Coronavirus updates

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Advice for ATMC students about coronavirus COVID-19

This page will be updated this page as the coronavirus COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. 

Please review our FAQ page for information specific to students on enrolment, inability to enter the country, health concerns, questions around deferring, internships etc. 

If you need assistance please contact us via the channels below. 

ATMC support contact and government advice >

Information for students unable to enter Australia >

Campus information, online course delivery, library services and workshop cancellation >

Your physical health and emotional wellbeing >

Information for Professional Year Students >

Employment and financial updates >

 

Update 5 August 2020

The Department of Home Affairs is implementing a range of visa changes to support International students. 

A help sheet to support students though this process. To view the help sheet, click here.  

To submit a valid Student visa application eligible for a nil fee, your must provide a completed Form 1545 COVID-19 Impacted Student. 

To submit a valid Student visa application eligible for a nil fee, students must submit a completed Form 1545 COVID-19 Impacted Student via Student Support Services under the 'under the Course Advice and Enrolment Team category. This form will then be sent to the University for signature. Once the university has signed the form, this will be sent back to you for lodgement through your ImniAccount. 

Students may be inside or outside of Australia when they submit their application. 

Refunds are not available for students who have already applied for a student visa and only new applications from eligible students will attract a nil-VAC.  

Any questions or queries regarding processing of nil-VAC student visa applications can be directed to student.visa.help.desk@homeaffairs.gov.au

More Information: 
https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/supporting-international-students-support-australian-jobs.aspx
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa



Update 2 August 2020

 

  • A state of disaster has been declared in Victoria and Melbourne moves into stage four restrictions from 6pm tonight.
  • New restrictions for workplaces will be announced on Monday.
  • Supermarkets and basic food and beverage retailers will not be affected.
  • Melbourne will be under a curfew from 8pm to 5am every day for the next six weeks.
  • Only one person per household will be allowed to go shopping per day.
  • People cannot travel more than 5km from their house.
  • Exercise is limited to one hour a day and capped at two people.
  • Night Network will be suspended, and public transport services will be reduced during curfew hours.
  • Study at TAFE and uni must be done remotely.
  • Face coverings will continue to be compulsory 

 

20 July 2020

International students enrolled with a private education provider or college in Victoria can apply for Stream Two of the International Student Emergency Relief Fund.

https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/news-updates/international-student-emergency-relief-fund/private-training-providers

 

9 July 2020

Study NSW has partnered with Foodbank NSW & ACT to provide free food hampers* to international students in NSW. 
International students can access their hamper by following these steps:
1. Call Food Bank on (02) 9756 3099
2. State that you are an international student and your suburb, then ask for the distribution point closest to you
3. Have your student visa and student card with you when you collect the hamper.

8 July 2020

In line with advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government has announced that metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions from 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2020. 

This decision was made in response to a significant increase in community transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) in these areas. 

If you live in one of these areas, there will once again only be four reasons to leave home:

  • Shopping for food and supplies
  • Medical care and caregiving
  • Exercise and recreation
  • Study and work – if you can’t do it from home

Update 2 June 2020

Australia's federal, state and territory governments are gradually easing restrictions around public gatherings, how businesses can operate, and regional travel. Find out more about the National Cabinet's three-step plan to create a COVIDSafe Australia with new ways of living and working.

ATMC students will continue online learning using Microsoft Teams. Student services and support will still be available, via phone or online (see details above. Please continue to check this webpage, your email and social media regularly for further updates.

Update 29 April 2020

  • Federation University offers tuition fee reliefAnchor. To access the application form you must log out of your ATMC MS Teams account and login to your Federation University account using your Federation University email and password.  
  • Victorian government offers up to $1,100 for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Register your interest.
  • The Victorian Government's Working for Victoria program helps people who have lost their jobs due to the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) find new work opportunities.

Update 27 April 2020

Update 9 April 2020

  • Australian Government introduces new visa option - the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa, available under subclass 408.

  • The purpose of the new visa option is to provide a pathway for certain former and current holders of temporary visas to lawfully remain in Australia and to also address the workforce shortages in critical areas like agriculture, aged care and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • This visa will allow applicants to remain in Australia if they have no other visa options and are unable to depart due to travel restrictions.
  • The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) has stated ‘the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is only available to people who are onshore and have 28 days or less remaining on their current visa or where their last substantive visa has expired up to 28 days previously.’
  • There is no charge for this visa, it's free. More information here and here. 

Update 5 April 2020

  • Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Apply at the myGov website from April 20.
  • International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.
  • International students working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to support these critical sectors.
  • International students working in the major supermarkets had also had these hours extended to help get stock on shelves during the high demand. From 1 May, these hours will return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight as more Australians are being recruited into these roles.
  • Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia.  

Update 30 March 2020

  • Library services are available for students who need assistance. Please read the FAQ on how to access this service. 
  • Online courses for Federation University Students commenced today. If you are having issuess accessing Microsoft Teams please download the student user guide or lodge a ticket with our help desk for assistance. https://ithelpdesk.atmc.edu.au/open.php. 
  • USC courses commence Monday 6 April. Students will receive an email shortly about accessing the online portal to join their virtual classrooms.
  • ATMC will arrange counselling for any student who is feeling anxious or depressed. Please read the Health FAQ for information on accessing this service.
  • Government requires all evictions be put on hold for six months across all states and territories. 
  • Public gatherings, excluding household members, have been reduced to a maximum of two people.
  • Students should stay home unless you are: shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work.

Update 27 March 2020

  • Given the recent updates to self-distancing requirements, no classes will be delivered on campus until further notice.
  • Online delivery of courses will commence on 30 March, 2020 for Federation University Students.
  • Online delivery of courses will commence on 6 April, 2020 for University of the Sunshine Coast Students.
  • An email will be sent to the University of the Sunshine Coast students next week explaining the pause in class delivery and information on accessing the online learning portal.
  • Campuses are still open to provide support services to students, however we encourage students to engage with us online wherever possible.
  • Professional Year students based in Australia have commenced online tuition and will have 42 virtual classes up and operational across NSW and VIC by Monday. 
  • The DHA has advised that Professional Year students who are not currently in Australia will be unable to enrol or continue in the Professional Year Program. 
  • Enrolling Federation students were sent an email containing information about accessing user guides and instructional videos for using the online learning portal. 

  • All passengers who arrive in Australia after midnight on Saturday will go into mandatory quarantine in hotels for a fortnight. Defence Force personnel will be brought in to support state and territory police in enforcing the mandatory quarantine and the self-isolation rules that apply to people who are already in Australia or who arrive before the Saturday midnight deadline. Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-27/forced-coronavirus-quarantine-for-people-returning-to-australia/12095898

Please review our FAQ page for information specific to students on enrolment, inability to enter the country, health concerns, questions around deferring, internships etc.  

 

Update 18 March 2020

As the situation around novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to evolve, we wanted to update you on the measures ATMC is taking to meet the challenges of this ongoing health issue.

Please be assured that your health and wellbeing is our primary concern. We are monitoring the situation closely and following the advice of the Australian Government, education and health authorities. You should attend classes as normal. We will update you if this advice changes. 

ATMC and our University Partners will notify you immediately if there is any move from classroom to online teaching.  Should this happen, rest assured that ATMC is ready to deliver all of our course content online and we have the resources, systems and people in place to support you in that transition.

ATMC does not underestimate the seriousness of this situation or its potential effects on the life of our students, staff and faculty.

Whilst ATMC has always maintained strict hygiene practices, we have increased the frequency of campus cleaning and sanitisation and are using hospital-grade disinfectant on high-touch and high-traffic areas. Cleaning staff are following the latest advice from NSW and VIC Health Departments and are now wearing masks and thicker gloves during cleaning operations.

You will have noticed posters around campus advising you on ways to reduce the risk of contracting Coronavirus COVID-19. Please be sure to follow these steps as a precautionary measure to protect those around you from contracting the virus.

Early symptoms of Coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If you develop a fever and are finding it difficult to breath, please seek medical attention or call the COVID-19 24 Hotline on 1800 675 398 for assistance. 

We appreciate that you will have questions about the impact of this virus on living, studying and working in Australia. Please check back here regularly for updates. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or would like more information. We are here to support you, and encourage you to reach out if you need assistance. Email us at info@atmc.edu.au or contact our student support team on +61 4 8880 5001.