What support is UQ providing international students at this time who are socially isolated and have no family support?
Students can call, live chat or email Student Services: + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free (within Australia): 1800 512 391, or email: student.services@uq.edu.au.
Students can contact Student Services and make an appointment to speak to a counsellor.
‘Coffee catch-up’ is a live group video where they can get updates on what’s happening around UQ virtually alongside other students.
We also encourage students to engage with the services and information provided by our partners at Study Brisbane and Study Queensland #InThisTogether
My child has lost their part-time job due to the virus. What can they do to receive some extra income?
If your child has been studying in Australia for more than 12 months, and find they are in financial hardship, they will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Apply at the myGov website from April 20.
The Australian Government has temporarily extended limits to working hours for international students in supermarkets, aged care and nursing. There may be other industries that will need extra workers and your child would be making a valuable contribution by working in these sectors at this time.
Our family has lost our income due to the virus. We don’t know if we can pay next year’s fees at this rate. What do we do to keep our child at university?
Payment plans are available for tuition fees, email student.services@uq.edu.au to discuss your options. Students can spread the payments that are due now until the end of May.
My child lives alone and is too scared to leave the house to get groceries. What should they do?
Students can order a Grocery Hamper and have basic groceries and supplies delivered to them if they do not want to leave the house at this time.
If they are scared, they should speak to a counsellor with Student Services on how to cope in this time.
There are a number of weekly or daily delivery options for pre-prepared food. These have been designed for our students and can be accessed here.
Essential outings such as grocery shopping are permitted and social distancing measures are now clearly signed in all supermarkets. They should remember to wash their hands after handling groceries or when they return home.
My child has been told they must leave their accommodation, what should they do?
UQ’s accommodation team can assist them in finding a new place to live. Our preferred suppliers are considering relaxing bonds and deposits to assist students as they wait for refunds from their current providers.
The Australian Government has frozen all evictions for six months from the 29th of March 2020. If your child was to be evicted from a private rental property, we would encourage them to contact QSTARS or the Rental Tenancies Authority (RTA) for advice and assistance.
QSTARS is a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters, especially in relation to early terminations or evictions. Phone: 1300 744 263
Rental Tenancies Authority (RTA) is a state government organisation that provides a range of resources to assist tenants. They can call 1300 366 311.
My child is very sad and keeps talking about coming home but I don’t think they should. What should they do?
If you are worried that your child is sad or depressed encourage them to speak to a counsellor with Student Services on how to cope in this time.
It is also very important to stay in touch with friends and family. UQ provides opportunities for students to make friends and connect with other peers via the UQ Mates Virtual Village.
What will happen if my child gets sick in Australia?
Australia has one of the best medical systems in the world. If your child was to fall ill they would never be turned away, and they would be well cared for.
They can call the National Coronavirus Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
Respiratory clinics are being rolled out across the country to assess people with coronavirus symptoms so they go to these clinics and not the general doctor’s clinic. This way you should not be worried if they need to see a doctor for another reason.