already in a country town who might be best place to find farm work for him.
as for Taiwan - wanna get angry ? - watch this … https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6145350586001
Angry at the opening line "Taiwan is a country with Australia's population"?
It's accurate according to Wikipedia?
trite troll attempt - my point was about Taiwan not shutting their entire economy and mostly going about as normal - simply checking temperatures everywhere you enter public buildings and dispensing hand sanitiser - so that most people can continue in their jobs
not just be stuck at home on mandatory isolation - unemployed and unable to pay the frigging rent because the Australian government couldn't be bothered to actually implement simple checks that work
I strongly believe that the Ruby Princess - that dispensed thousands of travellers including something like 160 coronavirus cases dispersed around the country - was corruption on an egregious level - where someone slipped someone $1000 to just let them off - because it would have cost the cruise company $Ms to house and feed like 3000 people for 2 weeks AND treat the sick in a trapped quarantine.
So I reckon someone did a quick sum like 3000 people x 14 days at $200 a day = $8.4M - in which case hey call that guy at Customs and slip him $100K to let us off with a clean bill of health so we don't have to pay $8M for this nightmare - thanks maaate !
Yes, I am with you on this.
The reaction is massively overblown.
This is a deliberate attempt to wreck our economy. It's not about a virus.
Taiwan, Sweden, etc - lets see how they all fare. Fine I'm sure.
For some reason my browser blocks sky news.
Apparently due to high amounts of credible, unbiased reporting.
Oh and Andrew Bolt…
Yep it's tough. My partner is from.canada, works full time and pays tax. Shes now.stood down for a bit. Luckily we have 6 months savings to use. Technically we are on spouse visa which we have been on for 2 years. Im her sponsor so i doubt there will be any support as technically I'm her sponsor and part of the visa states I'm happy to support her financially. Guess I'm going to be proving that now!
check the date for the temporary visa grant. your obligation is to sponsor her for 2 years from that date.
your partner may qualify for centrelink's payment.
I see the dilemma of overseas citizens who are still here and in financial difficulty. It must be tough.
However, I really think you should have gone home when borders started tightening and it became obvious too everyone that the problem is not only a health crisis but also an economic crisis. You shouldn’t blame anyone though but yourself for not going back to be with your family. This is the time to be home to support your family.
Should our government help you? I think the good and right thing to do is try and help anyone it can, but a government has to ensure the welfare of its own citizens first. Our welfare system is designed for that purpose. I would want our government to be able to help you out but I won’t be disappointed in them if they didn’t give you support because this is a massive economic crisis too.
Do you have a better view from up on your horse? Most people didn't see this playing out as a pandemic – there is no one alive who remembers the last pandemic. Some governments still aren't dealing with it like a pandemic. Our own governments refused to deal with it as a pandemic until just recently (remember how the F1 was called off one day into the event?).
How do you expect a private citizen to have better foresight than a resourced government organisation with scientists and medical professionals advising them?
What have I said that makes you think I am on my high horse? I'm sorry if I offended you. I know this is a stressful time for everyone.
You might have the opinion that our government did not respond more strongly to the Pandemic and in some ways I agree. What our government has decided to do was implement a staged approach to everything. It was in order minimise the economic disaster it would be by implementing immediate travel bans and total lockdown. I would say that our Government has handled things pretty well. The curve is showing early signs of flattening and we are not showing the same rate of deaths as most countries. Things can always be done better in hindsight, but they have done pretty well IMHO. For one, they anticipated it would be a pandemic 2 weeks before the WHO officially announced it was. It staged border tightening ahead of most other countries as well. I believe the government has given its citizens as fair a chance of staying alive and surviving financially. It is still a massive world problem, but Australia is ahead of most. I am grateful for the incredible effort and hours the national cabinet have put in. We all can think of ways things could have been done better, but hindsight is 2020.
If you are on a foreigner visa or even not on PR or citizenship and hard on times - please contact ATO (ignore centrelink) and access your super. They will allow it in most cases.
Also this is the worst place to look for advice. Call the ATO. I know folks who have done it before. They are not unreasonable and will in most cases work with you to make sure you are not out on the street. Pretty much ignore everyone with their advice here.
No
I would expect the Australian Govt to at least give Visa Extensions to all Visa Holders.
At some point, I was wondering what's the meaning of "saving for a rainy day", I don't need a dictionary to understand it now. I feel sorry for all those who are impacted because of the virus. Young people aren't taking this seriously assuming that they have a strong immune and can't get a virus, and hence they are just not following the health guidelines of staying at home or social distancing, but guess what, your ignorance will impact you and many others economically.
Please stay safe, make essential trips outside your home (like grocery and medical) and we'll get through this soon.
I'm in touch with some students who flew out as soon as they were made aware that their tuition will be continued online, I guess that was a right move as, in the time of crisis, you just want to be with your family in your home. I guess they have some relaxation with Visa extensions etc, but don't know much. Students were even allowed to work for more hours than just 40 hrs / FT.
Landlords aren't getting any support from banks, as they first want you to chew up all your sayings before you could get a loan freeze etc. Who in the world will sacrifice their savings to pay for your rent?
Let's support the govt and stay at home, follow health guidelines and get this virus situation controlled so that we all can return to your usual lifestyle soon.
As a side - can someone explain how our work/visa system works?
Are bakers an 'in demand / in short supply' occupation? Doesn't sound right.
(I hope your friend will be OK).
Sounds like unfair competition for low skilled / unskilled jobs.
I feel for our lower income workers having to compete with the third world.
Don’t be. Unskilled Australian workers don’t want to work for low wages. They want middle class salaries and smokos.
Should've flown back 2-3 weeks ago. But that's hindsight I guess.
Jesus, the debate around welfare for the unemployed citizens is already at full blast. Are we really going to entertain the notion of supporting other countries' citizens too? Why not just sign over the deed to Sydney harbour while we're at it.
Sounds like Casting Couch scenarios.. lol
The arrangement was a win-win situation for both parties. For students, Australia got the money they pump in while they received the international education they sought. For workers, Australia got the skills and experience they offered and they were rewarded with a (likely) higher wages than their countries offered.
Now with the pandemic, I think the arrangement is no longer as appealing for Australia as the Government have other priorities to worry about. That said, if their workplaces or educational institutions value them, it is up to them to do their very utmost to keep them. Furthermore, everyone should have some money saved up for a grey day.
If they still can't support themselves for the next few months, then yes, the best option is to go home. Yes, it's not ideal for either parties, but that's why this the pandemic is called a crisis — it's not really 'anybody's fault'; it's just the unexpected reality that we all have to deal with.