Academia International in Melbourne and Brisbane
Our response to COVID-19!

Dear Melbourne Academia Students,

With the recent announcement by the Victorian State Government of a further 6 week lockdown in order to reduce the spike in Corona virus, Academia Management has decided to delay our Term 3 (July) Commencement for Melbourne Campus only, by 1 week to now start on the week of the 27^th of July.

The reasoning for this is to allow 2.5 weeks of "Lockdown" to help reduce the daily growth of Coronavirus especially as Health Experts state that the gestation period for the Coronavirus is 2 weeks.

As per State Government directive, Tertiary Education (such as Academia Institute) continues as normal with students studying both online and in-class for courses that cannot be delivered online.

We have also implemented temperature checking and additional cleaning procedures for our floors and building to attempt to negate Coronavirus outbreak at our institute. What is MOST CRITICAL is that if you are feeling unwell, do not come in to school. We will catch you up on missed studies at no additional cost as long as you have advised us and have gone to get a COVID-19 test before returning to school.

Our Trainers and Academic Support Staff have been working frantically to ensure your training remains uninterrupted and on schedule. We look forward to welcoming you back for a successful Term 3 starting July 27^th and finishing 3^rd of October.

We are monitoring the situation and receiving advice from Government Health Departments and will communicate to all students ongoing.

Regards, Mel

Principal Executive Officer

Academia Institute

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.

1. If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, use the symptom checker on healthdirect

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
2. Practice good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene
3. Avoid handshaking and other physical greetings
4. Regularly clean shared high-touch surfaces, such as tables, kitchen benches and doorknobs
5. Increase the amount of fresh air by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning
6. Buy more goods and services online so you limit visits to the shop
7. 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

1. For questions about testing or patient welfare, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Are you facing financial hardship due to lost work and wages because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?

The Victorian Government's $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund is available to support eligible international students who are facing financial hardship due to lost work and wages because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The International Student Emergency Relief Fund offers a one-off payment of up to $1,100 to eligible students, and applications are open.

Please visit International Student Emergency Relief Fund - information for private training provider students for instructions on how to apply through Study Melbourne.

If you need help to apply for the International Student Emergency Relief Fund or you can't find the information you need on the Study Melbourne website, please contact Study Melbourne on 1800 056 449. They can arrange for an interpreter if you need one.

A range of support is available to help you submit a successful application, including:

1. a detailed Application Guide which includes examples of the documents you need to provide
2. Frequently Asked Questions to help you with your application questions
3. translated reference examples of the application form.

Tips to make a successful application

1. Confirm your eligibility before you start your application
2. Read the application support information, including the Application Guide (Stream Two) and Frequently Asked Questions
3. Prepare your support documents before you start your application.
4. Only JPEG, PDF or PNG formats will be accepted. Learn more about Preparing supporting documents in the Application Guide.
5. Use a desktop or laptop computer to make the application, not a mobile device.
6. Check that all information is correct before submitting. If you provide incomplete or incorrect information your application cannot be processed.

In addition to the hardship funds, pastoral care and student support services available through Victorian education providers, the Victorian Government is providing the following support to international students:

1. one-off rent relief grants for people in rental hardship due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, designed to help keep renters in safe and stable accommodation
2. help to find new work opportunities through Working for Victoria
3. a dedicated international student coronavirus (COVID-19) support hub on the Study Melbourne website, including a directory of community support and food relief
4. access to free accommodation and employment legal advice
5. free and confidential support and practical help through the Study Melbourne Student Centre including access to mental health services and referral to other services.

The Queensland Government is providing financial support to enrolled international students based in Queensland who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Applications for the Queensland International Student Crisis Assistance Grant are submitted through https://www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au/options. It could take 7-10 business days

What documents do you need?

1. Copy of passport
2. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at a Queensland CRICOS registered education and/or training provider. Academia CRIOS number is 02634E - Academia International & Academia Australia – Brisbane.
3. Proof of address (may be a utility or phone bill, student identification, employment payslip, overseas student health cover)
4. VEVO status (You must complete a VEVO check to confirm your location and student visa status. To access VEVO please visit the Department of Home Affairs website. Save your VEVO check as a PDF document and attach it your application.
5. Evidence of the current balance in your bank account with $1500AUD or less (such as bank statement or screenshot of your bank account) displaying your name, current balance and transaction history from 19 May 2020 until time of application.
6. You must have an Australian phone number – it may be used to contact you about your application.

For More information please visit this link

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

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.

1. Yes - contact our Academia Services team AcademicServices@academia21.com to find out how

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.

1. For the next term commencing the week of April the 27^th we will be delivering 2 days of theory units per week ONLINE for each class. These are units normally delivered throughout your qualification but we have brought these forward to enable pure online delivery
2. For students who are scheduled to study practical subjects next term, these will be rescheduled for you to be completed at a later date.
3. For students who are in their final term of study we will schedule practical lessons on campus with reduced student numbers per class to meet the social distance requirements (Government Health Departments permitting).

1. Online delivery will continue for the remainder of Term 1, 2020 and planned for all of Term 2, 2020
2. Academia International will follow the advice from the relevant authorities (e.g. Department of Health) in when to return to class room studies.

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

1. If you wish to defer your studies please contact us. AcademicServices@academia21.com. By deferring you will maintain your student visa.

1. Yes, you can apply your student visa extension as normal case, as long as you have active enrolment and COE(s).

1. Yes, you can as Australia’s borders have closed due to Covid-19 pandemic

1. If you want to withdraw please complete this form
2. International students, please leave Australia within 28 days from the withdrawal date.

1. Yes, simply complete the enquiry form

1. Yes you can for later intakes where we expect Australia will reopen its borders for international travel. For our 2020 and 2021 intake dates see: https://www.academia21.com/future-students/VET-and-english-courses-start-dates

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.

1. You can also call us on (03) 9671 4755 or email info@academia21.com

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

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

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

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.