Enquire Now

Academia International in Melbourne and Brisbane
Our response to COVID-19!(Archived - June 2022)

The Australian Government announced on 20th of July 2020 positive visa changes in assisting international students further:

The changes include:

  1. The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.
  2. International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge, if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.
  3. Current student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
  4. Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.
  5. Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.

We have transitioned to online studies for all courses including during the coronavirus lockdown.

ACADEMIA's ONLINE DELIVERY DIFFERENCE

Our classes are delivered by an experienced teacher streaming the lesson online where students can ask questions, work on examples, share a whiteboard, join a virtual group to work together and so on. The online lesson is complemented by a wealth of digital learning resources students are offered an optimal environment to succeed in their studies.

This is very different to traditional online training where students study online independently with 1 or 2 hours per week of live teaching and support by their teacher.

Our students study in small online groups per 1 teacher with the lesson recorded for later playback.

Prospective students can join a free live class to see the quality of our tuition first hand.

Training continues ONLINE with full support from Teaching and Support staff

CURRENT TERM

For our current term we are offering theory units ONLINE utilising our proven Academia LMS fully supported by Trainers and support staff.

MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

Current and New students are welcome to call or visit us to seek any additional information as a core support and teaching team will be available ongoing at both our Melbourne and Brisbane campuses.

ACADEMIA Institute Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Support for international students

Students with financial difficulties due to COVID-19 - Updated on 3 of June 2022

International students who are studying and working in Australia may be able to access financial assistance if they are required to self-isolate or are caring for someone with COVID-19.

Check eligibility in Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (COVID-19)

COVID-19 (Links to Government Health websites)

How do I get myself checked

The Australian Government has launched a Coronavirus Australia app

The Australian Government has launched a Coronavirus Australia app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or via a WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android, for people to receive the latest official advice and information. It builds off the improved content aggregator via the Australian government website.

COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment in Australia

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone in Australia, including to all Australian visa holders living in the community.

This will include:

  1. all permanent and temporary visa holders
  2. refugees
  3. asylum seekers
  4. temporary protection visa holders, and
  5. bridging visa holders.
  6. People living in detention facilities will also be eligible.
  7. bridging visa holders.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine program, see the Department of Health website: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/health-and-vaccine

Important information

How do I get myself checked
  1. If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, use the symptom checker on healthdirect
How to protect myself and others?
  1. Good hygiene including:
    1. covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
    2. disposing of tissues properly
    3. washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
    4. using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
    5. cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
    6. if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people
    7. cleaning and sanitising frequently used objects such as mobiles, keys and wallets
  2. Social distancing:
    1. Households
      1. Practice good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene
      2. Avoid handshaking and other physical greetings
      3. Regularly clean shared high-touch surfaces, such as tables, kitchen benches and doorknobs
      4. Increase the amount of fresh air by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
      5. Buy more goods and services online so you limit visits to the shop
      6. Consider what travel and outings are necessary, both individual and family, and go to open places such as parks
    2. Social distancing in the workplace
      1. Stay at home if you are sick
      2. Consider if large gatherings can be rescheduled, staggered or cancelled
      3. Stop handshaking and other physical greetings
      4. Hold meetings via video conferencing or phone call
      5. Reconsider non-essential business travel
      6. Defer large face-to-face meetings
      7. Hold essential meetings outside in the open air if possible
      8. Promote good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene and provide hand sanitisers for all staff and workers
      9. Take lunch outside rather than in the lunch room
      10. Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
      11. Consider opening windows and adjusting air conditioning for more fresh air
      12. Limit food handling and shared food in the workplace
      13. Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts
Who can I call for help?
  1. For questions about testing or patient welfare, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Continuing Studies at Academia International

Academia still operating
  1. Yes, we have launched online study utilising our proven Academia Learning Management System that we have been operating since 2015 and how have extended to include live lecture streaming that is also recorded for later playback
Is it still okay for me to come to campus?
  1. Academia has transitioned to online to minimise the need for students to come to campus during the pandemic. However, you are still welcome on campus, except in the following circumstances:
    1. You are subject to any of the travel or quarantine restrictions imposed by the Australian Government, as outlined here.
    2. You have come in close contact with a confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus within the last 14 days.
    3. You are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Can I still study online, if I return to my home country?
  1. Yes - contact our Academia Services team AcademicServices@academia21.com to find out how
Can I complete my study without placement?
  1. Academia will provide the mandatory hours of placement arrangement next in the future, we will place you as soon as we can.
  2. This may be reduced contact hours due to limitation at the time of availability. We will update and discuss with you at that stage.
  3. If it affects your study duration you may need to extend it. The Australian Government is considering waving visa extension fees. We will inform our students if and when this takes place.
If my course has a practical component how will I complete this?
  1. Academia’s academic services team has contacted every student with their revised timetable deferring your practical class.
  2. The majority of students who were to study practical classes will be scheduled to attend theory studies brought forward from a later component of your course.
  3. Once Government allows us to return to practical studies you will be contacted with your new training schedule now encompassing your practical units of study.
  4. Contact AcademicServices@academia21.com if you require further information
How long will classes be delivered online?
  1. Online delivery will continue as well as facilitated through live and interactive lectures and tutorials
  2. Academia International will follow the advice from the relevant authorities (e.g. Department of Health) in when to return to class room studies.
Who do I contact for technical support regarding online delivery?
  1. Academia International cannot support your internet connection, please contact your internet service provider for that support
  2. For Learning Management System (LMS) support, please call 03 9671 4755 or email ithelpdesk@academia21.com
  3. For device support (e.g. Academia laptops), please call 03 9671 4755 or email ithelpdesk@academia21.com
Can I extend my student visa while I’m deferred?
  1. Yes, you can apply your student visa extension as normal case, as long as you have active enrolment and COE(s).
I can no longer start and want to withdraw, what can I do?
  1. If you want to withdraw please complete this form
  2. International students, please leave Australia within 28 days from the withdrawal date.

Enrolling at Academia International

Can I still enrol if I am already in Australia?
  1. Yes, simply complete the enquiry form
Can I still enrol if I am currently outside of Australia?
  1. Yes you can for later intakes where we expect Australia will reopen its borders for international travel. For our 2021 and 2022 intake dates see: https://www.academia21.com/future-students/VET-and-english-courses-start-dates
Can I commence studies online if I am currently outside of Australia?
  1. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic Australia has closed its borders for the time being. For updates see https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions
  2. Even so you can commence part of your studies online - To find out more contact our Academia Services team AcademicServices@academia21.com to find out how
  3. Note - By commencing part of your studies online to continue studies in Australia once our borders reopen, you still need to meet the student visa requirements as per the Australian Student visa eligibility requirements see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500. If you cannot continue studies in Australia you only pay for the delivered online studies on a prorata basis.
Who do I contact?
  1. You can also call us on (03) 9671 4755 or email info@academia21.com

Financial Queries

Financial Queries
  1. We are offering MORE flexible payment plans if required. Please contact our Accounts Department – accounts@academia21.com

Employment

How can I make myself more employable?
  1. Complete the Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 Infection Control Training at https://covid-19training.gov.au/ and receive a certificate to show prospective employers
  2. Obtain a self-declaration form from Academia International to show your employer
What Industries are currently hiring and who do I contact?
  1. Coles https://www.colescareers.com.au/
  2. Woolworths https://www.wowcareers.com.au/
  3. Telstra https://careers.telstra.com/home
  4. BHP https://careers.bhp.com/careers/SearchJobs
  5. Cleaners
  6. Nurses
  7. Call Centre operators
  8. Aged Care workers
  9. Delivery drivers
  10. https://joboutlook.gov.au/ a resource to see industries currently hiring
Are International students still restricted to working only 40 hours for every 2 weeks during school term?
  1. Yes, student visa holder still restricted to working 40 hours fortnight except meet the following 2 special arrangements:
    1. Australia’s major supermarkets will temporarily be able to offer more hours to international student employees to help keep shelves stocked.
    2. International students ready to fill critical staff shortages in aged care.
Your work place rights

Note: The above FAQ is based on information available at the time of publishing and is subject to change. Please ensure you continue to access Australian Government websites including https://www.australia.gov.au/ to ensure you receive the most up to date information.