Universities Australia welcomes the announcement by the New South Wales Government to fund temporary crisis accommodation for international students facing hardship due to COVID-19.
NSW will also launch a 24/7 hotline to provide international students with tenancy, medical, mental health, legal and emergency advice and support.
The state joins the Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australian, Tasmanian, Victoria and Western Australian governments in assisting international students who, like their Australian peers, have lost casual or part-time work as a result of the global pandemic.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said international students continue to be affected by COVID-19.
"Universities Australia welcomes the NSW Government's announcement to assist the more than 100,000 higher education international students in the state, many of whom are facing hardship after losing their part-time jobs," she said.
"Every Australian state and territory has now heard the call to step up and support international students."
"They join the nation's 39 comprehensive universities, who have all established a wide range of supports, including hardship funds.
"However, the type, amount and duration of assistance international students can access varies considerably between jurisdictions. The state or territory an international student is studying in should not be the deciding factor in the level of support available to them."
"It is time for the Federal Government to survey what is available and join in, ensuring a nationally consistent approach."
"International education is Australia's fourth largest export contributing $39 billion to the national economy every year. In NSW, universities contributed $8.3 billion in export income in 2018-19, supporting thousands of local jobs."
